4°C and Rising: Why We’re Talking Climate Change Now

Welcome to the very first episode of the 4°C Podcast, brought to you by the Climate Risk Lab within ACDI at the University of Cape Town! In this debut, hosts Precious, Philipp, and Yonela sit down to unpack who we are, what we study, and why we’ve named our show after one of the most urgent numbers in climate science. We dive into the big, messy, and fascinating world of climate change — from global warming levels and the Paris Agreement to the IPCC’s role in shaping climate policy, and even how climate intersects with heritage, law, and health. There’s a lot to talk about (and yes, we do jump around a bit. It’s Episode 1, after all!). Think of this as a whirlwind introduction to what’s coming: sharp conversations, grounded research, and honest discussions about the climate crisis from a new generation of climate thinkers at UCT. A question for you is: How would you define climate change in your understanding? So do leave a comment and let us know what you think and what you would like hear us to discuss in the podcast.