Totally Cooked: The Climate & Weather Podcast

The politics of climate change in Australia, with Zali Steggall

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 20:00:00 +0000

What is the state of climate change politics in Australia, and is the country doing enough to respond to the climate crisis? In this episode of Totally Cooked: The Climate & Weather Podcast, hosts Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan speak with independent MP Zali Steggall about how Australia’s climate debate has changed since her landmark election victory over former prime minister Tony Abbott in 2019.

Zali discusses whether climate action has been pushed down the political agenda by cost-of-living pressures, international conflict and changing global politics. The conversation explores the Australian Government’s climate policies, the shifting positions of the Liberal and National parties, the rise of One Nation, and the influence that independents and smaller political parties can have on climate and energy policy.

The episode also examines the future of climate science and research in Australia, including CSIRO funding cuts and concerns about the country’s scientific capability. Zali explains how climate action connects with housing affordability and cost of living, what communities can do to make their concerns heard, and what she hopes to achieve through the new Community Strong political party.

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.

Europe’s fires, battling Putin & climate optimism, with Peter Stott

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 20:00:00 +0000

Professor Peter Stott has spent decades proving that human activity is rapidly warming our climate, and confronting those determined to deny it.

In this episode of Totally Cooked, Peter joins hosts Iain Strachan and Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick to recount some extraordinary moments in the fight for climate science. He takes us inside a meeting in Moscow that was hijacked by advisers to Vladimir Putin and turned into a show trial, explains how An Inconvenient Truth landed him in the UK High Court, and reflects on the hacking scandal that became known as Climategate.

The conversation also explores Peter’s pioneering role in the development of extreme weather attribution. Beginning with the devastating 2003 European heatwave, scientists have learned to determine how human-caused climate change increases the likelihood and intensity of individual extreme events. Peter explains how the field developed, why accurate reporting of heatwaves matters, and where attribution science goes next.

Finally, Peter discusses his book, Hot Air: The Inside Story of the Battle Against Climate Change Denial, and what working with artists and musicians has taught him about communicating climate science through stories.

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Whatever you do, DON’T call it a Godzilla El Niño

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 20:00:00 +0000

What is the El Niño–Southern Oscillation, and why does it have such a powerful influence on weather and climate in Australia and around the world?

In this episode of Totally Cooked: The Climate & Weather Podcast, hosts Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan unpack ENSO, the natural climate cycle behind El Niño and La Niña.

Joined by climate scientists Mandy Freund from the University of Melbourne and Shayne McGregor from Monash University, we explore how changes in Pacific Ocean temperatures, trade winds and atmospheric pressure can shift rainfall, heat, drought and flood risks across the globe. We also trace the history of ENSO research and explain how scientists observe and forecast its changing phases.

With a strong El Niño developing in 2026, the team cuts through the “super El Niño” headlines to examine what forecasts can tell us about the months ahead.

They also consider how ENSO interacts with the Indian Ocean Dipole, Southern Annular Mode and Madden–Julian Oscillation, and what climate change means for the impacts of future El Niño and La Niña events.

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Drilling into the secrets of Antarctic ice

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 08:45:04 +0000

Drill into the frozen depths of Earth’s climate history in this episode of Totally Cooked: The Climate & Weather Podcast. Your hosts Iain Strachan and Prof Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick are joined by Dr Tessa Vance (University of Tasmania, Australian Antarctic Program) to explore paleoclimatology, and find out how Antarctic ice cores unlock thousands of years of rainfall, drought, and climate variability across Australia and the Pacific, helping put today’s human-caused climate change into crucial context.

From remote drilling sites like Law Dome to the challenges of extracting and analysing ice cores, this episode reveals how scientists reconstruct long-term climate records far beyond Australia’s short observational history. Discover evidence of droughts and wet periods that rival or exceed those on record, and learn how slow-moving climate drivers like the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO) shape decades-long swings between dry and wet conditions.

The conversation also uncovers a surprising link between Antarctic sea salt and Australian bushfire risk via a Southern Ocean ‘weather bridge’. Plus, hear about the ambitious Million Year Ice Core Project, aiming to extend climate records back up to two million years, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in climate science, extreme weather, and Antarctic research.

