In this episode of AIDS 2060, Ben explores how the climate crisis may disrupt the global HIV response with diplomat, author, and podcaster Arthur Snell, marking the U.S. launch of Snell’s book Elemental: The New Geography of Climate Change and How We Survive It. They discuss climate-driven population movements globally (from the Sahel to Central America and even within the U.S.), the political rise of hard-line migration policies, and how populism and disinformation can undermine science-based health and climate action. Snell outlines Africa’s potential as an energy superpower through critical minerals, agriculture, and renewable electricity exports enabled by new transmission technology, while Ben notes HIV risks linked to large male workforces and urban migration. The conversation also covers wildfire-related health impacts, pandemic risks from warming and thawing regions, and the need to rebuild trust and plan for food security and mobility beyond 2030.
00:00 Climate Crisis Meets HIV
01:29 Introducing Arthur Snell
02:10 Snell’s Diplomatic Journey
06:20 Surviving a Hotter World
09:02 Climate Migration Goes Global
13:37 Heat and Relocation in the West
17:35 Africa’s Energy Opportunity
20:44 Renewables and Global Power Grids
25:02 HIV Risks in New Economies
27:31 Populism and Misinformation
29:29 Populism Meets Denial
30:32 Net Zero Under Attack
32:09 Disaster Spin Machine
34:17 HIV Echoes Populism
37:01 Brexit Lessons on Emotion
39:13 Wildfires Health Toll
42:35 Firefighting and Solidarity
44:21 Thawing Ice Pandemic Risk
47:47 Trust Over Technocracy
50:46 Mobility Food and Futures
02:18 Closing Thanks and Next Steps
Check out Arthur’s Book:
Elemental: The New Geography of Climate Change and How We Survive it
https://www.londonreviewbookshop.co.uk/stock/elemental-the-new-geography-of-climate-change-and-how-we-survive-it-the-first-comprehensive-account-of-the-geopolitics-of-climate-change-arthu
Check out Ben’s Substack:
https://substack.com/@benplumley1
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