The world is already witnessing the effects of climate change. One inescapable and irreversible consequence is sea-level rise, which could destroy coastal cities. How will the world adapt to rising tides?   Featured Guests:   Alice C. Hill (David M. Rubenstein Senior Fellow for Energy and the Environment, Council on Foreign Relations)  Klaus Jacob (Geophysicist and Emeritus Research Professor, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University)  Henk Ovink  (Special Envoy for International Water Affairs, Netherlands)  Gernot Wagner (Climate Economist and Visiting Associate Professor, Columbia University)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/climate-adaptation-rising-tides-in-coastal-cities

How does a war end? In this special episode, Why It Matters speaks with CFR President Richard Haass on the conflict in Ukraine. We ask if and how this war can come to a close and discuss what compromises might have to be made.    This conversation took place on Monday, October 10 and was only lightly edited.   Featured Guest: Richard Haass (President, Council on Foreign Relations)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/update-ukraine-richard-haass-how-will-it-end  

Beware, coffee lovers: climate change could disrupt your precious morning cup of joe. Coffee beans could lose half of their farmable land by 2050 as temperatures and weather patterns become more extreme and less predictable. This could lead to scarcer yields and pricier brews. But there is hope that unique varieties and novel farming techniques could change coffee’s destiny. The transition will require massive investments and many observers question whether the industry can meet the challenge.   Featured Guests: Aaron P. Davis (Senior Research Leader of Crops and Global Change, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew)   Amanda Grossi (Senior Africa Regional Manager, International Research Institute for Climate and Society, Earth Institute, Columbia University)   Jonathan Morris (Research Professor in History, University of Hertfordshire)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/trouble-brewing-coffee

For the past two thousand years, the pope has been a major player in global affairs. He is frequently called upon to act as a peace broker, a mediator, an advocate, and an influencer; and with over 1.3 billion followers around the world, the pope and his governmental arm, the Holy See, have the power to shape the future. How has the pope's power changed over time, and what is his role today?   Timothy Byrnes (Third Century Chair in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics and Professor of Political Science, Colgate University)   Francis Campbell (Vice Chancellor, University of Notre Dame Australia)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/power-of-the-pope

In this special episode, Why It Matters follows up with CFR President Richard Haass to hear his insights on the war in Ukraine.   Featured Guests:  Richard Haass (President, Council on Foreign Relations)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/update-on-ukraine-with-richard-haass

The Why It Matters team is pleased to introduce a new CFR series, Nine Questions for the World.    The world is changing, and its future is forming around high-stakes challenges such as climate change and shifting geopolitical power. In this limited series, Council on Foreign Relations President Richard Haass sits down with nine extraordinary thinkers to explore fundamental questions about the century to come.   To hear more, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or where ever you get your audio.   For episodes and more information, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcast-series/nine-questions-world.

The U.S. president can launch a first-strike nuclear attack at any time, and there’s no law mandating they seek advice first. Some experts think that’s too much power to put in one person’s hands.   Episode Page and Show Notes   Featured Guests:  Richard K. Betts (Adjunct Senior Fellow for National Security Studies) Alexandra Bell (Senior Policy Director, Center for Arms Control and Nonproliferation) Abigail Stowe-Thurston (Program Coordinator, Center for Arms Control and Nonproliferation)