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.

NEW TO TOTALLY COOKED?

Totally Cooked is a science-backed, straight-talking podcast about weather, climate change, and what it all means for life on Earth – especially here in Australia. Hosted by climate scientist Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and science communicator Iain Strachan, Totally Cooked breaks down how human activity is changing the Earth’s systems—from our skies to our seas—and what we can do about it. From greenhouse gases to fire weather, supercomputers to Antarctic ice cores, this is climate science without the jargon, and where no subject is too complex or controversial.

FORE MORE:

https://www.21centuryweather.org.au/engage/totally-cooked-the-weather-climate-podcast/

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Your climate & weather questions, answered.

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 20:00:00 +0000

Most climate change misconceptions don't come from bad faith — they come from genuinely confusing science, mixed messaging, and questions no one ever answered clearly. In this first mailbag special of Totally Cooked, Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan open up the inbox to tackle the questions that come up most.

Is the weather forecast usually wrong? If the models carry uncertainty, how can we trust long-term climate projections? What's the actual difference between weather and climate, and does one hot day tell us anything? All your questions along just some of the stickiest climate change misconceptions doing the rounds: that trees alone can fix everything, that lockdowns during COVID-19 repaired the ozone hole, and that small nations changing their habits can't possibly matter while the big emitters carry on.

From net zero and overshoot to the Paris Agreement, planetary boundaries, and why methane is a far more powerful greenhouse gas than CO₂, Sarah and Iain work through the misinformation and misunderstandings without the jargon. Whether you're fighting against climate change, worried about it, or just someone trying to separate signal from noise, this episode is about clearing up the climate change misconceptions that get in the way of an honest conversation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Extreme weather, climate disasters and gendered violence

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 20:00:00 +0000

Join hosts Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan as they welcome Professor Sara Davies; professor of international relations at Griffith University and deputy director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW). In this episode, the two Sara(h)s explore one of climate science's most confronting intersections: what happens to women's safety when extreme weather strikes.

From floods, to heatwaves, to compounding crises, the panel covers how climate change triggers and amplifies gender-based violence. Drawing on research across Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Sara reveals that women in those regions weren't shocked by COVID-19's cascading crises: they'd been managing climate, financial and health emergencies simultaneously for years. The episode also unpacks CEVAW's Women's Safety Index (tracking equity, protection and resource indicators across 190 countries), and what it reveals about why some societies recover from shocks faster than others.

Who actually carries the practical burden of community recovery after Australian disasters? Why do Indigenous women face rates of violence that constitute a national emergency in their own right? And what can women-led early warning networks in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific can teach high-income countries about disaster preparedness? All questions you can have answered on this insightful look into the intersection of violence, climate, and weather.

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.

Rescuing Australia's lost weather records

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 20:00:00 +0000

Join hosts Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan as they welcome historical climatologist Dr Linden Ashcroft and PhD candidate Ruchit Kulkarni, both from the University of Melbourne. This ep the panel dig through diaries, ship logs and colonial era weather stations in search of Australia's climate before the instrumental record began. What counts as a reliable weather observation from 1830? Why does a reference period matter for understanding today's extremes? And why is the Southern Hemisphere's climate history so much thinner than the Northern Hemisphere's? The episode traces how pre-Bureau of Meteorology data, from convict-era rain gauges to a lighthouse keeper's logbook on Gabo Island are rescued, digitised and quality-checked before it can be trusted.

Deadly droughts, time-series analysis, historical data in research and the beauty of stories that stood the test of time and science. All part of this cooked up ep going back in time. So dust off the family diaries and tune in as Totally Cooked goes looking for Australia's climate in the historical record — and asks what two centuries of old numbers can tell us about the droughts and floods still to come.

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.

Cooking up the Climate Stripes, with Ed Hawkins

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 20:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Totally Cooked: The Climate & Weather Podcast, hosts Iain Strachan and Professor Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick sit down with one of the world’s most recognisable climate communicators: Professor Ed Hawkins from the University of Reading. Ed is the climate scientist behind the now-iconic Climate Stripes, a deceptively simple graphic made of blue and red bars that tells the story of global warming at a glance. First published in 2018, the stripes visualise more than a century of rising global temperatures, with each stripe representing the average temperature for a single year and shifting from cooler blues to warmer reds as the planet heats up.

