Voice of Change, where we break down the big issues in climate and sustainability. Climate action is a wicked problem that is overly complicated, with the way forward not always clear. In an era of distrust, skepticism and fake news, we bring you the experts and present you information, facts and interesting ideas.
Episode 10: Vivienne Paduch - Climate anxiety, school strikes and the power of non-violent protest
Non-violent protest has fundamentally changed the course of Australian and global history, and has shaped many of the privileges and social norms that we may take for granted today. Research has found that when 3.5% of the population is engaging in non-violent resistance, governments cannot survive without some sort of flex. The School Strike for climate has erupted over the past 18 months - ‘The Greta Affect’ as it has been dubbed, brings out various emotions and responses – it has provoked a global conversation, inspired local action. The strikers have coordinated some of Australia’s biggest climate protests – bringing 330,000 people to the streets. To help us understand more, and get under the hood of this global movement, we speak to Vivienne Paduch, a year 11 student from Sydney’s northern beachers and one of the founding strikers here in Australia.
24 Feb 2020
Episode 9: Carbon Economics 101
One of the challenges of engaging in conversation about climate action, is that we are speaking to highly technical issues of science and economics, and the vast majority of us are not in the position to interpret or extrapolate, query or question. But how can some people say that Australia will meet its Paris agreement, and others tell us not? Will we or won't we? We are told to trust science, and trust the economist, but we should all be empowered to engage in the conversation, and help us disentangle fact from theory from opinion. Today's episode is about you with the basics, and breaking down key terms and issues that are relevant to carbon economics and policy debate. Joining me today in studio is Climate policy specialist and economist Dr Graham Sinden.
11 Feb 2020
Episode 8: Tipping Points
We have heard that 2020 marks the start of the decade where we start to see our window for climate action close in on the point where the consequences of climate change begin to escalate, become undoable, and start to trigger other collapses in the system. Scientists say we are reaching tipping points, that once reached, can’t be undone. But what are these tipping points, why do they cause scientists so much concern, and just how much runway do we have left. Answering some of these questions is Earth Systems Scientist Professor Will Steffen.
29 Jan 2020
Episode 7: Climate Emergency
Australians are taking to the streets, demanding the federal government declare a climate emergency. Governments declaring a climate emergency is a global trend. So much so that ‘climate emergency’ was the Oxford dictionary’s 2019 word of the year. The first declaration in 2016 was by Darebin council in Victoria, and is credited with starting a movement that is now supported by governments representing 800 million people worldwide… That’s about 1 in 10 people covered. However, Australia as a whole has not followed suit. The important question is, what do we mean by declaring a climate emergency? And, If we did declare a climate emergency, what would that mean for Australia. Who better to answer the question than Australia’s most beloved and trusted scientist, Dr Karl. Dr Karl is joined by Peter Thompson, one of the founders of the People’s Climate assembly, a coalition of environmental groups calling for the declaration.
21 Jan 2020
Episode 6: Influence & Control
In this episode we are making things personal. Watching the bushfires ravage Australia has left many people with a desperate need to bring about relief and change, and take back control in their lives when it comes to their personal climate impact. Australian’s live largely beyond their means when it comes to their personal carbon impact, and part of the challenge is understanding the everyday choices and decisions we make that have have a climate impact. So what are those choices? What are the hidden and surprising carbon aspects of our lives and what are the three things you and I can do to steadily reduce our impact, together doing our bit for climate action? Breaking it down with us today is Dr Kimberly Nicholas. Kim is an Associate Professor of Sustainability Science and Director of PhD Studies at the Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies (LUCSUS) in Lund, Sweden. In her research, she studies the connections between people, land, and climate.
30 Dec 2019
Episode 5: Climate Canary
In this week’s podcast episode we blend the fun and the serious - wine! The viticulture industry is a significant component of Australia’s agriculture industry, and is highly vulnerable to the impacts of a changing climate due to the sensitivity of wine grapes to environmental conditions. The wines and regions we love will inevitably change, if not changing already. In this episode we speak to Dr Mardi Longbottom to learn just how and why she calls viticulture the climate canary for agriculture, and what the industry is doing in response.
24 Dec 2019
Episode 4: Citizen Conservation
Australia is one of the most ecologically diverse countries in the world, and our landscape is an integral part of our cultural psyche, lifestyle and economy. Yet, our biodiversity is failing and under threat, with increasing rates of extinction. Government funded conservation is traditionally only applied to state land – ie national parks – so only covers a fraction of the landscape. This episode looks at the role of the citizen dollar and effort in conservation outcomes, and how private philanthropy can achieve better biological outcomes in conservation. Breaking it down with us today is Doug Humann, founding CEO of Bush Heritage and one of Australia’s most respected conservation leaders.
17 Dec 2019
Episode 3: It’s Getting Hot in Here
Bushfire season in Australia has ravaged the east coast, with Sydney’s iconic skyline obscured by a constant haze of smoke. It has been a spark in the political tinderbox. While some have argued that emergency response and climate policy should not be conflated, others have rallied, urging us to confront our new normal. Just what does the effects of a changing climate do to our ability to manage bushfire risk, is it really the Greenies fault for blocking hazard reduction burning, and what options for the future are there? Breaking it down today is one of the 24 ex-fire chiefs taking a stand - Neil Bibby, ex CEO of the Country Fire Association. Special appearance from Denis Rose, speaking on how integration of traditional management practices can offer us a different approach.
10 Dec 2019
Episode 2: Empathy & Pragmatism in Climate Politics
Climate action is front of mind for so many Australian’s, yet the outcomes of the May 2019 election failed to create any mandate for change, leaving many of us bewildered and frustrated, regardless of political affiliation. In this podcast episode we go straight to the horses mouth and speak with Craig Emerson, who lead the Labor Loss Review, and get him to break down the disconnect between public sentiment on climate action and voter behaviour in Australia. In this episode we learn about the importance of pragmatism, the impact of fear based language, and how empathy should be used to navigate through the tribal politics of today.
Antarctica’s pristine wilderness inspires and delights, but its importance goes beyond it being a place of conservation and peace. Dr Tony Press, former Director of the Australian Antarctic Division, spoke to Sophie Taylor-Price about the importance of Antarctica in relation to global climate and climate science. Just why is the protection of Antarctica, and the science we do there, just so important? In this episode we learn about its role in building our climatic records, driving global climate and weather patterns, and predicting future climatic responses to variations in climate.
3 Dec 2019
Voice of Change - Trailer
Voice of Change podcast breaks down the big issues in climate and sustainability. It aims to empower through education and give voice to those who can lead the way. I believe that ignorance is also the enemy of good choices and good policy. In an era of distrust, skepticism and fake news, we bring you the experts and present you information, facts and interesting ideas. Hosted by Sophie Taylor-Price.
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