Climate Conversations

Climate Conversations episodes:

• 06.18.2024

  Swanpool Environmental Film Festival: Finding a path to a sustainable future; Finding the Money; And understanding the 'Undercurrents'

  The June 15 Swanpool Environmental Film Festival was in equal portions depressing and uplifting - the latter arising from the fact that the Swanpool theatre was full of people eager to understand what is ahead for humanity and how best...

  
• 06.16.2024

  Environmental Film Festival: Renewable energy guru Dr Mark Diesendorf declares climate change an existential threat to civilisation

  Dr Mark Diesendorf (pictured) delivered a powerful and relevant address at the Saturday, June 15, Swanpool Environmental Film Festival. Dr Diesendorf is an associate professor from the University of New South Wales and is the co-author of "The Path to a...

  
• 06.16.2024

  Webinar: Matthew Eisenson dispels myths and misinformation about renewable energy, wind turnbine bird deaths, whale casualties and electric cars

  Matthew B.Eisenson (pictured) from the Columbia Climate School Sabin Centre for Climate Change Law was the guest on a recent webinar where he talked about the "Myths and Misinformation about Renewable Energy". A recording from the session will be posted soon...

  
• 06.13.2024

  Climate News: Alex Halliday has long championed the need for climate action; Listen to the Outrage & Optimism podcast

  Professor Alex Halliday founded the Columbia Climate School and has long championed the need for climate action. "US Elections: Could Trump Surprise Us On Climate?"; "Get on with orderly energy transition, says Origin boss"; "‘It makes our life easier’: Climate campaigns seize on...

  
• 06.11.2024

  Climate News: Peter Dutton follows Trump's lead and wants to take Australia out of the Paris Accord - it's the 'climate wars', again

  Peter Dutton (pictured) has damned Australia's climate efforts, proposes nuclear energy and so will see Australia burst past its Paris agreement. Subsequently, the leader of Australia's Liberal Party seems to have cornered the news services, here are a few: "Dutton and Albanese...

  
• 06.08.2024

  Climate News: Clive Hamilton and George Wilkenfeld have a change of consciousness and write 'Living Hot: surviving and thriving on a heating planet'

  Clive Hamilton and George Wilkenfeld continue to be urgently concerned about mitigation, but now see adaptation to be the primary issue of concern for all levels of government - listen to Hamilton as he talks with Michelle Grattan on the...

  
• 06.08.2024

  Heritage Lecture: Ross McPherson talks about the past, present and future of newspapers, the power of story telling and this episode relates that to tackling climate change

  Ross McPherson (pictured), the Chairman and editor-in-chief of the Shepparton-based McPherson Group of Newspapers, was the guest speaker at The Greater Shepparton Biennial Bruce Willson Memorial Heritage Lecture for 2024. The Wednesday, June 5, session was recorded, in both an audio...

  
• 06.02.2024

  Interview: Kent Getsinger sees the Modern Monetary Theory as playing a crucial role in addressing climate change

  Kent Getsinger (pictured) might be an organiser with the Victorian Allied Health Professionals Association, but he is also an ardent advocate of the Modern Monetary Theory (MMT). Arrangements to interview Kent were made at a Melbourne meeting of "Sustainable Prosperity Action...

  
• 06.01.2024

  Climate News: Mark Spencer embarks on a fresh adventure with his new 'Transmission' podcast

  Mark Spencer could never be a street-marching, placard-waving climate change protestor, but he was mighty comfortable behind a microphone doing all he could to alert people to the implications and complications of the climate crisis, and his latest adventure is...

  
• 05.29.2024

  Interview: The powerful idea of Letitions is driven by the passion and commitment of Geelong's Robert Patterson

  Letitions are a variation of the commonly used and understood petitions but are immensely more powerful. Geelong's Robert Patterson is the man behind letition.org and this powerful process is endorsed by some powerful people, including the Australian Captial Territory Senator, David...

  
• 05.26.2024

  Climate News: "Looming over all of this are the huge challenges we are facing globally and of course climate change is the major one" - Dr Allan Patience

  Dr Allan Patience (pictured) an honorary fellow in political science at the University of Melbourne joined Emeritus Professor at La Trobe University in Melbourne, a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Social Sciences, Convener of Conversation at the Crossroads, and...

  
• 05.24.2024

  Climate News: "If I had children, I would want to be able to look them in the eye and say 'I did everything I could'", Dr Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

  Stunning interview with Dr Ayana Elizabeth Johnson (pictured) - "The InterviewThis Scientist Has an Antidote to Our Climate Delusions"; "Politics with Michelle Grattan: Madeleine King on investment incentives and the pivotal role of gas"; "In one of the US’s hottest deserts, utilities push...

