Kaveh Madani

In this insightful discussion, Akhtar Makoii, an Iran correspondent for The Telegraph, and Kaveh Madani, an environmental scientist and former Iranian deputy, delve into Iran's escalating water crisis. They explore the dire implications of ongoing drought affecting major cities like Tehran, Isfahan, and Mashhad, and how it could trigger political unrest. Kaveh breaks down the mismanagement in water policies, while Akhtar warns of potential evacuations. Together, they highlight the twin factors of climate change and policy failures driving Iran to a tipping point.

The dangers of climate change are “no longer over the horizon.” Humanity may soon pass the “point of no return.” These are the phrases U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres used to describe what he called an “utterly inadequate” global response to rising temperatures. But if we were to decisively act, and restructure our global economy with the climate in mind, who would shoulder the burden? Or should our collective focus orient more toward humans’ capacity for adaptation?   Podcast: Arguing in favor of the motion are Bjorn Lomberg and Michael Shellenberger. Arguing against the motion is Kaveh Madani and Michele Wucker. Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sarah Bettencourt, GBH reporter on immigrant-owned businesses, Samir Patel, Quanta Magazine editor-in-chief, Kaveh Madani, UN water and environment director and former Iranian official, and Karim Sajjadpur, Iran expert at Carnegie, discuss Iran’s new leader selection and its power dynamics. They cover the Revolutionary Guard’s role, questions of legitimacy and unity, environmental harms from Tehran fires, and pressures on immigrant entrepreneurs.

Kaveh Madani, UN water institute director and former deputy environment chief in Iran, speaks on Gulf water security. He discusses drought trends and war's indirect effects on Iran's water. He explains heavy reliance on desalination across the region. He covers legal, economic and contamination risks when treatment plants are targeted.

Kaveh Madani, director at UNU and author of the UN water bankruptcy report, explains how human demand now outstrips nature’s ability to replenish freshwater. He describes where water is used most. He outlines signs of system collapse worldwide. He discusses why replenishment is harder and the risks of treating water like a financial failure.