Robert McLean's Podcast

Sarah Newman (pictured) is the founder and director of the "Climate Mental Health Network" and was the MC for the webinar, "Thriving in an Age of Disasters: Building Emotional Resilience & Taking Climate Action".One of the speakers was Elizabeth Bagley, the Managing Director of "Project Drawdown".She encouraged those at the webinar to check out the "Drawdown Explorer".Climate change and mental health are increasingly appearing in the same sentence, and this webinar helps people develop some perspective on what is an inherently challenging question.

David Brian (pictured) is the president of the Victorian Hemp Association, which has a field day at Northern Victoria's Nanneella on Sunday, February 22.David is passionate about educating people, particularly farmers, about hemp.He regularly attends exhibitions, conferences, field days and festivals to educate people about hempcrete and its benefits. He also works with farmers in Victoria and southern New South Wales who are interested in growing hemp, and they will have a chance to learn more on Sunday, February 22, at Nanneella, during a field day.David's company, "Southern Hemp", will be at the "Seymour Alternative Farming Field Day" in April this year.

The Director of Strategy and Campaigns at polling firm Redbridge, Kosmos Samaras (pictured), explains the ever-unfolding intricacies of elections, emphasising the importance of climate change.This educational and revealing webinar - "Why We Shouldn't Be Held Hostage to the Past: Unlocking the Consensus on Pricing Pollution" - was organised by The Superpower Institute.In this third webinar in TSI's series supporting The Case for Pricing Pollution, Kos Samaras, Director and co-founder of Redbridge Group, unpacks new national polling on public attitudes to pollution, fairness, and Australia's gas resources - and what those views mean for the prospects of reform.Redbridge Group recently conducted national quantitative and qualitative research into Australian voter sentiment on pollution, economic fairness, and fossil fuel taxation, exploring how people think about these issues in the context of cost-of-living pressures and broader concerns about economic fairness.The findings cut through long-held and outdated assumptions about carbon pricing and shed light on:where public support is strongest,what issues policymakers need to manage, andwhere the real political obstacles to adoption lie.This conversation focuses squarely on political shifts, and how proposals such as a Polluter Pays Levy and a Fair Share Levy are likely to land with voters.

Professor Sarah Perkins-Kirpatrick and Professor Mark Howden (pictured) were at the Australian National University's Climate Update 2026.Professor Perkins-Kirkpatrick was the keynote speaker. The event, which had the subtitle "Adaptation from soil to stars", helped people understand why, in 2025, Australia experienced simultaneous flooding in the north and drought in the south. Promoting the event, the university said: "As we travel further from the historical bounds of the Earth's natural systems, climate-fueled disasters are increasingly the new normal. "While still carrying the load of mitigation, Australia must now also plan for a changed climate. Our future policy direction is already being laid down, with the release of the first National Climate Risk Assessment and National Adaptation Plan last year".

Adam Bandt (pictured) is the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Conservation Foundation and just this week was a "guest" on a webinar organised by the foundation's community organiser, Dan Scaysbrook.Bandt has been the leader of the Australian Greens party, but lost his Melbourne seat in the 2025 Federal Election.His new role at the foundation as CEO sees him taking over from Kelly O'Shannasy, who had fulfilled that role for more than a decade.This statement appeared last year on the ACF website:Following more than a decade of outstanding service at the helm of Australia's national environment organisation, trailblazing leader Kelly O'Shanassy has announced she will step down as CEO of the Australian Conservation Foundation at the end of 2025.“It's been an honour to lead this powerhouse organisation and serve Australians who love nature and want climate action. It's a hard decision to step away — but unlike solar and wind, CEO energy is not renewable, and it's time for a break.“I leave knowing we have created so much impact for nature and people. Together we've protected ancient forests from bulldozers, saved world heritage reefs and wetlands from being dredged, stopped toxic waste dumps and helped return a million hectares of Country to Traditional Owners. “We've shaped new laws to cut climate pollution and boost renewables and made climate action a resounding feature of Australian politics and business.”ACF President Ros Harvey said Ms O'Shanassy leaves a lasting legacy at ACF and should be proud of her role in making a stronger, more powerful and more inclusive organisation.“Kelly has cultivated a welcoming and empowering culture within ACF and the broader environmental movement and has always led with great vision, compassion and integrity.“Under Kelly's stewardship, ACF created more than 40 ACF community groups across the country and attracted more than half a million new supporters, from cities, farms, the bush, the beach and mining communities,” she said. As the second woman to lead the Australian Conservation Foundation, Ms O'Shanassy helped shatter the glass ceiling within the environment movement and has been deeply committed to making the organisation more inclusive and equitable for everyone. “Great organisations are not just about their CEO, they are about every person being the best they can be – our staff, our community and the other NGOs we get to work with every day,” Ms O'Shanassy said.“We have vast challenges still before us. 2030 is fast approaching, Australia's emissions trajectory is a long way from 1.5° aligned, and the gas industry is still pushing to expand.  “Australia's threatened species list is growing. Stronger nature protection laws remain the big unfinished business and winning them will be ACF's focus in the crucial first 12 months of the new parliament.”   “There is so much more to do, and we need big, bold action more than ever,” she said.