The Climate Stripes have travelled far beyond academic journals. Downloaded more than a million times within days of their public release, they’ve appeared everywhere from social media campaigns and fashion to projections on famous landmarks, helping people around the world understand climate change without needing a single axis label or number. In this conversation, Ed explains how the idea emerged from a desire to communicate climate data more clearly, why the stripes resonated so strongly with the public, and how visualisations like the climate spiral (another of his widely shared creations) can make complex science instantly understandable.

But this episode goes beyond the stripes. Ed also discusses his research into climate variability and extreme weather, his work with the UK’s National Centre for Atmospheric Science, and the Weather Rescue citizen science project, which recruits volunteers to digitise historical weather records from handwritten archives. Together, these efforts help scientists extend the climate record further into the past, giving us a clearer picture of how quickly our climate is changing, and why communicating that change effectively matters more than ever.

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.

How is climate change impacting our cities, and why is Indonesia moving its capital?

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 20:00:00 +0000

Cities are where so many of us really experience climate change. They’re where heatwaves keep us awake at night, where flash floods turn streets into rivers, and where concrete, glass and asphalt can reshape the weather around us. As more than half of humanity now lives in urban areas, the story of climate change is increasingly a story about cities - how they amplify extremes, how they trap heat, and how smart planning might help protect the people who call them home.

In this episode of Totally Cooked, Sarah and Iain are joined by Associate Professor Negin Nazarian, and PhD student Ressy Fitria. They're hitting the streets to explore the science of urban climate. What exactly is an urban heat island? Do cities just experience climate change, or do they actually modify the climate themselves? And how well are our climate models capturing the complexity of real neighbourhoods?

We’ll also head to Indonesia, where a brand new capital city is rising in tropical Borneo. As Jakarta sinks and sea levels rise, Nusantara is being billed as a 'smart forest city' built for the future. But what happens to heat, humidity and extreme weather when you replace tropical forest with high-density urban development? And can we truly design cities that work with the climate, rather than against it?

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.

Who pays for climate damage? Extreme weather attribution and Loss & Damage

Fri, 29 May 2026 10:04:20 +0000

In this episode, Sarah and Iain are joined by Dr Joyce Kimutai, climate attribution scientist at Imperial College London and member of World Weather Attribution (WWA), to unpack one of the most consequential fields in climate science.

Joyce explains the world of attribution - quantifying how much human-induced climate change has altered the likelihood or intensity of specific extreme weather events. From the relatively straightforward case of heat waves, where the signal of climate change is now essentially guaranteed, to the far thornier problem of attributing localised flooding in data-sparse regions, the conversation covers both the power and the limits of the science.

Joyce illustrates what it means to do attribution science in regions where weather station networks are sparse, records are inconsistent, and data-sharing policies can block access entirely. The show covers why satellite proxies and reanalysis products are not always a reliable substitute when the underlying observations are missing.

From all things Loss & Damage, litigation meeting climate science, the use of observations, and the unlikely and unique path that brought Joyce into the field, jump into the world of attribution for this episode.

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.

What is net zero, and what happens when we get there?

Thu, 14 May 2026 20:00:00 +0000

Join hosts Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan as they welcome Associate Professor Andrew King and PhD candidate Aditya Sengupta for a deep dive into the science, politics, and post-zero implications of net zero emissions. What does net zero actually mean, when did the concept enter our vocabulary, and why is reaching it so urgent? From the cumulative effect of atmospheric carbon to the role of natural sinks like forests and the Southern Ocean, the episode builds a grounded understanding of what we're working towards, and how far away we remain.

The conversation then turns to what happens beyond net zero: a world that is in many ways still getting worse even after emissions balance out. The guests explain the concept of overshoot - why we'll likely exceed 1.5°C of warming before potentially coming back down - and walk through what we know, and what we urgently don't, about a post-net zero climate. Andrew's research reveals that the Southern Hemisphere, and Australia in particular, faces a harder trajectory than the Northern Hemisphere due to ocean thermal inertia. Aditya's PhD work on the El Niño-Southern Oscillation shows that whatever changes we've already driven in ENSO variability will be locked in once emissions stop, for centuries.

