As the world continues getting warmer, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent. Whether it's floods, fires or drought, global experts point to climate change. Sadly, when extreme weather strikes, some of the lowest carbon-producing countries – often also the poorest nations – seem to be the places that are hardest hit.

This week on The Agenda, Stephen Cole investigates the causes, defences and prevention measures and asks what countries are doing to save their citizens from the inevitable CO2 storm in this fossil-fueled forecast.

First, Cole speaks to Daniel Quiggin, senior research fellow with the Environment and Society Program, Chatham House. Quiggin says despite current targets being branded "ambitious," achieving them still wouldn't be enough to stop the planet warming by 2.7 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by 2100. He also discusses the threat of extreme weather on our global food systems.

So, what's the plan for beating the heat?  Eleni Myrivili is Europe's first chief heat officer. Myrivili explains the challenges she faces to ensure Greece's capital Athens remains inhabitable for future generations, as well as why air conditioning systems are a double-edged sword in our attempts to keeping the planet cool.

And following recent flooding in China, Wu Changhua, China/Asia director at the office of Jeremy Rifkin, joins the conversation to explain what's been causing the excessive rainfall, as well as providing some detail on China's watertight plans to fight future floods.

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