The Washington Post was once one of America's most influential newspapers, and in some ways it still is, but Amazon owner, Jeff Bezos, who bought the paper and had the wealth to sustain it, now appears to be shredding it.Layoffs at this once great newspaper were nowhere near inevitable. But Jeff Bezos was never committed to the paper's best traditions - "The Washington Post Is in Free Fall—and There's One Person to Blame";"Briefing Recap | Oil and Gas Lookahead 2026";"Australian ministers met Japanese gas companies 20 times amid fossil fuel lobbying push";"Authoritarianism is undermining climate action – and time is running out";"Under GOP Pressure, Federal Agency Pulls Climate Change Chapter From Official Manual for U.S. Judges";"Mass layoffs fuel fears of ‘death spiral' at Washington Post";"The Otways brace for another gas fight";"Why Scientists Are Rethinking 60 Years of Arctic Snow Data";"Milan protesters rally against environmentally and economically 'unsustainable' Winter Olympics";"'Easy and cheaper': Why a growing number of Australians are adopting this niche lifestyle";"The case for banning fossil fuel donations ".

I missed the chance to talk with Australian historian Manning Clark, and death again intruded, unexpectedly, to rob me of the chance to meet and talk with Emma Johnston (pictured) - "Emma Johnston was a visionary scientist, environmentalist and leader, with an abiding hope for humanity";"Grant Guidelines for Libraries and Museums Take “Chilling” Political Turn Under Trump";"I used to have a great travel tip for Europe. It doesn't work anymore";"In the Trump era of America first, scientists fear for the future of Antarctica";"More than $9 billion in renewable energy projects fast-tracked in two years";"Scientists Warn ‘Garbage' Models Underestimate Risk of Economic Collapse From Climate Crisis";"Abbott, Boyce and Trump – three ways to deny a warming world";"Making polluters pay could fix Australia's climate problem – and its budget";"Chance of El Niño forming in Pacific Ocean may push global temperatures to record highs in 2027".

Greg Mullins (pictured), who has fought and experienced fires around the world, was one of two guests on a webinar organised by Australia's "Climate Council", which discussed how fires that devastated huge parts of America's Los Angeles could easily erupt in Australia. Mullins is the former Chief Fire Officer and CEO (Commissioner) for New South Wales, and he is a member of "Emergency Leaders for Climate Action".

Australian astronaut, Katherine Bennell-Pegg (pictured), is the 2026 Australian of the Year and reminds us that all life on Earth depends on a thin blue envelope surrounding the planet."Victoria to reach 49 degrees as communities brace for week-long heatwave";"For the first time, renewable energy is supplying most of our power";"This Is Why Our Rivers Are Turning Into Sewers";"Corporate Polluters Running Rampant Under Trump as EPA Enforcement ‘Dying a Quick Death'";"Bushfire smoke triggers health alert, heat records could tumble as Mallee braces for 49-degree blast".

Brisbane family, Jon and Emelie Watson, and their two children (pictured) are "Living More With Less" in the Queensland capital city, creating a life free of the W.E.I.R.D.; way of living that most wealthy westerners seem addicted to.Jon and Emily don't insist that others follow their example; rather, they hope to illustrate how living with less brings joy and happiness, a state that eludes most.W.E.I.R.D - "Western, Educated, industrialised, Rich, Democratised.

The 1970 music of Edwin Starr (pictured) sent a shiver around the world, and his song "War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing" is as relevant today as it was 55 years ago.Check out the impressive presentation my Canadian PM Mark Carney delivered recently at the Davos World Economic Forum.

Carolyn Ingvarson, pictured at her rooftop-panelled Melbourne home, says the current lack of recycling is a big barrier to many people installing panels - "The dirty secret in Australia's love affair with rooftop solar";"Water wars ahead now Australia's longest river officially critically endangered";"Country Breakfast";"Cleeland says government needs to truly understand scale of devastation";"Longwood fire remains out of control";"Generosity shines through";"‘Garden of Eden': the Spanish farm growing citrus you've never heard of";"UK urged to ratify high seas treaty to avoid being shut out of Ocean Cop summit";"Climate whiplash: We can no longer pretend this isn't a crisis";"Global warning: Trump's war on the planet heats up";"Fires destroy 500 structures, premier heckled over CFA funding";"‘Like something from Apocalypse Now': Catastrophic bushfires tipped to become the new normal";"Why Wye River copped a rain bomb that washed away cars";"‘It was a few seconds': Warning system under scrutiny after flash floods";"As Victoria's Great Ocean Road flash floods show, we need to get better at taking warnings seriously";"2025 was Earth's 3rd-warmest year on record";"Allan announces review into bushfire season";"Facing ‘a new enemy".

