Climate Conversations - podcast cover

Climate Conversations

Climate news and views with Jack Board and Liling Tan. Join our hosts as they make sense of the climate crisis, big ideas and practical fixes for a changing planet. 

The views and opinions shared during this podcast series are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of Mediacorp Pte. Ltd. or its group of companies.

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Episodes

Urban invaders - how global warming fuels the rat boom

The combination of rising temperatures, dense living and a lack of green spaces means rat populations in our cities are growing. Jack Board and Liling Tan uncover the risks and solutions to the pests beneath our feet. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 13, 202515 minSeason 6Ep. 17

Chilling truths: Why the world can’t live without air-conditioning

As the world heats up, the need to cool down is ever increasing. Places that never needed air-conditioning are now seeing growing requirements for it. Jack Board and Liling Tan discuss the plea to turn on our machines. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 06, 202515 minSeason 6Ep. 16

Can India and Bangladesh renegotiate a future for the Ganges?

The future of the Ganges river is in question. As a key water-sharing treaty between India and Bangladesh nears its expiry, Jack Board and Liling Tan discuss the critical negotiations over a river system increasingly impacted by climate change. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 30, 202514 minSeason 6Ep. 15

Big waves and boat sinkings: How climate change is making the seas more dangerous

The recent deadly sinking of a Bali ferry has illuminated how extreme and unpredictable weather - driven by climate change – is making the region’s seas more dangerous to traverse. Jack Board and Liling Tan chat with correspondent Nivell Rayda in Jakarta. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 23, 202525 minSeason 6Ep. 14

What Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ means for clean energy transition

US President Donald Trump’s new sprawling bill will make a major dent on the country’s clean energy industries. Jack Board and Liling Tan get the lowdown on what it means and whether the ripple effects could extend around the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 16, 202522 minSeason 6Ep. 13

Can our world heritage sites survive climate change?

Nearly three quarters of humanity's most iconic sites and landscapes are under threat from water-related hazards. Jack Board and Liling Tan discuss whether these special places can be saved from climate change. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 09, 202518 minSeason 6Ep. 12

What happens to Singapore’s gas supplies in times of war?

Singapore is heavily reliant on imported natural gas for its electricity needs. With recent tensions in the Middle East throwing shockwaves into energy markets and supply routes, is the country and broader region prepared? Jack Board and Liling Tan chat with the Singapore LNG Corporation CEO Leong Wei Hung. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 02, 202521 minSeason 6Ep. 11

Meat and maize: How eating more meat is driving big environmental impacts

Meat demand in Asia continues to soar. But the chicken and pork on your plate comes at a cost for both the farmers who produce animal feed and the forests of northern Thailand and beyond. Jack Board and Liling Tan discuss the impact of our insatiable appetite for meat. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 25, 202525 minSeason 6Ep. 10

Climate geoengineering: Planet savers or madcap experiments?

Money and resources are increasingly being invested in climate geoengineering. Jack Board and Liling Tan debate the science and sense of manipulating the climate to counter global warming. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 18, 202523 minSeason 6Ep. 9

Record temperatures, extreme rain incoming this summer

The upcoming northern hemisphere summer is set to break more heat records. From holidays, to workers and crops - the searing temperatures are going to have consequences, as Jack Board and Liling Tan discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 11, 202517 minSeason 6Ep. 8

Mining in the deep blue

US President Donald Trump wants to mine the seafloor. And while the industry has its supporters, scientists say hunting for precious minerals underwater could be highly damaging to the ocean. Jack Board and Liling Tan dive into the topic, ahead of the UN Ocean Conference. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 04, 202517 minSeason 6Ep. 7

Climate cost of conflict

Climate change and conflict are increasingly fuelling one another, leaving lasting environmental impact across war-struck regions of the world. CNA’s Jack Board and Liling Tan discuss the latest research covering an overlooked factor in today’s hot zones. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 28, 202519 minSeason 6Ep. 6

Battle lines in the water crisis

The Indus River is at the centre of a simmering conflict between India and Pakistan, neighbours who share the flow of the river. It’s another example of water being central to rising tensions. Jack Board and Liling Tan discuss how the power of water can be weaponised by countries. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 21, 202513 minSeason 6Ep. 5

What's holding investors back from green projects?

Angrier planet, messier times. What's keeping green investors cautious, and how can countries brace better? Jack Board and Liling Tan find answers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 14, 202517 minSeason 6Ep. 4

Passports for sale: Climate-vulnerable nations take unconventional steps for survival

Island nations battling extreme weather and rising seas are offering citizenship in exchange for climate financing. They get money to relocate, reinforce and redevelop, while investors get visa-free passports. Jack Board and Liling Tan discuss survival and sovereignty in the face of global warming. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 07, 202513 minSeason 6Ep. 3

Green hydrogen: Future game changer or false hope?

