Climate Action Show

Why would a local conservation group need to enforce the government's own laws and why would George Brandis react in a manner that seeks to align Australia with authoritarian states?Find out in this episode, where Viv uses the Carmichael Coal Case as a talking point with:Cristy Clark, Lecturer in Law at Southern Cross Uni and contributor to online zine - The Conversation (Cristy's current research is focused on the intersection of law, development and the environment)Jeff Smith, Executive Director, EDO, (independent community legal centre specialising in public interest environmental law) NSW and lawyer for the mighty Mackay Conservation GroupProfessor Samantha Hepburn, (Associate Head of School (Research), Law & Busines, Deakin Uni with a strong research interest in unconventional gas regulation in Australia and is also examining the regulatory development of carbon capture sequestration both in Australia and internationally.)  "...under a democratic system, the rule of law means that the government is constrained by law and can be held accountable by the people." – Cristy Clarkhttps://theconversation.com/the-government-vs-the-environment-lawfare-in-australia-46205

What would it take for you to climb an industrial chimney, blockade a coal mine or make a speech to hundreds of people?The answer for the people in the just released book "Guarding Eden" is climate change.In tonight's episode Viv brings 4 guests into the studio, the author of Guarding Eden, Deborah Hart  and three of the contributors Julien Vincent (known for the organisation Market Forces, amongst other things), Carol Ride, President of Psychology for a Safe Climate,  and Fiona Armstrong, the founder and convenor of the Climate and Health Alliance.

In this episode Vivien speaks with Dr David Holmes, Senior Lecturer, Communications and Media Studies,  Monash University about the impact of the media and those shadowy think tanks on people's understanding of climate change.We also bring you an Michael MacKenzie (Radio National) interview with Dr Roger Dargaville.  Roger tells us how, given the political will, Australia could achieve a 50% carbon reduction by 2030.

Netherlands court protects unborn citizens, the URGENDA case with Marjan Minnesma.URGENDA took the Netherlands Government to court for NOT protecting unborn citizens from climate change. They won! Marjan Minnesma tells us how this case is affecting the EU and why she will be  walking to Paris from Utrecht.Yeb Sanyo  is off to  the Paris Climate talks too. He is walking from Rome carrying "Laudato SI" but why did he quit his UN job?Anna Abad from Greenpeace in the Philippines, takes us to Tacloban - ground zero for Typhoon HaiyanWe ask "How is Australian coal fuelling typhoons like Haiyan?"Nikola Casule explains how divesting your money erodes the social licence for coal.

Will global warming reverse ALL the advances made by modern medicine?The Lancet Commission report urges us to engage medical people into future planning. They are already on the front line, as hospitals are flooded and heat stress makes morgues overflow.In this show Vivien interviews Professor Peter Sainsbury and Dr Helen Redmond discussing the recent report from The Lancet.

In this episode we are at the Australian Labor Party Conference Mark Butler MP, Shadow Minister for Climate change, John Grimes­ of the Australian Solar Council and Bill Shorten MP, Leader of the Opposition announce bold new support for renewables.  BUT... Jackie Trad, Deputy Premier of QLD says coal mines like Adani will go ahead "We need the jobs".ALP conference speakers from the CFMEU (Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union National) and others talk about taking care of workers as we decarbonise.And lastly Professor Roger Dargaville from Melbourne University explains how the 50% by 2030 target could be achieved. (Interview courtesy of Radio National's Michael Mackenzie (ABC RN)

Vivien interviews members from the Labour Environment Action Network (LEAN) - members interviewed include Felicity Wade, Asren Pugh and Claire O'Rourke.Beyond Zero Emissions appreciated the fringe events at the ALP conference in Melbourne.Vivien attended and made this compilation of voices from the climate rally outside featuring Fiona Armstrong from CAHA, Peter Marshall a firefighter, John Grimes ASC, Anthony Albanese MP and Mark Butler MP.Vivien also interviews Senator Larissa Waters about her reactions to this latest Labour initiative.

As the government puts renewables on go slow and the opposition searches for fresh policies to slow climate change, BZE talks to the people who are striding ahead. The Clean Energy Finance Corporation, The Australian Solar Council and  The NSW Farmers  Federation BZE talks to Oliver Yates (Clean Energy Finance Corporation), John Grimes (Australian Solar Council) and Mark Butler (ALP).Don't forget to check out the Fringe (adjunct to ALP Conference)or have a look at Saturday Paper (July 18th).

In this episode, Vivien interviewed a miner, a lawyer, an economist, a climate campaigner and a local leader from Bulga, New South Wales, Australia.This drama has played out in the courts where Rio lost. Now, moving towards the end of the age of coal, will this be the test case where a mine is not approved because of its ecological and social impact?

Stephen Mayne is an experienced shareholder activist and shares some actions that anyone could engage in. Vivien chats to Stephen Bygrave about the December United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris. And Felicity Millner, (Environment Justice Australia) represents nature, using the law to protect our environment.