Phillip Ruddock (pictured) was Australia's Attorney General in 2005, and along with his parliamentary counterparts was well aware of the perils of climate change - "Cabinet Papers 2005: From The Archives";"Previously secret cabinet documents reveal Howard government tried to mitigate 'homegrown' terrorist threat";"Socialism Should Give Us Hope for Tomorrow";"Heat, drought and fire: how extreme weather pushed nature to its limits in 2025";"A gas betrayal. King plan favours foreign buyers, gas cartel over mums and dads";"How Close Are the Planet's Climate Tipping Points?";"Oregon faced a huge obstacle in adding green energy. Here's what changed this year";"How the climate crisis showed up in Americans' lives this year: ‘The shift has been swift and stark' ";"Greenwashing, illegality and false claims: 13 climate litigation wins in 2025";"Queensland to continue to allow farmers to shoot flying foxes after revoking ban on controversial practice";"Understanding climate change in America: Skepticism, dogmatism and personal experience";"‘Choose people and planet over pain': UN chief highlights climate impact of war in New Year's call";"Why you should consider a ‘flight diet' in 2026";"The great climate vibe shift of 2025";"150 Years of Change: How Old Photos, Recaptured, Reveal a Shifting Climate".

Tijana Jovanovic from Queensland's School of Social Impact interviews freelance journalist and author, Bridget Shirvell, about her book "Parenting in a Climate Crisis: A Handbook for Turning Fear into Action". Shirvell, an Environmental journalist and parent, has created a handbook for parents to help them navigate these questions and more, weaving together expert advice from climate scientists, environmental activists, child psychologists, and parents across the country. She helps parents answer tough questions (how did we get here?) and raise kids who feel connected to and responsible for the natural world, feel motivated to make ecologically sound choices, and feel empowered to meet the challenges of the climate crisis—and to ultimately fight for change.Learn more abourt Bridget from her website: "Bridget Shirvell".

David Spratt's "Climate hot takes for 2025";"Greenpeace's Fight With Pipeline Giant Exposes a Legal Loophole";"When disasters strike, home batteries could be a lifeline";"Trump Administration Plans to Break Up Premier Weather and Climate Research Center";"‘The biggest transformation in a century': how California remade itself as a clean energy powerhouse";"Green light for first apartment block in ‘great design' high-density push";"‘Borrowed time': crop pests and food losses supercharged by climate crisis";"This Simple Chemistry Fix Could Revolutionize Flow Batteries";"‘The anxiety never disappears': Monmouth businesses recover from severe flooding".

The Shepparton News has one view about how to best care for the Goulburn River (pictured) - "Government actions wreak havoc" - and the Goulburn Valley Environment Group has another - "Environment group critiques News"."Interstate refugees: Why more Aussies are moving south";"Trump threatens world-leading forecasting and climate research centre";"Australia's roads are full of giant cars, and everyone pays the price. What can be done?";"The secret to a cooler home could already be sitting in your living room";"Our podcast: Trust, politics and AI. What people think about climate news";"Obama Supported It. The Left in Canada and Norway Does. Why Don't Democrats?";"How Did a City of 10 Million People Nearly Run Out of Water?";"The Earth Transformed: An Untold History".

Cascadia Times Editor, Paul Koberstein, teamed with Jessica Applegate to write the wonderful book, "Canopy of Titans: The Life and Times of the Great North American Temperate Rainforest".The pair had written an article for the Cascadia Times, but realised that what they had was more than a newspaper article; rather, the adventure of researching the great North American temperate rain forests became Canopy of Titans. There has been much talk, and much money has been spent on creating artificial carbon capture and storage; however, the world already has a natural storage facility in its great forests, a fact emphasised by Paul and Jessica.

The council of the City of Greater Shepparton has extended its approval for the staging of the Spring Car Nationals at the city's showground, in breach of its covenant with the 2020 climate emergency declaration.That apparently simple act of endorsing the continued use of the city's showgrounds for what is a "climate offensive" event effectively amounts to the hidden approval of the business-as-usual paradigm.Here is a Shepparton News article about that issue: "Petrol before planet";"Environment water rejected";"Report indicates basin shortfall";"Biodegradable plastics that actually break down might finally be here";"Is My Morning Coffee Climate Friendly?";"Private companies have raised millions to block the sun. What could go wrong?";"How Sick Is the Planet Johan Rockström's Planetary Health Check 2025 - COP30";"Government actions wreak havoc";"Rising Tide, rising backlog. Coal protests too big for Zero Tolerance, police & courts".

The Australia Institute's joint CEO, Richard Denniss, (pictured) was one of a trio of guest speakers several weeks ago at an event organised by The Royal Society of Victoria, warning of the emerging problems of recovery from weather-related disasters arising from climate change.‘"Just heartbreak': At least a dozen homes lost in bushfires near Sydney";"‘Crippling prices': Manufacturers demand gas reservation";"The $265 million commute: How urban sprawl is costing Melbourne";"What do we know about climate change? How do we know it? And where are we headed?".

