Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This episode of the Climate Emergency Forum explores the fascinating hidden world of fungi. Often overlooked, fungi are revealed here as a powerful, pervasive, and mysterious kingdom of life, thriving everywhere from the ocean depths to mountain peaks. The conversation unpacks their vital roles in ecosystems, carbon sequestration, medicine, agriculture, and even climate change adaptation—demonstrating just how interconnected and influential these organisms are to life on Earth.
This video was recorded on October 8th, 2025, and published on October 27th, 2025, and represents the opinions of the discussion participants.
The panel discusses the dual nature of fungi: their capacity to sustain life through processes like nutrient cycling, disease prevention in plants, and even innovative materials for eco-friendly products—contrasted with the looming threats posed by fungal diseases, agricultural impacts, and emerging health risks intensified by a warming climate. The hosts share both personal anecdotes and recent scientific findings, delving into topics from the ancient origins of fungi to the alarming potential of crop failures and new pathogens as global temperatures rise.
Tune in for an engaging and informative discussion that not only highlights the unsung benefits of fungi but also issues a wake-up call about their increasingly prominent place in our changing environment. Stay for the closing climate news, and don’t forget to subscribe to the Climate Emergency Forum for more in-depth conversations and updates on the climate crisis.
Links:
- Support Our Mission
climateemergencyforum.org/donate.html
- Underground fungal networks have been overlooked as one of Earth's largest terrestrial carbon sinks
https://www.spun.earth/articles/carbon-paper
- Fungus
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fungus
- Fungicide
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fungicide
- Impact of climate change and natural disasters on fungal infections
thelancet.com/journals/lanmic/article/PIIS2666-5247(24)00039-9/fulltext
- Microbes - Climate's Tiny Titans (CEF Program)
youtu.be/QofeVqHdQmw?si=WMKIvQ8v3nZDVv8x
- SPUN - Society for the Protection of Underground Networks
https://www.spun.earth/
- Farming Food for Life (CEF Program)
youtu.be/kIk_2dhekfk?si=Y7RP8WTyWs1XP9PZ
- Wake-up Call: Rapid increase in human fungal diseases under climate change
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11034633
- Wood Wide Web, Mycorrhizal network
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycorrhizal_network
- Buildings are turning to 'ice batteries' for sustainable air conditioning
nsnews.com/environment-news/buildings-are-turning-to-ice-batteries-for-sustainable-air-conditioning-11314471
- Hunger numbers stubbornly high for three consecutive years as global crises deepen: UN report
https://www.who.int/news/item/24-07-2024-hunger-numbers-stubbornly-high-for-three-consecutive-years-as-global-crises-deepen--un-report
- Forest Power: Cooling the Planet Naturally (CEF Program)
youtu.be/Co7eigqN2d8?si=025-VX8Wba9ENPkB
- Mediterranean strictly protected forests are cooler
sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168192325004770
Regular Panelists:
Dr. Peter Carter - MD, Expert IPCC Reviewer and the director of the Climate Emergency Institute
Paul Beckwith - Climate Systems Scientist. Professor at the University of Ottawa's Paleoclimatology Laboratory as well as at Carleton University
Herb Simmens - Author, Co-founder of the Healthy Planet Action Coalition (HPAC), Climate Emergency Board Member and former college instructor.
Video Production:
Charles Gregoire - Electrical Engineer, Webmaster and IT prime for FacingFuture.Earth & the Climate Emergency Forum; Climate Reality Leader
Heidi Brault - Video production and website assistant, Organizer and convener, Metadata technician, COP30 team lead for Climate Emergency Forum & COP30 organizer for Facing Future; BA (Psychology); Climate Reality Leader
Our Website:
climateemergencyforum.org
Attributions:
Background Music:
- Title: Through the City II
- Author: Crowander
- Source: crowander.com
Image and Video: climateemergencyforum.org/assets/attributions/2025/2025-10-27-fungi-and-climate-change-hidden-solutions-and-new-risks.html
This episode of the Climate Emergency Forum explores the fascinating hidden world of fungi. Often overlooked, fungi are revealed here as a powerful, pervasive, and mysterious kingdom of life, thriving everywhere from the ocean depths to mountain peaks. The conversation unpacks their vital roles in ecosystems, carbon sequestration, medicine, agriculture, and even climate change adaptation—demonstrating just how interconnected and influential these organisms are to life on Earth.
