100 Climate Conversations

A ranger by trade, Wondunna man Rowan Foley is the CEO of the Aboriginal Carbon Foundation. From its base in Alice Springs, the foundation supports world-leading carbon farming projects through cultural burning and ranger training programs. Rowan Foley is recorded live in conversation with Rachael Hocking at Powerhouse Ultimo . For more information go to 100climateconversations.com/rowan-foley  

Exploitation of the environment, farmers and food workers has placed our global food systems under pressure. Food activist and researcher Alana Mann advocates for more sustainable approaches to food production to strengthen food sovereignty under climate change.  Alana Mann is recorded live in conversation with Benjamin Law at Powerhouse Ultimo . For more information go to 100climateconversations....

Cities are a major source of global greenhouse gas emissions, Finding Infinity work with architects, business and government to conceive of more sustainable ways forward. The firm’s principal, Ross Harding combines technology and culture to connect people to their lived environment and solutions to climate change. Ross Harding is recorded live in conversation with Pat Abboud at Powerhouse Ultimo ....

Climate scientist Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick is an expert in extreme events, specialising in heatwaves. As the intensity and frequency of heatwaves increases, Perkins-Kirkpatrick leads research to understand the drivers of this phenomenon and the implications on our health, industries and infrastructure.   Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick is recorded live in conversation with Pat Abboud at Powerhouse Ulti...

The chief botanist and director of research at the Australian Institute of Botanical Science, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Sydney Brett Summerell and his team are determining genetically appropriate plants for specific regions based on climate projections, safeguarding species against extinction at PlantBank and uncovering threats to Australian flora and ecosystems.  Brett Summerell is r...

Through the blended applications of chemistry, maths and physics, chemical engineers are re-designing emissions intensive industrial practises. Pioneering chemical engineer Professor Rose Amal is developing innovative engineering systems harnessing energy from the sun for a range of sustainable outcomes, including generating hydrogen and purifying water. Rose Amal is recorded live in conversation...

Championing Australia’s clean energy transition, long-term energy analyst and renewables investor Simon Holmes à Court is determined to accelerate action on climate change. Holmes à Court is also the founder of Climate 200, the community crowdfunding initiative aimed at supporting candidates with a science-based approach to climate change in the 2022 Federal election. Simon Holmes à Court is recor...

Innovative urban and regional planning can build resilient communities and mitigate the impacts of climate change on citizens. From carbon neutral developments to increased green spaces, Professor Barbara Norman details the challenges and opportunities in planning our cities and towns in a shifting climate. Barbara Norman is recorded live in conversation with Benjamin Law at Powerhouse Ultimo . Fo...

Synthetic biologists like Claudia Vickers are developing new methods of food production to fight climate change and transform carbon intensive industries. Vickers is the Chief Scientific Officer of Eden Brew, formulating sustainable animal-free milk products by mapping cow milk genes to produce dairy proteins for a low carbon future. Claudia Vickers is recorded live in conversation with Rae Johnst...

The Sydney Opera House is one of Australia’s most treasured cultural landmarks with almost 11 million visitors per year. The Sydney Opera House sustainability manager Emma Bombonato illustrates how even the largest organisations can take creative approaches to energy and waste management to address the climate crisis. Emma Bombonato is recorded live in conversation with Paddy Manning at Powerhouse...

Cobargo Bushfire Recovery Fund president Zena Armstrong is dedicated to supporting the recovery of her community after the Black Summer bushfires. Recovery programs are fire-proofing infrastructure and utilities, re-planting forests, memorialising what was lost and investing in healing for their citizens. Zena Armstrong is recorded live in conversation with Yaara Bou Melhem at Powerhouse Ultimo ....

Sustainability is integral to the Powerhouse renewal, which presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to embed low carbon solutions into Powerhouse infrastructure to reduce its operational environmental impact and improve its responsiveness to climate, season and sustainability.   Following an introduction by Powerhouse chief executive Lisa Havilah, a panel featuring Powerhouse First Nations dir...

The outpouring of public support to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital during the Black Summer bushfires confirmed an Australian truth: koalas are among our most beloved species. As populations dwindle due to deforestation and worsening environmental conditions, dedicated staff at the hospital, including head of the wild koala breeding program, Cheyne Flanagan, are helping these incredible animals...