  
• 05.19.2024

  Climate News: 'The more renewable we get, the more reliable our power supplies become' - Amory Lovins, U.S. energy expert

  Amory Lovins (pictured) is in Australia for an energy conference and was a guest on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's RN Breakfast and talked with host, Fran Kelly - "Energy efficiency guru Amory Lovins on Future Made in Australia"; "Dick Smith says...

  
• 05.17.2024

  Climate News: 'This is sick', Executive Director of The Australia Institute, Richard Denniss, on Tuesday night's Budget

  Richard Denniss (pictured) heads The Australia Institute and is alarmed at the Australian Labor Government's latest Budget that champions gas, a fossil fuel. "More than 200 authors renew call for Baillie Gifford to divest from fossil fuel"; "Solicitor general to appeal over...

  
• 05.14.2024

  Climate News: 'It is pretty scary', former Chief of Defence, Admiral Chris Barrie, from 'Too Hot to Handle' webinar

  Retired Admiral, Chris Barrie (pictured), who once led the Australian Defence Force and who was speaking recently on the webinar, "Too Hot to Handle - the scorching reality of Australia's climate security failure", finds the rapidly unfolding climate crisis as...

  
• 05.13.2024

  Interview: Susan Lengyel champions conversation, especially those 'at the Crossroads'

  Susan Lengel (pictured) champions conversation about climate change, but beyond that, and critically, "Conversation at the Crossroads". Susan, who hails from South Australia and once worked for that State's National Parks and Wildlife Service", enriched her climate change experience and knowledge...

  
• 05.11.2024

  Climate News: 'Reset, refocus, rethink, climate change is here'; Geelong meeting hears about the power of letitions; Gas driven confusion and despair

  From The Scotsman we hear: "After SNP's 17 years of failure on climate change, things are about to get worse"; "Harnessing the power of coming together"; "Cool Geelong"; "Vote Climate One"; "Geelong Sustainability"; "‘Not a single government dollar’: Albanese plays down gas policy push after...

  
• 05.07.2024

  Climate News: Water talk will ignite the conversation; Experts urge renewed action on future of Murray-Darling Basin

  The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) has today urged a suite of actions and investments to protect the future of the Murray-Darling Basin in the face of climate change, which is threatening the river’s health and sustainability. In...

  
• 05.06.2024

  Interview: Professor Andrew Blakers explains, again, how renewable sources can fully decarbonise energy in Australia

  "I’ve done the sums. All we need is 1,200 square kilometres. That’s not much. The area devoted to agriculture is about 3,500 times larger at 4.2 million square kilometres. The area of land that would be taken away from agriculture...

  
• 05.05.2024

  Climate News: Girt by Sea; Australia's security is about attending to climate change; EV charger cautions

  Those who understand climate change see adaptation and mitigation as key planks in national security and former international oil, gas and coal industry executive, chair of the Australian Coal Association and CEO of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Ian...

  
• 05.01.2024

  Climate News: The mirage of nuclear power; CSIRO: innovate or risk profits; Dangerous heat kills dozens

  Nuclear energy was given a brief platform on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Q&A; program and was championed by the National Party Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie. "Charged up: WA town to home Australia’s biggest battery"; "GV Community Energy"; "Farmers must innovate or...

  
• 04.29.2024

  Climate News: Teeny Tiny Stevies sing about climate change; Is "Climate Conversations" the wrong name?

  The much loved ARIA and AIR Award-winning children’s act Teeny Tiny Stevies, featuring sisters Byll and Beth Stephen, released their fifth record The Green Album via ABC Music. It is launched into the world with a new single and accompanying...

  
• 04.28.2024

  Climate News: Sometimes, life gets in the way; Nationals’ nuclear climate policy puts Paris deal in doubt: Playing God With the Atmosphere

  Life often stands in the way of goals, but eventually, the fog lifts and you get back to the essence of those aims - "Playing God With the Atmosphere"; "Why won’t Chris Packham have a real debate on climate?"; "‘Outrageous’ climate activists...

  
• 04.24.2024

  Climate News: New climate podcast drops first two episodes; Telling stories about climate change; UK PM slammed for climate stance

  Kyla Brettle (pictured) drops the first two episodes of her new podcast: "Everything We Need"; "Lessons in Climate Storytelling"; "America’s biggest wind farm | Repowering the West"; "Chris Stark: Rishi Sunak has set us back, head of climate change watchdog says"; "What the Fossil...

  
• 04.21.2024

  Climate News: Random recognition - 'Are you a podcaster?' - thrill as follower recognises my voice

  Joining a Melbourne workshop and arriving early, as I always do, I was helping a woman adjust some blinds and upon hearing me speak she said "Are you a podcaster?" In answering yes and adding that I host "Climate Conversations", she...

