Episodes

  • Watering Our Community: Youth, Health, and Climate Resilience

    Watering Our Community: Youth, Health, and Climate Resilience
    Jun 30 2024

    In this episode, we discuss:

    • The role of (North African) youth in climate change mitigation and adaptation
    • Intersections of climate change, health and mental health
    • Building resilience from the grassroots level to the global level; planetary resilience
    • Introducing vulnerability and care in climate change discussions

    Guest | Dr. Saad Uakkas

    Dr Saad Uakkas is an expert in youth and organisational empowerment and engagement in climate and health. He holds a Master’s degree in public health from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), with a Chevening scholarship. With over 9 years of experience in leadership positions across global youth NGOs and networks, such as the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations, the World Healthcare Students’ Alliance, and the African Youth Initiative for Climate Change (AYICC), he is an expert in events organisation, project management, organisational development, partnerships and fundraising, advocacy, and youth leadership. He is also a TEDx speaker, a Diana awardee, a One Young World Ambassador, a Gates Foundation Goalkeeper, and a Global Shaper. He has organised 10 global campaigns, and led over 30 global events and conferences, including the COP27 and COP28 Children and Youth Pavilions. He is currently the AYICC Executive Chair, leading youth climate engagement across Africa.

    Interviewer | Dr. Rosa Rantanen

    Dr Rosa Rantanen is the founder of the Safer Climate network (Initiative for a Safer Climate), that brings together research, civil society and the arts. She currently works as a Research Coordinator at the Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research at the University of Helsinki, Finland. She wrote her Doctoral thesis on the ethical desirability of human life extension, at the University of Turku, in Finland as well. Rantanen has also worked on various interdisciplinary projects across several civil society organizations, including the Finnish Red Cross. Currently, she specialises in working not only on civil society engagement, but also themes such as climate security, climate and death, and war and its effects on climate and the environment. Her work is part of the Atmosphere and Climate Competence Center (ACCC) program.

    Episode notes and references:

    • COP28 UAE Declaration on climate and health
    • Climate anxiety in children and young people and their beliefs about government responses to climate change
    • Does Africa have a voice on climate?

    Music by: Ritesh Prasanna

    Podcast website: https://atmospherictales.com

    Transcript: https://atmospherictales.medium.com/watering-our-community-youth-health-and-climate-resilience-f6b64d100c14
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • Exploring the Nexus of Air Pollution and Climate Change in Africa

    Exploring the Nexus of Air Pollution and Climate Change in Africa
    Jun 3 2024

    In this episode, we discuss:

    • Interconnectedness of Air Pollution and Climate Change
    • Health and Environmental Impacts
    • African Integrated Assessment
    • Role of African Scientists
    • Future of Atmospheric Sciences in Africa

    Guest | Prof. Rebecca Garland

    Our guest, Prof. Rebecca Garland, is a seasoned expert in atmospheric sciences, specialising in air quality and climate change, with a strong focus on science-policy linkages. Her research endeavours are dedicated to improving the understanding of air quality and atmospheric science in southern Africa, through the integration of multiple data streams; this includes developing emissions inventories, conducting air quality modelling, utilising ground-based and remote sensing measurements, formulating evidence-based air quality management strategies, and exploring the connections between air quality and climate change at regional and urban scales. Dr Garland has held a significant role as a Principal Researcher at the Climate and Air Quality Modeling Group within the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa. She obtained her PhD from the University of Colorado, Boulder, concentrating on atmospheric science with a specific focus on aerosol particles. Additionally, she served as a postdoctoral fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz, Germany, and as an AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

    Interviewer | Cynthia Sitati

    Our interviewer, Cynthia Sitati is a Research Associate at the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Africa Centre. She holds an MSc in Climate Change Adaptation from the University of Nairobi and is currently pursuing a PhD at the same institution, where she wants to explore the intricate relationship between air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by leveraging advanced technologies and synthesising data from diverse sources. At the Stockholm Environment Institute, Cynthia works under the Sustainable Urbanization Programme, supporting projects on air pollution, climate change, and urban development. Her goal is to use research to inform policy, help humanity fight Air Pollution and climate change in her capacity as a researcher, and make a significant contribution towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in Sub-Saharan Africa.

