Climactic Live

Dr Joëlle Gergis is an award-winning Australian climate scientist and writer, currently teaching at the Australian National University.  She’s the author of the book “The Sunburnt Country. The History and Future of Climate Change in Australia”.

Joëlle is also one of the dozen or so Australian lead authors working on the IPCC’s upcoming 6th assessment  - in addition to her full-time teaching load. 

The results of the refined climate models that she and her fellow scientists are working on terrify her.   While the final IPCC report won’t be published until 2022, the results are available now – and they’re terrifying.

She wakes up in the middle of the night with terrifying dreams of tsunamis. She’s been brave enough, and honest enough to share publicly exactly what terrifies her and why.

In this podcast she reads aloud her piece in The Monthly -  “Witnessing the Unthinkable”.

Thanks to the State Library of Victoria, we can also share her launch speech for “Sunburnt Country” in 2018, which Tim Flannery calls  “a marvelous investigation of Australia's climate, and how we are affecting it”.

Our thanks to Tom Day and The General Assembly for their music used in this episode.

 

Links:

https://www.mup.com.au/books/sunburnt-country-paperback-softback

https://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2020/july/1593525600/jo-lle-gergis/witnessing-unthinkable#mtr

https://7ampodcast.com.au/episodes/why-we-need-to-feel-climate-change

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The Climactic Collective is a podcast network of shows engaged with the climate crisis, and other pressing social issues. The network now numbers more than ten shows, with more in development - and we welcome new members. But we now have a happy problem, it's hard to stay up-to-date with so much content.

So, we're starting something new; monthly Climactic Curation episodes. They'll bring you the best of the Climactic Collective and friends, once a month. Sometimes on a theme, but not always.

In this first Climatic Curation, the August Edition, hear episodes from:

Growing Concern by Seán Marsh

Sustainable You

These Trying Times

And meet Climactic Collective hosts:

Angelica Kross, of upcoming show Half Measures and Hope

Maneet Hora and Upeksha Galappaththie, of thEMPOWER

Beth Spencer, co-host of Art Breaker

and meet repeat guest and friend of the Collective, Jo Dodds. 

Special thanks to the musical friends of the Collective.

Tom Day

Puscha

The General Assembly

Greg Grassi/§OJUX

 

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This is not the next episode of Climactic. It's an announcement of a new format of show from the Climactic Collective, a monthly 'audio magazine' featuring some of the best from across the shows on the network. It's coming soon, early in the week starting August 3rd. 

We'd love to hear what you think of this new style, what works and what doesn't. Get in touch at [email protected] and let us know!

 

Cheers,

The Climactic Collective.

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Guest episode from the BZE Community radio show. Our thanks to the team for allowing us to share it with you. 

Also, we're announcing two new shows on the Climactic Collective. thEMPOWER and Sustainable You. Check out all the shows on the network at www.climactic.com.au.

CLIMATE CRISIS FRONTLINES

Episode 1- BANGLADESH

13th July 2020

Guests:

Runa Khan - Founder of "Friendship" floating hospitals in Bagladesh

https://friendship.ngo/floods-in-bangladesh-and-friendships-response/

https://friendship.ngo/about-us/leadership/runa-khan-founder-and-executive-director/

Dr Saleemul Huq - Scientist and Director of International Centre for Climate Change and Development

https://www.iied.org/climate-covid-19-collaboration-we-need

Sound Effects: by Maqubul from Freesound

"Be prepared" is the message from Bangladesh. Runa Khan describes the thousand rivers and silt islands in her country. She says  saving lives is not enough.  Her floating hospitals have expanded into schools in the refugee camps, paralegal help, para-veterinary help and training people to maintain the solar panels that connect them to government services.

The secret of a long lasting project like this is treating everyone with dignity. It is thrilling to hear how Runa imbues her volunteers and staff with a deep respect for human rights. She speaks to European donors in the same way, wanting their empathy and understanding in a sustained partnership rather than just a guilty cheque. She says seeing the Rohingya refugee camps nearly broke her but she is undaunted. This is one of our best podcasts and should be a tonic for anyone feeling climate angst or despair. The motto of "Friendship" is "Think big, start small, begin now!".

