All Episodes
Feb. 26, 2020
Anika Molesworth calls out the politicians who scapegoat our famers
Anika Molesworth is among the most active of climate activists - she is always out and about somewhere making the case for more action on the climate crisis and arguing in support of Australian farmers. Anika, a board member with Farmers for Climate Action and a farmer from far western New South Wales, is something of a "regular" in social media calling out those who are doing nothing about the climate crisis, mostly those from within Australia's Morrison Government.
Feb. 20, 2020
Graeme Hanigan's talks about how Australia led the world with this commercial solar power station at White Cliffs in NSW
Chance led Graeme Hanigan (pictured) and his wife Tina to what was the world's first solar powered commercial operation at White Cliffs in far western New South Wales. Since stumbling across the then mothballed solar power station, Graeme has worked with others to ensure that this vital piece of Australia's history and heritage is being preserved. Graeme talked with Climate Conversations about "the project" and why he is interested this seemingly remote solar power station after coming back to …
Feb. 18, 2020
"National living treasure" to help celebrate and recognise 10th anniversary
Professor David Karoly (pictured) has, without hesitation, agreed to be a part of the 10th anniversary celebrations of Shepparton's Beneath the Wisteria . David, formerly with the University of Melbourne , but now the head of NESP Earth Systems and Climate Change Hub with the CSIRO, did not hesitate in agreeing to join us in Shepparton for this significant occasion. Late in January the professor delivered a pubic lecture at the AMSI 2020 Summer School at which he gave a brief overview of appro…
Feb. 17, 2020
Anitra Nelson takes us on a journey through which we must hold hands
Anitra Nelson (pictured) was the chair of the organizing committee for the Australian New Zealand Society of Ecological Economics (ANZEE) 2019 conference held at Melbourne's RMIT University. Because of Anitra's interest in "eco-cohousing" she was a part of Melbourne's annual Sustainable Living Festival and it was her knowledge and experience as an author and an associate professor at Melbourne's RMIT University, where she is attached to the Centre for Urban Research , that she took to the festi…
Feb. 14, 2020
Dianna McDonald talks about Victorians' perceptions of the climate crisis
Sustainability Victoria has a watching brief on the perceptions Victorians have on the climate crisis; they know what Victorians feel and think as it has researched the topic, looking at the dilemma from almost every aspect. Dianna McDonald (pictured), from the department's climate change area, spoke in Shepparton about the department's revealing research; research that illustrates that an overwhelming percentage of Victorians are concerned about climate change, want leadership and are prepared…
Feb. 13, 2020
Talking with Terry Court about why we should be paying attention to the climate crisis
Terry Court (pictured) is one of those people that every community needs - he is shoulder deep in every activity that matters to the community. He is involved with community planning, the town's hospital and the development and maintenance of a major park within the town proper. Also he is also on the board of GV Community Energy and is the vice-president of the Goulburn Valley Environment Group . There is an urgency about Terry, he doesn't abide well with procrastination and he gets rather wea…
Feb. 11, 2020
Chatting with Bruce and Bill about the Urban Design Forum and the climate crisis
The Melbourne-based Urban Design Forum began more than 25-year ago and two of the founding members were Bruce Echberg and Bill Chandler who recently had a chat with 'Climate Conversations'. Their experience is vast and in keeping with those who care about the environment, both are delightful fellows. It was during this podcast that I asked for feedback and my contact details are: mobile 0400 502 199 and email: r.mclean7@icloud.com
Feb. 10, 2020
Zali Steggall tells Fran Kelly about her 'Climate Act Now' push
Zali Steggall was first interviewed by Climate Conversations in February last year ago, almost a year ago to the day and then she was little more than a candidate, taking on the seemingly impossible, displacing former Australia PM, Tony Abbott, for his seat or Warringah. She won the election and now is bringing a private member's Bill to our national parliament - ' Climate Act Now '. As I mentioned in the introduction, I would love some feedback and that can be done via email at r.mclean7@iclou…
Feb. 7, 2020
Chatting with Mark Beeson about 'Environmental Populism'
Mark Beeson set out to write " Environmental Populism " for many reasons, among them personal therapy and to explore the literature of the climate crisis. The Professor of International Politics from the University of Western Australia has written a book that in its own way gives readers a whole new take on the climate crisis and is not impenetrable as many academic books can be. It was during our conversation that Mark talked about solastalgia , a some what new word that explains our emotions …
Feb. 5, 2020
Words, language and the climate crisis
The mischievous use of words and language stands between humanity and the slim chance of working our way toward a useful position in avoiding the worst of the climate crisis. Politicians, of all stripes, are adept at avoiding question, obfuscation to the point the most of us are confused, frequently upset and almost screaming at the radio or TV set saying "Answer the damn question". Such frustration is understood by the Professor of International Politics from the University of Western Australi…
Feb. 2, 2020
Our leaders, our politicians just don't get it!