So turn on a fan and buckle up as Totally Cooked looks into a warming world and what net zero really looks like as we tangle with 1.5°C and beyond.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your chance to win 21st Century Weather merchandise

Thu, 14 May 2026 02:22:54 +0000

Help to shape how we share our weather and climate research.

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By completing the survey, you can enter the draw to win limited edition 21st Century Weather-branded merchandise.

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Whether you regularly follow our work or have only recently come across us, your perspective is valuable.

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To complete the survey, please go to: https://bit.ly/21stCenturyWeatherSurvey

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Take part in a focus group (optional)

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This session will give you the opportunity to share more detailed feedback and help shape how we communicate our research and engage with our audiences.

If you’d like to be considered, you can indicate your interest at the end of the survey and provide your contact details. All participants selected for the focus group will receive 21st Century Weather merchandise as a thank you for their time.

Participation is entirely optional, and your details will only be used by our team to follow up about the focus group.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Lesley Hughes and the Climate Council got one over Tony Abbott

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 20:00:00 +0000

In this Totally Cooked episode, Sarah and Iain talk with Professor Lesley Hughes, exploring the concept of biodiversity—what it means, why it matters, and how it connects all life on Earth, from genes to ecosystems. They cover how climate change is accelerating biodiversity loss, particularly in Australia, and the real-world consequences this has for ecosystems, communities, and the economy.

Lesley shares insights from her career in climate science and public advocacy, including her role in the Climate Council and the political challenges surrounding climate communication in Australia. The episode also unpacks how scientists engage with the public and policymakers, and the importance of clear, accessible communication in driving action. Ultimately, it’s a story about resilience, evidence-based advocacy, and how climate scientists have navigated political resistance to keep critical conversations alive.

Whether you want to start your own climate change organisation, learn how one of Australia's best functions, or just love successful women in STEM, this episode is for you.

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.

Movie Special Twister (1996)

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:00:00 +0000

In this Totally Cooked movie special, hosts Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan are joined by returning guest Dr Tim Raupach of UNSW Sydney to revisit the 1996 tornado blockbuster.

Twister features Helen Hunt driving into a mesocyclone, Philip Seymour Hoffman blasting music from a convoy of beat-up trucks, and Cary Elwes as the most devastatingly handsome villain in meteorological cinema history. Scene by scene, they separate the jargon from the nonsense: the dryline explanation? Surprisingly solid. The tornado warning time argument? Actually one the film's researchers won, and scientists are still fighting today. Hiding under a highway overpass? Absolutely not — do not do that.

Along the way, the team unpacks how tornado science has evolved in the three decades since the film's release, what real instruments like Dorothy actually exist now, and why the film's meteorological jargon — while occasionally mixed up — is mostly grounded in real science. There are Wizard of Oz callbacks, a frank discussion of whether an F5 tornado would actually bisect you via a leather belt, and a quiet acknowledgement that the movie's core premise — that getting better data from inside storms saves lives — is as relevant as ever.

Whether you loved the film as a kid, are seeing it for the first time at 41 and missed the entire plot, or just want to know what a dryline actually is, this one is for you. Nostalgic, nerdy, and Totally Cooked.

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.

Are we really on track for Net Zero? Part 2

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Join hosts Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan of the Totally Cooked team for part 2, as they explore Australia’s path to net zero emissions with Monash University expert Roger Dargaville. The discussion goes deeper into the technologies and hard choices shaping Australia's energy future. Unpacking why nuclear power doesn't stack up economically or technically for Australia's high-renewables grid, how pumped hydro acts as a giant rechargeable battery, and where hydrogen really fits into the mix—hint: it's not grid storage.

The conversation also covers EV battery degradation and the emerging recycling industry, the challenges of decarbonising aviation with sustainable fuels, and the frustrating reality that fossil fuels can't simply be switched off overnight. Roger shares what cutting-edge research is happening in his lab—from optimal energy system modelling and EV charging infrastructure to building-integrated solar and green steel—before the hosts close with a frank discussion on the political, economic, and intergenerational barriers that have slowed climate action for decades.

