Climate Watch

As COP29 unfolds in Baku, Azerbaijan, the world is watching to see what these negotiations will mean for the planet and our future. New agreements on carbon markets and tough discussions on climate financing bring both hopes for progress and tension over what lies ahead. In this episode, we sit down with Professor Teng Fei to unpack the complex issues of climate finance and carbon markets. Also, you can subscribe to our newsletter: https://climatewffei.substack.com/

Welcome to our COP29 special series, Greener China: A journey to 2060. As China is striving to bolster biodiversity and achieve its “dual carbon goals,” we head to Yunnan, a natural haven in the southwest, to find out how people there have been adapting their mindset to the new reality.

Welcome to our COP29 special series, Greener China: A journey to 2060. Despite China's efforts to raise awareness and increase efforts to protect the environment and lower carbon emissions, tough challenges lie ahead.

Welcome to our COP29 special series, Greener China: A journey to 2060. Over the past decades, China’s ecological restoration efforts have evolved from an initial focus on specific issues to a comprehensive approach centered on ecological integrity, though there is still a long way to go.

Welcome to our COP29 special series, Greener China: A journey to 2060. Ecosystems play a crucial role in regulating CO₂ levels by absorbing and storing carbon through plants, soil, and oceans, helping to mitigate climate change. While China has been intensifying its efforts in this area, public awareness of ecological restoration is growing but still falls short.

Southern Chinese city of Guangzhou is battling dengue fever spread which is driven by warming climate. We checked with Professor Wu Zhiwei from Nanjing University on how viruses are changed by the climate. Ahead of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, health experts are stepping forward to raise awareness in climate-related health risks. The Lancet’s launched a dense report reviewing extreme weather events and their impacts on public health. We check on the China report in Beijing. Professor Cai Wenjia told us how China’s preparing and adapting to more radical climates.

In this episode of Climate Watch, we’re diving into one of the most exciting seasons for bird watchers in China as millions of migratory birds take to the skies. Some are making a quick stop on their journey south, while others are settling in for winter. Along the way, wetlands play a vital role, serving as pit stops for these feathered travelers. We’ll explore the importance of wetlands for ecosystems with Linda Wong with the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation.

COP16 is in full swing in Cali, Colombia, with nearly 200 countries gathering to shape new action plans for biodiversity conservation. We caught up with Doreen Robinson, the Head of Biodiversity and Land at UN Environment Programme and Linda Krueger, Director of Biodiversity and Infrastructure Policy at The Nature Conservancy, to get a feel for the atmosphere and insights from the convention. Plus, we spoke with Professor Xie Yi of Beijing Forestry University specializing in wildlife conservation and human-wildlife conflicts to explore China’s biodiversity efforts over the past two decades.

October 16th is World Food Day, and in this episode of Climate Watch, we dived into how new tech is shaking up the farming game with special guest, young engineer Guo Jie from Zhejiang University. But it’s not just about making farming easier—it’s about making it greener too. We explored innovations that are cutting back on chemicals and slashing emissions, all while making our food healthier and more sustainable. We sat down with UNEP expert James Lomax on how these changes are impacting our lives and the planet.

Hurricane Milton. Super Typhoon Yagi. These record-breaking storms are not only threatening lives but also overwhelming the rescue and relief efforts of nations, as extreme weather events spiral further out of control. A 2023 report from the World Meteorological Organization highlights the growing challenge for scientists to predict what comes next in this turbulent climate era. So, how do we prepare for the unpredictable? In this episode, Climate Watch spoke with Professor Guan Dabo from Tsinghua University on global solutions to extreme weather events.

September 29 marks the fifth annual International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste Reduction, established by the United Nations. This day aims to spotlight the importance of reducing food waste and loss, which contribute to 8-10% of total emissions in the agrifood system. However, achieving this goal is easier said than done. One major challenge lies with the public: how can households effectively reduce or even eliminate food waste? In this episode of The Climate Watch, we spoke with Wu Changhua, Chair of the Governing Council of the Asia-Pacific Water Forum, and Cheng Guangyan from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Climate change is a significant driver of human migration. Egyptian climate expert Sawsan Elawady provides insights into the growing trend of climate migration and shares strategies to address its challenges.

China has pledged to work with African countries to achieve energy transition and green development on the continent, as part of the actions plan announced at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit in Beijing.

Climate change is lifting sea levels and threatening the existence of many Pacific Island countries. China has joined them in discussions at a regional forum on responding to the challenges, and is offering assistance with solar, hydro and wind power facilities.

Climate change has disrupted or delayed the wildlife migration in East Africa, dubbed as one of Seven Wonders of the Natural World. How will it affect the wildebeest population? And what are some of its implications to the ecosystem?