Will We Survive Climate Change? - A Question of Science with Brian Cox

The episode features Prof. Brian Cox hosting a panel including Prof. Miles Allen, Kathryn Brown, Prof. Hayley Fowler, and George Monbiot to discuss whether the climate is changing, how we talk about it, and what actions could steer society toward net zero. Topics range from emergency framing and public engagement to extremes versus averages, adaptation for island nations, geoengineering, carbon capture, land use for renewables, biodiversity, and food security. The conversation highlights the tension between government action and individual responsibility, the role of education and media, and the need for global cooperation and just transitions. The panel also explores skepticism and the political dynamics that shape climate policy, ending on hopeful avenues for change and collective action.

Context and Participants

In a Question of Science episode recorded at the Francis Crick Institute, Prof. Brian Cox hosts a panel that tackles one of the defining scientific and political challenges of our time: climate change and what to do about it. The panel brings together Prof. Miles Allen from Oxford on climate science and policy, Catherine Brown from Wildlife Trust focusing on climate risk and nature, Prof. Hayley Fowler from Newcastle University specializing in extreme weather and adaptation, and George Monbiot, environmental journalist and advocate for systemic change. The conversation acknowledges a broad consensus that the climate is changing and humans are driving it, but it quickly moves beyond consensus to examine how language, policy, and public engagement shape the actions we take. The episode also tests the boundaries of potential solutions, from governance and industry accountability to radical ideas like geoengineering and carbon removal, all with a critical eye on feasibility, ethics, and geopolitics.

Framing the Issue: Emergency Language and Public Perception

The discussion begins with the use of terms such as climate emergency and climate breakdown. Hayley Fowler argues that framing the issue as an emergency has practical value because it can spur action and reflect the acute risks now emerging in the real world, particularly in relation to extreme weather. Myles Allen cautions, however, that declaring an emergency can invite political weaponization unless it is paired with broad-based, nonpartisan engagement and policies that distribute responsibility beyond the government. George Monbiot emphasizes the importance of state-led messaging for scaling awareness and action, while Kathryn Brown notes the need to tailor messages to local contexts and to ensure that voices from diverse communities are represented in public discourse. The panel agrees that messaging must be tested with audiences, avoiding one-size-fits-all narratives and ensuring that the public understands both the urgency and the range of possible pathways to reduce risk.

Averages, Extremes, and Practical Implications

Audience questions underscore the difference between discussing average global temperatures and the reality of changing extremes that affect everyday life. Miles Allen explains that while averages are a useful indicator of broader climate trends, the impact is most acutely felt through extremes, such as heat waves, droughts, and intense rainfall events. The panel acknowledges the challenge of communicating complex probabilistic risk to the public and the need to connect global metrics with local experiences. Hayley Fowler adds that the behavior of extreme events can be less predictable year to year, highlighting the importance of improving forecasting and resilience planning to protect communities and infrastructure.

Extreme Weather, Islands, and Adaptation

In addressing island nations and flood-prone regions, the experts discuss practical adaptation strategies, including nature-based defenses such as mangroves and wetlands that can reduce wave energy and flood risk. They also discuss climate justice, asking whether industrialized nations should bear more responsibility for loss and damages. The dialogue emphasizes the interconnectedness of ecosystems and climate resilience, noting that protecting biodiversity can contribute to adaptation while preserving essential services for communities with limited resources.

Geopolitics and the Geoengineering Debate

Geoengineering emerges as a controversial but increasingly mainstream topic. Miles Allen explains that techniques to reflect sunlight, such as injecting materials into the stratosphere, could provide temporary cooling but would come with significant and poorly understood side effects on rainfall patterns and global climate systems. The risk of geopolitical instability if a single actor or wealthy entity controls such interventions is highlighted by Allen and Fowler, who argue that any serious consideration of geoengineering must be accompanied by robust international governance. The panel stresses that geoengineering is not a substitute for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and that any exploration should proceed cautiously and transparently.

Carbon Removal and Energy Transitions

The conversation turns to carbon capture and storage (CCS) and related technologies. George Monbiot is candid about the challenges and history of CCS in the UK, pointing to repeated cost overruns and political incentives that may distort incentives. Miles Allen argues that without permanent CO2 disposal solutions, emissions reductions alone will not be sufficient to prevent climate change from continuing. The panel debates the role of CCS alongside natural solutions such as trees and soils, acknowledging issues around permanence and the need for credible, verifiable outcomes. Hayley Fowler agrees that CCS should not be seen as a license to expand fossil fuels, and emphasizes the importance of rapid electrification and scaling up carbon removal technologies with careful scrutiny of their lifecycle emissions and social implications.

Land Use, Biodiversity, and Food Security

Land use considerations come to the fore as the panel discusses the deployment of renewables and the implications for biodiversity and agriculture. Solar farms on low-grade land and the potential to reallocate land away from animal farming toward crops and biodiversity restoration are explored. The experts stress the need to diversify food systems to reduce reliance on a small number of crops and to consider alternative proteins and microbial production. The biodiversity target of 30 by 30 is cited as a global and national imperative, with recognition that implementation lags behind commitments. The discussion also addresses water scarcity, noting projections of future deficits and the importance of planning for drought and sustainable water management as part of climate resilience.

Public Skepticism, Education, and the Road Ahead

Listening to climate skeptics and addressing misinformation is framed as a political and educational challenge. The panel emphasizes that the science is robust, but public belief is influenced by media, politics, and corporate interests. They call for improved climate education from school to adult learning, citizen assemblies, and policies that empower people to participate in decision-making. The panel ends with a collective call to action: reduce fossil fuel dependence, expand renewables, protect ecosystems, invest in resilient infrastructure, and pursue equitable transitions that protect the vulnerable. While challenges remain, the message is clear that credible science, prudent governance, and broad-based public engagement can drive meaningful progress toward a sustainable future.