Optimism and Inspiration Ahead of Brazil’s Crucial Climate Summit
A special program from Rio de Janeiro as Brazil prepares to host the COP30 climate summit. Christiane talks to Britain’s Prince William about the Earthshot prize, which rewards five innovators for finding climate solutions, and she asks him about changes in the British monarchy. The former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres speaks about finding optimism amid the dire climate forecast and tells Christiane why she thinks Bill Gates’s latest memo on global warming is misguided. Then, a little inspiration from above as NASA’s first female space shuttle pilot Eileen Collins discusses the new documentary about her extraordinary life “Spacewoman”. From Christiane’s archive, a return to Brazil’s last time hosting a major climate gathering in 1992. When the Earth Summit saw then-Senator Al Gore tell Christiane that the world needed American climate leadership. And finally, some words of wisdom from David Attenborough as he releases his latest nature documentary.
Air date: November 8, 2025
Guests:
Prince William
Christiana Figueres
Eileen Collins
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Former UN Climate Chief Christiana Figueres
Ten years ago in Paris, the world set its key climate goal, to limit a rise in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Now the United Nations is warning that the planet is likely to overshoot that target in the next decade, and that swift action is needed to limit the damage. The warning comes as world leaders are gathering for the COP30 Climate Conference in Belem, Brazil. Christiane spoke to former UN Climate Chief Christiana Figueres, a key architect of the Paris Climate Agreement, in Brazil ahead of the summit.
Also on today's show: author Katy Hessel ("How to Live an Artful Life"); Grammy-award winning musician and songwriter Jacob Collier
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How Secure Are America's Elections?
President Trump is throwing out all kinds of reasons to try to explain some of Tuesday's US election results. While this includes false claims of election rigging, a new cover story in The Atlantic suggests this administration is also taking concrete actions that undermine that very security. According to one expert, "If you are not frightened, you are not paying attention." Atlantic staff writer David A. Graham joins the show to discuss his reporting.
Also on today's show: author Salman Rushdie; NYT climate reporter Raymond Zhong
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Talking Climate with Prince William
World leaders are heading to Brazil ahead of the upcoming UN Climate Summit there. One of the highest profile attendees is Britain's Prince William. But before that, he's hosting his own gathering for his annual Earthshot Prize. Today, Christiane moderates the Earthshot Impact Assembly and she sat down with the man at the center of it all, Prince William.
Also on today's show: Brian Lehrer, Radio Host, WNYC & Ron Brownstein, Bloomberg Opinion Columnist; author Scott Galloway ("Notes on Being a Man")
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Targeting Trump Tariffs
Donald Trump's tariff war is facing its biggest legal challenge yet this week. The Supreme Court will hear arguments challenging the legality of many of his administration's tariffs. The World Trade Organization is paying close attention to this legal challenge and Christiane sat down with its Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in London.
Also on today's show: Wolf Blitzer on the death of Dick Cheney; Atlantic CEO Nicholas Thompson; Michael Sandel, Winner, Berggruen Prize for Philosophy & Culture
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