Global Compound Weather and Climate Events in 2025: a retrospective review

Global Compound Weather and Climate Events in 2025: a retrospective review

This podcast examines the devastating global impacts of compound climate events throughout 2025, categorising them into specific typologies such as spatial, temporal, and preconditioned interactions. We highlight how overlapping hazards, such as wildfires in Canada and catastrophic flooding in Mexico, resulted in damage that far exceeded the effects of isolated weather incidents. Key case studies illustrate how pre-existing environmental conditions, like extreme droughts or saturated soils, significantly amplified the lethality of subsequent storms and heatwaves. Beyond terrestrial disasters, the text notes severe ecological disruptions, including record-breaking coral bleaching in Australia and agricultural failures in Türkiye. Ultimately, the research advocates for integrated adaptation strategies that account for the increasingly complex and nonlinear nature of modern climate risks. These findings suggest that traditional disaster modelling must evolve to address the cascading vulnerabilities created by multiple concurrent hazards. The podcast draws on research from the Climate Risk Lab: Raymond et al. Compound weather and climate events in 2025. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-026-00797-9 [https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-026-00797-9]

An Ambitious Global Goal on Adaptation for Heritage

This Rest is Climate Podcast discusses the formal adoption of the Belém Adaptation Indicators at COP30, which establish a framework for protecting global cultural heritage from climate change. This initiative aims to operationalise the Global Goal on Adaptation by creating measurable targets for preserving both physical sites and intangible traditions. The authors advocate for an ambitious approach that integrates Indigenous and local knowledge while avoiding excessive administrative burdens by aligning with existing UNESCO inventories. They highlight critical gaps, such as the need for better climate-resilient infrastructure reporting and improved access to adaptation finance for heritage custodians. Ultimately, the sources reposition heritage not just as a vulnerable asset, but as a dynamic driver of social resilience and sustainable development. Progress is measured through a mix of quantitative metrics and narrative-based assessments to capture the complex, relational value of cultural continuity. The podcast is based on the recent article from the Climate Risk Lab published in npj Climate Action, 'An Ambitious Global Goal on Adaptation for Heritage', https://doi.org/10.1038/s44168-026-00379-x [https://doi.org/10.1038/s44168-026-00379-x]

The effects of extreme heat on educational outcomes for children in low- and middle-income countries

This Rest is Climate podcast discusses how extreme heat negatively affects educational outcomes for children in low- and middle-income countries. The research highlights that rising temperatures disrupt learning through direct physiological and cognitive stress, while also indirectly hindering school access by damaging agricultural livelihoods and household income. While the evidence consistently shows that heat diminishes performance in mathematics and verbal tests, results for high-stakes university exams remain mixed due to varying levels of student preparedness. Beyond academic scores, the studies indicate that prolonged heat exposure can lead to increased absenteeism and lower school completion rates. Mediating factors like gender, socio-economic status, and classroom infrastructure further complicate these impacts, suggesting that vulnerable populations face the greatest risks. Ultimately, the authors advocate for climate-resilient school infrastructure and social safety nets to protect the educational progress of children in warming climates.   This Rest is Climate podcast draw on the recently published article from the Climate Risk Lab in Environmental Research Communications, "The potential effects of heat extremes on educational outcomes of children in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review", https://doi.org/10.1088/25157620/ae6037 [https://doi.org/10.1088/25157620/ae6037]

评估气候变化对中国世界文化遗产的风险

这项由气候风险实验室和中国研究人员共同开展的研究，对中国39处世界文化遗产进行了全面的气候风险评估，涵盖148处具体遗址及其保护缓冲区。该研究结合专家见解和未来气候预测，揭示了到21世纪末，几乎所有被评估的遗址都将面临中度至极度风险，原因是气温上升和降水强度增加。数据尤其凸显了古代建筑结构的脆弱性，例如五台山，它们极易受到极端降雨和冻融循环的影响而发生物质退化。除了这些标志性地标之外，作者还强调，数以千计鲜为人知的遗产遗址仍未得到保护，记录不足，面临着全球变暖带来的更大威胁。因此，该研究呼吁迫切需要从被动保护转向积极的适应策略，包括采用基于自然的解决方案和建立数字化清单。这种系统性的筛选是优先分配保护资源、确保中国丰富文化遗产长期传承的重要工具。 本期“气候影响下的遗产保护”播客重点介绍了Lei等人于2026年发表在《npj Heritage Science》上的研究成果：《中国世界文化遗产地的气候风险评估》（https://doi.org/10.1038/s40494-026-02512-9

Assessing Climate Risks to China’s Cultural World Heritage

This research from the Climate Risk Lab and researchers in China provides a comprehensive climate risk assessment for 39 of China’s Cultural World Heritage properties, encompassing 148 specific sites and their protective buffer zones. By integrating expert insights with future climate projections, the study reveals that nearly all examined locations will face moderate to extreme risk by the late 21st century due to rising temperatures and intensified precipitation. The data specifically highlight the vulnerability of Ancient Architectural Structures, such as Mount Wutai, which are particularly susceptible to material degradation from extreme rainfall and freeze-thaw cycles. Beyond these flagship landmarks, the authors emphasise that thousands of lesser-known heritage sites remain unprotected and under-documented, facing even greater peril from a warming world. Consequently, the text advocates for an urgent shift from passive preservation to active adaptation strategies, including the use of nature-based solutions and digital inventories. This systematic screening serves as a vital tool for prioritising conservation resources to ensure the long-term survival of China’s extensive cultural legacy. This Rest is Climate Podcast highlights the findings of Lei et al., 2026. Climate risk assessment of Cultural World Heritage Sites in China, npj Heritage Science, https://doi.org/10.1038/s40494-026-02512-9 [https://doi.org/10.1038/s40494-026-02512-9]