100 Climate Conversations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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