To offset the impact that our daily emails, web browsing and movie watching have on the environment, computer scientist Michael Fuhrer and his team at ARC are looking for ways to increase the energy efficiency of electronics through nano technology and new materials.    Michael Fuhrer is recorded live in conversation with Craig Reucassel at Powerhouse Ultimo . For more information go to 100climate...

The Cloud Brightening project is trying to buy time for the Great Barrier Reef, hopeful that carbon emissions will be slashed in the future. By spraying microscopic sea particles above the reef, oceanographer Daniel Harrison and his team aim to thicken the clouds to provide shade for the endangered ecosystem.   Daniel Harrison is recorded live in conversation with Craig Reucassel at Powerhouse Ult...

Renewable energy systems on farms can dramatically reduce carbon emissions as well as alleviate economic pressure for farmers. After the successful installation of a solar-diesel hybrid pump on her own farm, environmental scientist turned farmer Karin Stark is championing the uptake of on-farm renewables.   Karin Stark is recorded live in conversation with Gabrielle Chan at Powerhouse Ultimo . For...

Reducing the carbon emissions of industry and government and ensuring the transition is just for all workers is vital for a net zero future. As chief executive of Climateworks Centre, Anna Skarbek drives critical research and sets ambitious goals to support the transition to a low carbon economy.   Anna Skarbek is recorded live in conversation with Benjamin Law at Powerhouse Ultimo . For more info...

Taryn Lane is dedicated to helping local groups around the country get their clean energy projects up and running. Lane manages Australia’s first community-owned cooperative wind farm, Hepburn Wind, located at Leonards Hill south of Daylesford in Victoria. The 4.1 megawatt wind farm hosts two turbines that produce enough clean energy to power more than 4000 homes.    Taryn Lane is recorded live in...

Both a food source and great natural filters of our waterways, Australia’s east coast oysters are vulnerable to today’s warming temperatures and ocean acidification. Dr Laura Parker shares her work on breeding climate change resilient breeds that might one day be able to reseed struggling populations across industry and nature.  Laura Parker is recorded live in conversation with Rachael Hocking at...

Determined to curb carbon emissions, Citizen Wolf co-founder Zoltan Csaki rejects the relentless fast fashion cycle, which annually sends almost a third of unsold clothing to landfill. Combining an on-demand manufacturing model and proprietary technology that ensure the perfect fit, Csaki is challenging cheap mass production and our shopping habits.    Zoltan Csaki is recorded live in conversation...

Ozharvest founder and chief executive Ronni Kahn leads the organisation’s mission to save surplus food from landfill and halve food waste by 2030. Reducing food waste is one of the best ways to combat climate change, as it currently generates a staggering 8-10 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions.  Ronni Kahn is recorded live in conversation with Yaara Bou Melhem at Powerhouse Ultimo . For more in...

Climate scientist Joëlle Gergis formulated an unprecedented perspective of Australia’s climate history, uncovering how human activities have disrupted long-established patterns. Through a firm understanding of the past, Gergis presents a clear path toward a sustainable future.  Joëlle Gergis is recorded live in conversation with Marian Wilkinson at Powerhouse Ultimo . For more information go to 10...

Human ecologist Xuemei Bai is re-thinking how humanity’s densest habitats can be transformed into low carbon, sustainable eco-cities. Even the most urbanised cities are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, but they are also the sites of some of the most innovative ideas to lead nations to net zero.    Xuemei Bai is recorded live in conversation with Pat Abboud at Powerhouse Ultimo .For mor...

Founded on generations of knowledge, Firesticks Alliance is an Indigenous-led network working to reinvigorate the use of cultural burning practices. Co-founded by Tagalaka man Victor Steffensen, the alliance encourages the uptake of cultural burning practices in land and fire management to increase biodiversity and the health of Country.  Victor Steffensen is recorded live in conversation with Nat...

Logan City Council in Queensland is transforming human waste into biochar, a process which sequesters carbon, destroys microplastics and saves the community money. Johanna Johnson spearheads the Australian-first project, which will help the Council meet its target of carbon neutral operations in 2022.  Johanna Johnson is recorded live in conversation with Nate Byrne at Powerhouse Ultimo . For more...