SUSTAIN

In the face of climate change, people around the world have developed innovative new technologies to mitigate or adapt to its impacts. Despite their work however, adoption has proved more difficult. How can we promote these potentially planet-saving innovations? Does it require a significant overhaul of current systems? Or can existing frameworks be adjusted by more minor tweaks? Dr Maria Armoudian speaks to Holly Beals, a strategic director and innovation specialist with Aurora Climate Lab; and Michael Fielding, the Chief Executive of AUT Ventures.

From the Antarctic to the deepest depths of the ocean, microplastics are found in increasingly large numbers. These tiny, seemingly inescapable plastics pose a range of threats to human health, animal life and the ecosystems on which we rely. How can we deal with this avalanche of microplastics? For more, Dr Maria Armoudian speaks to Professor Nathalie Gontard, research director at France's National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment, formerly a professor at the Universities of Montpellier and Kyoto; and Dr Samantha Ladewig, a research fellow at the University of Auckland who studies the effect of microplastic pollution on marine environments.

Despite increasing signs of a climate in crisis, false information about this scientific reality continues to drive decision-making at the highest level, particularly in countries which have recently taken a turn towards authoritarianism. Who is spreading this false information, and how can we confront it? To find out more about this, Dr Maria Armoudian speaks to professors Eve Darian-Smith, of the University of California, Irvine; and Stuart McNaughton, of the University of Auckland.

Across the world, rising sea levels have become a pressing issue for coastal communities. Driven by our changing climate, sea level rise is already having a range of impacts, from increased flooding to the salinization of freshwater resources. To discuss this growing threat, Ben Goldson speaks to Professor Karin Bryan from the University of Auckland’s School of Environment; Professor William Glamore from the University of New South Wales’ School of Civil and Environmental Engineering; and Dr Richard Bulmer, the director of private consultancy group Tidal Research.

On 13th September, Ngā Ara Whetū co-hosted a symposium on the challenges of inequality and environmental degradation with Juncture: Dialogues on Inclusive Capitalism, a research centre based in the Business School at the University of Auckland. Held in the Sir Owen G Glenn Building, the symposium saw experts discuss these twin challenges, drawing upon the work of French economist Thomas Piketty.

On 13th September, Ngā Ara Whetū co-hosted a symposium on the challenges of inequality and environmental degradation with Juncture: Dialogues on Inclusive Capitalism, a research centre based in the Business School at the University of Auckland. Held in the Sir Owen G Glenn Building, the symposium saw experts discuss these twin challenges, drawing upon the work of French economist Thomas Piketty.

Convened by Professor Natasha Hamilton-Hart (Management and International Business), the first session saw a keynote address by the Honourable David Parker, the former Attorney-General, followed by talks from Professor Craig Elliffe (Law), Dean Susan Watson (Business School) and Council of Trade Unions Economist and Policy Director Craig Rennie.

With over half the global population living in urban centres, a number which is projected to rise to around two-thirds by 2050, the relationship between cities and the climate crisis is becoming increasingly important. How can we adjust the nature of urban spaces to both adapt to, and mitigate, the changing climate? Dr Maria Armoudian speaks with researchers from the University of Auckland's Future Cities Research Hub, including co-founder and director Paola Boarin, along with Dr Timothy Welch, Dr. Iresh Jayawardena, Dr Alessandro Premier and Dr Manfredo Manfredini.