Dr Saleemul Huq spoke to an international audience about "Climate, Covid19 and the collaboration we need." He described how the recent Cyclone Amphan was supercharged by the elevated temperatures in the Bay of Bengal. It caused damage in the Sundarban Forests and over two million people were evacuated to safety with their lifestock. But his pride is in the fact that the death toll was low. Compared to the 140,000 killed in the 1990's, Bangladesh is now a model of early warnings and adaptation. The millions of volunteers who go around with loud speakers in the villages, warning of a climate emergency, now go round wearing face masks and giving a Covidsafe health message.

 "Be prepared!" Dr Huq says that Covid19 is a rehearsal for the great climate crisis which will affect all of us. He says governments and businesses who refuse to listen to scientists are acting unconscionably. Just as the pandemic crosses all borders so does the climate disruption we cause by our emissions. Listening to these two compassionate and energetic Bangladeshis will remind you of the moral vision of Martin Luther King.

When I read  that Global Fossil Fuel Subsidies are currently $5.2 Trillion and $29 Billion in Australia according to the IMF, I understand why the climate frontline states demand justice.

https://reneweconomy.com.au/global-fossil-fuel-subsidies-reach-5-2-trillion-and-29-billion-in-australia-91592/

As well as sending a cheque in a crisis and reconnecting with the Green bank, we need to understand and empathise with the suffering caused by the emissions our government is subsidising. This podcast might awaken some so please forward it to those who need to hear.

 

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Thanks for joining us for this bonus episode.

My name’s Mark, and when I’m not publishing Climactic, and helping out in the Climactic Collective, I work in the podcasting industry. That's how I know the great team at Soundcartel.

They've allowed us to share this episode of their new program Business Essentials Daily, this short, sweet, and in plain business English interview with Anna Skarbek of the thinktank Climate Works, on how businesses taking action on climate change isn’t just the right thing, it’s the financially sound thing.

For some business owners the environment might be the last thing you’re considering as you navigate operations through the pandemic. With visible improvement in water and air across the globe during COVID-19 it’s an image we can have in the future if we begin to rebuild with climate in mind. The best part is that the solutions are accessible, available and won’t break the bank.

Anna Skarbek is CEO of ClimateWorks Australia, a non-profit think-tank and advisory body helping bridge the gap between climate research and action, so not just talking about the numbers and data but working through policy to get the job done. And what’s the goal? Net zero emissions by 2050.

Reference

Find out more information about energy saving technologies for your business, by following the links below:

Better Building Finance

Climate Active - Carbon Neutral Certification)

Decarbonisation Futures - ClimateWorks net zero emissions pathways report

 

Business Essentials Daily is produced by:

SoundCartel

soundcartel.com.au

+61 3 9882 8333

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An event from the Bayside Climate Crisis Action Group. Recorded and adapted from a June 25th event.

This is about making money from your money (Super). Putting it to work for a Safe Climate Future. You won't want to miss this.

Hear from Will van de Pol, Asset Management campaigner at strategic lobby group Market Forces, describing how Market Forces have shifted millions of investment dollars away from fossil fuels.

You will also hear from Seán Marsh who states, "The finance industry is the worst enabler of environmental destruction in this country, and I can't wait to shed some light on what we can do to stop that!" 

Links

https://www.marketforces.org.au/campaigns/banks-new/

https://www.marketforces.org.au/campaigns/super/

https://www.marketforces.org.au/get-involved/use-your-shares/

https://goodments.com/

https://www.carbon.so/

https://www.onesmallstepapp.com/

https://www.amberelectric.com.au/

https://www.futuresuper.com.au/

https://www.australianethical.com.au/

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Simon Moore, a climate activist and science communicator, brings us another dispatch from Leeds in England. As a contributor to Climactic, he’s told stories of Extinction Rebellion protests, community activist groups and the first UK Climate Change Citizens’ Jury. 

 

In this episode Simon discusses the boundary between activism and academia with Professor Julia Steinberger from the University of Leeds.

 

Julia Steinberger is an IPCC lead author and Professor of Ecological Economics. She studies the relationship between the use of resources (such as fossil fuels) and the performance of societies.

 

Simon and Julia talk about the role of scientists in our society, how researching and publishing the facts may not be enough in the face of climate crisis, and how being an outspoken academic has affected Julia's career in science.

 

Image credit: Saphie Coffey-Brittain

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Building Briefing: The Million Jobs Plan Webinar Series - Podcast Adaptation

We welcome you to join us for this Buildings Briefing webinar. Beyond Zero Emissions are hosting this briefing ahead of the release of our Million Jobs Plan and we welcome you to join us for this one-off event.

