Free Daily Podcast Summary
The Climate Question: Daily Summaries Delivered
by BBC World Service
Why we find it so hard to save our own planet, and how we might change that.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 4 days ago23 min
AMOC: How the changing Atlantic could reshape our world
The system of ocean currents known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation or AMOC plays a crucial role in the global climate, helping to keep Europe relatively mild and to circulate vital nutrients for marine life.But scientists are worried that the AMOC system might be starting to weaken because of climate change and that, in the worst case scenario, it might eventually collapse. This could lead to freezing temperatures in Europe and changing rainfall patterns around the world. The Amazon rainforest could dry out, for example, and the monsoon in South East Asia might also be affected.But there's a lot of uncertainty about the AMOC in climate models, as well as a lack of real world data because scientists have only been measuring this vital ocean system for a couple of decades.In this show, The Climate Question hosts Graihagh Jackson and Esme Stallard talk to Professor Penny Holliday. Penny is the Chief Scientific Officer at the UK's National Oceanography Centre. She has been leading research on the strength and variability of AMOC for decades.Producers: Graihagh Jackson, Diane Richardson and Grace Braddock Sound Mix: Dafydd Evans and Tom Brignell Editor: Simon WattsPhoto by Joe Klamar / AFP via Getty Images
- 1 weeks ago26 min
How could climate change affect my health?
Climate change is having major health impacts around the world, which are only expected to increase as our planet gets warmer. These impacts range from heat stroke to the spread of tropical diseases, from hospitals losing power during extreme weather to the effect on our mental health. In a show first broadcast in 2025, Graihagh Jackson talks to Dr Jemilah Mahmoud, executive director, Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, Malaysia and Dr Omnia El Omrani, vice-chair of the Global Climate and Health Alliance, about the challenges the medical sector faces, as well as possible solutions and how healthcare must also address its own emissions problem.If you have a question or a comment, email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com or leave a WhatsApp message at + 44 8000 321 721Presenter: Graihagh Jackson Producer: Diane Richardson Research: Jordan Dunbar Production co-ordinator: Brenda Brown Sound engineer: Tom Brignell and Philip Bull Editor: Simon Watts
- 2 weeks ago30 min
Mining: Can we learn lessons from the past?
Lithium and copper are at the heart of the green energy transition, but what's the environmental cost of extraction? From the lithium mines of Salar de Atacama in Chile to the historic copper mines of Butte Montana, author James Crawford has visited the extraordinary landscapes and mining operations powering the renewable energy transition. Graihagh and Jordan chat to James Crawford about his new book Vanishing Earth, and the legacy of mining repair and restoration. Can we learn from the past to mine better in the future? If you have a Climate Question you’d like answered, email: TheClimateQuestion@bbc.comHosts: Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar Production team: Diane Richardson and Melanie Stewart-Smith Sound engineers: Ricardo McCarthy and Tom Brignell Editor: Simon Watts Photo: Lithium ponds in Chile (courtesy James Crawford)
- 3 weeks ago22 min
Are we ready for a super El Niño?
When a powerful El Niño strikes, it can devastate harvests, flood communities and kill thousands of people. Scientists have been warning for months that this one could become the strongest on record. The question is: are we ready? In this episode of The Climate Question, hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar find out how communities in Kenya and Peru are preparing for a potentially historic El Niño. They speak to BBC Nairobi Correspondent Thomas Mukhwana and Miguel Aristegui from the international development charity Practical Action about the challenges that lie ahead. Miguel's charity worked with the Peruvian government on an action plan it introduced after a localised El Niño event in 2017.From flood-prone neighbourhoods in Nairobi to Peru's newly installed meteorological radar network, we explore what happens when weather extremes collide with existing vulnerabilities. Can early warning systems, emergency planning and climate adaptation reduce the risks? Or will many communities remain exposed when the worst impacts arrive? If you have a Climate Question you’d like answered, email: TheClimateQuestion@bbc.comProducers: Diane Richardson, Jordan Dunbar and Melanie Stewart-Smith Sound engineer: Ben Andrews, Ricardo McCarthy and Tom Brignell Editor: Simon Watts
- Oct 4, 202626 min
The battery revolution
From Mongolia to Texas, record numbers of lithium-ion batteries are being added to the world's electricity grids - helping to provide more reliable power and speeding up the transition to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.China is installing over half of these new batteries, often in giant battery farms, followed by the United States and Europe. And with prices dropping fast, the trend is likely to continue and spread to more developing countries. But is battery development moving fast enough to help us meet our climate goals? And what about alternatives to lithium-ion technology like using air, water or even sand? Could these types of batteries help us with other energy problems such as storing heat over the winter.In this edition of The Climate Question, Hosts Graihagh Jackson talks to Akshat Rathi, senior climate reporter at Bloomberg News and host of Bloomberg Green's Zero podcast.Producers: Diane Richardson and Melanie Stewart-Smith Sound engineer Gareth Jones and Tom Brignell Editor: Simon Watts
- Sep 27, 202628 min
Climate overshoot: The world beyond 1.5°C
