<description>&lt;p&gt;Scientists say the El Niño weather pattern has started and this one is potentially so strong that it could have devastating effects in many parts of the world. So how does El Niño work exactly? And what’s the connection with climate change? &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;El Niño starts when water temperatures rise near the Pacific coast of South America, but the impact on weather is felt around the globe. Some regions are more likely to experience severe droughts or more powerful storms; others could face the threat of severe flooding. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This “Super” El Niño is likely to add 0.2 or 0.3 degrees to the global temperature. When added to the impact of climate change, scientists say the world could be headed for a new heat record in 2027. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this edition of The Climate Question, hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar chat to Mark Maslin, Professor of Earth System Science at University College, London, about what might happen and how the world can prepare.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Got a question or comment? You can email the team: theclimatequestion@bbc.com&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Producer: Grace Braddock
Sound Mix: Mike Regaard and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon Watts&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Picture Credit: Reuters&lt;/p&gt;</description>

How does the El Niño weather pattern work? And what's the link to global warming?

Scientists say the El Niño weather pattern has started and this one is potentially so strong that it could have devastating effects in many parts of the world. So how does El Niño work exactly? And what’s the connection with climate change? El Niño starts when water temperatures rise near the Pacific coast of South America, but the impact on weather is felt around the globe. Some regions are more likely to experience severe droughts or more powerful storms; others could face the threat of severe flooding. This “Super” El Niño is likely to add 0.2 or 0.3 degrees to the global temperature. When added to the impact of climate change, scientists say the world could be headed for a new heat record in 2027. In this edition of The Climate Question, hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar chat to Mark Maslin, Professor of Earth System Science at University College, London, about what might happen and how the world can prepare.Got a question or comment? You can email the team: theclimatequestion@bbc.comProducer: Grace Braddock
Sound Mix: Mike Regaard and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon WattsPicture Credit: Reuters

The Climate Question

"Super" El Niños and climate change

<description>&lt;p&gt;Parts of India have been facing extreme heat - with temperatures soaring past 46 degrees Celsius. But a less familiar story unfolds after dark. When temperatures stay high after sunset, an essential human need is threatened: sleep.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Scientific research suggests that hot nights are leading many of us around the world to lose shut-eye already. Our bodies need to cool down to fall asleep – but hotter nights make that much harder. And the impacts go way beyond just feeling tired; disrupted sleep has links to poor cardiovascular health and depression. Women, children, the elderly and those living in hot countries with less income are most affected. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;As global temperatures rise due to climate change, experts warn that the impact on our sleep – and our health – will only worsen. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Presenter Graihagh Jackson speaks to sleep expert Dr Sophie Bostock and BBC Marathi reporter, Janhavee Moole. They explore how rising temperatures are disrupting sleep in India and beyond – and share practical tips on how to stay cool in a warming world.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Producer: Graihagh Jackson, Janhavee Moole and Grace Braddock
Sound engineer: Ben Andrews and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon Watts&lt;/p&gt;</description>

How the rise in night-time temperatures is starting to disrupt our sleep and health

Parts of India have been facing extreme heat - with temperatures soaring past 46 degrees Celsius. But a less familiar story unfolds after dark. When temperatures stay high after sunset, an essential human need is threatened: sleep.Scientific research suggests that hot nights are leading many of us around the world to lose shut-eye already. Our bodies need to cool down to fall asleep – but hotter nights make that much harder. And the impacts go way beyond just feeling tired; disrupted sleep has links to poor cardiovascular health and depression. Women, children, the elderly and those living in hot countries with less income are most affected. As global temperatures rise due to climate change, experts warn that the impact on our sleep – and our health – will only worsen. Presenter Graihagh Jackson speaks to sleep expert Dr Sophie Bostock and BBC Marathi reporter, Janhavee Moole. They explore how rising temperatures are disrupting sleep in India and beyond – and share practical tips on how to stay cool in a warming world.Producer: Graihagh Jackson, Janhavee Moole and Grace Braddock
Sound engineer: Ben Andrews and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon Watts

Is climate change ruining our sleep?

<description>&lt;p&gt;Insects play a crucial role in food production and the spread of disease, as well as being keystone species in many ecosystems. What does a warmer world mean for them?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Climate Question hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar talk to zoologist Dr Tim Cockerill, Senior Lecturer at Falmouth University.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Got a question or comment? You can email the team: theclimatequestion@bbc.com&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Producers: Diane Richardson, Graihagh Jackson and Grace Braddock
Sound mix: Mike Regaard and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon Watts&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Insects are crucial to food production, the spread of disease and most ecosystems

Insects play a crucial role in food production and the spread of disease, as well as being keystone species in many ecosystems. What does a warmer world mean for them?Climate Question hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar talk to zoologist Dr Tim Cockerill, Senior Lecturer at Falmouth University.Got a question or comment? You can email the team: theclimatequestion@bbc.comProducers: Diane Richardson, Graihagh Jackson and Grace Braddock
Sound mix: Mike Regaard and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon Watts

How will climate change affect insects?