Simultaneous storms devastate Asia (picture): "Death toll surpasses 1200 after simultaneous storms devastate Asia";"In 1939, a Royal Commission found burning forests leads to more bushfires. But this cycle of destruction can be stopped";"The Cost of Climate""The surprising technology that could be key to saving the Great Barrier Reef";"Environment Bill passes Senate as Greens cut deal with Labor";"Are UN climate summits a waste of time? No, but they are in dire need of reform";"Reflections from COP30";"Climate “Realism” Is the New Climate Denial";"Solutions for Climate Australia is a national initiative calling on all federal political parties to slash climate pollution this decade";"56 million years ago, the Earth suddenly heated up – and many plants stopped working properly";" A/Prof Hans Baerm Honorary School of Social and Political Sciences".

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) airs grid controversies on the 7:30 Report: "The fight between farmers and the Victorian government is spilling onto the paddock";"Australia's sales of big cars are out of control";"Helping producers navigate sustainability opportunities";"Blackout risk: Grid ‘not ready' for coal plant closures, solar surge";"‘The New Price of Eggs.' The Political Shocks of Data Centers and Electric Bills";"Many Fighting Climate Change Worry They Are Losing the Information War";"Who are the Australians trying to shut down the world's biggest coal port?";"Australia could miss clean energy target as solar and wind investment slumps, investors warn";"Petrol Vehicles Are 5-20 Times More Likely to Catch Fire than EVs: Peak Body".

Canada's Prime Minister, Mark Carney, signed a sweeping agreement on Thursday laying the groundwork for a new oil pipeline to expand Alberta's oil sands, exempting the province's energy industry from several environmental laws.Carney is pictured here with Alberta's Premier Danielle Smith."Canada Lifts Climate Laws for Alberta Oil Sands, Planning Pipeline";"More than 1,000 Amazon workers warn rapid AI rollout threatens jobs and climate";"Revealed: Europe's water reserves drying up due to climate breakdown";"Michael Mann To Bill Gates: What World Are You Living In?";"The Supreme Court's Ethics Code Is a Joke. Big Oil Knows That. ";"Renewable energy zone win";"Preparing for a hotter, drier basin";"Funding for sustainable water solutions";"Water planning over morning tea".

Ben Pederick (pictured recording an interview post The Adaptation Game - TAG) is a big man with a big smile, a big heart and some equally big ideas about how we step up to the challenges we confront arising from the seriously different weather events being brought to us courtesy of a worsening climate.The City of Greater Shepparton has bought several sets of The Adaptation Game, and locals have been trained as facilitators to oversee and orchestrate the games, which will be available through local libraries.You can learn more about TAG by watching: "The Adaptation Game: a Community Climate Resilience Drill built on Stories"

Australia's Climate and Energy Minister, Chris Bowen (pictured), is attending climate talks in Belem, Brazil, at COP30. However, the talks have gone a little awry for Australia, as it has ceded COP31 to Turkey."Australia can win big international bids when it wants. This was an omnishambles";"Anger, questions over Albanese's call to concede COP to Turkey";"‘Avoidable failures': Government defies watchdog on compensation for flood victims";"The Accidental Activist, Madeleine Serle";"Australia beaten by the Turks. Don't mention the war";"Victoria's EV battle: Should non-drivers pay for roadside chargers?";"World still on track for catastrophic 2.6C temperature rise, report finds".

California Governor Gavin Newsom (picture) steals the spotlight at COP30 in Brasil - "Newsom in the Spotlight at the Climate Conference That Trump Decided to Skip";"This widely used chart makes the clean energy switch seem much harder than it actually is";"Indigenous People, Long Sidelined at Climate Talks, Take the Stage in Brazil";"‘I didn't agree to that': The proposal that triggered uproar in the Coalition party room";"A Flood of Green Tech From China Is Upending Global Climate Politics";"Earth Nowhere Near Where It Needs to Be to Avoid Catastrophic Climate Change";"COP30 Forges Ahead as World's Biggest Emitter, the United States, Stays Absent";"How Monash Uni took a $43m moral stand and gave Building 94 its name back";"The comforting but dangerous fantasy of ‘normal' climatic and political aberrations".

Liberal Party leader, Sussan Ley (pictured), is at the centre of discussions that mean little to what it is that Australians need to hear about addressing climate change."These numbers say net zero is doomed – and so is Sussan Ley";"Where the sky keeps bursting";"Greenwashing in the Evergreen State";"Ley's job on the line as Liberals reject net zero";"Birrell advocates for coal, gas, and eventually nuclear";"The Liberal party's betrayal of younger voters on net zero isn't just a moral failure – it's electoral stupidity";"The spectacular nonsense of the Coalition's internal brawl over the 2050 net zero emissions target".

