Resilience: The Global Adaptation Podcast | Global Adaptation Network (GAN)

Ever wondered how we can beat the climate crisis?

Welcome to RESILIENCE, the podcast that brings you inspiring stories from people all over the world who are adapting to climate change in practical, creative and innovative ways. We’ve all heard the doom and gloom, but this podcast is about looking forward as we explore the best solutions and cutting-edge technologies for building resilience to climate change.

In each episode you’ll hear the world’s greatest climate experts talk about the hottest topics – how award-winning African architects are changing the future of climate-resilient buildings, the use of artificial intelligence to help farmers grow food in tough conditions, and the power of forests in protecting people against the impacts of extreme weather.

This podcast is brought to you by the UN Environment Programme’s Global Adaptation Network. Join us as we adapt to climate change one conversation at a time…

Episode 11: How To Tackle Extreme Heat

Lis and Marcus look at the growing threat of extreme heat. What does it feel like to live in a city that regularly hits 50°C? How do we adapt when our traditional air-conditioning systems pump out even more planet-heating gases? We explore some bold insights with Professor Toby Peters, a global expert in sustainable cooling, and Shahzad Qureshi, the visionary behind the Urban Forest movement in Pakistan.

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Episode 10: How To Accelerate Climate Adaptation Finance

Keisha and Marcus dive into the complex but fundamental question of adaptation finance and how to unlock the billions needed to adapt to escalating climate crisis. UNEP’s Executive Director Inger Andersen discusses the key findings from the latest Adaptation Gap Report, highlighting innovative financing solutions and demonstrating why investing in adaptation isn’t just necessary – it’s smart economics. The question isn’t whether we can afford to adapt, but whether we can afford not to.

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Episode 9: How Restoring Nature Can Heal The Climate

Lis and Marcus pose what could be one of the most important questions of the 21st century – to what extent can restoring nature tackle the climate crisis? The award-winning restoration hero Constantino Aucca Chutas explains what drove him to plant ten million trees to protect his indigenous community from the impacts of melting glaciers. Plus, Mirey Atallah from UNEP tells us why a grand restoration project in Africa is generating hope for the future.

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Episode 8: How The Youth Are Leading Climate Action

Keisha and Marcus are joined by Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, the CEO of the Global Environment Facility, to discuss the importance of engaging the youth in climate action. Carlos Manuel argues you no longer need to be a biologist to save the planet, while South African student Zanele Luthuli talks about how a new youth movement called The EPIC Network is training the next generation of adaptation experts.

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Episode 7: How Innovation Is Tackling Climate Change

Can we innovate our way out of the climate crisis? How did the Netherlands become the world’s greatest innovators for flood control? How do we finance the best climate solutions? Nadege Trocellier from the UN Climate Technology Centre and Network sheds light on what innovation looks like in the world of climate adaptation. And leading expert Omar Saleh talks about a fascinating adaptation solution called SLAMDAM – a flexible, portable flood barrier designed to rapidly protect communities from flooding.

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Episode 6: Climate-resilient Buildings

In our first episode of the new season, Lis and Marcus delve into how our buildings and homes can adapt to the increasing threats of climate change. Award-winning architect Mariam Issoufou shares her journey of returning to Niger, where she’s using her expertise to tackle extreme heat. Plus, former Climate Change Ambassador Diann Black-Layne from Antigua and Barbuda reveals how a community-based loan scheme is helping locals ‘hurricane-proof’ their homes. Tune in to hear powerful stories of resilience and ingenuity in the face of climate challenges.

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Episode 5: The Race for Climate-proof Food

Lis and Marcus consider one of the most critical issues in adaptation: how to build more climate-resilient food supplies. Eduardo Mansur, the FAO’s Director of the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, talks about drought-resilient food production, biotechnology, and insect farming. And Louise Mabulo talks about how she founded the Cacao Project in the Philippines to help farmers carve out sustainable, shockproof livelihoods.

Episode 4: When Cities Adapt

Lis and Marcus discuss what their ideal climate-resilient cities would look and feel like - and Kobie Brand, the Africa regional director of the global cities network ICLEI, is back to talk about the exciting innovations happening in African cities, including the use of the Minecraft video game to map out climate adaptation strategies in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. And coffee farmer Hector Velasquez explains his crucial role in supporting San Salvador’s ambitions to become a ‘sponge’ city.

Episode 3: Crisis & the Green Recovery

Lis and Marcus are joined by Koko Warner from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to discuss the parallels between tackling the Covid pandemic and building resilience to climate change. But also, what can we expect at the upcoming COP26 climate summit in Glasgow? Kobie Brand, the Africa regional director of the global cities network ICLEI, shares her lessons on the speed and power of collective action from living through ‘Day Zero’ - the time when Cape Town nearly ran out of water.

Episode 2: Protecting Coasts & Small Islands

Lis and Marcus find out about some really creative and practical solutions to the climate threats faced by coastal communities and people living on low-lying small islands. Eritai Kateibwi, from the Te Maeu Project, talks about introducing hydroponics to Kiribati so his community can grow food without monthly ‘king’ tides washing away their crops. And world-renowned Danish architect Bjarke Ingels, who specialises in climate-resilient architecture, talks about floating cities and building flood barriers that double as parks, skateboard ramps, and bike storage - drawing on a concept known as ‘hedonistic sustainability.’

Episode 1: Saving Lives

Lis and Marcus explore how investing in adaptation makes both economic sense and helps save the lives of millions of people faced with climate catastrophe. Professor Patrick Verkooijen joins from the Rotterdam-based Global Center on Adaptation which, as the largest floating office in the world, is a potent example of adaptation. And Rohey Ceesay, a forestry officer in the Gambia, talks about how she uses drama and music to spread crucial messages and early warnings about deadly storms.

* The views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of the UN Environment Programme