After nearly 15 years of listening to climate scientists and others of their ilk, and the endless reading of books about the climate, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the world is already deep into a climate crisis. Our leaders aren't listening, they take no notice of our scientists, well most definitely not on this matter and yet the chorus for action on the climate crisis gets louder and louder by the day. Some argue that populism is the problem and it you are keen to learn more a…
Jan. 31, 2020
Hearing about the dilemmas of climate change from the frontlines
In what is an ironic twist, farmers are said to be at the "coal face" when it comes to dealing with "on-the-ground" realities of climate change. And of course, coal is the absolute villain among the causes of the climate crisis that has the world cornered. In this episode of "Climate Conversations" we hear from two of those farmers who are wrestling with the realities of a warming world. Anika Molesworth helps work her family's farm in the arid outback of New South Wales and a new voice is that…
Jan. 29, 2020
Plunging into podcasting to help people with the climate crisis
Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison (pictured), opened the 2020 The National Press Club series of discussions recently with a hollow presentation, devoid of facts, but loaded with rhetoric; rhetoric that would undoubtedly bring comfort to many of his followers and distress to many other people. Climate Conversations had been started with aim of helping people better understand the climate crisis and hopefully give them the tools to navigate this quickly unfolding difficult and challenging…
Jan. 25, 2020
Australia Day, nostalgia and the business as usual paradigm
Hundreds filled Shepparton's Queen's Gardens for the annual celebration that is Australia Day. Some 40 people collected their certificates that designated them as new to the Australian fold and they, along with others in the crowd, listened as the Australia Day ambassador, Ann Peacock, who took them on a nostalgic and positive journey about life in Australia. Considered through the climate crisis prism, Australia Day is about more of what has taken us deep into the climate crisis - it's about b…
Jan. 22, 2020
Royal ideas about avoiding a climate catastrophe
The Prince of Wales (pictured) returned to the World Economic Forum after and absence of about 30 years and the message from his address undoubtedly challenged many in the audience. Being sensitive to the needs and value of a healthy environment, the heir to the throne in Great Britain gave a stern message to those at the Davos meeting in Switzerland, urging them all to think for a moment - "What good is all the extra wealth in the world, gained from business as usual, if you can do nothing wit…
Jan. 21, 2020
Greta Thunberg, Donald Trump speak at the World Economic Forum
Greta Thunberg was at the World Economic Forum at Davos and again tried for convince the world's wealthy elite that the things they value faced a severe threat as the climate crisis worsened. U.S. president, Donald Trump was among those who spoke soon after the event opened and in a speech that damned those who care about the state of the world, championed all the neoliberal-like values that are taking world ever closer to irreversible climate change.
Jan. 20, 2020
Greg Mullins, Climate Council, newspaper column, Beneath the Wisteria and Slap Tomorrow
Former boss of the New South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Greg Mullins (pictured), now a councillor with Australia's Climate Council joined the council's CEO, Amanda McKenzie, on a recent webinar to discuss the causes, impact and ongoing difficulties of the recent bushfires that troubled much of Australia. Mr Mullins called for leadership from our politicians and urged that all of us use whatever facilities or skills we have to impress upon our politicians, and wider community the need to pla…
Jan. 17, 2020
Denialists, fiddling, fixing and thoughts about security
Charles Sturt University Professor of Ecology, David Watson, wrote in the Melbourne Age about climate denialists fiddling and argued it was time the abandoned that stance and started "fixing". Radio National host Geraldine Doogue replayed an interview from April of last year in which she noted that the Director General of the Office of National Intelligence, Nick Warner (pictured), talked with Australia's PM, Scott Morrison, every day! That was worrying as Climate Conversations is yet to find a…