Marian Wilkinson has sliced through the fossil fuel companies, particularly Woodside, and our politicians, in her latest Quarterly Essay," Woodside vs The Planet: how a company captured a country".The Australian investigative journalist is interviewed here by the co-convenor from Climate 200, Kate Hook.It's long — more than an hour — but well worth your time.

Victorian Trades Hall Council assistant secretary, Danae Bosler (pictured), told those at the Saturday, November 8, launch of the Climate Safety Plan, that it was the workers who bore the brunt of the world's changing climate.She argued that they knew best what the problems were and how they should be confronted and resolved.Nurse practitioner and union member, Sigrid Pitkin, explained to those at the Millennium Building launch at Seddon, in Melbourne's west, how a thunderstorm asthma event impacted Melbourne's health services. Sigrid predicted that a warming climate would bring more similar and even worse events.The Climate Safety Plan will propose policies spanning eight key areas: built environment; health; insurance; emergency management; community resilience; food and agriculture; workers' rights; and income support.Speakers at the launch included:Kate Thwaites MP, Special Envoy for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience.Madeleine Serle, Maribyrnong Community Recovery Association.Danae Bosler, Assistant Secretary, Victorian Trades Hall Council Sigrid Pitkin, Nurse Practioner and union memberAngela Ashleigh-Chiew, Environment Victoria.Shweta Dakin, GenWest and;Emma Bacon, Sweltering Cities.

The new book, "Human Nature" by climate scientist Kate Marvel is, in a sense, a whole new genre, for in it Marvel explores the feelings of a climate scientist, and from it we learn that they are just like us with emotions ranging across the entire arc of human feelings.Marvel talks about her new book with Columbia University's Andre Revkin, who is one of America's most honoured and experienced environmental journalists and the founding director of the new Initiative on Communication and Sustainability at Columbia University's Earth Institute. At Columbia, he is building programs, courses, tools and collaborations bridging communication gaps between science and society to cut climate risk and boost social and environmental resilience.Kate can also be found on TEDx talking about "Can clouds buy us more time to solve climate change?".Her book, to give it the full title is "Human Nature: nine ways to feel about our changing planet".

Melbourne's recent All Energy Conference was fascinating for many reasons, but left me flummoxed, as it was, at its essence, about limiting climate change, even though it seemed to be about growth. The exhibits were impressive, almost like social events with free coffee, lots of meetings, and the exchange of ideas (pictured)."The $4.1 million question: How did the BOM get its new website so wrong?";"‘If you ignore emissions, we did great': Germany's challenging fight to go green";"Backbench heat over Labor plans to ‘gut' environment safeguards";"People trust podcasts more than social media. But is the trust warranted?";"‘We're not going to streak ahead': Nationals officially dump net zero climate target";"Hastie rebukes Liberals ‘living in Howard era' as opposition weighs net zero rebrand";"View from The Hill: Nationals dump net zero – say Australia shouldn't cut emissions faster than comparable countries";"Bill Gates Says Climate Change ‘Will Not Lead to Humanity's Demise'";"Money to Help Nations Cope With Climate Disasters Is Declining, U.N. Says";"Deadly rivers in the sky".

Robin Bell (pictured), a Marie Tharp Lamont Research Professor with the Marine and Polar Geophysics department at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, was one of three speakers at a webinar organised by The Columbia Climate School and chaired by the Professor and Senior Vice Dean, Columbia Climate School; Professor of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, Jeffrey Shaman.Experts from the Columbia Climate School and Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory gathered for a candid conversation about what real climate responsibility looked like at the personal, local, and systemic levels. The panellists discussed the connection between individual actions and large-scale societal efforts, all within the context of the planet's rapidly changing climate and the evolution of climate awareness and action. They explored the steps we could each take to expand our impact.

Geelong's Mik Aidt (pictured) has found a new connection through the Geelong Connection Cafe that meets for the first time this Friday at 3:00 pm.Mik, who has been deeply involved with climate activities in the city for about 15 years, mainly through "The Sustainable Hour", has worked with others from the city's former Climate Cafe to create this new body to reinvigorate connections in the southern Victorian city.Directly from the Geelong Connection Cafe website page, we hear:"At our September gathering, a small group of locals in Geelong made an important decision: our long-running Climate Café will now be known as the Geelong Connection Café.Why the change? Because words matter. While climate is central to our concerns, the word often carries a weight of crisis and disagreements. We wanted a name that points to what helps us move forward: togetherness, resilience, and the energy of being connected.Mel, who suggested the word, summed it up beautifully:“I think ‘connection' is a good word because we have a global loneliness problem at the same time as having a climate crisis, and I think the thing that will move us through the climate crisis and make us more resilient is connection – the only thing that will actually get us through. If we are prepared to connect before that happens, then it means that we're more likely to do better in the future. It also puts a more positive tint on things, because climate can feel a bit doom and gloom, but everyone wants connection – it's intrinsic to us.”Anthony added that the word opens up many directions at once:“There are so many things we can connect with – connect with each other, talk about what's important in life, connect with nature, connect with other people. That same connection can apply to all of those things. And that's actually what's missing in society as a whole.”For Adam, co-founder of the Geelong Climate Café, the new name also ties back to the history of The House, where our monthly café is hosted:“For the founding members of The House, it was actually that lack of community that drove us to put together The House. So it definitely fits with the theme of this place as well.”The move also reflects a broader shift. Around the world, people are experimenting with new language for community gatherings on climate and sustainability. Joseph Gelfer, who talks about replacing “climate” with concepts rooted in service to life, points out that words shape our expectations and our energy. By naming our café around connection, we are choosing to emphasise possibility, relationship, and resilience, rather than crisis alone.What to expect at the Connection CaféThe Geelong Connection Café will continue to meet monthly at The House. It will remain an open, informal space for:• Conversations about how we live well in times of change• Sharing personal experiences and practical ideas• Building supportive networks in Geelong and beyond• Exploring ways to strengthen community resilience and connectionMost of all, it will be a place to practise what the name promises: connection.

