Think: Sustainability

How are fashion designers using digital technology to reduce textile waste? In this episode we discuss how digital technologies such as 3D pattern making software and body scanning are key to a sustainable fashion industry. Featuring: Dr Timo Rissanen, Associate Professor in Fashion and Textiles, University of Technology, Sydney Nat Stratos, Circular Design Practitioner and Facilitator, Co-Directo...

Digital labour and remote working trends have seen incredible uptake due to the pandemic. Though we may think these changes to our lives exist only in the ephemeral online world, in this episode we explore whether the digital workforce could help us build more sustainable cities. Featuring: Andrew Butt, Associate Professor in Sustainability and Urban Planning at RMIT University David Bissell, Asso...

Climate Fatigue is one of the many terms used to describe a sense of apathy or dread caused by the constant exposure to images of climate change. We explore how Art can help disrupt this feeling and revitalize how we relate to the climate crisis. Featuring: Dr Zoë Sadokierski, Senior Lecturer in the School of Design at The University of Technology Sydney. Kate Scardifield, Artist and Co-Director o...

Energy poverty is a complex socioeconomic issue. Many people are experiencing the health, social, and economic disadvantages of living in energy inefficient homes. In this episode, we discuss minimum energy efficiency standards for renters and access to renewable energy. Featured: Riley Brooke, renter, policy and campaigns officer at the Tenants’ Union of NSW. Caroline Valente, PhD candidate, Scho...

What are the threats to honeybees and what wider impact could this have for us? We discuss the impact Australia’s recent bushfires and floods had on beekeepers and the issues facing Australia’s apiary industry. Featuring: Dr Nural Cokcetin, postdoctoral researcher at the University of Technology Sydney’s ithree institute Bruce White OAM, beekeeper, bio-security officer and a former President of th...

Increasingly severe and frequent natural disasters are a part of our reality as a result of climate change. But how will this affect global economies? This episode explores how climate change is affecting the insurance industry. How this influences where and how we live. The industry’s response to climate risk and What we need to change to make sure Australia remains insurable in the face of a cha...

Globally countries are striving towards a transition from diesel and petrol vehicles to electric ones. In this episode we explore the electrification of New South Wales’ public transport, specifically buses. Featuring: Mathew Hounsell, senior researcher at the Transport Research Centre, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney Katelyn Purnell, Phd researcher,...

The way we produce our food needs to change. Our current practices will not meet the demands of a growing population and a warming climate. Algae, that slimy green stuff you find at the beach, might just help us more sustainably produce our food. This episode looks at how Algae biotechnologies are revolutionising the agriculture and aquaculture industry. Featuring Professor Peter Ralph, Executive...

Legal personhood or ‘rights of nature’ laws have been around since as early as the 1970s and have attracted lawmakers in jurisdictions all over the world. But what do these legal concepts offer? How do they interact with current environmental laws? And what are their limits? Producer: Marlene Even Producer/Presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel Featured: Michelle Maloney, co-founder and national convener, A...

In this episode of Think: Sustainability, is Australia doing its best to care for our Pacific neighbours as they confront the effects of a changing climate? How can we improve current labour programs and pathways? Producer/Presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel Featured: Mesulame Ratukadreu, Pacific Labour Scheme worker Jonathan Pryke, Director, Pacific Islands Program, Lowy Institute Amanda Moors-Mailei, S...

In this episode of Think: Sustainability, we spotlight some exciting new developments in the sustainability sector. What projects have been underway while we’ve been glued to our TVs, following COVID and the US election? We talk to three experts in environmental fields to celebrate innovative renewable energy projects, the circular economy and what a Joe Biden election victory means for Australia’...

In this episode, we explore the psychology of climate change. With the help of Carl Jung’s analytical psychology, we look at how our internal disorder may be hindering efforts to solve external problems. What is holding us back from effective climate action, individually and collectively? Producer/presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel Featured: Jonathan Marshall, Future Fellow and member of the Climate Jus...