    Episode notes and references:

    • Integrated Assessment of Air Pollution and Climate Change for Sustainable Development in Africa
    • Opinion: Strengthening research in the Global South – atmospheric science opportunities in South America and Africa

    Music by: Ritesh Prasanna

    Podcast website: https://atmospherictales.com

    Transcript: https://atmospherictales.medium.com/exploring-the-nexus-of-air-pollution-and-climate-change-in-africa-af6e390ef5eb
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • Decolonizing Climate Discourse: Embracing Plurality in Knowledges

    Decolonizing Climate Discourse: Embracing Plurality in Knowledges
    Apr 28 2024

    In this episode, we discuss:

    • Critique of mainstream climate discourse
    • Role of Indigenous knowledges
    • Reimagining climate governance
    • Positionality and ethical research

    Guest | Dr Ritodhi Chakraborty

    Our guest, Dr Ritodhi Chakraborty, is a political ecologist and interdisciplinary social scientist who collaborates with indigenous and agrarian communities to explore pathways of environmental and social justice. For the past 15 years, he has worked with various universities, think-tanks, public and civil society institutions in United States, India, Bhutan, China and Aotearoa/New Zealand on issues of plural knowledges, environmental and social justice, rural transformation, youth subjectivities, climate change and agriculture.

    Interviewer | Uma Pal

    Our interviewer, Uma Pal, is a Senior Analyst at the Climate Policy Initiative, India. Her work focuses on adaptation, resilience and sustainable finance. With over 8 years of experience in the climate and development space, her expertise lies in climate change policy and institutional analysis, physical climate risk assessments and mainstreaming climate risk in plans, policies, and actions of governments and the private sector. Uma holds a Master’s degree in Climate Change and Sustainability Studies from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, India, and a Bachelor’s degree in Literature from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University.

    Episode notes and references:

    • Climate adaptation projects sometimes exacerbate the problems they try to solve — a new tool hopes to correct that
    • Mountains of inequality: encountering the politics of climate adaptation across the Himalaya
    • From climate adaptation to climate justice: Critical reflections on the IPCC and Himalayan climate knowledges

    Music by: Ritesh Prasanna

    Podcast website: https://atmospherictales.com

    Transcript: https://atmospherictales.medium.com/decolonizing-climate-discourse-embracing-plurality-in-knowledges-676e6e6b681a
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • Innovations Against Air Pollution in Mongolia

    Innovations Against Air Pollution in Mongolia
    Mar 30 2024

    In this episode, we discuss:

    • An overview of air pollution in Mongolia
    • The slow violence of environment crises
    • Utilizing technologies for solving environmental challenges
    • International collaboration and advocacy

    Guest | Azjargal Tsogtsaikhan

    Our guest, Azjargal Tsogtsaikhan, leads Business Development at ORDA Wealth Tech from Silicon Valley, California, USA. Azjargal is also passionate about solving public health, sustainability, and social problems, and has founded Breathe Mongolia – Clean Air Coalition, a non-profit with a mission to eradicate air pollution in Mongolia. She holds a BA in Finance and Marketing from the University of Technology Sydney, and an MBA from Birmingham Young University, with extensive experience in finance, nonprofit and technology sectors, including 9 years at IBM. She’s also a board member of other human rights and climate change nonprofits and a co-author of “Clean Air Adventures” children’s book.

    Interviewer | Gereltuya Bayanmunkh

    Our interviewer, Gereltuya Bayanmunkh, is a start-up founder pursuing an MSc in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science at St. Petersburg University, having previously earned her BSc in Mathematics from the National University of Mongolia. She specializes in using AI and big data techniques in fields requiring interdisciplinary innovation in action, such as climate tech and public health. With previous experience as a web developer and engineer, in 2020, Gereltuya founded her start-up, Green Dot Climate, to create science-backed climate change content, develop climate tech solutions, build youth-led communities and campaigns, and form partnerships to push Mongolia towards a net-zero future.