A Treaty with Victoria's indigenous people brings benefits to all, and our environment."Here comes the sun! The solar energy revolution – podcast";"Extreme weather costs Australia more than any other rich country, bar one";"Gondwana Link - connecting people, connecting nature";"Man arrested, accused of starting deadly Palisades Fire in California";"‘Vanish in a puff of smoke': Monash plans to close climate crisis institute";"Extreme weather now costs Australians $4.5b a year. Better insurance options and loans would help us adapt".

Richard Denniss (pictured) was one of a trio of speakers at an event at Melbourne's Royal Society of Victoria to consider: "What is Australia Risking? Future Impacts of Climate Change".The event was convened by Climate Communications Australia and hosted by The Royal Society of Victoria, and offered a unique chance to discuss the report with Risk Assessment experts. The event focused on how climate change would affect Australia, and the scenarios for the 'cascading, compounding and concurrent disasters' that are emerging across the country.  The social and developmental implications of these impacts for future generations were discussed, along with what policies were needed to adapt to and mitigate the risks.The speakers were:Dr Andrew Watkins is a climate scientist in the School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment at Monash University. He was previously at the Australian Climate Service, where he was a Lead Author of the National Climate Risk Assessment. For more than 10 years, he was the Head of Climate Prediction at the Bureau of Meteorology. Andrew is a Research Fellow at Climate Communications Australia. Dr Richard Denniss is the Executive Director of The Australia Institute and is a prominent Australian economist, author and public policy commentator, and has spent the last twenty years moving between policy-focused roles in academia, federal politics and think-tanks.He was also a Lecturer in Economics at the University of Newcastle and former Associate Professor in the Crawford School of Public Policy at ANU. He is a regular contributor to The Monthly and the author of several books,a including Econobabble, Curing Affluenza and Dead Right: How Neoliberalism Ate Itself and What Comes Next? Professor Lucas Walsh is the director of the Monash Centre for Youth Policy & Education Practice (CYPEP) within the Faculty of Education at Monash University and was a member of the National Climate Risk Assessment Expert Advisory Committee. 

Bill McKibben (pictured), a climate activist, author, and occasional newspaper columnist, has encouraged people to be less individualistic and join groups.He was among those on a panel organised by The New York Times as a part of its annual "Climate Forward" conference assembled to discuss "The future of climate activism in the Trump era"Mik Aidt has a special guest on his "The Climate Revolution" show - British sustainability strategist Joseph Gelfer calls time on weak incrementalism. He argues that the urgency of planetary collapse, combined with rising public frustration and disillusionment, will soon push even moderate citizens to demand bold, transformative change. When that moment comes, we must be ready. A peaceful political revolution for a pollution-free society is possible – but only if we dare to think big and act boldly on a planetary scale.And from The Guardian we read "Wildfires tore through central Chile last year, killing 133 people. In California, 18,000 buildings were destroyed in 2018 causing US$16bn (A$24bn, £12bn) in damage. Portugal, Greece, Algeria and Australia have all felt the grief and the economic pain in recent years.The story is: "Wildfires are getting deadlier and costing more. Experts warn they're becoming unstoppable".

Chris Bowen (pictured) is Australia's Climate Change and Energy Minister, who says it is the toughest job he has ever had.Mr Bowen, also the Federal Member for McMahon, was a guest on a recent webinar organised by Australia's Climate Council.He was interviewed by the CEO of the Climate Council, Amanda McKenzie.And from The Melbourne Age we have the story: "COP out? Prospect of climate summit spanning Australia and Turkey raises carbon emissions question".

