Climate Action Show

Viv turned out for a debate at the Sustainable Living Festival earlier this year and in this episode we bring you that recording.  The debate is called Is this the end of economic growth?Growth is stagnating, inequality is rising, resource constraints are pressing, and environmental impacts are worsening. If economic growth is killling us how do we craft an economy we can live with? MC-ed by Anthony James (The Understandascope) with guests: Miriam Lyons (Getup!) Ian Dunlop (member of The Club of Rome, Chairman of Safe Climate Australia) Jan Owens (author of "The Future Chasers")

Australian scientist Tim Flannery (The Weather Makers, Now or Never) has repeatedly called for action on climate change and his latest work Atmosphere of Hope is a solutions-based approach to the catastrophe the globe, and every species on it, face. He discusses the ramifications of our changed environment–from large-scale storms, to increased wildfires and offers a call to action for anyone interested in protecting Earth (and humanity’s) future.(Many thanks to Alex Smith, from Vancouver's Radio Eco Shock for this recording)

Can we get there by incremental steps or should we go the whole hog?The Great debate from Sustainable Living FestivalAs climate change poses an existential threat, Cam Walker (Friends of the Earth) argues we need to engage everyone. People start with the incremental steps building community consensus then go the whole hog of shutting down coal fired power and installing bold new solar power with storage. The people at Port Augusta in S.A are shining the way and Cam describes how communities move mountains.Craig Wilkins from Conservation Council of South Australia, tells how renewable ownership radicalises people. BZE's Miwa Tominaga reveals how volunteers work together on no compromise plans that become the norm in no time. Cassy O'Connor and Senator Janet Rice explain how the race to get 100% renewables is being fought in parliament.MC: Miriam Lyons - GetUp!’s Senior CampaignerGuests:Cassy O’Connor - former Tasmanian Minister for Climate ChangeCraig Wilkins - Chief Executive, Conservation SAMiwa Tominaga - Beyond Zero Emissions Janet Rice - Federal Senator for Victoria Cam Walker - Friends of the Earth National Campaigns Coordinator

In this episode, Viv asks -  How do other countries get citizens to use less energy? Martina Blum: explaining how the citizens of Zurich voted  to lower their electricity usage to 2000 watts per person each year. Now they are getting behind government spending on public transport and a massive renovation of buildings. Electricity companies in the country are required to buy produced surplus energy for four times the price that they are selling it for. This policy makes it possible to design buildings that make money for their owners. Verena Streitferdt (UTS): talks about Thailand and its innovative financing that gives an incentive to insulate and replace carbon intensive machinery. Although most countries efficiencies are motivated by the high costs of importing fuel, Australia can learn a lot about a new attitude to energy according to Verena Streitferdt  and A/Professor Alistair Sprould.Beyond countries we look at multi-national corporations with  Gareth Johnston from “We mean business “. With the clear framework of the Paris Climate agreement in one hand, he helps them  work on global plans to reduce their carbon footprint.No Planet B!

CSIRO cuts, Antarctic climate research and Lighter footprintsClaude Lorius a French glaciologist, showed the climate history in an Antarctic Ice Core.In the film "Ice and Sky" we see how his team traced back 400,000 years and the alarming impact of increased carbon in the last two centuries. As an old man we see him dismayed by the attacks of climate sceptics and deniers. The panel at Transitions Film Festival discuss this in terms of cuts to the CSIRO and the climate science that would keep us safe.Caroline Ingvarson won a prize for her local leadership in Lighter Footprints and we celebrate the achievements of her climate action group.Guests:Dr Malte Meinshausen - Director, Australian-German College, The University of MelbourneDr Liz Connor - Founder, Climate GuardiansVictoria McKenzie-McHarg - Climate Campaign Manager, Australian Conservation FoundationKate Auty - Vice Chancellor's Fellow, The University of MelbourneCaroline Ingvarson - Lighter FootprintsKaterina Gaita . Climate for ChangeJohn Wiseman. Melbourne UniversityAdam Bumpus. Melbourne University

In this episode we take a look at farmers keeping carbon in the soil, Future Super keeps carbon out and Penang Citizens lower their carbon footprint.Guests:Deane Belfield - Australian Regenerative Farmers AssociationSimon Sheikh - Future SuperThing Siew Shuen - Penang Green CouncilJeremy Leggett - "Winning the carbon war"

The title of this episode refers to Pope Francis's words "We are at the limit of suicide, to say a strong word. Our world is on a suicidal course unless we  pay attention and pull out of this nosedive into the sixth great extinction."Our guests joining Vivien in the studio for this episode areLyn Bender - practising psychologist and former Manager of  Lifeline, MelbourneDeborah Hart - author of Guarding Eden and gloabl, roaming 'angel'Blair Palese - CEO, 350.org

With thousands of scientists condemning the cuts to the CSIRO, Viv brings Dr Liz Hanna (The Australian National University) to speak about the health impacts of the recent funding cuts.Also, Julie Lyford brings us Groundswell Gloucester's victory over AGL Energy, who have now withdrawn their franking intentions.    Where next for Coal Seam Gas?Tom Doig (author of 'The Coal Face') celebrates Morewell, home of Hazelwood Power Station, and the heroes rebuilding at the end of the coal age.

In this episode Viv brings us: Bill Hampel, author of 'Against the Grain – 14 farmers adapt to climate change'. A book full of hope based on solid action and evidence on Australian farms. The average Aussie farm produces enough to feed 600 people, that's 150 at home and 450 overseas. How can we help them?De Grebner explains how suburban gardeners are cultivating trees and even planting them on farms with The Tree Project. Restoring urgently needed Indigenous vegetation and repairing Victoria’s damaged ecosystems.Senator Larissa Waters tells us about the way forward after the Paris Climate Conference and introduces BZE listeners to the Greens' plan to sustain the workforce as coal goes out of production.

While  governments cling to the old energy mix and toy with nuclear, BZE shows the way forward. Greens leader Senator Richard Di Natale talks about the trillions set to be invested in lowcarbon technologies. Luke Taylor takes us behind the scenes as SLF strengthens or resolve to be resilient and creative about climate. Gemma Weedall tells us why S.A leads on renewables and how Eco Socialism opens up new avenues of action.