    Episode notes and references:

    • Air Quality Monitoring and Data Access
    • Breathe Mongolia | Sustainability for students
    • Agaar Neg: Air pollution knowledge platform launched | UNICEF
    • Addressing Air Pollution in Ulaanbaatar and Evaluating Indoor Air Quality in Gers with Cooking, Heating, and Insulation Packages (CHIP)

    Music by: Ritesh Prasanna

    Podcast website: https://atmospherictales.com

    Transcript: https://medium.com/@atmospherictales/innovations-against-air-pollution-in-mongolia-982ec82d2187

    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • Amplifying Global South Voices in Climate Communication

    Amplifying Global South Voices in Climate Communication
    Mar 8 2024

    In this episode, we discuss:

    • Shift in climate change storytelling towards human impacts
    • Underrepresentation of Global South voices in climate science literature
    • Global South climate scientist database
    • Challenges posed by misinformation in today’s media landscape

    Guest | Ayesha Tandon

    Our guest, Ayesha Tandon, is a science journalist at Carbon Brief. She previously worked at the United Kingdom Met Office as a Climate Science Communicator. She holds an MSci in Natural Sciences, specialising in Climate Science, from The University of Exeter. Find her on X and LinkedIn.

    Interviewer | Pallavi Pant

    Our interviewer, Dr Pallavi Pant, is an air quality researcher, and has worked on issues related to air quality and health in low- and middle-income countries for nearly 15 years. She leads global initiatives at the Health Effects Institute. She holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Health from University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. Find her on X and LinkedIn.

    Episode notes and references:

    • Analysis: The lack of diversity in climate-science research
    • The Global South Climate Database

    Music by: Ritesh Prasanna

    Podcast website: https://atmospherictales.com

    Transcript: https://atmospherictales.medium.com/amplifying-global-south-voices-in-climate-communication-041ec20e7fa1
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • Indigenous Wisdom and Scientific Innovation in Brazil for Global Sustainability

    Indigenous Wisdom and Scientific Innovation in Brazil for Global Sustainability
    Feb 25 2024

    In this episode, we discuss:

    • Tackling deforestation and carbon emissions
    • Revolutionizing climate negotiations
    • Indigenous knowledges and water solutions
    • Breaking barriers for women in science

    Guest | Marcia Barbosa

    Prof. Marcia Barbosa is a Professor of Physics at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences and the World Academy of Sciences. Since 2023, she has been Secretary of Strategic Policy and Programs (SEPPE) at the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI). She has been awarded several academic awards, including the Loreal-Unesco Women in Physical Sciences in 2013 for her scientific research using water anomalies under confinement and nanoscience to create new ideas for desalination and produce drinkable water. She also studies gender inequality in the academy and how equity is an instrument of efficiency.

    Interviewer | Beatriz Araújo

    Beatriz Azevedo de Araújo, is a climate expert, lawyer and consultant, holding a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Oxford. She started her journey in the climate field as a researcher and activist back in 2013 when she coordinated the first Brazilian youth delegation to attend the UNFCCC COP, with the NGO Engajamundo. She then co-founded a social environmental protection NGO named Instituto Verdeluz, aimed at bridging the international climate change agenda with local issues, working alongside indigenous peoples and traditional communities. Currently, Beatriz acts as an independent consultant, developing projects with governments, businesses and civil society on subjects such as climate finance, just transitions and innovation. She also serves as the President of the Environmental Law Commission of the Bar Association of the state of Ceara and as a counselor of the State of Ceara Environmental Council.