Rebecca Huntley (pictured), Australia's pre-eminent social researcher, watched Sydney's 2019 School Strike for Climate students marching in the city's streets and, mesmerised by what these young people were doing, she wrote a book - "How to Talk about Climate Change in a Way That Makes a Difference".But the drive those students ignited didn't end there, for working with her company, "86 Degrees East", and with the support of "Boundless Earth," she created "The Clean Energy Solutions Index".The Clean Energy Solutions Index is a unique research tool that measures deep support for 11 clean energy technologies across  Australia.During the interview, Rebecca mentioned "Climate Compass".

Australia's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese (pictured), was among the guests interviewed during the "Climate Forward Conference" organised by The New York Times.Also among those interviewed was Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest, the boss of Fortescue.The New York Times hosted the Climate Forward Conference on Sept. 24, bringing together political leaders, activists, policymakers and business executives.Andrew Forrest, the executive chairman of Fortescue and one of the richest people on the planet, has a bold, perhaps unlikely vision to shift his gigantic mining company to net zero emissions by 2030. Mr Forrest pushed back against Mr Trump's claims that climate change is a “con job” and challenged Mr Trump to “come and see what's happening to my land.”Prime Minister Albanese discussed Australia's challenge in reducing emissions. Australia remains reliant on fossil fuels, including coal, which generates nearly half of its electricity. But Albanese has been outspoken in calling for Australia to be a global leader in lowering emissions and embracing renewables.

David Spratt (pictured) was the keynote speaker at the webinar "Cooling or Collapse", sharing the microphone with activist and author Jane Morton.David is the lead researcher with The National Centre for Climate Restoration (Breakthrough). This independent think tank develops critical thought leadership to influence the climate debate and policy making.  Also, in this episode, you will hear how a councillor from the City of Greater Shepparton wants officers to report on progress made on a 2020 decision to set a target of zero carbon emissions by 2030.Cr Rod Schubert gained unanimous support in calling for the report to be tabled by November.

Professor David Karoly (pictured) was among those critical of Australia's position on carbon emissions: "Climate scientists target Albanese as Turkey holds out on COP talks";"Call for more urgent climate action";"Drought resilience project focuses on orchards";"Water impacted in climate report";"On a progressive journey to their carbon-neutral future";"'Russian blood oil': Australia faces calls to ban oil products refined from Russian crude";"Exxon Urges Europe to Repeal Rules to Make Companies Track Climate Pollution".

Great Teapot in the Sky believers are mostly climate change deniers.The SBS show "Black Gold" illustrates how fossil fuel companies were aware decades ago of how, when, and why our climate was going to deteriorate."Europe splits on climate in ‘major embarrassment' before UN summit""60 Best Climate Change Podcasts";"Albanese takes his usual each-way bet on climate change";"All Gassed Up, Part 1: The Carbon Coast";"Urban sprawl worsens as government struggles to meet density targets";"What will Australia's 2035 climate goal mean for the grid?";"Here's the good news: we've improved the environment before, and we can do it again".

Australian mining billionaire Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest sharply criticised US President Donald Trump's “gobsmackingly illogical” energy policies and accused him of kowtowing to oil and gas donors as he arrived in New York for a major United Nations summit - "‘Gobsmackingly illogical': Twiggy lashes Trump on climate as Aussies hit New York";"Charlie Kirk and America's political collapse";"Climate Minister Chris Bowen stops short of setting targets for renewables, EVs";"Matt Kean on Australia's future in a climate crisis – Australian Politics podcast";"Coalition denial makes Labor seem reasonable on climate – but neither is ambitious enough".

Some days, Australia presents as a petrostate; others, it's not that at all.Read the new book by Michael Mann and Peter Hotez, "Science Under Siege," to better understand Australia's Chameleon-like behaviour."Will the government's 2035 target avert a climate crisis?""Littleproud labels Labor's 2035 climate target a 'con job' ";"'Falls short': Vanuatu on Australia's 2035 climate target";"Bowen weighs in on climate target criticism";"Three times faster: Climate target means emissions need drastic fall over next decade";"‘It's a farce': Treasury reveals only one number in play for Albanese's climate target";"Australia needs to quadruple its number of wind farms. This year, none have been funded";"How Tim Winton hopes to inspire a generation of ‘ocean defenders'";"‘Too late to avoid any impacts': The reality of Australia's climate crisis";"In 2050, I'll be 46. These climate targets abandon my generation";"‘We love it': How Caroline turned a knockdown into a home built to last";"Bowen has committed Australia to reducing emissions by 62 to 70 per cent by 2035. What does this even mean?".