This video was recorded on October 8th, 2025, and published on October 27th, 2025, and represents the opinions of the discussion participants.
The panel discusses the dual nature of fungi: their capacity to sustain life through processes like nutrient cycling, disease prevention in plants, and even innovative materials for eco-friendly products—contrasted with the looming threats posed by fungal diseases, agricultural impacts, and emerging health risks intensified by a warming climate. The hosts share both personal anecdotes and recent scientific findings, delving into topics from the ancient origins of fungi to the alarming potential of crop failures and new pathogens as global temperatures rise.
Tune in for an engaging and informative discussion that not only highlights the unsung benefits of fungi but also issues a wake-up call about their increasingly prominent place in our changing environment. Stay for the closing climate news, and don’t forget to subscribe to the Climate Emergency Forum for more in-depth conversations and updates on the climate crisis.
Links:
- Support Our Mission
climateemergencyforum.org/donate.html
- Underground fungal networks have been overlooked as one of Earth's largest terrestrial carbon sinks
https://www.spun.earth/articles/carbon-paper
- Fungus
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fungus
- Fungicide
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fungicide
- Impact of climate change and natural disasters on fungal infections
thelancet.com/journals/lanmic/article/PIIS2666-5247(24)00039-9/fulltext
- Microbes - Climate's Tiny Titans (CEF Program)
youtu.be/QofeVqHdQmw?si=WMKIvQ8v3nZDVv8x
- SPUN - Society for the Protection of Underground Networks
https://www.spun.earth/
- Farming Food for Life (CEF Program)
youtu.be/kIk_2dhekfk?si=Y7RP8WTyWs1XP9PZ
- Wake-up Call: Rapid increase in human fungal diseases under climate change
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11034633
- Wood Wide Web, Mycorrhizal network
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycorrhizal_network
- Buildings are turning to 'ice batteries' for sustainable air conditioning
nsnews.com/environment-news/buildings-are-turning-to-ice-batteries-for-sustainable-air-conditioning-11314471
- Hunger numbers stubbornly high for three consecutive years as global crises deepen: UN report
https://www.who.int/news/item/24-07-2024-hunger-numbers-stubbornly-high-for-three-consecutive-years-as-global-crises-deepen--un-report
- Forest Power: Cooling the Planet Naturally (CEF Program)
youtu.be/Co7eigqN2d8?si=025-VX8Wba9ENPkB
- Mediterranean strictly protected forests are cooler
sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168192325004770
Regular Panelists:
Dr. Peter Carter - MD, Expert IPCC Reviewer and the director of the Climate Emergency Institute
Paul Beckwith - Climate Systems Scientist. Professor at the University of Ottawa's Paleoclimatology Laboratory as well as at Carleton University
Herb Simmens - Author, Co-founder of the Healthy Planet Action Coalition (HPAC), Climate Emergency Board Member and former college instructor.
Video Production:
Charles Gregoire - Electrical Engineer, Webmaster and IT prime for FacingFuture.Earth & the Climate Emergency Forum; Climate Reality Leader
Heidi Brault - Video production and website assistant, Organizer and convener, Metadata technician, COP30 team lead for Climate Emergency Forum & COP30 organizer for Facing Future; BA (Psychology); Climate Reality Leader
Our Website:
climateemergencyforum.org
Attributions:
Background Music:
- Title: Through the City II
- Author: Crowander
- Source: crowander.com
Image and Video: climateemergencyforum.org/assets/attributions/2025/2025-10-27-fungi-and-climate-change-hidden-solutions-and-new-risks.html
