<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?

<description>&lt;p&gt;In the global race for critical minerals - could the seabed provide solutions? Or should we leave these metal-rich environments undisturbed? &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Governments and mining companies around the world are on the hunt for the critical minerals we need for the green tech transition. And there’s growing interest in an unlikely source – potato-shaped nodules that are found kilometres below the surface of our oceans. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;These polymetallic nodules contain high levels of elements like cobalt, nickel, manganese and copper. Supporters of deep-sea mining say that harvesting them might be less damaging to the environment than mining on land. But many scientists support a moratorium; they say industrial activity on the seabed could damage the biodiversity of a fragile part of our planet.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The BBC’s Climate and Science Reporter Georgina Rannard has been following the deep-sea mining debate for five years. She chats to Hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Got a question or comment? Email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Production team: Simon Watts, Graihagh Jackson, Diane Richardson, Melanie Stewart-Smith 
Sound Engineers: Jonny Hall and Tom Brignell 
Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown 
Editor: Simon Watts&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Picture Credit: A Brittle Star, Michael Zeigler via Getty Images&lt;/p&gt;</description>

What is deep‑sea mining? And is it a climate solution or an environmental hazard?

In the global race for critical minerals - could the seabed provide solutions? Or should we leave these metal-rich environments undisturbed? Governments and mining companies around the world are on the hunt for the critical minerals we need for the green tech transition. And there’s growing interest in an unlikely source – potato-shaped nodules that are found kilometres below the surface of our oceans. These polymetallic nodules contain high levels of elements like cobalt, nickel, manganese and copper. Supporters of deep-sea mining say that harvesting them might be less damaging to the environment than mining on land. But many scientists support a moratorium; they say industrial activity on the seabed could damage the biodiversity of a fragile part of our planet.The BBC’s Climate and Science Reporter Georgina Rannard has been following the deep-sea mining debate for five years. She chats to Hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar.Got a question or comment? Email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com Production team: Simon Watts, Graihagh Jackson, Diane Richardson, Melanie Stewart-Smith 
Sound Engineers: Jonny Hall and Tom Brignell 
Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown 
Editor: Simon WattsPicture Credit: A Brittle Star, Michael Zeigler via Getty Images

Should we mine the deep ocean?

<description>&lt;p&gt;Electric vehicle sales are soaring in Thailand and Vietnam. What’s behind the boom? And will it help the climate? &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Thais and Vietnamese are switching to electric cars in huge numbers – attracted by government subsidies and a more exciting range of EVs. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Jobs in the car industry are also up in both countries as a new generation of manufacturers compete for domination of the emerging electric market. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;But can the pace of growth last? Will the boom in electric cars reduce the chronic air pollution in cities like Bangkok? And will it help Thailand and Vietnam reduce their carbon emissions? &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this edition of The Climate Question, Host Jordan Dunbar chats to Ember’s Asian Energy Analyst, Lam Pham and Bloomberg’s Thailand Reporter, Patpicha Tanakasempipat. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Got a question or comment? Email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Presenter: Jordan Dunbar
Producer: Nik Sindle
Sound engineer: Jack Graysmark and Tom Brignell 
Editor: Simon Watts&lt;/p&gt;</description>

How Thailand and Vietnam are seeing rapid growth in EV sales and manufacturing

Electric vehicle sales are soaring in Thailand and Vietnam. What’s behind the boom? And will it help the climate? Thais and Vietnamese are switching to electric cars in huge numbers – attracted by government subsidies and a more exciting range of EVs. Jobs in the car industry are also up in both countries as a new generation of manufacturers compete for domination of the emerging electric market. But can the pace of growth last? Will the boom in electric cars reduce the chronic air pollution in cities like Bangkok? And will it help Thailand and Vietnam reduce their carbon emissions? In this edition of The Climate Question, Host Jordan Dunbar chats to Ember’s Asian Energy Analyst, Lam Pham and Bloomberg’s Thailand Reporter, Patpicha Tanakasempipat. Got a question or comment? Email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com Presenter: Jordan Dunbar
Producer: Nik Sindle
Sound engineer: Jack Graysmark and Tom Brignell 
Editor: Simon Watts

The electric car boom in South East Asia

<description>&lt;p&gt;What’s the carbon footprint of streaming your favourite shows or doing an AI search? How vulnerable are river estuaries to climate change? Plus, are you a climate optimist or pessimist? Graihagh Jackson and her panel answer your questions. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The panel are Justin Rowlatt, BBC climate editor; Akshat Rathi, senior climate reporter for Bloomberg News and host of Bloomberg's Zero podcast; and Caroline Steel, presenter of BBC CrowdScience. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Got a question or comment for the next listeners' show? You can email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com or leave a WhatsApp message at + 44 8000 321 721 &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Production team: Diane Richardson and Grace Braddock 
Sound Engineers: Ben Andrews and Tom Brignell 
Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown 
Editor: Simon Watts&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Picture Credit: ljubaphoto via Getty Images&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Plus: What's the future of our estuaries? And are you a climate optimist?

What’s the carbon footprint of streaming your favourite shows or doing an AI search? How vulnerable are river estuaries to climate change? Plus, are you a climate optimist or pessimist? Graihagh Jackson and her panel answer your questions. The panel are Justin Rowlatt, BBC climate editor; Akshat Rathi, senior climate reporter for Bloomberg News and host of Bloomberg's Zero podcast; and Caroline Steel, presenter of BBC CrowdScience. Got a question or comment for the next listeners' show? You can email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com or leave a WhatsApp message at + 44 8000 321 721 Production team: Diane Richardson and Grace Braddock 
Sound Engineers: Ben Andrews and Tom Brignell 
Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown 
Editor: Simon WattsPicture Credit: ljubaphoto via Getty Images

Q+A: The carbon footprint of your tech and AI

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

The Climate Question

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