The Million Jobs Plan building initiative will create over 180,000 jobs and deliver 2.5 million energy-efficient home upgrades, 150,000 new high performing, low-cost homes, and rooftop solar installations across Australia.

This will be a great opportunity to hear from key industry stakeholders. So far speakers include:

Caroline Pidcock – leading Australian Architect

Rob Pradolin – Founder of Housing all Australians

Key speakers and BZE experts will bring to life how The Million Jobs Plan – Building initiative could effectively deliver secure jobs, healthy homes and a clean economy.

Learn more at: https://bze.org.au/

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This episode is an adaptation of the launch event for the People's Climate Strategy, held by Act on Climate on June 3rd.

Friends of the Earth Melbourne's Act on Climate collective officially launched its push to write a People's Climate Strategy for Victoria with over one thousand people watching the online launch via Zoom and Facebook live. The strong level of interest is a vote of confidence in the idea.

Writing a People's Climate Strategy for Victoria to present to the Andrews government later this year is a bold and ambitious undertaking. But shaping the state's first climate strategy is an opportunity that can't be missed.

The Victorian government is required to prepare and rollout a climate strategy every five years out to 2050. Our efforts in coming months will influence the Labor government's own plan (which must be prepared by October 31) as well as all those that follow it.  

Stay informed about the People's Climate Strategy by following Act on Climate

https://www.actonclimate.org.au/

https://www.facebook.com/ActOnClimateVic

Get in touch if you've got an event happening that would make a great audio adaptation, or if you're otherwise interested in podcasting/climate engagement. 

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The Climactic Collective is thrilled to be able to bring you this special feature, an audio documentary from Jess Fairfax - https://www.jessfairfax.com/

TO FEED TWO BIRDS WITH ONE SCONE

An audio documentary by Jess Fairfax

Over the past year or so, I have found inspiration in the work of Michel Foucault, who believes in the power of discourse as both “an instrument and an effect of power, but also a hindrance, a stumbling point of resistance and a starting point for an opposing strategy” (Foucault 1998). The dominant discourse our government upholds, preserves an economy powered by fossil fuels, despite the known impacts of global warming. With business as usual brought to a standstill due to COVID-19, and the government looking for ways to stimulate the economy, I felt an urgent need to amplify alternative discourses that point towards a new low carbon economy. Within this documentary you will hear from researchers, farmers and representatives from unions, investor groups and worker cooperatives about the environmental, social and economic impact of climate change and the solutions at hand.

The piece also considers how we might shift the way we think of ourselves from consumers to citizens, part of, not separate from, the environment.  Orr (1994) states that we must shift our current paradigm to one that “places us in the web of life as citizens of the biotic community”. Within the piece, I addressed this through using field recordings from various Australian ecosystems as background to the dialogue. I also believe music is an incredibly powerful medium and I composed the soundtrack as a way to bring beauty to conversations around the economy and energy systems. I wove stories my friends told me about their time outdoors during lockdown into the piece. I believe that isolation has instilled a great appreciation in many people of the value of green space for our mental and physical health. I hope this translates into citizen action around the need to preserve and care for the environment.

This piece is just the beginning and I encourage feedback, comments, communication, ideas, criticisms and importantly conversations. It is here that the power should be.

Here are the links to the interviewee’s organisations and publications, along with other references:

LUKE SKINNER – Climate Justice Union of WA

PETER HOLDING – Farmers for Climate Action

EMMA HERD – Investors Group on Climate Change

PETRA STOCK- Climate Works Australia

DAN MUSIL – Earthworker Cooperative

Other References:

The Guardian:Business, unions and green groups call for sustainable Covid-19 recovery with clean energy transition

The Sydney Morning Herald: Breakthrough moment: Woodside investors revolt on climate change

The Australian Financial Review: Coronavirus complicated Woodside’s task on LNG

The Guardian: COVID Commission boss Nev Power steps back at gas company amid conflict of interest concerns

ReNew Economy:Solar, batteries, micro-grids and ISP should be added to Covid-19 response 

The Clean Energy Council: Renewables clean energy has the potential to drive covid-19 economic rebuild 

The IEA:Put clean energy at the heart of stimulus plans to counter the coronavirus crisis 

The Age: ‘Ambitious climate action a double win for economy in Coronavirus recovery’

The Conversation:Why it doesn’t make sense to ignore climate in our recovery from the pandemic

Bibliography:

Foucault, Michel (1998) The History of Sexuality: The Will to Knowledge, London, Penguin.

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