    Music by: Ritesh Prasanna

    Podcast website: https://atmospherictales.com

    Transcript: https://atmospherictales.medium.com/indigenous-wisdom-and-scientific-innovation-in-brazil-for-global-sustainability-94015bd45d57

    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
  • Palm oil politics and transboundary haze in Southeast Asia

    Palm oil politics and transboundary haze in Southeast Asia
    Aug 17 2023
    In this episode we discuss the role of palm oil politics and other agricultural practices, politics, and diplomacy on transboundary haze in Southeast Asia. Our guest Dr Helena Varkkey is an Associate Professor of Environmental Politics at the Department of International and Strategic Studies, Universiti Malaya. Her areas of expertise include transboundary haze governance in Southeast Asia and global palm oil politics. She has almost two decades of experience in qualitative research,conducting fieldwork, interviews, and focus groups among various government and non-government stakeholders, and has built up extensive research networks in countries across ASEAN. She has published, edited and produced several books and reports for international agencies. Our interviewer Maggie Chel Gee Ooi is a research fellow from the Institute of Climate Change from the National University of Malaysia, also known as UKM. Her field of expertise includes weather prediction and air quality modelling using numerical methods. She has worked closely with the government bodies to fill in the weather and air quality science gaps in tropical Malaysia. She has actively published peer-reviewed papers and featured in magazines and newspapers. Episode notes and references: Palm oil intensification and expansion in Indonesia and Malaysia: Environmental and socio-political factors influencing policyAir Pollution and Climate Change Politics in the Indo-Pacific Methane: A Crucial Opportunity in the Climate Fight Music by: Ritesh Prasanna Audio editing and transcripts by: Paras Singh and Raag Sethi Podcast website: https://atmospherictales.com Transcript: HV: Helena Varkkey (Guest) MCGO: Maggie Chel Gee Ooi (Interviewer) SG: Shahzad Gani (Host) SG: I’m your host, Shahzad Gani, and welcome to another episode of Atmospheric Tales. Our guest today is an Associate Professor of Environmental Politics at the Department of International and Strategic Studies, Universiti Malaya. Her areas of expertise include transboundary haze governance in Southeast Asia and global palm oil politics. She has almost two decades of experience in qualitative research, conducting fieldwork, interviews, and focus groups among various government and non-government stakeholders, and has built up extensive research networks in countries across ASEAN. She has published, edited and produced several books and reports for international agencies. I’m excited to have our guest, Dr Helena Varkkey. Our interviewer today is Maggie Chel Gee Ooi; she is a research fellow from the Institute of Climate Change from the National University of Malaysia, also known as UKM. Her field of expertise includes weather prediction and air quality modelling using numerical methods. She has worked closely with government bodies to fill in the weather and air quality science gaps in tropical Malaysia. She has actively published peer-reviewed papers and featured in magazines and newspapers. Welcome to the show, Helena and Maggie! MCGO: Thank you, Shahzad, and I would like to welcome Dr Helena. Transboundary haze has been a recurring problem in Southeast Asia especially during the months of August to October, when the region is relatively dry. In the case of strong hot and dry weather anomalies—El-Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO)—the burning becomes more intense and sustains much longer, emitting a large amount of haze. For instance, according to MetMalaysia, in mid-June, the probability of ENSO conditions to strengthen by the end of the year is over 90%. Singapore Institute of International Affairs has also issued their first-ever red alert for transboundary haze in 2023, on 20 June, which means this year, there’s a high possibility that it will be a burning year for South Asia. And, quoting from them, “heatwaves this year will be a stress test for cooperation between governments and the private sector”. In a past episode, we had a discussion with Professor Puji Lestari about transboundary haze in Southeast Asia, addressing especially the role of peat fires as an important source of regional air pollution. We understand transboundary haze is a complex and multi-faceted issue as well as it is not new; this burning problem has been around for quite some time, since the 1990s. What are the main challenges of combating this transboundary haze, as we understand the countries affected by the haze are not the main contributors of the haze? HV: Yes, so definitely, there’s a lot more than just the physical or the biological problem of haze. One reason why we still have transboundary haze in this region—it started to become an issue about 1980s and we’re still facing it today—is because of that transboundary factor that you’ve highlighted. So the fact that countries like Indonesia, which is the main source of the haze, of course, Indonesians are the ones who suffer the most because those who are closest to the fires will be the one who are suffering the most, in terms of health ...
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • Ethics and morality in the context of climate change

