Climate Curious Why climate solutions fail the poor – and how to fix it, with Nobel Prize-winning economist Esther Duflo
Jan 26, 2026
Esther Duflo, Nobel Prize-winning economist known for using randomized trials to fight global poverty. She explains why climate efforts must center the poorest. Short, evidence-driven discussions cover testing adaptations in the field, scaling proven solutions, and funding climate compensation and rapid cash transfers to build resilience.
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Poor Suffer Most Despite Low Emissions
- The world's poorest people contribute almost nothing to emissions yet will suffer the worst effects of warming.
- Esther Duflo highlights that small temperature increases are far more harmful in already-hot poor regions than in temperate rich countries.
Market Women: No Choice But To Endure Heat
- Esther Duflo described asking market women near Maasai how they cope with extreme heat and getting the answer: "nothing."
- They continue working despite fatigue because they lack money to stop or cool down.
Test Then Scale Local Adaptation
- Test local adaptation practices with randomized controlled trials before scaling.
- Use low-cost training (not always cash) to drive adoption of proven techniques like demi-lune soil structures.