Global warning: Our future is in a warmer world Climate crisis

This crucial decade requires unprecedented action to address the greatest challenge facing humanity. With a global reach, this three-part series examines the real consequences of climate change for our civilization, through the rest of the 21st century and beyond.

Irish journalist Philip Boucher Hayes visits climate hotspots, from melting glaciers in Greenland to climate extremes in sub-Saharan Africa, from farmland flooding in Bangladesh to thawing permafrost in Siberia. He meets experts and witnesses who explain the interconnectedness of the world’s fragile environment, as we reach tipping points from which there may be no return.

The series examines new climate science and confronts the harsh realities of a changing world – the collapse of ecosystems, marine die-offs, and the rise of extreme weather events. But it also explores a positive vision for reimagining economies, landscapes, and infrastructure—and practical solutions, and ways to mobilize collective resolve, challenge humanity to become a transformative force, and harness innovation to protect the future of civilization.

The first episode, “Into the Storm,” highlights the immediate and escalating impacts of climate change. It opens in Ireland, where extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common. In Greenland, the book explores the rapid melting of the ice sheet, with potentially devastating consequences—rising sea levels and disturbances in the Atlantic Ocean Overturning Circulation (AMOC), the major ocean current system in the Atlantic Ocean. It also looks at the effects of climate change in Malawi and Siberia, a bleak picture of widespread damage.

The second episode, Against the Tide, focuses on coping strategies. It explores how countries and communities are responding to rising sea levels, increased flooding and increasing droughts. The Netherlands is a case study in proactive adaptation, coming up with innovative solutions in the form of sea barriers and climate-resilient infrastructure. This episode also addresses the challenges faced by vulnerable communities in Wales, Bangladesh and Florida.

Episode Three, Decarbonizing the Global Economy, addresses the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels. The book begins with the world’s reliance on carbon-based energy sources and then explores paths to a cleaner, more sustainable future. It travels to Ukraine, the United States, Sweden, Finland and Florida, presenting a range of approaches to decarbonisation.

Throughout the series, experts from various fields provide insights into the latest climate science and potential solutions. The series aims to challenge viewers to confront the realities of climate change and also to inspire collective action. It emphasizes the need for bold policies, innovative technologies and individual responsibility in protecting the future of the planet.