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.

Are we really on track for Net Zero?

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Join hosts Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan of the Totally Cooked team as they explore Australia’s path to net zero emissions with Monash University expert Roger Dargaville. The discussion breaks down what “net zero” really means, revealing how current targets rely heavily on carbon accounting and natural sinks rather than deep cuts to fossil fuel use. While progress in renewable electricity—especially solar and wind—is promising, major challenges remain in transport, industry, and infrastructure.

The conversation dives into the realities of scaling renewable energy, including grid limitations, storage needs, and the complexities of transitioning away from fossil fuels. It also unpacks misconceptions around technologies like solar and wind, highlights the importance of energy system planning, and questions whether market-driven approaches are sufficient. Ultimately, the episode argues that while the technology to reach net zero exists, achieving it will require faster action, stronger policy direction, and significant societal change.

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.

Exploring the stratosphere LIVE

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Join hosts Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan as the Totally Cooked team for their very first live recording, as they take you up, up, and away into the stratosphere. To explore this mysterious and wonderful place far above the Earth's surface, the hosts are joined by guest experts Professor Julie Arblaster (Monash University) and Dr. Martin Jucker (University of New South Wales).

In this episode, the LIVE panel explores what really happens above the clouds, how the ozone layer and jet stream shape our planet’s climate, and why the stratosphere matters for weather, warming, and life below. So hold your breath as the Totally Cooked team this week take your learning higher than ever before, into the stratosphere.

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.

Totally Cooked Season 2 Trailer

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 01:18:31 +0000

Sarah and Iain are back for Totally Cooked Season 2!

This season our cooked hosts will be taking you behind the scenes of forecasting deadly bushfire weather. They will be asking the big questions like how is climate change impacting the world’s rich biodiversity? What is net zero and when are we going to reach it? And how is machine learning powering new climate and weather science?

For the answers to those questions and plenty more, join us for Season 2 of Totally Cooked!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Holiday Special with Dr Karl Kruszelnicki

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 19:00:00 +0000

In this very special episode of Totally Cooked, Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan sit down with one of Australia's most beloved science communicators: Dr Karl Kruszelnicki. With his signature mix of curiosity, clarity and charisma, Dr Karl has spent decades explaining the universe, one radio segment, podcast, and bestselling book at a time. He joins hosts Iain Strachan and Prof Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick for a conversation about climate change, misinformation, science storytelling, and why making facts fun still matters.

We trace the arc of his science communication career from the 1980s to today’s social media battlegrounds, ask whether you really need to ‘dumb things down’ to reach an audience, and discuss what it takes to talk about global warming in a world that sometimes seems to prefer fiction over fact. For listeners around the world, Dr Karl is Australia’s answer to Brian Cox, Bill Nye and Neil deGrasse Tyson rolled into one, an icon of scientific clarity in chaotic times.

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 unqieu and continuing connection to the land, skies, waters, plants and animals.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can humans survive a future of extreme heat?

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Can the human body survive climate change? That’s the burning question in this episode of Totally Cooked. With the world already experiencing more frequent and intense heatwaves, we sit down with Professor Ollie Jay from the University of Sydney to explore how our bodies respond to extreme heat, and what happens when they can’t keep up.

Ollie walks your co-hosts Professor Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan through the science of sweating, hydration, and heat stress, and explains the critical tipping points between heat exhaustion and deadly heatstroke. We discuss who’s most at risk, why heat is often overlooked as a killer, and what governments, communities and individuals can do to stay safe in a hotter world. We also find out what it’s like to sit in a room set to 54°C, and why your fan might not be helping as much as you think.

Plus, it’s quiz time: from Death Valley to the Ashes, the FIFA World Cup to the Sahara, we put Sarah and Ollie to the test with a scorcher of a quiz on record-breaking heat. If you’ve ever wondered whether climate change is cooking us alive (and how long we can keep turning up the thermostat) this episode has the answers.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can we save the Great Barrier Reef?

