Ideas worth spreading

The science of extreme weather — and how to reduce the harm

527,161 views | Al Roker, Al Gore, David Biello and Latif Nasser • Countdown Global Livestream

Floods, droughts, heat waves and cold blasts -- why is the weather becoming more extreme? Environmentalist and "America's weatherman" Al Roker discusses the link between climate change and disruptions to weather patterns worldwide, followed by a conversation between Nobel laureate Al Gore and TED science curator David Biello about the science of extreme weather and emerging solutions to reduce the risk of these events. (This segment, introduced by radio researcher Latif Nasser, was part of TED's Countdown Global Livestream on October 30, 2021.)

Floods, droughts, heat waves and cold blasts -- why is the weather becoming more extreme? Environmentalist and "America's weatherman" Al Roker discusses the link between climate change and disruptions to weather patterns worldwide, followed by a conversation between Nobel laureate Al Gore and TED science curator David Biello about the science of extreme weather and emerging solutions to reduce the risk of these events. (This segment, introduced by radio researcher Latif Nasser, was part of TED's Countdown Global Livestream on October 30, 2021.)

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

About the speakers

Latif Nasser

Radio researcher

See speaker profile

Latif Nasser is the director of research at Radiolab, where he has reported on such disparate topics as culture-bound illnesses, snowflake photography, sinking islands and 16th-century automata.

Al Gore

Climate advocate

See speaker profile

Nobel Laureate Al Gore continues to focus the world's attention on the global climate crisis.

David Biello

TED science curator, author

See speaker profile

David Biello is TED's science curator and the author of "The Unnatural World: The Race to Remake Civilization in Earth's Newest Age."

Al Roker

Al Roker

Environmentalist, weatherman

As "America's weatherman," Al Roker enjoys the country's attention every weekday morning as it prepares for school and work.

Learn more

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.