The United Nations says the world will pass its most important climate target within a few years. So can we bring the planet's temperature back down quickly? Or will the damage be irreversible?In 2015, world leaders agreed in Paris to try to keep the global temperature below 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels to avoid the worst effects of climate change. But the UN now says what scientists call "overshoot" is guaranteed, and it may have devastating consequences.Experts are worried that the higher temperature may trigger "tipping points" in vital parts of our planet's climate system, including coral reefs, glaciers, rainforests and ocean currents. Once past their tipping points, they could flip from helping to keep the Earth cool to making it even warmer.In this show, The Climate Question hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar talk to Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact ResearchProducers: Simon Watts, Melanie Stewart-Smith and Diane Richardson Sound Mix: Tom Brignell and Phil Bull Editor: Simon Watts
- Sep 20, 202622 min
The solar power boom in Pakistan and the Philippines
The Philippines and Pakistan are now the world's top solar panel importers. We find out why, and what other countries can learn from the boom!Cheap solar panels, mainly imported from China, are transforming lives and slashing electricity bills across Asia. In the last year, Filipinos have put up five times as many rooftop solar panels as the previous ten years combined. Installation companies are struggling to keep up with demand.In Pakistan, where the boom started earlier, solar power has reached every sector of the economy from the textile industry to farming. Solar has helped Pakistanis weather the current energy crisis and reduced the country's reliance on imported fossil fuels.The Climate Question Host Jordan Dunbar talks to Filipino climate journalist, Jhesset Enano, and Pakistani energy analyst, Zeeshan Ashfaq, from the Renewables First think tank in Islamabad.Producers: Jordan Dunbar and Melanie Stewart Smith Sound Mix: Tom Brignell and Dafydd Evans Editor: Simon Watts
- Sep 13, 202627 min
Can China build its way out of climate change?
Huge construction projects are transforming China - think enormous dams, giant solar power farms and a vast high-speed rail network. Will Beijing's "engineering mindset" help it deal with climate change? China's senior leadership is dominated by engineers, starting with President Xi, who trained as a chemical engineer in the 1970s. They have overseen megaprojects like the 50-kilometre bridge joining Hong Kong and Macau, and a plan to move water from southern China to the much drier north.The engineering mania extends to energy, where the world's largest polluter has invested trillions of dollars in wind and nuclear power, as well as high voltage transmission lines spanning the country.But China still uses a huge amount of coal power, and its mega projects have often damaged the local environment and led to the displacement of millions. So what does Beijing's approach mean for climate change? And can China build its way out of the problem?In this edition of The Climate Question Host Jordan Dunbar and BBC Presenter Celia Hatton talk to Dan Wang, the author of Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future. Dan is currently a research fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution.Producer: Jordan Dunbar and Melanie Stewart-Smith Sound Mix: Johnny Hall and Tom Brignell Editor: Simon Watts
Get The Climate Question summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
People Fixing the World
BBC World Service
Science In Action
The BBC covers the latest weekly developments and news in science.
BBC Inside Science
Explores the latest scientific discoveries and debates shaping our understanding of the world.
A Matter of Degrees
Two climate experts explore the systems driving climate change and spotlight solutions through stories of leadership and activism.
CrowdScience
Explores listener-submitted questions about life, Earth, and the universe with scientists at the forefront of research.
For What It’s Earth
Emma Brisdion & Sophie Pavelle
The Planet Earth Podcast
Behind-the-scenes stories and personal reflections from the creators and narrator of the Planet Earth documentary series.
The World, the Universe and Us
Explores big scientific questions about life, consciousness, climate, and the cosmos with expert scientists and New Scientist journalists.
What in the World
A daily podcast exploring major and minor global events to help listeners understand current affairs and feel more informed.
A Question of Science
Experts answer public questions on pressing scientific issues, from cancer and nutrition to AI and climate change.
The Inquiry
The Inquiry explores global trends, forces, and ideas shaping the world beyond the headlines.
Unf*cking the Future
A scientist explores environmental crises and practical solutions to secure a sustainable future.
About The Climate Question
Why we find it so hard to save our own planet, and how we might change that.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from The Climate Question in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's The Climate Question daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of The Climate Question as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the The Climate Question podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official The Climate Question product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by BBC World Service.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts, any in the catalog. Basic raises that to 15, Pro to 40 and Max to 100. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does The Climate Question release new episodes?
The Climate Question publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does The Climate Question cover?
The Climate Question covers topics including Science, Technology. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting The Climate Question summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.