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 19:00:00 +0000

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most extraordinary natural wonders on Earth, a vast, living ecosystem visible from space and home to thousands of species. But it is also one of the most vulnerable. As ocean temperatures rise and marine heatwaves intensify, this Australian icon faces an uncertain future. In this episode of Totally Cooked, recorded in Cairns, we ask a confronting question - can we save the Great Barrier Reef?

Your hosts Professor Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan are joined by Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, marine biologist, climate advocate, and one of the world’s leading experts on coral reefs. Ove has spent decades at the forefront of reef science, from uncovering the mechanisms of coral bleaching to shaping global climate policy through the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). He brings both deep scientific knowledge and an unwavering sense of both hope and realism to a conversation that spans reef resilience, climate tipping points, and what Australia must do next.

Whether you’ve snorkelled the Reef, seen it on screen, or simply care about our planet’s future, this episode is for you. We explore the science behind what’s happening to the Reef, the efforts to protect it, and why Ove still believes, despite the odds, that we can turn things around.

A minor correction for the sharp-eared among you. Around 35m7sec, Ove meant to say carbonate ions rather than calcium ions - Iain

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Understanding the psychology of the climate crisis

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Climate grief is a real and growing psychological phenomenon. Around the world, people are grappling with the emotional weight of the climate crisis, from anxiety about the future to mourning the loss of places, species, and a sense of stability.

So how do we live a meaningful life and stay resilient in the face of such an overwhelming, collective challenge? How do we hold on to hope and contribute to change when others in our communities, our politics and our families seem indifferent or even hostile to climate action?

More broadly, what’s stopping us from acting faster, and at scale? Why does society struggle to respond, even when the science is clear? What role do social norms, economic systems, political incentives, and psychology itself play in shaping our collective actions?

Hosted by Professor Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and science communicator Iain Strachan, this episode explores not just individual emotions, but the deep systemic barriers, including economic short-termism, political inertia, and institutional design, that hold us back from meaningful climate progress.

Our guest for this episode is Professor Ben Newell, a Professor of Behavioural Science in the School of Psychology at UNSW Sydney, and Director of the UNSW Institute for Climate Risk & Response (ICRR).

Ben’s work brings together behavioural science, climate science, economics, and governance to understand how people and institutions make decisions, and how they can do better in the face of climate risk.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia runs on weather

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Australia’s economy, lifestyle, and ecosystems are powered by the weather, but climate change is reshaping this vital resource. In this episode, we dive into the science behind rainfall, sunshine, and wind as natural assets that fuel agriculture, energy, tourism, and daily life.

Climate scientist Associate Professor Ailie Gallant joins your co-hosts Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan to unpack how drought, shifting rainfall patterns, and solar variability are transforming Australia’s weather resources, and what it means for our future resilience.

Whether you’re curious about climate models, renewable energy, or the hidden value of everyday weather, this episode will change how you think about weather.

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

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Research Special: Measuring the impacts of new fossil fuel projects

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 06:33:55 +0000

Australia’s fossil fuel industry has long argued that its projects are “too small to matter” when it comes to global climate change. But new research led by 21st Century Weather proves otherwise.

Using a robust scientific method adopted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), our researchers have quantified how much additional global warming will be caused by emissions from the Scarborough gas project, a major new gas development approved off the coast of Western Australia. The study shows that no fossil fuel project is too small to make a measurable difference to the planet’s climate.

This episode of Totally Cooked: The Climate & Weather Podcast breaks down what the numbers really mean. Hosts Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan speak with contributing authors Andrew King and Georgy Falster about the study’s findings: 876 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions, 0.00039 °C of additional global warming, and real-world consequences for people and ecosystems. We explore how heatwaves, coral bleaching, and mortality risks increase, and why this work fundamentally shifts how fossil fuel projects should be assessed in Australia and around the world.

With governments setting ambitious net zero targets, the Scarborough case shows how new gas projects undermine climate goals. This groundbreaking research gives policymakers, regulators, and communities the tools to hold companies accountable for the warming their projects cause. Tune in to understand the science, the stakes, and the path forward for climate action in Australia.

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

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How will an ice-free Arctic change our planet? With Dr Zoé Koenig

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 19:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we explore what happens if (or when) the Arctic becomes ice-free during the northern summer - from global weather disruptions to sea level changes, ecosystem collapse, and the geopolitical scramble it’s triggering.