<description>&lt;p&gt;Scorching temperatures are expected at this year’s World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. How will players and fans cope? And how will it affect the action on the pitch? &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Scientists are concerned about the impact of extreme heat on the biggest sporting event in history. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The organisers, FIFA, is introducing mandatory water breaks to keep players cool, but experts say the hot conditions may slow down the game and give an advantage to teams that play more matches in air-conditioned stadiums. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;There’s also concern about the health effects on fans. FIFA has put in place measures such as cooling areas and misting systems, but some say the plans don’t go far enough. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The Climate Question hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar chat to Dr Madeleine Orr, Associate Professor of Sports Ecology at the University of Toronto, and BBC Sport Correspondent Katie Gornall. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Katie also breaks down the carbon footprint of a World Cup that’s been described as one of the most polluting events ever. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Got a question or comment? You can email the team: theclimatequestion@bbc.com&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Presenters: Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar
Producers: Nik Sindle, Jordan Dunbar, Melanie Stewart-Smith
Sound Mix: Tom Brignell, Philip Bull
Editor: Simon Watts&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Will hot temperatures affect players and fans? And what's the World Cup's climate impact?

Scorching temperatures are expected at this year’s World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. How will players and fans cope? And how will it affect the action on the pitch? Scientists are concerned about the impact of extreme heat on the biggest sporting event in history. The organisers, FIFA, is introducing mandatory water breaks to keep players cool, but experts say the hot conditions may slow down the game and give an advantage to teams that play more matches in air-conditioned stadiums. There’s also concern about the health effects on fans. FIFA has put in place measures such as cooling areas and misting systems, but some say the plans don’t go far enough. The Climate Question hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar chat to Dr Madeleine Orr, Associate Professor of Sports Ecology at the University of Toronto, and BBC Sport Correspondent Katie Gornall. Katie also breaks down the carbon footprint of a World Cup that’s been described as one of the most polluting events ever. Got a question or comment? You can email the team: theclimatequestion@bbc.comPresenters: Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar
Producers: Nik Sindle, Jordan Dunbar, Melanie Stewart-Smith
Sound Mix: Tom Brignell, Philip Bull
Editor: Simon Watts

Can the World Cup cope with extreme heat?

<description>&lt;p&gt;Corals protect humans and sustain 25% of all marine life. But reefs are under threat from climate change, and mass bleaching events mean that some scientists estimate they could disappear by 2100.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Graihagh Jackson is joined by BBC CrowdScience presenter, Caroline Steel. We go to Puerto Rico to see how self-duplicating, carnivorous coral could be the solution. We also speak to the scientist who helped discover what was causing coral bleaching in the first place - back when climate change was commonly denied.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This programme was first broadcast in 2024.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Guests:
Dr Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Professor of Marine Studies at the University of Queensland in Brisbane
Dr Stacey Williams, Executive Director at the Institute for Socio Ecological Research&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Picture: Prickly alcyonarian - Dendronephthya sp. Orange red colored soft coral. Credit: ultramarinfoto via Getty. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Presenters: Graihagh Jackson and Caroline Steel
Producer: Octavia Woodward
Production co-ordinator: Brenda Brown
Editor: Simon Watts
Sound Engineer: Tom Brignell&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Got a climate question you’d like answered? E-mail the team: theclimatequestion@bbc.com&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Corals protect human and marine life. Can scientists grow more climate-proof versions?

Corals protect humans and sustain 25% of all marine life. But reefs are under threat from climate change, and mass bleaching events mean that some scientists estimate they could disappear by 2100.In this episode, Graihagh Jackson is joined by BBC CrowdScience presenter, Caroline Steel. We go to Puerto Rico to see how self-duplicating, carnivorous coral could be the solution. We also speak to the scientist who helped discover what was causing coral bleaching in the first place - back when climate change was commonly denied.This programme was first broadcast in 2024.Guests:
Dr Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Professor of Marine Studies at the University of Queensland in Brisbane
Dr Stacey Williams, Executive Director at the Institute for Socio Ecological ResearchPicture: Prickly alcyonarian - Dendronephthya sp. Orange red colored soft coral. Credit: ultramarinfoto via Getty. Presenters: Graihagh Jackson and Caroline Steel
Producer: Octavia Woodward
Production co-ordinator: Brenda Brown
Editor: Simon Watts
Sound Engineer: Tom BrignellGot a climate question you’d like answered? E-mail the team: theclimatequestion@bbc.com

Can we save the world's coral?

Why we find it so hard to save our own planet, and how we might change that.

The Climate Question

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