100 Climate Conversations

Powerhouse

As Australia’s most ambitious climate-focused cultural project, 100 Climate Conversations aims to inspire action by presenting an evidence-based and empowering vision of the future. The program showcases 100 visionary Australians, taking effective action to respond to the most critical issue of our time, climate change.

Featuring Mike Cannon-Brookes, Victor Steffensen, Ronni Kahn, Clover Moore, Rebecca Huntley, Grace Vegesana, Ross Garnaut and Ketan Joshi in conversation with some of the nation’s most respected journalists. 100climateconversations.com

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102 episodes
Updated Jan 25, 2024

Episodes102

Newest first

Jul 21, 2022 · 41 min
021 | 100 Arnagretta Hunter: Health in a changing climate
Raised on a farm in regional Australia, cardiologist Dr Arnagretta Hunter understands the impacts of drought and heat on health. After the devastating fires of 2019 that exposed many to air pollution, Hunter began studying the impacts of bushfire smoke on community health and is determined to adapt care to cope with climate change. Arnagretta Hunter is recorded live in conversation with Marian Wilkinson at Powerhouse Ultimo. For more information go to 100climateconversations.com/arnagretta-hunter 
Jul 14, 2022 · 42 min
020 | 100 Gavin Singleton: Dawul Wuru Great Barrier Reef Rangers
The sea country of the Great Barrier Reef is facing significant stress due to climate change – warming oceans, ocean acidification and plagues of crown of thorns starfish are some of the biggest threats. The Dawul Wuru Reef Rangers apply traditional knowledge to monitor and care for this most precious ecosystem and all of its inhabitants. Gavin Singleton is recorded live in conversation with Rachael Hocking at Powerhouse Ultimo. For more information go to 100climateconversations.com/gavin-singleton
Jul 7, 2022 · 33 min
019 | 100 Charles Massy: Future-proofing our farms
When a drought devastated Charles Massy’s farm, he looked to regenerative agriculture to help the land recover. After decades of research into how the holistic agricultural approach can capture carbon in soil and help mitigate drought and climate change effects, the fifth-generation farmer is now advocating these techniques to farmers nation-wide. Charles Massy is recorded live in conversation with Gabrielle Chan at Powerhouse Ultimo. For more information go to 100climateconversations.com/charles-massy
Jun 30, 2022 · 38 min
018 | 100 Rebecca Huntley: The art of constructive conversations
Social researcher Rebecca Huntley thinks we need thousands of everyday conversations about climate change with our friends, family and neighbors to make progress. Researching how individuals approach the climate challenge with different understandings, perspectives and attitudes, Huntley has developed tools for engaging the disengaged, persuading the cautious and increasing the numbers of concerned and motivated Australians. Rebecca Huntley is recorded live in conversation with Benjamin Law at Powerhouse Ultimo. For more information go to 100climateconversations.com/rebecca-huntley
Jun 23, 2022 · 32 min
017 | 100 Sebastian Pfautsch: Urban adaptation
Urban heat expert Professor Sebastian Pfautsch is working to adapt Western Sydney to its increasing temperatures. Using trees and other natural and man-made urban design elements, the award-winning researcher aims to create cooler streets and public spaces through clever design and revegetation. Sebastian Pfautsch is recorded live in conversation with Craig Reucassel at Powerhouse Ultimo. For more information go to 100climateconversations.com/sebastian-pfautsch
Jun 16, 2022 · 47 min
016 | 100 Bruce Pascoe: Nourishing Country
Bruce Pascoe looks to how traditional knowledge and cultivation of Indigenous crops might foster a revitalised relationship to land and agriculture. One of Australia’s most influential thinkers, Pascoe shares his experiences of the 2019 Mallacoota bushfire and how he has been nourished by the revival of his East Gippsland farm and traditional knowledge and practice. Bruce Pascoe is recorded live in conversation with Craig Reucassel at Powerhouse Ultimo. For more information go to 100climateconversations.com/bruce-pascoe
Jun 9, 2022 · 33 min
015 | 100 Clover Moore: Climate ready Sydney
Australian cities are where the nation’s majority live, eat and emit. Combatting the emissions that accompany these highly urban environments, Sydney’s Lord Mayor Clover Moore established some of Australia’s most ambitious climate initiatives including plans for net zero by 2035, reducing waste and increasing green space. Clover Moore is recorded live in conversation with Benjamin Law at Powerhouse Ultimo. For more information go to 100climateconversations.com/clover-moore
Jun 2, 2022 · 33 min
014 | 100 Charlie Veron: Guardian of the Great Barrier Reef
Charlie Veron knows the Great Barrier Reef more intimately than anyone. The retired marine scientist spent decades studying its complex ecosystem and the threat posed by climate change. With a mission to safeguard the reef, Veron advocates for emission reductions, collaborates on a coral biobank and is planting thousands of trees on his rainforest property. Charlie Veron is recorded live in conversation with Craig Reucassel at Powerhouse Ultimo. For more information go to 100climateconversations.com/charlie-veron
May 26, 2022 · 47 min
013 | 100 Mike Cannon-Brookes: Investing in carbon neutral Australia
Atlassian co-founder and co-CEO Mike Cannon-Brookes is determined to push Australia towards a carbon neutral future. An outspoken advocate for renewable energies and investor in the nation’s largest solar farm, Cannon-Brookes sees a transition to renewables as a win for the climate and an incredible economic opportunity for Australia. Mike Cannon-Brookes is recorded live in conversation with Rae Johnston at Powerhouse Ultimo. For more information go to 100climateconversations.com/mike-cannon-brookes
May 19, 2022 · 42 min
012 | 100 Shane Rattenbury: Renewable ACT