Our special guest, Dr Zoé Koenig from University of Tromsø – The Arctic University of Norway, joins us to unpack the science, share her frontline experience in polar research, and explain that what happens in the Arctic doesn’t stay in the Arctic.

Pack your survival suit and a rifle, but let’s try not to shoot the bear.

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

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Movie Special: The Day After Tomorrow (2004)

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 20:00:00 +0000

What happens when Hollywood takes on climate science? In this movie special of Totally Cooked, hosts Professor Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan revisit the 2004 blockbuster The Day After Tomorrow - a film that gave us wolves on a cargo ship, helicopters freezing mid-air, and catastrophic climate change unfolding in just a few days.

Scene by scene, they unpack the film’s most iconic (and most absurd) moments, separating science from spectacle. Can global warming really trigger a new Ice Age? Could a superstorm freeze people solid in seconds? And why are the animals at the zoo losing it? With plenty of laughs, sharp commentary, and real climate facts, this is the Totally Cooked take on a disaster-movie classic.

Whether you adore the film or still feel mildly traumatised by it, this episode explores how climate change has been portrayed on the big screen, and what that says about the challenge we face in real life. It’s nostalgic, nerdy, and Totally Cooked.To find out more, go to: https://www.21centuryweather.org.au/engage/totally-cooked-the-weather-climate-podcast/

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Is climate change making storms & cyclones worse?

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons - whatever the name, these major storms are being reshaped by climate change. Warmer oceans and shifting atmospheric patterns are fuelling storms that are stronger, wetter, and potentially more destructive than ever before.

In this episode of Totally Cooked, hosts Professor Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan are joined by cyclone expert Professor Liz Ritchie-Tyo of Monash University and 21st Century Weather to explore the science behind these powerful systems. They unpack how cyclones form, why forecasting is so complex, and whether climate change is altering their frequency, intensity, or both.

The conversation also looks at the human side of the story - how vulnerable communities can prepare, and how planning and communication can reduce the risks of future storms. With the right knowledge and action, there’s hope for weathering the next cyclone season in a rapidly changing climate.

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

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What does it take to become a climate & weather scientist?

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 20:00:00 +0000

In Part 2 of this special Totally Cooked episode, the next generation of climate and weather scientists share more of their stories, and spring a few surprises. We open with one of Wil’s unforgettable tales from growing up in Peru.

From there, the conversation explores the pathways that brought Wil, Rachael, and Bethan into climate research. Rachael recounts a journey through meteorology, NASA internships, and early-career challenges before landing in Australia to pursue more climate science. Along the way, the team unpacks the realities of imposter syndrome, the importance of mentors, and the persistence and good fortune required to break into elite scientific research.

Finally, the discussion turns to the future, both for climate and weather science as a field, and for the young scientists themselves. How can research better serve communities, adapt to climate change, and stay optimistic in the face of denial and delay? Our guests share their hopes for more interdisciplinary, collaborative, and inclusive science in the decades ahead.

And we close with one more dramatic tale from Wil’s eventful time in the crib.

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

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Meet the next generation of climate scientists

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Today’s climate and weather researchers have grown up with the escalating climate crisis as a defining feature of their lives. Their education unfolded against culture wars about science, energy, and climate policy, with many inspired by voices like Greta Thunberg and movements such as the School Strike for Climate. This episode explores how those experiences are shaping the next generation of scientists.

Hosts Prof. Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan sit down with three emerging researchers: Bethan White, Rachael Isphording, and Wil Laura. Together they talk about the motivations that drew them into climate science, from childhood experiences of hurricanes in Alabama to growing up in the Peruvian Andes. They share how their backgrounds, curiosity, and resilience are helping them carve out research careers in a rapidly changing world.

The conversation dives into the challenges and joys of early research life, from pushing climate models to their limits to investigating “compound events” like heatwaves and wildfires, to benchmarking weather resources for renewable energy. Alongside science, the guests reflect on cultural influences, personal motivations, and the global networks that support their work.

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

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Will hailstorms get worse with climate change?

