All Episodes
Jan. 17, 2020
Professor Jean Palutikof talks about the now defunded NCCARF
The National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF) had a vital role within the Federal Government but the rhetoric-laden LNP Government has now defunded the organizaton. Professor Jean Palutikof (pictured) from Queensland's Griffith University had been the director of the group and here talks about NCCARF during an interview on the ABC's News 24. Professor Palutikof once visited and spoke in Shepparton as a guest of the city's climate activist group, Slap Tomorrow .
Jan. 15, 2020
Terry Court - our 'ideas man"
Tatura's Terry Court has long advocated for action on climate change. Terry, a former engineer with Goulburn Murray Water , has been a supporter of Shepparton's Beneath the Wisteria since its inception in 2011 and played a lead role in the establishment of advocacy group, Slap Tomorrow , in late 2012. He has long been one the most regular correspondents featured in the page of The Shepparto n News, the Goulburn Valley's daily newspaper.
Jan. 14, 2020
Proposed Royal Commission simply legitimizes procrastination on dealing with climate change
The idea that Australia should hold a Royal Commission into the present bushfire crisis warrants applause but should only happen in tandem with a national declaration of a climate crisis. A Royal Commission simply legitimizes procrastination - probably for about a year and provides cover for Scott Morrison and his LNP cohort allowing them to avoid comment arguing that it is inappropriate to say anything while the commission is in progress. We don't have time for the politicizing of an event wh…
Jan. 12, 2020
Dr David Killoren discusses "Relationships, Harm and the Environment".
Dr David Killoren from the Australian Catholic University was a keynote speaker on day one of the November Australian Earth Laws Alliance conference in Melbourne with the subject for his address being "Relationships, Harm and the Environment".
Jan. 11, 2020
Anika Molesworth and Wendy Cohen talk climate change and FCA
Anika Molesworth (pictured) is one of our busiest climate activists and while helping keep her family's far western New South Wales productive, she is involved with several other projects, including being a board member of Farmers for Climate Action (FCA) , whose name clearly spells out it reason for existence. Also, we hear from the relatively new chief executive officer from FCA, Wendy Cohen, who, naturally advocates for immediate and science driven action from the Federal Government on clima…
Dec. 25, 2019
A panel discussion about the critical reflection on crisis and emergency framing
A panel discussion entitled "Critical reflections on crisis and emergency framing" staged by the Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute (MSSI) brought four enlightening speakers together to help those who attended better understand the idea of the climate crisis. And it was not just academic theory as one of the speakers, Sally Moxham (pictured), was from the City of Darebin , the first municipality in the world to declare a climate emergency.
Dec. 17, 2019
The ACT Scientist of the Year, Sophie Lewis, talks with Climate Conversations
Sophie Lewis is the Australian Capital Territory Scientist of the Year for 2019 and was kind enough to spend some time chating with Climate Conversations. Dr Lewis, who attributes the birth of her interest in science to a star gazing trip with her parents, was acknowledged by the ACT Government for helping inspire young people to consider a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). She is with the University of New South Wales at its Canberra campus. Sophie's award came…
Dec. 8, 2019
Geoff Lodge talks about Mooroopna's new solar farm and the 11-year journey from 'Murchison goes Solar' to here
A new 21-mega watt solar farm in Mooroopna is the culmination of an 11-year journey for Goulburn Valley Community Energy (GVCE) and its CEO, Geoff Lodge (pictured). The solar farm will be built on land just south of Mooroopna owned by the City of Greater Shepparton with support and financial backing from the French company Akuo Energy Pacific . Interested people and residents were given the opportunity to learn more about what is proposed at a recent drop in and information session at the Mooro…
Dec. 6, 2019
Vanessa Petrie brings the Beyond Zero Emissions story to Shepparton
Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE) doesn't trouble itself with the problems associated with the climate crisis rather, it searches for solutions, considers those answers and writes evidence-based reports articulating those potential answers. BZE Chief Executive Officer, Vanessa Petrie (pictured), visited Shepparton to speak publicly at La Trobe University and then, the following day, at the Goulburn Valley University of the Third Age .
