Australia's leading environmental activist and a top climate scientist were invited to Canberra last month for a forum on the challenges for Australia in dealing with climate change, particularly in the context of the global financial crisis and declining interest in science among the nation's youth.
Ian Kiernan AO - Chairman and founder of the Clean Up Australia and Clean Up The World campaigns - and Associate Professor Janette Lindesay from the ANU appeared in conversation. The 'Climate in a Cold Financial Crisis' event was hosted by Lighthouse Business Innovation Centre and the ANU as part of the 2009 Australian Science Festival.
Mr Kiernan is widely known for his work initiating Clean Up, which includes the annual flagship event Clean Up Australia Day. Less well known are his efforts in the commercial and investment community to bring Australia's world-leading clean technology innovations to market.
"There is no denying that climate change is the challenge of our generation. But what we tend to overlook is the enormous opportunities this challenge also provides for innovative science, technology and products that can help every one of us reduce our impact on the environment without sacrificing the lifestyle we enjoy." said Mr Kiernan.
Dr Lindesay has been working on climate variability and climate change impacts research for over two decades. She is Associate Professor of Climatology and Deputy Director of both the ANU Climate Change Institute and the Fenner School of Environment and Society.
"The challenge around climate change for us is in inspiring people to become involved in adaptation and mitigation actions, and also to improve our understanding of the climate system itself," Dr Lindesay said.
Mr Kiernan and Dr Lindesay discussed their personal journeys into activism and research, the need to champion science and innovation among Australia's youth, Australia's innovation strengths and opportunities, ways of increasing investment in R&D and the likely impacts of the global financial crisis on climate change actions.
"The time for traditional activism and scare-mongering is past," said Cindy Reese from Lighthouse Business Innovation Centre. "What we want to see is young people considering a long-term career in science as a means to effect real change. This is the type of event that could inspire that sort of thinking."
The conversation was facilitated by Mark Sinclair, CEO of Windlab Systems Pty Ltd, a CSIRO spinout company working on the sites for potential wind energy plants.
Did you miss this event? DVD copies are available. Please contact Lighthouse at
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