EMERGENCY POWERS AND THE DECLARATION DEBATE

As the momentum for a climate emergency response grows louder, so too does the fear of authoritarian power and loss of democratic rights. Can we set out to achieve maximum protection from climate change while safeguarding our liberties and creating a more just world? Are these objectives irreconcilable?

Nyadol Nyuon – Lawyer & Human Rights Advocate
Tim Costello – Former Chief Advocate & CEO of World Vision Australia
Nicole Rogers – Associate Professor School of Law and Justice, Southern Cross University
Philip Sutton – RSTI, Strategy Analyst, Breakthrough

Moderated by Corinne Grant – Lawyer & Human Rights Advocate

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Frontline Climate Stories From Across Australia

Australia’s first responders and affected communities are confronting  the devastating climate impacts playing out around the country. Hear first-hand accounts from people on the ground as an unprecedented crisis hits home.

Greg Mullins – Former NSW Fire & Rescue Commissioner
Anika Molesworth  – Broken Hill Farmer & Scientist
Major Michael Thomas – Defence & Climate Security Analyst
Mayor Vonda Malone – Mayor of Torres Strait Islands
Paddy Manning – Journalist & Writer

Moderated by Jane Caro – Writer & Social Commentator

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FRAMING EMERGENCY THREAT & RESPONSE

The power of language and the way we frame an issue has the ability to ignite or switch people off. When the way we communicate has a big effect on attitudes and reactions, how do we get the climate message right to successfully mobilise people at the necessary scale and speed of action? How do we effectively communicate the scale and speed of action that is now required? How do we navigate the delicate terrain of facts, fear, courage, identity and reality?

Margaret Klein Salamon – Founding director of The Climate Mobilization
Rebecca Huntley – Australian social researcher and expert on social trends
Richie Merzian – Director Climate & Energy Program The Australia Institute

Moderated by Adam Morton – Guardian Australia’s Environment Editor

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PART TWO: DRAWDOWN & THE COOLING CONUNDRUM

Our climate is already dangerously hot. Turning this around will take not only the rapid elimination of greenhouse emissions, but will also require drawing a vast amount of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere as fast as humanly possible, starting now. What would the race to rollout negative emissions at national level look like for a below zero Australia?

Biological Systems

Unearthing the potential for biological systems to deliver the drawdown at scale and speed to achieve safe climate conditions

Joe Herbertson – Director of The Crucible Group & Conjoint Professor, University of Newcastle
Kate Dooley – Research Fellow and Lecturer at Melbourne University
Peter MaCreadie – Director of Deakin’s Blue Carbon Lab
Tony Rinaudo – Natural Resources Management Specialist, World Vision

Moderated by Natasha Mitchell – Radio National presenter

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CLIMATE CODE RED: AUSTRALIA’S CLIMATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE

The world is staring down the barrel of the biggest, most all-encompassing, multifaceted challenge in human history. We now need to pull off a monumental operation, and time is of the essence. What’s our best chance of success and how will Australia respond across the political, economic and social spectrum? An expert panel takes the hot seat for a not-so-hypothetical plunge into thinking the impossible and making it happen.

Kerryn Phelps – Former Head of the Australian Medical Association
Greg Mullins – Former NSW Commissioner of Fire & Rescue
Lidia Thorpe – Activist and Former Politician
Oliver Yates – Former CEO, Clean Energy Finance Corporation
Ian Dunlop – Former Chair of the Australian Coal Association
Carmen Lawrence – Former WA Premier & Social Academic
Paul Gilding – Climate Risk Analyst & Business Consultant
Cheryl Durrant – Former Director of Preparedness and Mobilisation Australian Defence Force

Hosted by Ali Moore – Journalist & Broadcaster.

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WHAT’S THE EMERGENCY?

As catastrophic fires and drought sweep eastern Australia, world-leading scientists warn that climate tipping points are too risky to bet against. What are the likely ecological and social consequences and how does the evidence justify an emergency-level response?

Michael Mann – Director, Earth System Science Center, Pennsylvania State University
David Spratt – Research Director at Breakthrough – National Centre For Climate Restoration

Moderated by Jo Chandler – Science Writer & Journalist

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PROFESSIONALS & INDUSTRIES MOBILISE

In the wake of government climate emergency declarations, many new voices are joining the call. 

Universities, professionals and industry bodies are turning up the heat and declaring their support for emergency level action. Hear from the industry activists bringing their sectors onboard.

Caroline Pidcock – Architects Declare
David Williams – CEO, Planning Institute of Australia
Jane Hadjion – Engineers Declare
Richard Yin – Doctors for the Environment
Susanne Etti – Tourism Declares

Moderated by Heidi Lee – Industry Investment Lead, Beyond Zero Emissions

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PART ONE: THE NATIONAL DECARBONISATION ROLLOUT

Our climate is already dangerously hot, releasing further emissions is not going to solve the climate crisis. With no time to lose, how fast can Australia make its emergency transition to a zero emissions economy?

Oliver Yates – Former CEO, Clean Energy Finance Corporation
Vanessa Petrie – CEO, Beyond Zero Emissions
Qiao Nan Han – Vice President Maoneng Group
Brendan Condon – Zero Carbon Business Investor
Thomas King – CEO, Food Frontier

Moderated by Bernie Hobbs – Science Communicator & Journalist

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CLIMATE POLITICS IN THE AGE OF EMERGENCY

It’s becoming abundantly clear that we can’t deal with the existential threat of climate disruption with the usual politics of slow change and compromise. How can we develop a stand up, fearless form of leadership that moves us beyond the failure of business & partisan politics as usual? 

Peter Garrett – Former Federal Minister for the Environment
Zali Steggall – Federal Member for Warringah
Paul Gilding –Climate Risk Analyst & Business Consultant
Jean Hinchliffe – Student Strike Organiser Sydney

Moderated by Lenore Taylor – Editor of The Guardian Australia

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AUSTRALIA & THE WORLD IS DECLARING

Over 1000 local, city, state and national governments around the world have declared a climate emergency, with over 70 in Australia leading the call. From capital cities to local councils on the frontline, there’s a growing recognition of the scale and speed of the threat we now face. How can governments turn these breakthrough declarations into emergency action?

Clover Moore – Lord Mayor of Sydney
Shane Rattenbury – Minister for Climate Change & Sustainability ACT Government
Vonda Malone – Mayor of Torres Shire Council
Trent McCarthy – Councilor Darebin City Council
Carol Sparks – Mayor Glen Innes Severn Council

Moderated by Cr Cathy Oke – Councilor City of Melbourne

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