Is climate change causing more droughts and fires?

Is climate change causing more droughts and fires?

Author: ARC Centre of Excellence for 21st Century Weather July 3, 2025 Duration: 50:52

In this fiery episode of Totally Cooked, hosts Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, a Professor of Climate Science at the Australian National University, and Iain Strachan, a former journalist turned science communicator, dive headfirst into the scorching realities of droughts and fires.

 

Starting with Australia's dry and hot backyard, they unpack the science behind droughts and fires, explore how climate change fuels these phenomena, and discuss their devastating impacts on health, ecosystems, and economies. From the rising frequency of extreme fire weather to the intricate relationships between drought, fire, and climate change, this episode is a deep dive into some of Australia's most pressing climate challenges.

With surprising stats, real-world examples, and a touch of light-hearted banter, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand the fiery intersections of climate and weather.

Grab your water bottle - this episode is an absolute scorcher!

To find out more, go to: https://www.21centuryweather.org.au/engage/totally-cooked-the-weather-climate-podcast/

Iain records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation. Sarah records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and recognise their unique and continuing connection to the land, skies, waters, plants and animals.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


Ever feel like the weather forecast is just the opening act for a much bigger, more urgent story? That’s the space where Totally Cooked: The Climate & Weather Podcast lives. Guided by Professor Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, a climate scientist who studies extreme heat, and Iain Strachan, a journalist who translates complex science, this conversation pulls apart the daily headlines and the long-term trends. They connect the dots between a specific storm, a record-breaking heatwave, and the broader shifts in our global climate system. The discussion isn’t just about melting ice caps far away; it’s about what changing weather patterns mean for health, fitness, and daily life, particularly in the Australian context where the effects are often felt first and hardest. This podcast from the ARC Centre of Excellence for 21st Century Weather moves beyond alarmism into grounded, evidence-based exploration. You’ll hear clear explanations of the physical mechanisms driving our weather, frank assessments of risks, and thoughtful conversations about adaptation, all delivered with a relatable dynamic and the occasional necessary dash of dark humour. It’s for anyone who wants to move past the soundbites and understand the real-world implications of a planet that’s, well, totally cooked.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 35

Totally Cooked: The Climate & Weather Podcast
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