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’s climate policy. Producer: Marlene Even Producer/Presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel Featured: Dr Nick Flo...
Nov 15, 2020•27 min•Season 4Ep. 34
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 Justice Research Centre, University of Technology Sydney Music: Epidemic Sound
Nov 06, 2020•28 min•Season 4Ep. 33
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, international students Adam Loftus, School Breakfast 4 Health and Agencies Team Leader, Foodbank Kylie Ebert, D...
Sep 26, 2020•28 min•Season 4Ep. 32
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 Public Policy and Governance, University of Technology Sydney Fiona Ross, public housing tenant, co-foun...
Sep 18, 2020•25 min•Season 4Ep. 31
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 Aviation Fuel Initiative Music: Epidemic Sound
Sep 11, 2020•30 min•Season 4Ep. 30
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. Cassandra Steer, a lecturer at the Australian National University College of Law and a mission spec...
Sep 04, 2020•33 min•Season 4Ep. 29
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 our urban centres, how can technology help us adapt to a worsening climate? Producer/presenter: Cait...
Aug 28, 2020•21 min•Season 4Ep. 28
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, UTS Sarah Fumei, Project Manager, ClimateWorks Australia Producer/presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel Music...
Jul 14, 2020•24 min•Season 4Ep. 27
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, Associate Professor and Wildlife Ecologist, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Re...
Jul 06, 2020•21 min•Season 4Ep. 26
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 science Dr. Arnagretta Hunter, cardiologist and clinical senior lecturer, Australian National University...
Jun 28, 2020•26 min•Season 4Ep. 25
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, Community Greening Coordinator, Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney Professor Tonia Gray, centre for education...
Jun 21, 2020•23 min•Season 4Ep. 24
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 change policy. He has worked with some 35 other Least Developed Countries. Ian and I spoke about clim...
May 22, 2020•13 min•Season 4Ep. 23
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 meet sustainability targets? What’s genuine and what’s just a bit of greenwashing? Presenter/Producer: ...
May 08, 2020•20 min•Season 4Ep. 22
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, Director, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Music: Epidemic sound...
Apr 19, 2020•21 min•Season 4Ep. 21
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 Management, University of Melbourne Brad Murray, Senior Lecturer, School of Life Sciences, Universit...
Mar 14, 2020•24 min•Season 4Ep. 20
In part two, we examine how the climate crisis is fuelling ecofascist ideology, how the ideology may be taken up by more mainstream politicians and how ideas spread online. Featured: Andrew Jakubowicz, emeritus professor, sociology, University of Technology Sydney Betsy Hartmann, emeritus professor, development studies, Hampshire College, Massachusetts, USA Producer/Presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel
Jan 16, 2020•16 min•Season 4Ep. 19
In part one, we unpack the history of ecofascism. The ideology written in the manifestos of terrorists. We trace back the movement to its beginnings in German philosophy, Eugenics, Hitler's 'blood and soil' slogans and Norse mythology. We also examine how overpopulation has changed meaning over the past few decades - and how all of this is linked to environmentalism. Featured: Andrew Jakubowicz, emeritus professor, sociology, University of Technology Sydney Betsy Hartmann, emeritus professor, de...
Dec 31, 2019•21 min•Season 4Ep. 18
Through the heart of Inner-Sydney runs a river pushed to the environmental brink. The Cooks River has bared the burden of urban development in Sydney from the time colonisers settled in Australia. But the river, once dubbed Australia's most polluted, is on the mend. In this episode, we meet the people who want to bring the Cooks River back to life. Featuring: Jennifer Newman, Lecturer at the University of Technology Sydney Ian Tyrell, Emeritus Professor of History at the University of New South ...
Dec 14, 2019•25 min•Season 4Ep. 17
In this episode: as the most vulnerable citizens bear the brunt of the climate crisis, confronted with civil conflict and forced to migrate as climate refugees - will the international community come to their aid? Featured: Christopher Odeyemi, PhD student, University of Technology Sydney Dr Ian McGregor, Business School, University of Technology Sydney and member, Climate Action Research Group, UTS. Dr Julian Bolleter, Deputy Director, Australian Urban Design Research Centre, University of West...
Oct 24, 2019•17 min•Season 4Ep. 16
On this episode, we question how journalists have been covering the climate crisis. We look at whether they are numbing audiences with never-ending urgent messaging. And, we examine a new wave of young activists campaigning for climate action, assessing to what extent they can make a difference. Featured: Tom Morton, Professor in Journalism, researcher at Centre for Climate Change, University of Technology Sydney Tooba Farooqui, student and climate change activist Nathaniel Geiger, Associate Pro...
