100 Climate Conversations

100 | 100 Terri Janke: Indigenous knowledge and caring for Country

25 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Terri Janke is a Wuthathi, Yadhaigana, and Meriam woman and lawyer specialising in Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property. Janke's work speaks ...

099 | 100 Chris Turney: Decarbonising the economy

18 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Earth scientist and research leader Chris Turney has made significant contributions to the field of climate science through his multifaceted research ...

098 | 100 Thomas Maschmeyer: Revolutionising batteries

11 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Thomas Maschmeyer's innovative contributions to green chemistry and catalysis have paved the way for more eco-friendly industrial processes. Maschmeye...

097 | 100 Jake Whitehead: Electric Vehicles

04 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

By July 2023, sales of electric vehicles in Australia increased more than 120% from the entire previous year. As Head of Policy at the Electric Vehicl...

096 | 100 Simon Bradshaw: Advocating for change

28 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Simon Bradshaw is a research director for the Climate Council, examining the impact of climate change on bushfires, extreme weather, and security. Bra...

095 | 100 Mibu Fischer: Coastlines, ecosystems and livelihoods

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Marine ethnoecologist Mibu Fischer researches the strong linkages between First Nations cultures and coastal and ocean ecosystems. As a Quandamooka sa...

094 | 100 Narissa Bax: Antarctic blue carbon

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Marine scientist Narissa Bax is researching one of Earth’s most rapidly changing ecosystems to better understand Antarctic blue carbon cycles, and t...

093 | 100 Tom Linnell: Teaching sustainability

07 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With a growing number of students concerned about climate change, teachers are seizing the opportunity to empower young people to take charge of their...

092 | 100 Penny Sharpe: State leadership

30 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As New South Wales Minister for Climate Change, Minister for Energy, Minister for the Environment and Minister for Heritage, Penny Sharpe is shaping t...

091 | 100 Zhengrong Shi: The Sun King

23 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hailed as the world’s first “green billionaire”, scientist and solar entrepreneur Dr Zhengrong Shi has spent decades bringing affordable and eff...

090 | 100 Clint Hansen: Water management

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Caring for Australia’s often limited water supply is becoming ever more crucial in a changing climate. Iman countrymen Clint Hansen is combining tra...

089 | 100 Heidi Lee: Beyond zero emissions

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Accelerating the uptake of renewable energy while aiding the transition for workers is a vital step in addressing the climate crisis. CEO of think tan...

088 | 100 Jeremy McLeod: Affordable, sustainable, accessible

02 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As founding co-director of architecture and design firm Breathe, architect Jeremy McLeod leads a new methodology for designing and delivering carbon n...

087 | 100 Salā George Carter: Negotiations and diplomacy in the Pacific

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Pacific Island nations are already feeling the intense impacts of climate change. Salā George Carter is a researcher and community leader dedicated ...

86 | 100 Pia Winberg: Sustainable seaweeds

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Seaweed is often touted as a magic bullet with uses from industry and agriculture to sequestering the worlds carbon through colossal seaweed farms. Dr...

085 | 100 Neville Nicholls: Understanding El Niño

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Australians have always prided themselves on their ability to adapt to extreme weather. Climatologist Neville Nicholls began his career at the Bureau ...

084 | 100 Ricky Archer: Indigenous ranger advocation

05 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ricky Archer, chief executive of the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA), is a passionate advocate for First Nation...

083 | 100 Ove Hoegh-Guldberg: Ocean solutions

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As chief scientist of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation Ove Hoegh-Guldberg has dedicated his career to understanding climate impact on coral reef ecos...

082 | 100 Toni Hay: First Nations leadership

21 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Award winning sustainability scientist and Gamilaraay woman Toni Hay is dedicated to raising awareness of the issues facing First Nations communities ...

081 | 100 Kerryn Brent: Governing climate intervention tech

14 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

While man-made climate interventions, like creating clouds and giant global mirrors, could help to mitigate climate change, they also raise questions:...

080 | 100 Mick Wettenhall: Storing carbon in soil

07 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Agriculture is a key part of the solution to addressing climate change, with the potential to become a major ‘drawdown’ industry. Farmer Mick Wett...

079 | 100 David Barnden: Climate change risks and the law

31 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Lawyer David Barnden is helping ordinary citizens take on some of the country’s biggest financial services companies and government over their handl...

078 | 100 Davina Rooney: Green buildings

24 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The World Green Building Council is a not-for-profit organisation bringing together a network of national Building Councils across the globe with a co...

077 | 100 Chris Bowen: Minister for Climate Change and Energy

17 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After Labour was elected in the 2022 Australian federal election, Chris Bowen was appointed to Minister for Climate Change and Energy. The first feder...

