The rising risk of landslides

Summary

Climate Connections – "The rising risk of landslides"

Podcast Host: Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz, Yale Center for Environmental Communication
Date: July 8, 2026
Episode Theme:
This episode explores how climate change is intensifying the threat of landslides in various regions, using real-life examples and practical advice to raise awareness and help listeners prepare for such disasters.

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Overview of the Episode

Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz discusses the increasing risk and impact of landslides due to climate change, emphasizing extreme rainfall, wildfire impacts, and the melting of glaciers. The episode weaves together scientific explanation and actionable safety tips, highlighting how communities and individuals can be more resilient in the face of landslide dangers.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Real-Life Consequences of Extreme Rainfall

• Example Event: Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, 2024
  • Impact: Over a foot of rain in some areas led to devastating landslides, particularly in Craigtown, where “a river of mud rush[ed] downhill into town, destroying homes and killing over a dozen people.” (00:07-00:18)
  • Key Insight: As climate change drives more extreme rainfall, the likelihood and severity of landslides in vulnerable areas are increasing.

2. How Climate Change Intensifies Landslide Risk

• Heavy Storms and Soil Saturation:
  • "Heavy storms can saturate the soil on hills and mountains until water, mud, and debris come tumbling down." (00:20)
• Wildfire Aftermath:
  • Wildfires leave soil barren, reducing plants that stabilize the ground, which increases susceptibility to landslides after rain:
    • "Severe wildfires leave ground burned and barren, with few plants to hold the soil in place and absorb water." (00:26)
• Glacial and Permafrost Melting:
  • In northern regions, rising temperatures cause glaciers and frozen ground to melt, which destabilizes mountain slopes:
    • "Warming temperatures are melting glaciers and frozen ground, destabilizing mountain slopes." (00:34)

3. Urgency and Preparedness

• Sudden Onset:
  • Many landslides strike without warning—"Many landslides strike suddenly, leaving little time to escape." (00:38)
• Preparedness Tips:
  • "It's crucial to plan ahead. Learn about your area's landslide risk, sign up for emergency alerts, and have a go bag ready so you can stay safe if disaster strikes and you need to evacuate." (00:41-00:49)

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Destruction and Loss:

  “A river of mud rush[ed] downhill into town, destroying homes and killing over a dozen people.” – Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz (00:11)

• On Escalating Risk:

  “As climate change causes more extreme rain in many parts of the country, the threat of devastating landslides like this could grow.” – Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz (00:16)

• On Urgency:

  “Many landslides strike suddenly, leaving little time to escape.” – Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz (00:38)

• On Preparedness:

  “It's crucial to plan ahead. Learn about your area's landslide risk, sign up for emergency alerts, and have a go bag ready…” – Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz (00:41)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:07 – Example of Hurricane Helene triggering deadly landslides
• 00:20 – How storms saturate soil and cause landslides
• 00:26 – Increased risk after wildfires
• 00:34 – Risks from melting glaciers and permafrost
• 00:38 – Landslides often strike suddenly
• 00:41 – Safety and preparedness tips

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Takeaway

This concise, fact-packed episode underscores that climate change is not only a gradual phenomenon but also increases the immediacy and severity of risks like landslides. Dr. Leiserowitz calls listeners to action by encouraging practical preparedness and raising awareness about environmental changes directly impacting community safety. The episode provides a sobering reminder and offers hope through proactive measures.

Transcript

[A]

I'm Dr. Anthony Laziewitz, and this is Climate Connections. When Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina in 2024, some areas got over a foot of rain. In Craigtown, a small community in the western part of the state, this downpour caused a river of mud to rush downhill into town, destroying homes and killing over a dozen people. As climate change causes more extreme rain in many parts of the country, the threat of devastating landslides like this could grow. Heavy storms can saturate the soil on hills and mountains until water, mud and debris come tumbling down. And other climate change impacts can raise the risks, too. For example, severe wildfires leave ground burned and barren, with few plants to hold the soil in place and absorb water. So when rain hits water, dirt and debris can suddenly rush down a mountain. And in northern regions, warming temperatures are melting glaciers and frozen ground destabilizing mountain slopes. Many landslides strike suddenly, leaving little time to escape. So it's crucial to plan ahead. Learn about your area's landslide risk, sign up for emergency alerts, and have a go bag ready so you can stay safe if disaster strikes and you need to evacuate. Climate Connections is produced by the Yale center for Environmental Communication. To learn more about climate change, visit climateconnections.org.