The Climate Question

<p>Lithium and copper are at the heart of the green energy transition, but what's the environmental cost of extraction? </p><p>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. </p><p>Graihagh and Jordan chat to James Crawford about his new book Vanishing Earth, and the legacy of mining repair and restoration. Can we lear

<p>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? </p><p>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. </p><p>They speak to BBC Nairobi Correspondent Thomas Mukhwana and Miguel Aristegui

<p>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.</p><p>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. </p><p>But is battery de

<p>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?</p><p>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. </p><p>But the UN now says what scientists call "overshoot" is guaranteed, and it may have devastating consequences.</p><p>Exper

<p>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!</p><p>Cheap solar panels, mainly imported from China, are transforming lives and slashing electricity bills across Asia. </p><p>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.</p><p>In Pakistan, where the boom started earlie

<p>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? </p><p>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 nor

<p>As shown by the recent flash floods, Nepali mountain communities are on the front line of climate change. Can they adapt?</p><p>Host Jordan Dunbar talks to two Sherpas who have become climate researchers. They are glaciologist Tenzing Chogyal Sherpa, and Pasang Yangjee Sherpa, who researches how global warming affects indigenous groups in Nepal.</p><p>This programme was recorded in July 2026.</p><p>Got a question for The Climate Question? Email us: <a href="mailto:theclimatequestion@bbc.com">

<p>Europe is reeling from a record-breaking drought which has closed nuclear power stations, stopped river traffic and sent food prices soaring. And there may now be more intense droughts in some parts of the world because of climate change. </p><p>Our host Graihagh Jackson explores solutions from water usage apps in South Africa to solar irrigation systems in Egypt. She also looks at the challenges of adapting our energy infrastructure for a warming planet. </p><p>Her guests are Dr Iain Staffel