076 | 100 Norman Frank Jupurrurla: Safe housing in remote communities

10 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Warumungu Traditional Owner and Elder, Norman Frank Jupurrurla, is fighting for his climate change-affected community to get access to safe housing an...

075 | 100 Simon Quilty: Heat, housing and health

03 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In response to increasing heat extremities in the Northern Territory, physician Simon Quilty is working to understand the impact of extreme heat on he...

074 | 100 Frank Jotzo: Policy and progress

27 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Economist Frank Jotzo has spent two decades advising national and state governments, international organisations and businesses on climate and energy ...

073 | 100 Rowan Reid: Agroforestry

20 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

More than 12,000 visitors have toured Rowan Reid’s Bambra Agroforestry Farm, a 42-hectare living laboratory and outdoor classroom for farmers, scien...

072 | 100 Catherine Lovelock: Reviving coastal wetlands

13 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Catherine Lovelock is a coastal ecologist researching ‘blue carbon’ ― the carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere by oceanic systems ― and ...

071 | 100 Anne Poelina: Water, memory and the Martuwarra

06 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Anne Poelina is a Nyikina Warrwa woman leading a battle to safeguard Martuwarra (Fitzroy River) from threats posed by mining, fracking and w...

070 | 100 Robert Furbank: Climate-proofing crops

29 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Robert Furbank is a plant scientist applying genetic and digital technologies to make grain crops photosynthesise more efficiently. Furbank and his te...

069 | 100 Elizabeth Mossop: Resilient urban landscapes

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Innovative design of landscapes can help cities adjust to the impacts of climate change and create more resilient communities. Acclaimed landscape arc...

068 | 100 Alex Elliott-Howery: A climate-conscious kitchen

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With the majority of Australian food waste being generated from households, curbing the country’s household food waste could drastically reduce gree...

067 | 100 Joe Morrison: Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Joe Morrison has been a leading figure in the push for better integration of First Nations expertise in northern Australia’s land, sea and climate m...

066 | 100 Brendan Condon: New ways to build and farm

01 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Eco-entrepreneur Brendan Condon blends his passion for environmental restoration with the development of a new type of housing community, including ho...

065 | 100 Grace Vegesana: Climate and racial justice

25 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Grace Vegesana is determined to help diverse communities care for each other to minimise the impacts of heat and climate change. The climate and racia...

064 | 100 Torres Webb: Preserving and sharing culture

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Torres Webb, a proud Indigenous man from Erub in the Torres Strait, is a community leader advocating for traditional knowledge to heal Country and con...

063 | 100 Clare Press: Conscious fashion

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Activist, journalist and podcaster Clare Press advocates for a more ethical and sustainable fashion industry, the planet’s third largest polluter. P...

062 | 100 Peter Newman: Innovating transport

04 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Environmental scientist Peter Newman has been championing sustainable visions for more resilient cities since the 80s. For Newman, resilient cities pr...

061 | 100 Greg Mullins: On the frontline of extreme fire

27 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Greg Mullins has spent his career fighting increasingly extreme fires and responding to natural disasters, retiring as the second longest serving Fire...

060 | 100 Roger Swinbourne: Reshaping cities

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Arup’s Australasian sustainability leader Roger Swinbourne steers urban development and planning towards climate friendly practices. As advisory on ...

059 | 100 Sophie Lewis: An independent voice for the environment

13 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Former climate scientist Sophie Lewis is the ACT Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment, determined to support positive outcomes for the ...

058 | 100 Libby Gallagher: Alleviating urban heat

06 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Landscape architect Libby Gallagher is employing her expertise in urban and landscape systems to tackle the impacts of climate change and the urban he...

057 | 100 Bec Colvin: Conflict, values and identity

30 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bec Colvin is a social scientist and researcher focused on social and political conflict relating to climate change and the environment. Colvin invest...

056 | 100 Torben Daeneke: New tech for decarbonisation

23 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As many industries turn their attention to more sustainable practices, direct carbon capture could be used to help revolutionise polluting industries....

055 | 100 Philip Vivian: Architecture for impact

16 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As cities are developed at a rapid rate, architect and urban designer Philip Vivian is working to ensure their growth prioritises sustainability and p...

054 | 100 Matt Floro: Legal action for a safe climate

09 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Environmental Defenders Office has led climate change litigation in Australia since 1994. Special counsel Matt Floro conducted some of the office’...

053 | 100 Madeleine van Oppen: Heat-tolerant corals

02 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ecological geneticist Madeleine van Oppen believes assisted evolution can help adapt and save the Great Barrier Reef from rising temperatures. From he...

052 | 100 Susie Burke: Climate psychology

23 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Eco-grief, burn out and climate anxiety: coping with climate change can be a difficult task. Psychologist Dr Susie Burke explains the impact of climat...

