logo
episode-header-image
May 2022
14m 9s

A Climate Time Capsule (Part 1): The Sta...

NPR
About this episode
In 1992, diplomats and scientists at the United Nations negotiated the first-ever treaty intended to tackle the scientific phenomenon now known as climate change. This brought the issue to the forefront and led to a series of conferences that would occur almost every year for the next 30 years.

Short Wave host Emily Kwong talks to freelance climate reporter, Dan Charles, about how those at the conference wrote a clear and ambitious goal that they didn't even fully understand.

Email the show at shortwave@npr.org.

To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy
Up next
Mar 13
An icy mystery: What are lake stars?
When producer Berly McCoy was out on her local frozen lake, she saw something she'd never seen before. There were dark spidery, star-shaped patterns in the ice and they freaked her out. So, we called an expert to find out more about them. In today’s episode, geophysicist Victor T ... Show More
12m 20s
Mar 11
We saved gray whales from extinction. Why are so many dying again?
In 1999 hundreds of gray whales washed up along the west coast of North America. More in 2000. They lost an estimated 25% of their population. But then the whale population recovered and people moved on. Until it happened again in 2019. And 2020, and 2021. It’s still happening to ... Show More
13m 11s
Mar 10
Sibling order may affect sexuality and identity
Today, guest host Selena Simmons-Duffin is exploring a detail very personal to her: How the number of older brothers a person has can influence their sexuality.Scientific research on sexuality has a dark history, with long-lasting harmful effects on queer communities. Much of the ... Show More
12m 24s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2020
Episode 8: How Did We Get Here? A History of the Climate Negotiations
<p>The Climate Briefing returns from its summer break with a deepdive into the history of the international climate agenda.</p> <p><a href="http://www.robertfalkner.org/">Professor Robert Falkner</a> of the Grantham Institute speaks to Ben about the origins of the UN-led climate ... Show More
1h 1m
Dec 2022
Who Pays the Bill for Climate Change?
<p>Last month at COP27, the U.N. climate change conference, a yearslong campaign ended in an agreement. The rich nations of the world — the ones primarily responsible for the emissions that have caused climate change — agreed to pay into a fund to help poorer nations that bear th ... Show More
45m 40s
Nov 2022
Daunting challenges for UN climate conference
Delegates are gathering in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, for the COP27 UN climate change conference beginning on Sunday 6 November. But a lot has changed in the 12 months since attendees of the COP26 meeting in Glasgow promised bold action to tackle global warming. Russia invaded Ukrai ... Show More
48m 55s
Jun 2024
How do you negotiate a good climate deal?
<p>As a new play depicts the landmark global climate change agreement, the Kyoto protocol, Jordan Dunbar has a front row seat. He heads to the historic English town of Stratford-Upon-Avon to watch the opening night of the play, Kyoto, at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. He hears wh ... Show More
22m 58s
Nov 2021
Can COP26 deliver on climate change?
<p>The science is unequivocal: human-made climate change is leading the world into an environmental crisis, and time is running out to prevent permanent damage to ecosystems and make the planet uninhabitable for many of us humans. </p><p>As communities around the world increasing ... Show More
39m 53s
Nov 2021
A Last Chance to Avert Climate Disaster?
<p>In a giant conference hall in Glasgow, leaders from around the world have gathered for the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Climate Change Convention, or COP26. This is the 26th such session.</p><p>Many say this may be the last chance to avoid climate disaster. Will ... Show More
27m 39s
Dec 2023
A Primer for the International Climate Summit
The 28th edition of the international climate summit known as the Conference of the Parties—or COP—convened in Dubai this week, just as scientists announced that 2023 was likely to be the hottest year in human history. Host Ravi Agrawal spoke to Vijay Vaitheeswaran, the Global en ... Show More
46m 10s