Green hydrogen has been touted as a promising solution to cleaning up transport, shipping and aviation. But this clean technology has run into multiple hurdles. Jack Board and Lilling Tan chat with Alex Tancock, the CEO of InterContinental Energy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 17, 202526 minSeason 6Ep. 2

The ‘White Lotus’ effect is redefining the way we travel, but is it sustainable?

Ever fallen in love with a film's location set and booked a holiday there? You're in good company. "Set-jetting" travel is on the rise, thanks in part to the White Lotus effect that saw bookings surge for destinations featured in the popular HBO series. This week on Climate Conversations, Jack Board and Liling Tan weigh the economic gains of set-jetting against the environmental toll. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Apr 10, 202514 minSeason 6Ep. 1

Fast fashion vs sustainable threads

The global apparel industry remains a major contributor to pollution and waste. But there are ways to still look good without feeling bad. Ahead of International Day of Zero Waste, Jack Board and Liling Tan chat with Michael Sadowski from the Circulate Initiative. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 26, 202521 minSeason 5Ep. 50

Dirty skies: Why almost no one is breathing safe air in Southeast Asia

A new report tracks air pollution levels right across the world. The good news? Air quality is slightly improving in Southeast Asia. But as Jack Board and Liling Tan discuss, there are lingering health concerns for all of us breathing in dirty air. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 12, 202515 minSeason 5Ep. 48

How nuclear may be a larger factor in the clean energy equation

They're smaller, safer, scalable, and they could bring nuclear power to places never thought possible. Small modular reactors are the next big thing in the nuclear power race, but Dr Alvin Chew from the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies tells Liling Tan safety trumps tech every time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 05, 202518 minSeason 5Ep. 47

Cli-Fi? Finding climate themes in popular film and TV

Climate themes in science fiction are everywhere. Some of our favourite shows are telling important stories about our life on Earth. Sci-fi expert Jamie Uy joins Jack Board and Liling Tan to discuss environmental calamity, the end of the world, wars over resources and fantastic technological innovations in some of their favourites. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 26, 202524 minSeason 5Ep. 46

Countries are neglecting to hand in their climate homework

Every five years, countries are expected to give new climate change action targets. A shockingly small number of them met the deadline this month. Jack Board and Liling Tan discuss why and which single nation in Southeast Asia got a pass mark. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 19, 202514 minSeason 5Ep. 45

How do microplastics end up in human brains?

The emergence of microplastics across the planet is leading to new health challenges. Jack Board and Liling Tan discuss some new research and the ways we could contend with tiny particles causing a huge problem. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 12, 202514 minSeason 5Ep. 44

Roaring back to life: Tigers rebounding in Thailand

The tiger is alive in the forests of Thailand. The iconic species is enjoying a boom period of population growth, thanks to conservation efforts. Jack Board and Liling Tan discuss how it’s been done. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 05, 202520 minSeason 5Ep. 43

Trump 2.0: Red lines through green policies

US President Donald Trump announced his return to the White House with a flurry of executive orders, including many impacting climate and energy policy. Jack Board and Liling Tan chat with HuffPost’s Alexander Kaufman to understand what it means for the US and the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 29, 202520 minSeason 5Ep. 42

The coolest technology shaking up clean energy in 2025

Innovation in clean energy is moving fast. As the world marks International Day of Clean Energy, Jack Board and Liling Tan pick out some of the technologies to watch in 2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 22, 202519 minSeason 5Ep. 41

Wildfires out of control: How natural disasters are made worse by climate change

California is struggling with wildfires as people evacuate their homes which are burning to the ground. What’s in store for 2025 when it comes to natural disasters here and around the world as climate impacts intensify? Jack Board and Liling Tan speak to Ira Spitzer who is reporting from Los Angeles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 15, 202522 minSeason 5Ep. 40

Will Southeast Asia’s digital rush come at a climate cost?

Southeast Asia is one of the hottest markets for setting up new digital infrastructure. But this modern-day gold rush of building data centres poses a huge climate challenge - dealing with the enormous carbon footprint. Jack Board and Liling Tan give a ringside report. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 08, 202517 minSeason 5Ep. 39

Best of: Why are extinct species coming back in Singapore?

In the final installment of our top five episodes of the year, Liling Tan speaks to Yeo Suay Hwee and Tan Gim Cheong from the Nature Society about certain native species that were once uprooted are now are coming back, and those that are lost forever. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 01, 202518 minSeason 5Ep. 38
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