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Climate Diplomacy PodcastInsights into the latest developments in international climate diplomacy and security Author: Climate Diplomacy
The Climate Diplomacy Podcast gives insights into the latest developments in international climate diplomacy and security. Our host Alexandra Steinkraus interviews experts and practitioners on their take on climate foreign policy, climate-related impacts to security, and promoting peace and resilience in a changing climate. Together we look into climate-fragility, migration, food insecurity, gender dynamics and much more, not to mention our deep dive into countries and regions. For more information, please visit climate-diplomacy.org or follow @climatediplo.bsky.social on Bluesky and Climate Diplomacy and Security on LinkedIn. Language: en-us Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Episode 60: Rising heat, rising costs: The health and economic impacts of a warming world
Episode 60
Thursday, 29 October, 2026
Extreme heat is a direct and escalating threat to human health, livelihoods and economic stability. Since the Paris Agreement entered into force, climate-driven heat has already caused 3 million deaths worldwide, and in 2025 alone an estimated 573 billion potential work hours were lost to heat exposure, with agricultural workers bearing 40% of that global toll. In this episode hosts Josephine Collier and Alexandra Steinkraus (adelphi) speak with Marina Romanello, Executive Director of the Lancet Countdown and Associate Professor at University College London, and Mathilde Wilkens, a Consultant with adelphi's climate policy team. Together, we explore how rising heat is translating into tangible harm, from cardiovascular strain and heat stroke to lost sleep, reduced labour capacity and worsening mental health, and why these impacts fall hardest on outdoor and informal workers and older adults. The conversation also traces how heat can reduce household income while simultaneously driving up living and medical costs, with a closer look at findings from Bangladesh, Brazil, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Nigeria and South Africa. Moreover, it delves into current investment trends in fossil fuels. Looking ahead, Marina and Mathilde discuss emerging policy responses and frameworks, and what it would take to better protect people's health and livelihoods as heat continues to rise. Further resources Heat, Health and the Increasing Costs of Living – A Call for Action (discussion brief) The 2026 Global Report of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change: A decade of escalating health harms and a decisive moment for all (report) BCSC 2026 spotlight session Health under heat: Heatwaves as a human security threat (video) © adelphi global, all rights reserved adelphi global (https://adelphi-global.de/en) is an economically and politically independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting sustainability, enhancing environmental protection, improving education, expanding development cooperation, and strengthening international collaborations. Our commitment is reflected in targeted projects, in-depth analyses, and informative educational events, through which we strive for a just and sustainable world. Editing by Paulus Müller-Hahl (Lichtbilder)