051 | 100 Vivian Tam: A new recycled concrete

16 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A key ingredient of concrete and the foundation of much of modern society, cement production accounts for between 5 to 10 per cent of the world’s to...

050 | 100 Rowan Foley: Carbon farming and cultural burning

09 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 wo...

049 | 100 Alana Mann: Changing food systems

02 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Exploitation of the environment, farmers and food workers has placed our global food systems under pressure. Food activist and researcher Alana Mann a...

048 | 100 Ross Harding: A new normal

26 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cities are a major source of global greenhouse gas emissions, Finding Infinity work with architects, business and government to conceive of more susta...

047 | 100 Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick: Investigating heatwaves

19 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Climate scientist Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick is an expert in extreme events, specialising in heatwaves. As the intensity and frequency of heatwaves inc...

046 | 100 Brett Summerell: Protecting plants for healthy ecosystems

12 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The chief botanist and director of research at the Australian Institute of Botanical Science, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Sydney Brett Summ...

045 | 100 Rose Amal: Chemical engineering for clean energy

05 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Through the blended applications of chemistry, maths and physics, chemical engineers are re-designing emissions intensive industrial practises. Pionee...

044 | 100 Simon Holmes à Court: Accelerating transformation

29 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Championing Australia’s clean energy transition, long-term energy analyst and renewables investor Simon Holmes à Court is determined to accelerate ...

043 | 100 Barbara Norman: Planning climate resilient cities

22 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Innovative urban and regional planning can build resilient communities and mitigate the impacts of climate change on citizens. From carbon neutral dev...

042 | 100 Claudia Vickers: Food futures

15 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Synthetic biologists like Claudia Vickers are developing new methods of food production to fight climate change and transform carbon intensive industr...

041 | 100 Emma Bombonato: A sustainable Australian icon

08 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Sydney Opera House is one of Australia’s most treasured cultural landmarks with almost 11 million visitors per year. The Sydney Opera House sust...

040 | 100 Zena Armstrong: Community recovery after disaster

01 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cobargo Bushfire Recovery Fund president Zena Armstrong is dedicated to supporting the recovery of her community after the Black Summer bushfires. Rec...

Special episode: Powerhouse Climate Action Plan

24 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sustainability is integral to the Powerhouse renewal, which presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to embed low carbon solutions into Powerhouse ...

039 | 100 Cheyne Flanagan: Port Macquarie Koala Hospital

24 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The outpouring of public support to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital during the Black Summer bushfires confirmed an Australian truth: koalas are amon...

038 | 100 Michael Fuhrer: Low-energy electronics

17 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

037 | 100 Daniel Harrison: Shielding the reef

10 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 sprayi...

036 | 100 Karin Stark: On-farm renewables

03 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Renewable energy systems on farms can dramatically reduce carbon emissions as well as alleviate economic pressure for farmers. After the successful in...

035 | 100 Anna Skarbek: Low carbon economy

27 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

034 | 100 Taryn Lane: Clean community energy

20 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Taryn Lane is dedicated to helping local groups around the country get their clean energy projects up and running. Lane manages Australia’s first co...

033 | 100 Laura Parker: The secret life of oysters

13 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Both a food source and great natural filters of our waterways, Australia’s east coast oysters are vulnerable to today’s warming temperatures and o...

032 | 100 Zoltan Csaki: Remaking fashion

06 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Determined to curb carbon emissions, Citizen Wolf co-founder Zoltan Csaki rejects the relentless fast fashion cycle, which annually sends almost a thi...

031 | 100 Ronni Kahn: Fighting food waste

29 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ozharvest founder and chief executive Ronni Kahn leads the organisation’s mission to save surplus food from landfill and halve food waste by 2030. R...

030 | 100 Joëlle Gergis: Tracing Australia’s climate history

22 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Climate scientist Joëlle Gergis formulated an unprecedented perspective of Australia’s climate history, uncovering how human activities have disrup...

029 | 100 Xuemei Bai: Experimental global cities

15 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Human ecologist Xuemei Bai is re-thinking how humanity’s densest habitats can be transformed into low carbon, sustainable eco-cities. Even the most ...

028 | 100 Victor Steffensen: The turning point

08 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Founded on generations of knowledge, Firesticks Alliance is an Indigenous-led network working to reinvigorate the use of cultural burning practices. C...

027 | 100 Johanna Johnson: Biochar from human waste

01 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Logan City Council in Queensland is transforming human waste into biochar, a process which sequesters carbon, destroys microplastics and saves the com...

026 | 100 Maria del Mar Palacios: Blue Carbon

25 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Some coastal wetlands – known as blue carbon ecosystems – capture carbon dioxide 30 to 50 times faster than terrestrial forests. With Blue Carbon ...

