Cities and climate – From local to global

What was achieved at COP26 and where do we go from here? How can transformational adaptation change lives for the better and make us less vulnerable to climate change? In this episode Dr Helen Adams, Senior Lecturer in Adaptation and Risk Reduction at King’s College London and Head of Science Engagement for COP26, discusses her own takeaways from COP26, as well as transformational adaptation and hope for the future in the face of the climate crisis.

How can international cooperation help to address climate security threats? Why is promoting a fair distribution of water and natural resources so important? What risks could climate change pose to security in the Arctic? In this episode, we will be talking with Pekka Haavisto, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, about the threat posed by climate change to peace and security worldwide.

What are the linkages between the crises of biodiversity loss and climate change? How can we effectively recognise the value of nature and the climate in our societies? What does it mean to live within our planetary boundaries? In this episode Rebecca Nohl, Science Advisor for the landmark Dasgupta Review on the Economics of Biodiversity and Associate at think tank SYSTEMIQ, explains what’s wrong with how we currently measure success and what we can do about it.

Who has the most important role in climate education? How to educate our children about the warming world in everyday life? Can a connection to nature deepen our understanding of climate issues? In this episode we will be talking with Dr Essi Aarnio-Linnanvuori from Tampere University about the importance of climate and environmental education, with some insights and examples from Finland.

Most Brits and Finns do not live in the capital cities. What role can smaller cities, towns and villages play in combatting climate change? Can citizens themselves take charge and develop local solutions? Our guests are Garry Charnock, founder of the community-led Ashton Hayes Going Carbon Neutral project, and Ari Alatossava, Mayor of Ii municipality, one of the best bioeconomy cases in the Nordic region with ambitious emissions reduction targets.

This episode sheds light on the role of circular economy in the fight against climate change. How big of a change could a circular model make, and what does Finnish footballer Teemu Pukki and Norwich City FC have to do with all of this? Sitra’s circular economy project director, Kari Herlevi, and plastic recycling researcher from Portsmouth University, Prof. John McGeehan, illustrate why we need smarter economic models in the future.

The impacts of climate change aren’t the same for everyone everywhere. What is climate justice and how can we achieve it? Are young voices actually heard on the grand stage of global climate negotiations? The second episode brings together Outi Honkatukia, Chief Negotiator for Climate Change at the Finnish Ministry of the Environment and Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh, Director of the Centre for Climate Change & Social Transformations (CAST), to discuss fairness and behavioural change.

The first episode takes a sneak peek into the unknown world of climate diplomacy. What part do the diplomats working behind the scenes play in stopping climate change? How is the idea of diving into a cold lake after a sauna similar to taking climate action? Finnish Ambassador for Climate Change, Jan Wahlberg, and UK Government's COP26 envoy, John Murton, steer the listener behind the scenes of global climate conferences.

HEL-LO! Climate Calling - a joint British-Finnish podcast uncovers the world of climate diplomacy. What happens behind the scenes in global climate conferences? What do pub quizzes or Finnish footballer Teemu Pukki have to do with reducing global CO2 emissions? The Embassy of Finland in London and the British Embassy in Helsinki joined forces to produce a four-part podcast series with episodes focusing on climate diplomacy, climate justice, cities & communities and circular economy. This podcast is your guide to truly understanding COP26, UN’s Climate Change Conference, due to take place in Glasgow in November 2021.