This is the second-part of a two-part series of Think: Sustainability, where we speak to those living in precarious housing situations. In part one, we spoke to public housing tenants. In this episode, we hear from some of the half a million international students trapped in Australia. Producer/Presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel Featured: Mon Mon Myo Myint, Rajendra Kumar, Rojal L. Shrestha, internation...

In this two-part series of Think: Sustainability, we speak to those living in precarious housing situations in Australia. In part one, tens of thousands sit on public housing waiting lists, and a severe lack of funding in the sector means that those who make it in, are some of the most vulnerable in society. Producer/Presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel Featured: Alan Morris, professor, Institute for Publ...

In this episode, we take a closer look at whether COVID19 has shone a harsh light on aviation’s carbon footprint, or whether despite the crisis; the big players in aviation will be unwilling to turn-off auto-pilot. Producer/Presenter: Max Tillman Featured: Audrey Quicke, researcher, the Australia Institute Climate Jonothan O'Neill, manager, UTS Protospace Dr Ben Hankamer, Queensland Sustainable Av...

In this episode, we examine space debris, what is it and why is there more of it? We examine current and emerging space junk removal technology. And what laws and measures are in place to hold those who litter, to account? Presenter/Producer: Marlene Even Featured: Dr. Martin Bell, astrophysicist, and lecturer at the University of Technology Sydney School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences. Dr....

In this guest episode from Think: Digital Futures, producer Caitlin McHugh examines how climate breakdown is changing the way people live. In cities, already soaring temperatures are compounded by the concrete, treeless layouts of most urban centres, while extreme weather decimates crops and disrupts our food supply chains. But what are the possibilities of green walls and vertical agriculture in...

In this episode we look at how a post-COVID economy can serve the interests of the planet and how to take lessons learnt from one crisis and apply them to the next. Featured: Honourable Bob Carr, Industry Professor at Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS. Former Premier of NSW and former Foreign Minister of Australia. Dr Deborah Cotton, Senior Lecture, Finance Discipline Group, Business School,...

In this episode, we take a look at the world of conservation after two major blows: the Black Summer bushfires and COVID-19. How have these crises affected the work of conservationists? And what are their demands of government, heading into the future? Producer/Presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel Producer: Marlene Even Featured: Dr Kellie Leigh, Executive Director, Science for Wildlife Jonathan Webb, Ass...

In this episode, we assess the real impacts of bushfire smoke on our health, why it may be crucial health practitioners and environmental scientists collaborate in anticipation of worse bushfire seasons in the future. Producer/Presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel Featured: Benjamin Herder, asthma sufferer David Bowman, co-author of the University of Tasmania study, professor of pyrogeography and fire scie...

The coronavirus pandemic saw a boom in gardening with many people taking up the hobby during their time in isolation. We know scientifically that being in nature can decrease stress as well as a myriad of other health benefits. In this episode we look at why nature is good for our mental health and the inequitable access to green spaces. Presenter/Producer: Marlene Even Featured: Phil Pettitt, Com...

It’s safe to say Dr Ian McGregor has committed his entire career to tackling this century’s biggest challenge, global warming. Ian has attended every United Nations Climate Summit since 2009. He earned a place on Afghanistan’s delegation for six of those summits, in the lead-up to the Paris Agreement in 2015. Ian spent time in the country himself, consulting with the Afghan government on climate c...

As we confront one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century - the climate crisis - people around the world are becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of guidance from governments. Leading some to seek solutions elsewhere. Big business has been hailed both the most obvious obstacle and obvious opportunity for saving the environment. But, can we trust the promises of big business to mee...

In this episode we’re looking at how Australia’s disastrous bushfire season affected our water systems. How drinking water can become so easily compromised. And how experts are working to make sure our system is resilient for next time. Producer/presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel Featuring: Stuart Khan, Professor, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New South Wales Stuart White,...

How do we heal an ecosystem traumatised by fire? How will climate change result in more intense fires? And why aren't we listening to Indigenous fire management recommendations from past inquiries? Producer/Presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel Production Assistant: Marlene Even Featured: Oliver Costello, CEO, Firesticks Alliance Indigenous Corporation Kevin Tolhurst, Associate Professor, Fire Ecology and...