The Sustainable Hour no 363Our three guests in The Tunnel on 19 May 2021 are all climate revolutionaries in their own unique ways.

[10:05] Anthea Falkiner, 49, and Mary Christie, 19, are both Extinction Rebellion activists who were involved in three days of non-violent direct actions aimed at disruptions in Canberra last week. They were part of a team of 35 dedicated, determined and courageous Australians from three states who came to Canberra to show their displeasure at the lack of any funding for real climate action in this year’s budget. Both were arrested for their actions. Anthea is an experienced campaigner, but for 19-year-old Mary, this was her first time. We learn of their motivations for doing what they did. We are left with the burning question: just who were the criminals in Canberra last week?

[38:45] Dr Adrian Panow is Director of Energy at Deakin University, Geelong’s local university with a budget pushing $1 billion, 60,000 students and set to become carbon-neutral by 2025. By 2030 the intention is to be carbon-negative, which includes sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. Adrian has two focus points at Deakin. One is maximising the use of renewable energy to power their operations. The second one is making sure that right across its operations, no energy is wasted. Adrian tells us about a new carbon-conscious culture that is growing at his university by going down the dual pathways of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

[01:09] Opening the hour, Mik Aidt is excited about the Rebellion of One, which is a new kind of highly effective solo protesting climate fight – a new style of rebellion – that has started to spread across the globe.

[03:40] Colin Mockett‘s Global Outlook starts in the United Kingdom with the conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson phoning Scott Morrison, urging him to set Australia a decarbonising target by mid-century. Our illustrious leader declined as was clearly shown by the budget that was handed down last week. Boris also has appointed Sir David Attenborough as host of COP26 in Glasgow, and Sir Dave announced he will be addressing world leaders at international meetings in the six-months before COP26 – starting with the G7 Summit in Cornwall next month.At the important Transport Transition Summit, we were shown up yet again when the UK announced new initiatives starting with promoting the British to walk and cycle more – along with electrifying rail transport and decarbonising road freight. Spain also got on board, with Madrid planning zero emissions for its freight, while the Spanish government said it would end fossil fuel production by 2042.Not to be outdone, in the US, the Biden administration announced the country’s first off-shore wind farm off Martha’s Vineyard – 84 turbines, 800 megawatt. Colin then zooms us to Finland where research from Aalto University found one third of global food production will be affected by climate change if emissions are not cut.Finally here in Australia, the progressive online newsprovider The Conversation analysed last week’s budget to find that for every $100 spent just 37 cents was spent on the environment and 16 cents on addressing climate change. Definitely not a good look for us. Meanwhile, talks about trade sanctions being imposed on us gather momentum world wide.

Week after week, we meet people who are active participants in solutions in their own way telling their stories, showing us all that we have everything we need to transition to a safer, more just,