Weary of nonstop climate doom? Make your way to this uplifting panel event in which a trio of environmental experts examine promising developments, signs of hope and viable solutions for a greener, more sustainable future. Climate scientist Joëlle Gergis (Humanity’s Moment: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope), inventor and scientist Saul Griffith (The Big Switch), and environmental advocate Claire O’Rourke (Together We Can: Everyday Australian’s doing amazing things to give our planet a future) offer an empowering vision for stemming the climate crisis, in conversation with Simon Holmes à Court.
Joëlle Gergis (Australian)
Dr Joëlle Gergis is an award-winning climate scientist and writer at the Australian National University. She served as a lead author for the United Nations' IPCC Sixth Assessment Report and is the author of Sunburnt Country: The History and Future of Climate Change in Australia. Joëlle has also contributed chapters to Greta Thunberg's The Climate Book, and Not Too Late edited by Rebecca Solnit and Thelma Young Lutunatabua. Her latest book is Humanity's Moment: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope.
Claire O’Rourke (Australian)
Claire O'Rourke is an author and environmental advocate, and works as Co-Director of The Sunrise Project's Australia Energy Transformation Program. Claire also directs Climate Compass, an ongoing project to develop a deep understanding of Australians' attitudes, prospective behaviours and barriers to action on global warming. With 20 years' experience in journalism, communications and advocacy in Australia and around the world, Claire has held a number of leadership positions, including most recently at Amnesty International Australia and as National Director of community-led renewable energy advocacy organisation Solar Citizens.
Saul Griffith (Australian)
Saul is an inventor, author, and founder of multiple companies and non-profits. He has led projects for agencies including NASA, DARPA, National Science Foundation and more. He has founded and co-founded multiple successful companies, including one acquired by Google, another by Autodesk, and another by a consortium of vehicle manufacturers including Toyota. In 2007 he was awarded a Macarthur Fellowship, the so-called ‘Genius Grant’, for inventions in the service of humanity.
Simon Holmes à Court (Australian)
Simon is the founder of Climate 200, the community crowdfunding initiative with 11,200 donors from all 151 electorates across Australia. At the 2022 Federal election, Climate 200's donors levelled the playing field for climate, integrity and gender equity ambitious community independents, helping to elect seven new independents to the Australian Parliament. He is the author of The Big Teal published in 2022.