  
• 04.18.2024

  Special Event: 'Two years to save the world' - UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Simon Steill

  Executive Secretary at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Simon Steel (pictured during Q&A; at London's Chatham House), has declared we have "Two years to save the world". As a bonus, you can follow this link and go to...

  
• 04.16.2024

  Climate News: Understanding how climate change impacts every aspect of our home; World-wide coral bleaching; Climate breakdown has begun

  "Investor heavyweights failing to boot directors on climate commitments"; Samantha Helps is full of praise for Violet Coco (pictured) in her piece on Pearls and Irritations: "XR blocking arteries of capitalism labelled “catastrophic inconvenience”"; "Saving Ourselves: From Climate Shocks to Climate Action"...

  
• 04.14.2024

  Interview: Modern Money Lab founder, Gabrielle Bond, helps me understand the myths of deficits

  Just 40 minutes, along with a fair bit of research, with Gabrielle Bond (pictured), the woman behind the Modern Money Lab at Adelaides Torrens University, changed, no, exploded my views about economic ideas, particularly those of Federal Government deficits. Gabrielle is...

  
• 04.13.2024

  Climate News: Seizing the Decade - Amanda McKenzie; Climate rights decision in Switzerland could ripple across Europe

  The Climate Council CEO, Amanda McKenzie (pictured) talks about "Seizing the Decade"; "Consumer Energy Summit"; "Verdict saying Switzerland violated rights by failing on climate action could ripple across Europe"; "Does "Every Little Thing" REALLY Stop Climate Change?"; "‘Historic’ European Court of Human Rights ruling...

  
• 04.06.2024

  Climate News: All-electric garbage truck - fun ride; Nuclear focus forces resignation; Elizabeth Kolbert talks about hope

  Shepparton's Foott Waste is trialling an all-electric garbage truck and principal, Peter Foott (pictured behind the wheel of this revolutionary truck) took me for a "test ride" just a few days ago. "Understanding Climate Change: All the Natural and Human Causes"; "Split...

  
• 04.04.2024

  Climate News: Greg Combet discusses Australia's pathway to net zero; After years of promises, fossil fuel companies backtrack

  Former Federal Minister, Greg Combet (pictured) was a guest this week on the National Press Club talking about getting to net zero: "Greg Combet - Chair of the Net Zero Economy Authority"; "After years of promises on climate change, oil giants...

  
• 04.01.2024

  Climate News: The Paris Agreement is 'very, very important' - Catherine McKenna; Push to end Melbourne's treeless, hot, ugly outer suburbs

  Catherina McKenna (pictured) heaps praise on COP21 during an address to Columbia Climate School - "Catherine McKenna on Her Life, Work and Preserving the World for Future Generations"; "Ugly, treeless, hot: Push to force developers to plant trees in Melbourne’s outer...

  
• 03.30.2024

  Climate News: Flood takes Rick from one battle to another; Hannah Ritchie interview; Climate and inflation explored on Climate One

  Mooroopna's Rick Maloney (pictured) wrestled emotionally with the flood and now he is battling the insurance company: "Under water and under pressure: The fight to fix flood insurance"; "'Not the End of the World' author on tackling climate change"; "A data scientist’s...

  
• 03.29.2024

  Climate News: Wildfires are cancer causing, George Broyles; Remy Shergill helps us understand how we communicate about climate change

  George Broyles was one of the guests on the "Big Burnout", a webinar presented by ProPublica. Remy Shergill (pictured) talked about and explained how to accurately, comfortably and conveniently talk with others about climate change. Remy was a guest on a webinar...

  
• 03.27.2024

  Climate News: From Friends of Earth (Melbourne) to a teenage journey around Australia, working for the 'dark side'

  The Program Coordinator with Geelong Sustainability, Karina Donkers (pictured) encouraged me to talk about my time working with an oil and gas exploration company, The Western Geophysical Company of America. This word journey began for me following an unexpected meeting with...

  
• 03.24.2024

  Climate News: Melbourne's Grand Prix must go; And now it's 'climate quitting'; Ross Gittins: 'I'll be dead, but I'm fearful'

  Melbourne's Grand Prix is economically costly, but no one's talking about the carbon cost: "The Australian Grand Prix is here to stay, but at what cost?"; "Scientists struggle to explain ‘really weird’ spike in world temperatures"; "I’ll be dead before the worst...

  
• 03.22.2024

  Event: Home energy guru, Tim Forcey, at Zero Carbon Tatura

  Melbourne-based home energy guru, Tim Forcey, was at a recent meeting of Zero Carbon Tatura to talk about what he does and his soon-to-be-released book, "My Efficient Electric Home Handbook: How to Slash Your Energy Bills, Protect Your Health &...