Shane Rattenbury MLA has been an outspoken advocate for environmental and climate action throughout his career. He holds dual portfolios as both ACT Attorney-General and Minister for Water, Energy and Emissions Reduction. In the latter role he has overseen the territory’s shift to be powered 100 per cent by renewable energy for the past two years in a row and a greater than 40 per cent reduction in emissions from 1990 levels. Shane Rattenbury is recorded live in conversation with Paddy Manning at Powerhouse Ultimo. For more information go to 100climateconversations.com/shane-rattenbury
May 12, 2022 · 39 min
011 | 100 Lesley Hughes: A career in climate
Lesley Hughes is one of Australia’s most distinguished authorities on climate change. Over decades of climate advocacy and watching the country’s tumultuous climate politics, the biodiversity researcher and climate councillor remains determined to implement solutions and speak truth to power. Lesley Hughes is recorded live in conversation with Rae Johnston at Powerhouse Ultimo. For more information go to 100climateconversations.com/lesley-hughes
May 5, 2022 · 33 min
010 | 100 Veena Sahajwalla: Green manufacturing
Visionary inventor Professor Veena Sahajwalla sees waste as an opportunity. Through her work as Director of the Sustainable Materials Research & Technology (SMaRT) Centre, UNSW, she engineers new ways to combat and find value in waste that drive down manufacturing’s carbon footprint. Veena Sahajwalla is recorded live in conversation with Rae Johnston at Powerhouse Ultimo. For more information go to 100climateconversations.com/veena-sahajwalla
Apr 28, 2022 · 35 min
009 | 100 Ketan Joshi: Fossil free futures
With a clear vision of how Australia can decarbonise, Ketan Joshi consults and comments on Australia’s climate targets, energy transition and the state of play of the fossil fuel industry. One of the most influential voices on the net zero opportunity, Joshi began his career working on-the-ground on renewables, previously working with Infigen energy, CSIRO and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). From his base in Oslo, Joshi approaches climate as a problem we can fix and inspires with his vision for decarbonisation through his cutting and clear commentary. Ketan Joshi is recorded live in conversation with Paddy Manning at Powerhouse Ultimo. For more information go to 100climateconversations.com/ketan-joshi
Apr 21, 2022 · 50 min
008 | 100 Matt Kean: NSW net zero
As the world heads towards net zero in the coming decades, governments can take advantage of the opportunity or risk falling behind. Since the 2019-2020 bushfires, NSW Treasurer Matt Kean has championed a more progressive set of energy and climate policies in the Liberal Party, introducing a 20-year plan incentivising private investment in renewable energy and reducing emissions in NSW. Matt Kean is recorded live in conversation with Marian Wilkinson at Powerhouse Ultimo. For more information go to 100climateconversations.com/matt-kean
Apr 14, 2022 · 29 min
007 | 100 Charlie Prell: Regional renewables
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 signed up to host Crookwell 2 windfarm on his property. He’s never looked back and now works to encourage other farmers to take up renewables as a secondary income. Charlie Prell is recorded live in conversation with Gabrielle Chan at Powerhouse Ultimo. For more information go to 100climateconversations.com/charlie-prell
Apr 7, 2022 · 35 min
006 | 100 Richie Merzian: Electric revolution
Richie Merzian sees a simple three-step solution to climate change: get to 100 per cent renewables, electrify everything, then learn how to remove carbon from the atmosphere through sequestration. As climate and energy program director at think-tank The Australia Institute he advocates for meaningful policy action towards these goals. He brings insights from his experience as both a climate campaigner and government insider. Richie Merzian is recorded live in conversation with Yaara Bou Melhem at Powerhouse Ultimo. For more information go to 100climateconversations.com/richie-merzian
Mar 31, 2022 · 26 min
005 | 100 Chris McGrath: Faster, better, bigger solar farms
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. Their technology will soon be rolled out by the ambitious Sun Cable project, a massive solar installation that will send electricity via an underwater cable from the Northern Territory to Singapore. 5B has committed to create green supply chains and bring manufacturing jobs to the NT. Chris McGrath is recorded live in conversation with Paddy Manning at Powerhouse Ultimo. For more information go to 100climateconversations.com/chris-mcgrath
Mar 24, 2022 · 24 min
004 | 100: Nick Hazell: Engineering the next meat
v2Foods founder and chief executive Nick Hazell hopes better meat-free alternatives will encourage more people to embrace a plant-based diet reducing global carbon emissions. Working closely with the CSIRO, Hazell is developing plant-based ‘meats’ that look, smell and taste like the real thing. Nick Hazell is recorded live in conversation with Pat Abboud at Powerhouse Ultimo. For more information 100climateconversations.com/nick-hazell
Mar 16, 2022 · 27 min
001 | 100 Adriana Vergés: Restoring Sydney’s seagrass meadows
Marine ecologist Adriana Vergés is on a mission to bring back Sydney's disappearing seagrass meadows, which provide critical habitat and support marine biodiversity off Australia’s biggest metropolis. From her lab at UNSW, she leads Operation Crayweed: an initiative dedicated to restoring seagrass ecosystems, opening new carbon sinks and mitigating climate impacts. Adriana Vergés is recorded live in conversation with Paddy Manning at Powerhouse Ultimo. For more information 100climateconversations.com/adriana-verges
Mar 16, 2022 · 18 min
002 | 100 Sasha Purcell: Human rights and climate justice
Torres Strait Islander, human rights lawyer and Fulbright scholar Sasha Purcell is an advocate for the rights of Torres Strait Islander people who are on the front lines of climate change. A delegate with the United Nations Association of Australia, Purcell is determined use the tools of international law to hold governments and industry accountable. Sasha Purcell is recorded live in conversation with Yaara Bou Melhem at Powerhouse Ultimo. For more information 100climateconversations.com/sasha-purcell