025 | 100 Martin Green: Pioneering solar

18 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 1983, Martin Green led a team that invented the PERC cell, a solar power technology that allows more sunlight to be captured and turned into electr...

024 | 100 Mark Howden: Unrelenting action

11 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Drawing on over three decades of climate experience, Mark Howden is the director of the Australian National University Institute for Climate, Energy a...

023 | 100 Tim Flannery: Changing the Game

04 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Globally recognised scientist, conservationist and author Tim Flannery has been a stalwart champion on climate action for decades. After the abolition...

022 | 100 Ninotschka Titchkosky: Carbon conscious architecture

28 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tackling issues of climate through the application of new techniques in digital fabrication and principles of circular economy, architect Ninotschka T...

021 | 100 Arnagretta Hunter: Health in a changing climate

21 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Raised on a farm in regional Australia, cardiologist Dr Arnagretta Hunter understands the impacts of drought and heat on health. After the devastating...

020 | 100 Gavin Singleton: Dawul Wuru Great Barrier Reef Rangers

14 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The sea country of the Great Barrier Reef is facing significant stress due to climate change – warming oceans, ocean acidification and plagues of cr...

019 | 100 Charles Massy: Future-proofing our farms

07 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When a drought devastated Charles Massy’s farm, he looked to regenerative agriculture to help the land recover. After decades of research into how t...

018 | 100 Rebecca Huntley: The art of constructive conversations

30 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Social researcher Rebecca Huntley thinks we need thousands of everyday conversations about climate change with our friends, family and neighbors to ma...

017 | 100 Sebastian Pfautsch: Urban adaptation

23 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Urban heat expert Professor Sebastian Pfautsch is working to adapt Western Sydney to its increasing temperatures. Using trees and other natural and ma...

016 | 100 Bruce Pascoe: Nourishing Country

16 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bruce Pascoe looks to how traditional knowledge and cultivation of Indigenous crops might foster a revitalised relationship to land and agriculture. O...

015 | 100 Clover Moore: Climate ready Sydney

09 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Australian cities are where the nation’s majority live, eat and emit. Combatting the emissions that accompany these highly urban environments, S...

014 | 100 Charlie Veron: Guardian of the Great Barrier Reef

02 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Charlie Veron knows the Great Barrier Reef more intimately than anyone. The retired marine scientist spent decades studying its complex ecosystem and ...

013 | 100 Mike Cannon-Brookes: Investing in carbon neutral Australia

26 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Atlassian co-founder and co-CEO Mike Cannon-Brookes is determined to push Australia towards a carbon neutral future. An outspoken advocate for&nbs...

012 | 100 Shane Rattenbury: Renewable ACT

19 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Shane Rattenbury MLA has been an outspoken advocate for environmental and climate action throughout his career. He holds dual portfolios as both ACT A...

011 | 100 Lesley Hughes: A career in climate

12 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Lesley Hughes is one of Australia’s most distinguished authorities on climate change. Over decades of climate advocacy and watching the country&...

010 | 100 Veena Sahajwalla: Green manufacturing

05 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Visionary inventor Professor Veena Sahajwalla sees waste as an opportunity. Through her work as Director of the Sustainable Materials Research & T...

009 | 100 Ketan Joshi: Fossil free futures

28 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With a clear vision of how Australia can decarbonise, Ketan Joshi consults and comments on Australia’s climate targets, energy transition and th...

008 | 100 Matt Kean: NSW net zero

21 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As the world heads towards net zero in the coming decades, governments can take advantage of the opportunity or risk falling behind. Since the 2019-20...

007 | 100 Charlie Prell: Regional renewables

14 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the early 2000s fourth-generation farmer Charlie Prell was looking for ways to lessen the financial and mental burden of the millennium drought. He...

006 | 100 Richie Merzian: Electric revolution

07 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Richie Merzian sees a simple three-step solution to climate change: get to 100 per cent renewables, electrify everything, then lea...

005 | 100 Chris McGrath: Faster, better, bigger solar farms

31 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Solar industry veterans Chris McGrath and Edan Tehan founded 5B in 2013 to create a system to deploy solar farms faster and use land more efficiently....

004 | 100: Nick Hazell: Engineering the next meat

24 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

v2Foods founder and chief executive Nick Hazell hopes better meat-free alternatives will encourage more people to embrace a plant-based diet reducing ...

003 | 100 Zali Steggall: Behind the Climate Bill

16 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 2019, frustrated by inaction on climate change, world champion skier and barrister Zali Steggall decided to run for the federal seat of Warringah w...

002 | 100 Sasha Purcell: Human rights and climate justice

16 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Torres Strait Islander, human rights lawyer and Fulbright scholar Sasha Purcell is an advocate for the rights of Torres Strait Islander people who are...