  
• 03.20.2024

  Climate News: This podcast has been silent for several days, but Violet Coco has not

  Life sometimes gets in the way of living and so brings on silence, but that has not been the case for Violet Coco (pictured) and her Extinction Rebellion counterparts: "‘Message must be sent’: Jail terms almost tripled for climate activists...

  
• 03.07.2024

  Climate News: XR frustrates travellers on Melbourne's West Gate Bridge, being criticized loudly by most and quietly praised by a few

  Traffic on Melbourne's West Gate Bridge was disrupted and slowed to a halt when three people from Extinction Rebellion blocked two lanes of traffic with a large truck - the trio was arrested: "Three charged after climate activist Deanna ‘Violet’...

  
• 03.06.2024

  Interview: My Efficient Electric Home: 'This is the best job I have ever had', Tim Forcey

  Tim Forcey has delved into his experience of helping thousands of people improve the energy efficiency of their homes and written the soon-to-be-published book "My Efficient Electric Home Handbook: How to slash your energy bills, protect your health & save...

  
• 03.03.2024

  Climate News: Not Climate One, but Climate Conversations; Dutton wants a 'mature debate' about nuclear power; What's happening with the weather?

  "Climate One" is an interesting and educative podcast worth listening to, please give it some of your time. "What on Earth is happening to the weather? These charts help explain"; "Disasters Forced 2.5 Million Americans From Their Homes Last Year"; "Climate change is...

  
• 03.02.2024

  Episode 2001! - it's thanks to the volunteer guests and the loyal listeners

  Climate adaptation expert Nadia Seeteram, (pictured) a Climate School postdoctoral research scientist studies how sea-level rise affects coastal communities. She is especially interested in how climate risks are impacting housing infrastructure and housing needs. "Science for the Planet: Equitable Climate...

  
• 03.01.2024

  Interview: 'We have to make some really, really big decisions and this is the generation that needs to do them' - Mark Allen

  Mark Allen (pictured) is an environmental campaigner based in Albany, Western Australia, with a professional background in town planning sustainability. He is also the co-host of the "Post Growth Australia" podcast. You can learn more about Mark, his ideas and broader...

  
• 02.29.2024

  Climate Cooling Mini Summit: 'Reclaiming The Climate Emergency Locally'

  This final session of the February 24 Climate Cooling Mini Summit was chaired by Sally Macadam (pictured), the co-ordinator of "Climate Emergency Australia". Sally led the workshop through discussions, including Adrian Whitehead from "Council and Community Action in the Climate Emergency";...

  
• 02.27.2024

  Interview: Climate Safe Rooms with Geelong Sustainability's CEO Dan Cowdell

  Dan Cowdell (pictured) has led Geelong Sustainability through a project creating an innovative and award-winning idea resulting in Climate Safe Rooms. Beyond the rather special Climate Safe Rooms project, Dan's group has created a useful and thoughtful website where people will...

  
• 02.26.2024

  Session Two from Melbourne's Climate Cooling Mini Summit with Bryony Edwards

  Melbourne's Bryony Edwards (pictured) was the host for the second session of the "Climate Cooling Mini Summit", which was a part of the "National Sustainability Living Festival". That session was entitled "Australia’s Climate Rescue Accord" and involved a panel of speakers...

  
• 02.25.2024

  Climate Cooling - Mini Summit: David Spratt takes deep dive with two Finnish guests

  Melbourne's David Spratt (pictured), a researcher with the Breakthrough National Centre for Climate Restoration Australia, hosted the opening session at Melbourne's "Climate Cooling Mini Summit. David had two Finnish guests from "Operaatio Arktis" who followed and led David as he took...

  
• 02.20.2024

  Climate News: Tim Hollo talks about 'Living Democracy' at Hobsons Bay; Revovation advice from Climate Works; Labor tries to silence aboriginal voices

  Tim Hollo is well known in Green circles and he will soon bin in Hobsons Bay talking about his book, "Living Democracy"; "Renovation Pathways"; "Labor accused of trying to ‘silence Aboriginal voices’ over possible changes to gas project consultations"; "We Can Still Resist...

  
• 02.18.2024

  Climate News: Is the electric car a fantasy?; Decade of coalition inaction behind Victoria's blackout; Be brave, stay positive, find your tribe

  Electric cars have advantages but are still just that, demanding a spacious road network and copious parking areas in our towns and cities. "Why do Chinese EVs meet so much resistance?"; "Victoria’s blackout crisis is rooted in a decade of Coalition inaction"; "Be...

  
• 02.15.2024

  Climate News: A circular economy is the answer to climate change - Jo Taranto, CEO of Good for the Hood

  CEO of Good for the Hood, Jo Taranto (pictured) sees the circular economy as the solution to climate change, as she said on a recent webinar organised by The Australia Institute. "Smart Energy 2024"; "Climate experts sound alarm over thriving plant life...