As the next climate conference (COP30) approaches, we turn to one of the most urgent and overlooked climate stories of our time: extreme heat.
Eugenia Kargbo, Africa’s first Chief Heat Officer, joins our host, Marion Osieyo, to explore how communities, nature, and social inequality are reshaping how we live and adapt in a warming world.
From Freetown, Sierra Leone to the global stage, Eugenia shares lessons on climate leadership, equity, and resilience. She reminds us that those most affected by climate change are also leading the way forward.
Trigger warning: This episode does include references to the impacts of extreme heat. Please do listen with your well-being in mind first. 💚
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Episode chapters
00:00 Intro and Eugenia’s relationship with nature
03:28 Why Eugenia was appointed Africa’s first Chief Heat Officer
05:35 What causes rising heat in Freetown, Sierra Leone
07:27 What extreme heat feels like on a daily basis
09:13 Who is more vulnerable to the impacts of extreme heat?
14:35 Why extreme heat is not seen with the same urgency as other climate change events
20:27 How we can improve our understanding of extreme heat
23:40 The Freetown Heat Action Plan
26:50 Why nature and communities are our biggest supporters when building resilience to extreme heat
31:20 Eugenia’s lessons on leadership when working on climate resilience
33:30 How to support Eugenia and Black Earth!