Disaster Warning & Response: How to equip for catastrophic events [HEAT #3]

In Episode 3 of HEAT – Beyond 1.5, we turn our attention to one of
the most urgent and under-discussed aspects of the climate crisis:
disaster preparedness. Climate change is accelerating the frequency
and intensity of extreme weather events - from wildfires and floods
to deadly heatwaves. This episode explores how both policy and
technology are rising to meet the challenge of keeping people,
communities, and critical infrastructure safe. David Wortmann of
DWR eco speaks with Julia Stewart-David, Climate Change and
Resilience Adviser at the European Commission’s DG ECHO, about how
the EU is rethinking disaster management. The focus is shifting
from reactive crisis response to proactive resilience - through
investments in early warning systems, climate-adapted
infrastructure, and public awareness. Julia shares how the Union
Civil Protection Mechanism helps coordinate disaster response
across member states, and why building local knowledge and
preparedness is critical for Europe’s future safety. Meanwhile,
Nikolaus Samios of PT1 sits down with Carsten Brinkschulte, CEO and
Co-Founder of Dryad, a German startup pioneering ultra-early
wildfire detection. Using AI-powered gas sensors, solar-powered
mesh networks, and soon drone-based response tools, Dryad is
creating “digital noses” for forests - detecting fires minutes
after ignition, long before they become uncontrollable. Carsten
shares Dryad’s entrepreneurial journey and explains why climate
resilience represents one of the biggest business opportunities of
our time. How can public institutions, tech startups, and investors
work together to prevent disasters before they strike? What does it
take to turn climate risk into climate readiness? Tune in to
Episode 4 of HEAT to discover how we can prepare smarter - and act
faster - for a climate-resilient future.