Most climate change misconceptions don't come from bad faith — they come from genuinely confusing science, mixed messaging, and questions no one ever answered clearly. In this first mailbag special of Totally Cooked, Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan open up the inbox to tackle the questions that come up most.

Is the weather forecast usually wrong? If the models carry uncertainty, how can we trust long-term climate projections? What's the actual difference between weather and climate, and does one hot day tell us anything? All your questions along just some of the stickiest climate change misconceptions doing the rounds: that trees alone can fix everything, that lockdowns during COVID-19 repaired the ozone hole, and that small nations changing their habits can't possibly matter while the big emitters carry on.

From net zero and overshoot to the Paris Agreement, planetary boundaries, and why methane is a far more powerful greenhouse gas than CO₂, Sarah and Iain work through the misinformation and misunderstandings without the jargon. Whether you're fighting against climate change, worried about it, or just someone trying to separate signal from noise, this episode is about clearing up the climate change misconceptions that get in the way of an honest conversation.

Iain records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation. Sarah records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and recognise their unique and continuing connection to the land, skies, waters, plants and animals.

Most climate change misconceptions don't come from bad faith &mdash; they come from genuinely confusing science, mixed messaging, and questions no one ever answered clearly. In this first mailbag special of Totally Cooked, Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan open up the inbox to tackle the questions that come up most.
Is the weather forecast usually wrong? If the models carry uncertainty, how can we trust long-term climate projections? What's the actual difference between weather and climate, and does one hot day tell us anything? All your questions along just some of the stickiest climate change misconceptions doing the rounds: that trees alone can fix everything, that lockdowns during COVID-19 repaired the ozone hole, and that small nations changing their habits can't possibly matter while the big emitters carry on.
From net zero and overshoot to the Paris Agreement, planetary boundaries, and why methane is a far more powerful greenhouse gas than CO₂, Sarah and Iain work through the misinformation and misunderstandings without the jargon. Whether you're fighting against climate change, worried about it, or just someone trying to separate signal from noise, this episode is about clearing up the climate change misconceptions that get in the way of an honest conversation.
Iain records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation. Sarah records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and recognise their unique and continuing connection to the land, skies, waters, plants and animals.

Totally Cooked is a straight-talking, science-backed podcast about weather, climate change, and what it all means for life on Earth — especially here in Australia.

Hosted by Professor Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, a leading expert in extreme weather, and Iain Strachan, a former journalist turned science communicator, the show dives deep into the causes and consequences of our changing climate. 

With clarity, curiosity and a touch of dark humour, Sarah and Iain unpack the science behind climate change, high-impact weather, and the urgent need for action.

From greenhouse gases and El Niño to ice cores, heatwaves, and hail storms, Totally Cooked connects the dots between complex climate science and the everyday weather we all experience. Along the way, you’ll hear from world-class researchers, policymakers, and frontline communities grappling with the climate crisis.

Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, confused, or just curious about what’s really going on, this podcast will leave you better informed, more confident, and ready to face the future.

No jargon. No sugar-coating. Just the facts — and a little hope.

Totally Cooked is a straight-talking, science-backed podcast about weather, climate change, and what it all means for life on Earth &mdash; especially here in Australia.
Hosted by Professor Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, a leading expert in extreme weather, and Iain Strachan, a former journalist turned science communicator, the show dives deep into the causes and consequences of our changing climate.&nbsp;
With clarity, curiosity and a touch of dark humour, Sarah and Iain unpack the science behind climate change, high-impact weather, and the urgent need for action.
From greenhouse gases and El Ni&ntilde;o to ice cores, heatwaves, and hail storms, Totally Cooked connects the dots between complex climate science and the everyday weather we all experience. Along the way, you&rsquo;ll hear from world-class researchers, policymakers, and frontline communities grappling with the climate crisis.
Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, confused, or just curious about what&rsquo;s really going on, this podcast will leave you better informed, more confident, and ready to face the future.
No jargon. No sugar-coating. Just the facts &mdash; and a little hope.