Dec. 3, 2019
Simon Kerr helps us understand the climate crisis through the prism of music
Simon Kerr (pictured) has long been concerned about the climate crisis and so about four years ago set up " Music for a Warming World " with the initial intent of helping people better understand the science of climate change, but now the emphasis is now on the necessary cultural shifts we must embrace. Simon taught environmental policy at Lincoln University in New Zealand before moving to the University of Melbourne and now to La Trobe University . Nearly all the songs on the group's playlist …
Dec. 2, 2019
Considering populations and urban futures
Professors Ian Lowe and Mike Berry penned the article, " No Australian city has a long-term vision for living sustainably. We can’t go on like this ", for The Conversation and then teamed up for a discussion at the recent two-day conference of The Australia New Zealand Society for Ecological Economics at Melbourne's RMIT University . The topic for their discussion was "Population and Urban Futures".
Nov. 30, 2019
David Spratt, Harriet O'Shae-Carre and Kaity Thompson discuss the School Strike for Climate
The School Strike for Climate, the dynamics surrounding it and its broader impact on society were discussed at the 2019 Australia New Zealand Society for Ecological Economics recent Melbourne conference. Activist and Melbourne-based climate intellectual, David Spratt lead a conversation about the School Strike for Climate (SS4C) involving one of the trio from Castlemaine who played a key role in bringing the movement to Australia, Harriet O'Shae-Carre and a Melbourne girl, Kaity Thomson, who cr…
Nov. 28, 2019
Yarra Riverkeeper Andrew Kelly discusses this important responsibility
Andrew Kelly (pictured) was among the many speakers at the recent "Building Earth Ethics in Australia: Pathways and Challenges" conference staged by the Australian Earth Laws Alliance . As the Yarra Riverkeeper , Andrew outlined his role and lamented privately that northern Victoria, although it has many rivers, does not have a riverkeeper. He is the only one in Victoria.
Nov. 28, 2019
Social researcher delivers MSSI oration - "Renewing democracy in a time of environmental crisis"
Dr Rebecca Huntley (pictured) from the Sydney-based Vox Populi research firm recently delivered the Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute (MSSI) Oration - "Renewing democracy in a time of environmental crisis". The 400-seat Carilllo Ganter Theatre at the University of Melbourne was near full for the recent oration. She was introduced by former Member of Parliament and well-known reporter, Maxine McKew, who was, in turn, introduced by MSSI chair and Melbourne's deputy Lord Mayor, Aaron Wood.
Nov. 16, 2019
Mark Crosweller takes us on a journey through the climate crisis and onto resilience
Mark Crosweller (pictured) is the head of Australia's National Resilience Taskforce and because of his rich understanding of the importance of mindfulness in building resilience among people was among the speakers at the recent 2019 Mindful Futures Network Conference in Melbourne, Victoria. Mark, who was formerly the Director-General of Emergency Management Australia is also the director of Ethical Intelligence and has a blog "The Allegorical Life" . The topic of his address the recent Mindful …
Nov. 15, 2019
Dr Bronwyn Gresham helps us understand the psychological impacts of the climate crisis
Dr Bronwyn Gresham (pictured) was just one of the many impressive speakers at the recent Mindful Futures Network Conference at Melbourne's Brunswick Town Hall. About 100 people listened as Dr Gresham talked about the psychological impact of the quickly unfolding climate crisis, the need for compassion, mindfulness and self-care. Dr Gresham has a private practice, " Compassionate Nature" and volunteers with Psychology for a Safe Climate . The topic for her address to the recent conference was "C…
Nov. 9, 2019
Interviewed by Geraldine Doogue, Lord Patten suggests the climate crisis could 'finish us off'
Geraldine Doogue traveled to Melbourne to interview Christopher Patten (pictured) for Radio National and it was during that interview he suggested that if we failed to attend to the climate crisis it could "finish us off". Lord Patten was in Melbourne to deliver the Malcolm Fraser Oration on "Political Leadership" and his discussions with Ms Doogue was entitled " Where have all the good leaders gone? "
Nov. 6, 2019
Dr Martin Wainstein, Professor Ross Garnaut, the climate crisis, a note to council and Queensland all add to a difficult day
A train trip to Melbourne to hear Dr Martin Wainstein speak at the Australian-German Climate and Energy College became an enlightening session in a webinar, unsettling comment from Professor Ross Garnaut , a news story that swept the world about the dire situation we face according to more than 11 000 scientists, made fora difficult day. Topping that off was the personal dilemma I face about visiting my family in Queensland for Christmas, and although I'm enjoying it, my company on the train wa…