logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2024
26m 29s

America and… Climate change

Bbc World Service
About this episode

How could Kamala Harris or Donald Trump shape the global response to the climate crisis? As one of the world’s largest producers of fossil fuels and carbon emissions, the US plays a pivotal role in addressing climate change. The environmental policies of the next president could reshape American industry and the economy, while influencing the global fight against climate change. On this episode, Sumi Somaskanda speaks to the BBC’s climate editor Justin Rowlatt and Carl Nasman, who covers US climate issues for the BBC.

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Producers: Peter Goffin, Tom Kavanagh and Eleanor Sly

Sound engineer: Hannah Montgomery

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

Up next
Jul 4
The President’s Path: Inside ‘Alligator Alcatraz’
We follow President Trump as he visits the new Florida detention centre dubbed ‘Alligator Alcatraz’, where around 3,000 migrants are expected to be held as part of his crackdown on illegal immigration. The Trump administration says alligators, crocodiles, and pythons in the surro ... Show More
24m 42s
Jun 27
The President’s Path: Governing by post?
Is Donald Trump’s phone his most powerful tool in office? From announcing ceasefires and trade deals to commenting on military actions like the recent strikes on Iran, Trump has used social media -especially his platform, Truth Social- as a direct line to the public. But what doe ... Show More
25m 8s
Jun 21
The President’s Path: Trump’s plan for Iran
Donald Trump will decide if the US gets directly involved in the Iran-Israel conflict within the next two weeks. Trump made waves – and charmed voters – by promising an ‘America First’ foreign policy. With the Middle East on the brink, what that means is up for debate. On this ep ... Show More
24m 44s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2020
Skimm Special: COVID-19 and Climate Change
Across the world, economies have essentially been on pause due to COVID-19. The unintended consequence? A significant decrease in air pollution and carbon emissions. We talked to climate experts about how the pandemic is highlighting the human impact on the planet. And what that ... Show More
18m 38s
Nov 2024
The Climate Question x Global News Podcast: Listeners Questions Special
In a special programme, The Climate Question join forces with The Global News Podcast to tackle listeners' climate questions from around the world. How does war impact climate change? How can we protect small island nations? And what practical actions can we all take as individua ... Show More
50m 57s
Jan 2025
Adaptitude: India and climate change
The world’s most populous country is at the front line of climate change. Our deputy editor explores the many ways it is adapting—because it must. Our series The World Ahead continues by examining the plausibility of the incoming Trump administration’s policy promises (10:26). An ... Show More
25 m
Jan 2025
LA fires and the top climate stories to watch in 2025
The devastating fires in LA have dominated the headlines in a dramatic start to 2025. Christiana Figueres,Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson discuss their link with climate, as the newly-released Copernicus report confirms the world has exceeded 1.5 degrees of warming. And, in ... Show More
33m 11s
Jun 23
Your Questions Answered
The Climate Question panel discuss how to make homes - and ships - better for the climate. Plus, what about our own carbon footprints? And are oceans or forests better at storing carbon?Answering your head-scratchers are Justin Rowlatt, BBC climate editor; Akshat Rathi, senior cl ... Show More
26m 28s
Sep 2024
News update: Sea level rise, Mexico's "green" president, Ivory Coast's chocolate crisis
Graihagh Jackson and her team bring you the latest climate-related news from around the world.The United Nations has just published a worrying new report about the rate of sea level rise in the Pacific - BBC Climate Reporter Esme Stallard talks us through the details. Plus, Mexic ... Show More
26m 26s
Jun 2024
A macro view on the state of climate tech
We need to invest many trillions of dollars every year to build a climate-positive economy. We know what those technologies are – but they're all at very different levels of readiness.So what would it take to scale critical climate technologies? That was the simple-but-complicate ... Show More
32 m
Nov 2024
How the U.S. Fell Behind China on Climate Diplomacy
Leaders from around the world are meeting in Azerbaijan for the U.N.’s COP29 climate conference. With Donald Trump’s recent election victory looming over the event, the U.S.’s role will be diminished. WSJ’s Matthew Dalton explains why this moment might be China’s chance to shine. ... Show More
19m 14s
Mar 2025
Martin Wolf talks to Adair Turner: Can the world decarbonise fast enough?
The world economy is emitting carbon dioxide faster than ever before, meaning our planet is heating up faster than ever before. Martin Wolf speaks to someone who has spent much of the past two decades at the forefront of the climate debate. Lord Adair Turner chairs the Energy Tra ... Show More
31m 25s
Jan 2025
Confused about climate? The essential terms you need to know
What’s an NDC? What does El Niño tell us about global temperatures this year? And why could a landmark ICJ ruling unlock a wave of climate legal cases? Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson break down the climate acronyms and buzzwords you need to know in 202 ... Show More
37m 36s