Being Better Together | Using Early Warning to Reduce Exposure to Climate Extremes
Note: Despite the slightly compromised sound quality, Chris offers absolutely essential insights.
In this episode, we talk with climatologist and director of the Climate Hazards Center, Dr. Chris Funk, about the intersection of population growth and extreme weather events. With a focus on regions vulnerable to extreme heat and drought, particularly in Africa, Chris has helped create early warning systems that reduce suffering and save lives. Highlights include:
How rapid population growth in already hot and humid regions of Africa increases the number of people exposed to extreme heat, drought, and flood;
What Funk’s research reveals about how El Niño and La Niña events are amplifying extreme weather in the Global South and their impacts on food security;
Why early warning systems, particularly in Africa, are crucial for predicting and mitigating the impacts of droughts and extreme temperatures;
Why localized responses and infrastructure resilience are key to minimizing the humanitarian impacts of extreme weather events.