    Ethics and morality in the context of climate change
    Jul 15 2023
    In this episode we discuss ethics and morality in the context of climate change and public health including geopolitical challenges, temporal justice, indigenous voices, and ways to make an impact. Our guest Prof Ans Irfan is a multidisciplinary global public health expert with over a decade and a half of experience as a health equity strategist, serving on the faculty of Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California. As a scholar-practitioner, he has worked across cultures, continents, and countries, including Pakistan, China, and the United States, since the early 2000s. He is currently based at Harvard Divinity School, Harvard University, where he explores the complex intersection of religious moral philosophy, social ethics, and public health policies, focusing on conceptualizing religion as a structural determinant of health and its implications for public health and climate action. In addition, he is also affiliated with the Harvard Innovation Labs at Harvard Business School along with Harvard Climate Entrepreneurs’ Circle. He holds a Doctor of Medicine, a Doctor of Public Health in climate-resilient health systems, a Doctor of Education in higher education administration, and a Doctor of Science in information technology and climate innovation. Our interviewer Dorothy Lsoto is a graduate student pursuing her Ph.D. in Environment and Resources at the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She holds an MS. Environment and Resources with a graduate certificate in Energy Analysis and Policy from UW-Madison. At the Nelson Institute, Dorothy lectures an undergraduate capstone course that she designed on Air Quality, and Equity in an African city with a focus on Kampala. Her doctoral research examines the persistent colonial city design of Kampala on its air quality and health. She studied Environment Management for her bachelors at Makerere University, Kampala. It is from here that she worked with renewable energy technologies and air quality in East Africa for over a decade. Episode notes and references: Colonialism, the climate crisis, and the need to center Indigenous voices We Must Enhance—but Also Decolonize—America’s Global Health Diplomacy Music by: Ritesh Prasanna Audio editing and transcripts by: Paras Singh and Raag Sethi Podcast website: https://atmospherictales.com Transcript: AI: Ans Irfan (Guest) DL: Dorothy Lsoto (Interviewer) SG: Shahzad Gani (Host) SG: I’m your host, Shahzad Gani, and welcome to another episode of Atmospheric Tales. Our guest today is a multidisciplinary global health expert with over a decade and a half experience as a health equity strategist, serving on the faculty of Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California. As a scholar-practitioner, he has worked across cultures, continents, and countries, including Pakistan, China, and the United States, since the early 2000s. He is currently based at Harvard Divinity School, Harvard University, where he explores the complex intersection of religious moral philosophy, social ethics, and public health policies, focusing on conceptualizing religion as a structural determinant of health and its implications for public health and climate action. In addition, he is also affiliated with the Harvard Innovation Labs at Harvard Business School along with Harvard Climate Entrepreneurs’ Circle. He holds a Doctor of Medicine, a Doctor of Public Health in climate-resilient health systems, a Doctor of Education in higher education administration, and a Doctor of Science in information technology and climate innovation. I’m excited to welcome our guest, Prof. Ans Irfan. Our interviewer Dorothy Lsoto is a graduate student pursuing her Ph.D. in Environment and Resources at the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She holds an MS. Environment and Resources with a graduate certificate in Energy Analysis and Policy from UW-Madison. At the Nelson Institute, Dorothy lectures an undergraduate capstone course that she designed on Air Quality, and Equity in an African city with a focus on Kampala. Her doctoral research examines the persistent colonial city design of Kampala on its air quality and health. She studied Environment Management for her Bachelor’s at Makerere University, Kampala. It’s from here that she worked with renewable energy technologies and air quality in East Africa for over a decade. Welcome to the show, Ans and Dorothy! DL: Thank you, Shahzad, and welcome, listeners! Today, we have Ans, as you’ve heard from Shahzad, and we’re going to dive into our conversation today, which is very exciting. We’re talking about climate change, ethics and morality. So just to get right into this conversation—climate change now more than ever, is getting most people’s attention. We have witnessed increasingly extreme weather events around the world, including prolonged drought and flood events which ...
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins