Russia, If You're Listening

We'd like to introduce a new ABC podcast, WHO'S GONNA SAVE US? from the teams at ABC RN Science and triple j HACK. LISTEN HERE: https://ab.co/WhosGonnaSaveUs   The If You're Listening team are working hard on a bunch of new stories that they can't wait to bring to you. But in the meantime, here's a new podcast from the ABC RN science unit and the team at triple j Hack... WHO'S GONNA SAVE US? is a climate change podcast that's not strictly about climate change.  We know climate change is real. And we're all too familiar with the devastation it's causing. WHO'S GONNA SAVE US? is a show about how much better things could be – and the people fighting to get us there.  Host: Jo Lauder Series Producer: Cheyne Anderson Executive Producer (audio): Joel Werner Executive Producer (digital): Clare Blumer Sound engineer: Hamish Camilleri

Australia is now in a race to build enough renewable energy to replace our coal fired power stations before they close.  We're in this situation because of a series of ignored warnings and missed opportunities over the last five decades. Now, experts are telling us that the transition to a decarbonised economy presents a big opportunity for Australia. The question is - can we grasp it? Guests: Dr Alan Finkel - Commonwealth government energy advisor and former Australian Chief Scientist Alison Reeve - Deputy Program Director of Energy and Climate at the Grattan Institute; former Commonwealth energy policy advisor; author of the National Hydrogen Plan Dr Kerry Schott - Independent chair of the Energy Security Board Scott Hamilton - Australia-German Energy Transition Hub & former energy policy advisor to federal and Victorian governments Dr Ross Garnaut - Economist, Author of Superpower: Australia's Low Carbon Opportunity  Dr Marcia Langton - Foundation Chair of Australian Indigenous Studies at the University of Melbourne Robert Hill - former Federal Environment Minister Dr Graeme Pearman - Former Chief of Atmospheric Research, CSIRO

Australia is now in a race to build enough renewable energy to replace our coal fired power stations before they close.  We're in this situation because of a series of ignored warnings and missed opportunities over the last five decades. Now, experts are telling us that the transition to a decarbonised economy presents a big opportunity for Australia. The question is - can we grasp it? Guests: Dr Alan Finkel - Commonwealth government energy advisor and former Australian Chief Scientist Alison Reeve - Deputy Program Director of Energy and Climate at the Grattan Institute; former Commonwealth energy policy advisor; author of the National Hydrogen Plan Dr Kerry Schott - Independent chair of the Energy Security Board Scott Hamilton - Australia-German Energy Transition Hub & former energy policy advisor to federal and Victorian governments Dr Ross Garnaut - Economist, Author of Superpower: Australia's Low Carbon Opportunity  Dr Marcia Langton - Foundation Chair of Australian Indigenous Studies at the University of Melbourne Robert Hill - former Federal Environment Minister Dr Graeme Pearman - Former Chief of Atmospheric Research, CSIRO

Over the last five years, politicians in Australia and around the world have regularly tried to blame renewable energy whenever something goes wrong with our electricity supply. But lately whenever something catastrophic has happened to our energy supply, it's been old technology at fault. This is the story of a series of disasters that show how the system we've always relied on to deliver electricity is faltering. Guests: Dr Alan Finkel - Commonwealth government energy advisor and former Australian Chief Scientist Wendy Farmer - Latrobe Valley resident and founder of “Voices of the Valley” Alison Reeve - Deputy Program Director of Energy and Climate at the Grattan Institute; former Commonwealth energy policy advisor; author of the National Hydrogen Plan Darren Chester - Federal MP for Gippsland Dr Kerry Schott - Independent chair of the Energy Security Board Scott Hamilton - Australia-German Energy Transition Hub & former energy policy advisor to federal and Victorian governments Ian Macfarlane - Chief Executive of Queensland Resources Council & former federal resources minister Graham Richardson - Former Federal Environment Minister

Over the last five years, politicians in Australia and around the world have regularly tried to blame renewable energy whenever something goes wrong with our electricity supply. But lately whenever something catastrophic has happened to our energy supply, it's been old technology at fault. This is the story of a series of disasters that show how the system we've always relied on to deliver electricity is faltering. Guests: Dr Alan Finkel - Commonwealth government energy advisor and former Australian Chief Scientist Wendy Farmer - Latrobe Valley resident and founder of “Voices of the Valley” Alison Reeve - Deputy Program Director of Energy and Climate at the Grattan Institute; former Commonwealth energy policy advisor; author of the National Hydrogen Plan Darren Chester - Federal MP for Gippsland Dr Kerry Schott - Independent chair of the Energy Security Board Scott Hamilton - Australia-German Energy Transition Hub & former energy policy advisor to federal and Victorian governments Ian Macfarlane - Chief Executive of Queensland Resources Council & former federal resources minister Graham Richardson - Former Federal Environment Minister

Australia has always found energy underground - digging up coal, gas and uranium.  As climate change begins to change the way we get our power, our leaders regularly argue that we can keep on digging for power while also saving the planet.  But do nuclear energy, carbon capture and storage, and gas fired power have a role to play in the future?

Australia has always found energy underground - digging up coal, gas and uranium.  As climate change begins to change the way we get our power, our leaders regularly argue that we can keep on digging for power while also saving the planet.  But do nuclear energy, carbon capture and storage, and gas fired power have a role to play in the future?

For more than a decade, Australian politicians have discovered - the hard way - that climate policy is a dangerous game.  But as the Federal Parliament tore itself apart, the rest of the world moved on, finding new ways to understand the effects of climate change, and deal with it.  This is the story of how Australia fell behind the rest of the world, and why we might finally be ready to catch up. Guests:

For more than a decade, Australian politicians have discovered - the hard way - that climate policy is a dangerous game.  But as the Federal Parliament tore itself apart, the rest of the world moved on, finding new ways to understand the effects of climate change, and deal with it.  This is the story of how Australia fell behind the rest of the world, and why we might finally be ready to catch up. Guests:

In 1997, the debate over climate change in Australia was relatively civil.  The question was not whether climate change was happening, but what should be done about it? In the following decade, Australia's mining industry polluted the debate with misinformation.  This is the story of how Australia's understanding of this vital issue went backwards.

In 1997, the debate over climate change in Australia was relatively civil.  The question was not whether climate change was happening, but what should be done about it? In the following decade, Australia's mining industry polluted the debate with misinformation.  This is the story of how Australia's understanding of this vital issue went backwards.

Australia intends to keep exporting coal for as long as there are countries willing to buy it.  Miners have grand dreams of establishing new coal regions in Queensland to supply coal to the power stations and steel mills of India. But how much longer will India, and our other big coal customers, keep needing it? Guests: Neelima Jain, Wadhwani Chair in U.S.-India Policy Studies at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies Mika Ohbayashi, Director of the Renewable Energy Institute, Tokyo Mary Delahunty, Head of Impact at Hesta Ian Macfarlane, Chief Executive of Queensland Resources Council & former federal resources minister Dr Judith Brett - Emeritus Professor of Politics at La Trobe University, author of the Quarterly Essay The Coal Curse

Australia intends to keep exporting coal for as long as there are countries willing to buy it.  Miners have grand dreams of establishing new coal regions in Queensland to supply coal to the power stations and steel mills of India. But how much longer will India, and our other big coal customers, keep needing it? Guests: Neelima Jain, Wadhwani Chair in U.S.-India Policy Studies at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies Mika Ohbayashi, Director of the Renewable Energy Institute, Tokyo Mary Delahunty, Head of Impact at Hesta Ian Macfarlane, Chief Executive of Queensland Resources Council & former federal resources minister Dr Judith Brett - Emeritus Professor of Politics at La Trobe University, author of the Quarterly Essay The Coal Curse

Australia's second-oldest city, Newcastle, was built around a single resource - coal. Since then, Australia has come to rely on coal for its prosperity. Our industries grew around the cheap energy it provided, and our global trade balance relies on its export. But now, that has to end. The question is - what will happen to Australia, and its coal communities - when it does? Guests: Professor John Maynard, Emeritus Professor, Indigenous Education and Research, University of Newcastle Dr Judith Brett - Emeritus Professor of Politics at La Trobe University, author of the Quarterly Essay The Coal Curse Julie Baird - Director of Newcastle Museum Stephen Galilee - CEO of the NSW Minerals Council Scott Hamilton, Australia-German Energy Transition Hub & former energy policy advisor to federal and Victorian governments Wendy Farmer - Voices of the Valley Darren Chester - Federal Nationals Member for Gippsland

Australia's second-oldest city, Newcastle, was built around a single resource - coal. Since then, Australia has come to rely on coal for its prosperity. Our industries grew around the cheap energy it provided, and our global trade balance relies on its export. But now, that has to end. The question is - what will happen to Australia, and its coal communities - when it does? Guests: Professor John Maynard, Emeritus Professor, Indigenous Education and Research, University of Newcastle Dr Judith Brett - Emeritus Professor of Politics at La Trobe University, author of the Quarterly Essay The Coal Curse Julie Baird - Director of Newcastle Museum Stephen Galilee - CEO of the NSW Minerals Council Scott Hamilton, Australia-German Energy Transition Hub & former energy policy advisor to federal and Victorian governments Wendy Farmer - Voices of the Valley Darren Chester - Federal Nationals Member for Gippsland

In 1987, scientists gathered in Melbourne for a landmark conference where they discussed, for the first time, the effects climate change might have on Australia. In the decade after that, two decisions were made by federal governments - one Liberal, and one Labor - which have shaped the climate debate in this country ever since.  Australia, If You're Listening will look at why Australia's found it so hard to tackle climate change since then, and what that means for the future. Guests: Dr Graeme Pearman - Former Chief of Atmospheric Research, CSIRO Graham Richardson - former Federal Environment Minister Ros Kelly - former Federal Environment Minister Robert Hill - former Federal Environment Minister

In 1987, scientists gathered in Melbourne for a landmark conference where they discussed, for the first time, the effects climate change might have on Australia. In the decade after that, two decisions were made by federal governments - one Liberal, and one Labor - which have shaped the climate debate in this country ever since.  Australia, If You're Listening will look at why Australia's found it so hard to tackle climate change since then, and what that means for the future. Guests: Dr Graeme Pearman - Former Chief of Atmospheric Research, CSIRO Graham Richardson - former Federal Environment Minister Ros Kelly - former Federal Environment Minister Robert Hill - former Federal Environment Minister

The sixth season of If You're Listening tells the story of Australia's turbulent history with climate change, and what that means for the future. As we approach a federal election where climate and energy is a key battleground, this 8 episode series will examine how Australia wasted decades fighting change, instead of capitalising on it. Episode 1 launches on February 23.

The sixth season of If You're Listening tells the story of Australia's turbulent history with climate change, and what that means for the future. As we approach a federal election where climate and energy is a key battleground, this 8 episode series will examine how Australia wasted decades fighting change, instead of capitalising on it. Episode 1 launches on February 23.

If you are after more fascinating stories about China, the team Radio New Zealand have produced a new podcast series called Red Line. It covers Chinese influence in New Zealand, and begins with the death of two dissidents on the road between Auckland and Wellington. All four episodes are available now on podcast apps, just search for Red Line if you'd like to hear more. Here's episode one.

For months commentators and politicians in Australia have been talking about one of the most frightening topics imaginable — a war between the United States and China over the island of Taiwan. It's the last frozen remnant of a hundred year old Civil War — two governments both claiming to be the legitimate rulers of China, separated by 100 miles of ocean. In this episode, we explain the bizarre story which led to the current tension, and look at what might happen next. Guests: Katherine Wei, Taiwan Correspondent, The Straits Times Malcolm Turnbull, former Australian Prime Minister Dr Helen Sham-ho OAM, first Chinese-born MP in an Australian parliament

For months commentators and politicians in Australia have been talking about one of the most frightening topics imaginable — a war between the United States and China over the island of Taiwan. It's the last frozen remnant of a hundred year old Civil War — two governments both claiming to be the legitimate rulers of China, separated by 100 miles of ocean. In this episode, we explain the bizarre story which led to the current tension, and look at what might happen next. Guests: Katherine Wei, Taiwan Correspondent, The Straits Times Malcolm Turnbull, former Australian Prime Minister Dr Helen Sham-ho OAM, first Chinese-born MP in an Australian parliament