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 04:47:38 +0000

Hailstorms might be brief, but their impacts aren't. In this 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, are joined by Dr Tim Raupach of UNSW to explore how hail forms, why it causes so much damage, and what climate change means for its future.

We unpack the ingredients that make a hailstorm, why places like Canberra and the east coast of Australia are particularly at risk, and how hailstones grow into car-destroying chunks of ice. We also dive into forecasting challenges, billion-dollar insurance losses, and how new high-resolution climate models and machine learning are reshaping hail research.

Whether you’ve had a smashed windscreen, love watching storms roll in, or want to understand how even short-lived weather events are being reshaped by climate change, this episode will give you a fresh perspective on the hidden risks falling from the sky.

PS, if you finished Episode 5, you might have been expecting an El Niño episode this week. Don’t worry, we’ll be talking through everything ENSO with you soon enough.

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

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How is climate change impacting Antarctica?

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 01:44:59 +0000

Antarctica is one of the fastest-changing places on Earth. In this chilly 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, are joined by Professor Nerilie Abram to explore how global warming is transforming the icy continent.

We unpack what makes Antarctica unique, why its melting glaciers and ice shelves matter for sea level rise, and how changes in the Southern Ocean and atmosphere are reshaping weather patterns, including in Australia. We also discuss krill, penguins, tipping points and why scientists say “what happens in Antarctica doesn’t stay in Antarctica.

Whether you're curious about Antarctic science, concerned about climate impacts, or just want to understand how our coldest continent is connected to your daily weather, this episode will leave you better informed and ready to tackle the climate crisis.

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

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Is climate change causing more droughts and fires?

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 20:00:00 +0000

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/

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How do we know climate change is caused by humans?

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Climate change is happening and the effects are already being felt around the world. But how do we know about global warming? How can we be sure it’s caused by human activity? And what can we do to address the problem?

In this episode of Totally Cooked, we’re going to unpack more than 200 years of advances in scientific knowledge about our climate and weather.

We’ll talk about the atmosphere, oceans, global average temperatures, ice cores and satellite images.

We’re also going to meet the people who first understood the greenhouse effect, predicted the consequences of burning fossil fuels, and who raised the alarm.

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

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How is climate change impacting our weather?

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 20:00:00 +0000

How is climate change impacting our weather? As the planet gets warmer, we’re entering uncharted territory for the climate and weather.

We’re already seeing temperature records broken regularly. High-impact weather is affecting people everywhere, and in some places normal, day-to-day weather patterns are changing.

In this episode of Totally Cooked, we’re going to talk about things like heat, rainfall and floods.

What factors determine the weather we experience here on the ground and up in the sky? And what can we expect from our weather as carbon emissions continue to rise?

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

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Why are we in a climate crisis?

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 20:00:00 +0000

You’ve all heard that we’re in a climate crisis. But how do we know why we’re in a climate crisis? When did global warming start? What’s the cause of the climate crisis? And what can you do about it?

In this episode of Totally Cooked, we’re going to learn when and how global warming and the climate crisis began. We’ll talk about the industrial revolution, fossil fuels, and what happens when large volumes of greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, are added to the atmosphere.

This is just the start of a fascinating, scary and sometimes darkly funny look at the biggest challenge humanity has ever faced.

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

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Trailer

Fri, 09 May 2025 00:25:28 +0000

The Climate & Weather Podcast invites listeners behind the scenes of climate science to explore the big questions shaping our future. Hosted by Professor of Climate Science Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and science communicator Iain Strachan, this trailer introduces a show that cuts through the noise with straight-talking, evidence-based discussion about the climate crisis—from an Australian perspective.

This isn’t just another podcast about global warming. Totally Cooked digs deeper into the systems driving our weather, the science behind climate predictions, and the human stories at the centre of it all. In the trailer, Sarah and Iain offer a glimpse into what listeners can expect: topics ranging from Antarctica’s ice cores to ocean currents, fire weather, and the psychology of climate grief. With a mix of expert interviews, clear explanations, and a touch of dark humour, the show is designed to inform, empower, and spark action.

Whether you’re curious, concerned, or just trying to keep up with the science, Totally Cooked is your guide to making sense of a world in flux. Subscribe now—because the climate is changing, and so is the conversation.

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