Oct 14, 2019•26 min•Season 4Ep. 15
In this episode, we look at why Australia is reviving the nuclear energy debate after more than a decade of silence. And why some are dubbing nuclear as our climate salvation. Featured: Sue Coleman-Haseldine, nuclear test survivor and anti-nuclear campaigner Robert Parker, Vice President, Australian Nuclear Association Heiko Timmers, Associate Professor of Physics, UNSW Canberra Kerrie-Ann Garlick, nuclear free community campaigner, Conservation Council of Western Australia. Dani Alexander, Rese...
Oct 03, 2019•23 min•Season 4Ep. 14
What is the real waste from sanitary products? And why is no one talking about eco-friendly alternatives? This episode explores how a culture valuing discretion and secrecy around periods can be harmful to the environment. Featuring: Juliette Kidston-Lattari, graduate student of Environmental Biology and Creative Intelligence and Innovation, University of Technology Sydney Rosie Sheba, Founder, Sustainable Menstruation Australia Music: Popism - Banana Cream Neon Drip - Radio Pink Producer/Presen...
Sep 25, 2019•17 min•Season 4Ep. 13
Bushfire season in Australia is starting earlier every year, going for longer, and bringing more destructive fires. Fire authorities do their best to prevent and limit this destruction, as climate change makes their jobs ever more difficult. But are we looking at Australia’s relationship the right way? Aboriginal people have been managing the landscape with fire for thousands of years, and still do. We look at how Aboriginal fire knowledge is being revived, and what it means for fire management ...
Sep 18, 2019•17 min•Season 4Ep. 12
It's the year 2031. The temperature is rising, as is the price of electricity. But the government has banned renewable energy. Will you go underground to survive? Or join the Solarnauts in their rebellion? Featuring: Claire Marshall - Creator, Museum of Futures Tania Leimbach - Research Assistant, Faculty of Transdisciplinary Innovation, University of Technology Sydney
Aug 02, 2019•15 min•Season 4Ep. 11
It was supposed to be a climate election, but nothing went according to plan. With the benefit of hindsight, we look back to before the May 18 federal election result, to see who went wrong, who went right and who paid the price in the campaign for the climate. Featuring: Nicky Ison - Research Associate, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney and Co-Founder, Community Power Agency
Jul 26, 2019•19 min•Season 4Ep. 10
If you could start our society again from scratch, how sustainable would you make it? Would you build a new city at sea? Or develop a village in a valley? In this episode we look at two different ways some people are trying to start again. And how starting afresh doesn't always mean leaving old problems behind. Featuring: Matthew Daly - Research Consultant, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney John Talbott, - Project Director, Narara Ecovillage Jazz Mozzi - Admin Of...
Jul 19, 2019•24 min•Season 4Ep. 9
Dozens of countries around the world are devising plans to build new cities from scratch. They're pitched as an opportunity to start fresh and make our urban environments more sustainable and equitable. But are these new cities just an excuse to abandon the problems of existing ones? Featuring: Dr Sarah Moser - Director of the Urban Studies Program, McGill University. Kerryn Wilmot - Research Principal and Core Member of the Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney. Pro...
Jun 26, 2019•21 min•Season 4Ep. 8
The war on plastic straws has picked up so much speed some countries are looking to ban them altogether. But what these bans completely fail to recognise is some people need and use plastic straws everyday. This episode we look at how straw bans discriminate against disability. Featuring: Micaela Evans. Simon Darcy - University of Technology Sydney Business School. Full episode transcript available here https://bit.ly/2KYkF6J
Jun 19, 2019•19 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Waiting for your next Think: Sustainability fix? We’ve got something else for you in the meantime. Introducing a new season of All Things Equal. This series will take you into the school yard and beyond, where kids learn that things aren't always fair. Through the stories of real students and staff, Uniform will change the way you think about education; because when it comes to learning, one size does not fit all. Subscribe to All Things Equal in your favourite podcast app, or listen to the show...
May 09, 2019•54 sec•Season 4Ep. 6
There's a strong image that lives in many peoples minds when you say the word farmer. A burly, middle-aged white male dressed in flannel and denim. While many farmers still fit this mould, this image is also a damaging one. It excludes the hard work and contribution of farmers who fall outside of this imagining. This episode, we're pulling this image apart. You'll hear from queer farmers Marita (Milton Mushrooms) and Perri (Hey Cobber!) who share their experiences of farming in regional Australi...
Apr 17, 2019•22 min•Season 4Ep. 5