For months commentators and politicians in Australia have been talking about one of the most frightening topics imaginable — a war between the United States and China over the island of Taiwan. It's the last frozen remnant of a hundred year old Civil War — two governments both claiming to be the legitimate rulers of China, separated by 100 miles of ocean. In this episode, we explain the bizarre story which led to the current tension, and look at what might happen next. Guests: Katherine Wei, Taiwan Correspondent, The Straits Times Malcolm Turnbull, former Australian Prime Minister Dr Helen Sham-ho OAM, first Chinese-born MP in an Australian parliament

When the COVID-19 pandemic caused the shutdown of travel from China, it shone a harsh light on the way Australia treats Chinese students who come here to study. Some feel isolated and discriminated against, others feel they are being treated as "cash cows" by a university sector desperate for their fees. Can we do better? And can we handle it when problems arise inside the bubble we have created around Chinese students? Guests: Dr Fran Martin, associate Professor & Reader in Cultural Studies, University of Melbourne Catriona Jackson, CEO, Universities Australia Yaqiu Wang, researcher, Human Rights Watch 'Yuki', former University of Adelaide student Jane Poon, Australia-Hong Kong Link

When the COVID-19 pandemic caused the shutdown of travel from China, it shone a harsh light on the way Australia treats Chinese students who come here to study. Some feel isolated and discriminated against, others feel they are being treated as "cash cows" by a university sector desperate for their fees. Can we do better? And can we handle it when problems arise inside the bubble we have created around Chinese students? Guests: Dr Fran Martin, associate Professor & Reader in Cultural Studies, University of Melbourne Catriona Jackson, CEO, Universities Australia Yaqiu Wang, researcher, Human Rights Watch 'Yuki', former University of Adelaide student Jane Poon, Australia-Hong Kong Link

When the COVID-19 pandemic caused the shutdown of travel from China, it shone a harsh light on the way Australia treats Chinese students who come here to study. Some feel isolated and discriminated against, others feel they are being treated as "cash cows" by a university sector desperate for their fees. Can we do better? And can we handle it when problems arise inside the bubble we have created around Chinese students? Guests: Dr Fran Martin, associate Professor & Reader in Cultural Studies, University of Melbourne Catriona Jackson, CEO, Universities Australia Yaqiu Wang, researcher, Human Rights Watch 'Yuki', former University of Adelaide student Jane Poon, Australia-Hong Kong Link

From humble beginnings in a tiny town whose name means "deep drainage ditch", electrical engineer Ren Zhengfei grew his company Huawei into a global technology giant, delivering competitive telecommunications equipment at low prices. But when Australia accused Huawei of being a security risk, a snowball began to roll which led to arrests, hostages being taken, and pure white hot fury in Beijing. This is the story of how a decision made in the midst of a Prime Ministerial spill may lead to a new technology cold war. Guests: Sue-Lin Wong, China correspondent, The Economist and co-author of The Beijing Bureau: 25 Australian Correspondents Reporting China's Rise Malcolm Turnbull, former Australian Prime Minister

From humble beginnings in a tiny town whose name means "deep drainage ditch", electrical engineer Ren Zhengfei grew his company Huawei into a global technology giant, delivering competitive telecommunications equipment at low prices. But when Australia accused Huawei of being a security risk, a snowball began to roll which led to arrests, hostages being taken, and pure white hot fury in Beijing. This is the story of how a decision made in the midst of a Prime Ministerial spill may lead to a new technology cold war. Guests: Sue-Lin Wong, China correspondent, The Economist and co-author of The Beijing Bureau: 25 Australian Correspondents Reporting China's Rise Malcolm Turnbull, former Australian Prime Minister

From humble beginnings in a tiny town whose name means "deep drainage ditch", electrical engineer Ren Zhengfei grew his company Huawei into a global technology giant, delivering competitive telecommunications equipment at low prices. But when Australia accused Huawei of being a security risk, a snowball began to roll which led to arrests, hostages being taken, and pure white hot fury in Beijing. This is the story of how a decision made in the midst of a Prime Ministerial spill may lead to a new technology cold war. Guests: Sue-Lin Wong, China correspondent, The Economist and co-author of The Beijing Bureau: 25 Australian Correspondents Reporting China's Rise Malcolm Turnbull, former Australian Prime Minister