Australia has set a goal to cut emissions by between 62 per cent and 70 per cent by 2035 from 2005 levels, as the Albanese government continues its strategy of modestly ambitious climate action over the next decade.The 2035 target is an upgrade to the plan to cut greenhouse gases 43 per cent by 2030 and represents a major challenge to the government and the economy, given emissions have fallen 28 per cent in the two decades since 2005 and must fall a further 15 per cent in the next five years."Australia announces 2035 climate target of 62-70% emissions cut";"Politics with Michelle Grattan: Tony Wood on ‘politics trumping climate policy' and the hard road ahead";"Heat waves aren't just natural disasters. Study finds hidden fingerprints on our hottest days.";"Climate change triggering global collapse in insect numbers: stressed farmland shows 63% decline – new research";"How climate change is making Europe's fish move to new waters";"Why snow days are becoming increasingly rare in the UK";"Smoke from Canada's 2023 wildfires linked to more than 80,000 early deaths worldwide, study warns";"Europe faces billions in economic losses from summer heatwaves, droughts and floods, study warns";"Government set to announce Australia's 2035 emissions reduction target";"Labor's 2035 emissions target a ‘sliding doors' moment for future generations";"Heat, air quality, insurance costs: how climate change is affecting our homes – and our health". (Michelle Grattan pictured)

The present events in Gaza City are driven by one man's twisted thinking, with the subsequent death and destruction, undergirded by fossil fuels, not to mention the massive rebuild needed to repair the lives of millions, is climate change writ large.Here's a story from The New Times: "Israeli Ground Forces Move Into Gaza City, Sowing Chaos";"Coalition divisions erupt as more MPs urge leader to dump climate pledge";"Victoria's renewables push suffers major blow as developers bail";"September is hotter than ever, but January rings the alarm bell even louder";"‘Using the wrong data': Major problem with the 1.2m new homes";"New climate report warns property prices face a $611 billion hit. What does that mean?";"Australia's 2035 climate target is coming. Here's how we'll know if it's good enough
".

Australia's news services were alive today with stories about the country's first Climate Risk Assessment Report."Catastrophic forecast pushes case for Australia to spend big and cut hard on emissions";"Climate Risk Assessment's 'high risk' warning for 1 million Australian homes";"Queensland among most at-risk from sea level rises by 2050";"‘Alarmist' or ‘terrifying'? New climate report divides parliament";"‘Like a Mad Max movie': How hot it will really get in ‘unliveable Australia'";"Horrifying report paints grim picture of Australia's future".

Haoning Xi (pictured), from the Newcastle Business School at the University of Newcastle, has examined Australia's rail network in detail and sees investment now as it means of saving huge sums in the future. She has written about that on The Conversation: "Buckling rails and lines underwater: how Australia's ageing train networks are crumbling as the climate changes".Haoning refers to the "Australasian Rail Network" as one source of information for her research.An advanced and sophisticiated rail newwork will play a significant role in helping Australia navigate the climate crisis.

Dr Linden Ashcroft (pictured) will explain the quickly evolving dynamics of climate change and what impacts we can expect in the Goulburn Valley when she appears as the keynote speaker at Tatura Transition Towns event - "Community to gather for a greener tomorrow at Transition Tatura event";"AI's Massive Energy Demands" -  Go behind the scenes with executive editor Vernon Loeb and clean energy reporter Dan Gearino as they discuss the mounting demand for electricity to power AI."Former UN climate chief urges Australia to set ‘prosperity' target of cutting emissions by 75% by 2035".

Dr David McCoy (pictured) appears on a "Saving the World" webinar, emphasising the importance of good governance when it comes to global health.In this webinar, "Power, accountability and global health governance", Dr McCoy speaks about the principles of good global health governance, examining current and evolving power dynamics in global health and how accountability deficits need to be plugged to improve the quality and effectiveness of global health governance. In doing so, he highlights the role and accountability of powerful private actors in global health governance. He describes some of the work being done by the United Nations University International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH).

Ryan Batchelor (pictured) is the member for Melbourne's Southern Metropolitan in Victoria's Legislative Council and is the chair of the Environment and Planning Committee.Mr Batchelor and his committee spent nearly two years considering and preparing a report of more than 450 pages about the state's "Climate Resilience".Sadly, the committee's terms of reference for the study didn't allow it to consider mitigation, but rather adaptation in reference to the state's built environment.

Late U.S. stand-up comedian, George Carlin, joked about plastic and the fate of the planet, and this human creation is on the international agenda."The lifecycle of plastics, a modern wonder that is choking the planet";"Deadlocked on Plastic Pollution";"Flash floods kill more than 360 in Pakistan, India";"Canada's Wildfire Season Is One of Its Worst Ever, and It's Not Over Yet";"Cost of state's renewable energy transmission plan predicted to double";"Intense rainfall, chilly nights and possible flooding on the way for Australia's east coast";"Soft plastics recycling looks set to return to supermarkets. Cutting back on plastic would be even better";"How could we clean up the algal bloom?";"Spain deploys hundreds of extra troops as it steps up efforts to bring wildfires under control";"A perfect firestorm";"El Paso's Heat Is Killing in Record Numbers. It May Only Get Worse";"As the Great Salt Lake dries up, clouds of dangerous dust blow into boomtowns";"After a Drought Last Year, Ohio Farmers Wished for Rain. Now Downpours Are Destroying Their Crops";"Global Warming in Vogue, Deal With It!".