When China rolled out their trade sanctions regime against Australia to try and punish us for a litany of perceived insults, the trade of one commodity was conspicuously left untouched. China's desperate need to stimulate economic growth through construction has left them with an insatiable appetite for Australian iron ore. In this episode, we look at the incredible things they've built using our most valuable resource, and what might happen if they decide to stop buying it. Guests: Dinny McMahon, author of China's Great Wall of Debt: Shadow Banks, Ghost Cities, Massive Loans and the End of the Chinese Miracle Dr Feng Chongyi, Associate Professor in China Studies, University of Technology, Sydney Kevin Rudd, former Australian Prime Minister

When China rolled out their trade sanctions regime against Australia to try and punish us for a litany of perceived insults, the trade of one commodity was conspicuously left untouched. China's desperate need to stimulate economic growth through construction has left them with an insatiable appetite for Australian iron ore. In this episode, we look at the incredible things they've built using our most valuable resource, and what might happen if they decide to stop buying it. Guests: Dinny McMahon, author of China's Great Wall of Debt: Shadow Banks, Ghost Cities, Massive Loans and the End of the Chinese Miracle Dr Feng Chongyi, Associate Professor in China Studies, University of Technology, Sydney Kevin Rudd, former Australian Prime Minister

When China rolled out their trade sanctions regime against Australia to try and punish us for a litany of perceived insults, the trade of one commodity was conspicuously left untouched. China's desperate need to stimulate economic growth through construction has left them with an insatiable appetite for Australian iron ore. In this episode, we look at the incredible things they've built using our most valuable resource, and what might happen if they decide to stop buying it. Guests: Dinny McMahon, author of China's Great Wall of Debt: Shadow Banks, Ghost Cities, Massive Loans and the End of the Chinese Miracle Dr Feng Chongyi, Associate Professor in China Studies, University of Technology, Sydney Kevin Rudd, former Australian Prime Minister

In 1989, five days after tanks rolled into Tiananmen Square in Beijing and brutally ended weeks of protests, the then prime minister Bob Hawke gave a horrifying description of what Australia thought happened. But where did the account come from? And what did it get wrong? Over the past three months China, If You're Listening investigated the source of this description and found it was a previously undisclosed diplomatic cable from the Australian Embassy in Beijing, which subsequently had key details retracted. This is a bonus episode, produced with our friends at The Signal — a daily ABC News podcast. Guests: Blanche d'Alpuget, biographer and wife of late former prime minister Bob Hawke Richard Rigby, Emeritus Professor of the College of Asia and the Pacific, Australian National University, Canberra Craig Emerson, former advisor to Bob Hawke, and cabinet minister in the Rudd and Gillard governments

In 1989, five days after tanks rolled into Tiananmen Square in Beijing and brutally ended weeks of protests, the then prime minister Bob Hawke gave a horrifying description of what Australia thought happened. But where did the account come from? And what did it get wrong? Over the past three months China, If You're Listening investigated the source of this description and found it was a previously undisclosed diplomatic cable from the Australian Embassy in Beijing, which subsequently had key details retracted. This is a bonus episode, produced with our friends at The Signal - a daily ABC News podcast.

In 1989, five days after tanks rolled into Tiananmen Square in Beijing and brutally ended weeks of protests, the then prime minister Bob Hawke gave a horrifying description of what Australia thought happened. But where did the account come from? And what did it get wrong? Over the past three months China, If You're Listening investigated the source of this description and found it was a previously undisclosed diplomatic cable from the Australian Embassy in Beijing, which subsequently had key details retracted. This is a bonus episode, produced with our friends at The Signal - a daily ABC News podcast.

In 1989, five days after tanks rolled into Tiananmen Square in Beijing and brutally ended weeks of protests, the then prime minister Bob Hawke gave a horrifying description of what Australia thought happened. But where did the account come from? And what did it get wrong? Over the past three months China, If You're Listening investigated the source of this description and found it was a previously undisclosed diplomatic cable from the Australian Embassy in Beijing, which subsequently had key details retracted. This is a bonus episode, produced with our friends at The Signal — a daily ABC News podcast. Guests: Blanche d'Alpuget, biographer and wife of late former prime minister Bob Hawke Richard Rigby, Emeritus Professor of the College of Asia and the Pacific, Australian National University, Canberra Craig Emerson, former advisor to Bob Hawke, and cabinet minister in the Rudd and Gillard governments

For decades Australia has taken the approach that when it comes to China; we can criticise their human rights record without risking our trading relationship. We told China we disapproved of their crackdown on students at Tiananmen Square in 1989, but continued to sell them iron ore. Xi Jinping has made it clear that the arrangement has now changed, as he simultaneously takes the lessons Beijing learned at Tiananmen, and applies them to a crackdown on Muslims in his country's far west.

For decades Australia has taken the approach that when it comes to China; we can criticise their human rights record without risking our trading relationship. We told China we disapproved of their crackdown on students at Tiananmen Square in 1989, but continued to sell them iron ore. Xi Jinping has made it clear that the arrangement has now changed, as he simultaneously takes the lessons Beijing learned at Tiananmen, and applies them to a crackdown on Muslims in his country's far west. Guests: Rose Tang, 1989 Tiananmen Square protester Alim Osman, president, Uyghur Association of Victoria Kevin Rudd, former Australian Prime Minister Yaqiu Wang, researcher, Human Rights Watch

For decades Australia has taken the approach that when it comes to China; we can criticise their human rights record without risking our trading relationship. We told China we disapproved of their crackdown on students at Tiananmen Square in 1989, but continued to sell them iron ore. Xi Jinping has made it clear that the arrangement has now changed, as he simultaneously takes the lessons Beijing learned at Tiananmen, and applies them to a crackdown on Muslims in his country's far west. Guests: Rose Tang, 1989 Tiananmen Square protester Alim Osman, president, Uyghur Association of Victoria Kevin Rudd, former Australian Prime Minister Yaqiu Wang, researcher, Human Rights Watch

At first glance, Chinese President Xi Jinping's life story seems simple. His father was a high-ranking Chinese government official, and opened doors for his son, who rose even higher. But his rise to become the most powerful Chinese leader since Chairman Mao Zedong seems far more unlikely when you find out what Mao's policies did to Xi's family during his childhood. In this episode we tell the story of Xi's — from its terrifying beginning to mysterious end — and ask if he is the catalyst for the deterioration of relations between China and Australia. Guest: Dr Joseph Torigian, expert on Chinese elite politics, American University Dr Feng Chongyi — Associate Professor in China Studies — University of Technology, Sydney Kevin Rudd, former Australian Prime Minister Louisa Lim, author of The People's Republic of Amnesia and co-host of The Little Red Podcast Dr Helen Sham-ho OAM, first Chinese-born MP in an Australian Parliament

At first glance, Chinese President Xi Jinping's life story seems simple. His father was a high-ranking Chinese government official, and opened doors for his son, who rose even higher. But his rise to become the most powerful Chinese leader since Chairman Mao Zedong seems far more unlikely when you find out what Mao's policies did to Xi's family during his childhood. In this episode we tell the story of Xi's - from its terrifying beginning to mysterious end - and ask if he is the catalyst for the deterioration of relations between China and Australia.

At first glance, Chinese President Xi Jinping's life story seems simple. His father was a high-ranking Chinese government official, and opened doors for his son, who rose even higher. But his rise to become the most powerful Chinese leader since Chairman Mao Zedong seems far more unlikely when you find out what Mao's policies did to Xi's family during his childhood. In this episode we tell the story of Xi's — from its terrifying beginning to mysterious end — and ask if he is the catalyst for the deterioration of relations between China and Australia. Guest: Dr Joseph Torigian, expert on Chinese elite politics, American University Dr Feng Chongyi — Associate Professor in China Studies — University of Technology, Sydney Kevin Rudd, former Australian Prime Minister Louisa Lim, author of The People's Republic of Amnesia and co-host of The Little Red Podcast Dr Helen Sham-ho OAM, first Chinese-born MP in an Australian Parliament