La Trobe Conversations
La Trobe Conversations chair Professor Robert Manne, left, with internationally acclaimed scientist and conservationist Professor Tim Flannery.
The University has launched a new lunchtime conversation series dealing with major issues of significance to Australia and the world.
In the first of these, internationally acclaimed scientist and conservationist Professor Tim Flannery spoke with La Trobe political scientist, author and commentator Professor Robert Manne, who chairs the series.
The two men discussed politics, international relations, sustainability and the environment in front of a capacity audience on the main Melbourne campus at Bundoora.
Professor Flannery, who is also Chair of the Copenhagen Climate Council and a La Trobe graduate, criticised the Rudd Government’s handling of carbon emission and climate change, especially in granting billions in concessions to the States and old coal-fired power generators. He also spoke out against the energy industry lobby for engaging in ‘blackmail, not negotiation’ in order to extract concessions.
He agreed there was no other country in the western world where there was so much media coverage of climate ‘denialism or skepticism’, and urged young people to raise a ‘determined voice’.
‘I think action campaigns that remain within the law, but are still hard hitting towards the offending industries are important.’ A lot of people committed their lives to protecting forests, he added. ‘It’s a very noble and wonderful thing. But they don’t realise that those forests are in peril not just from the axe man but from climate change as well.’
The audio is available via iTunes and the University’s News area, along with a video extract.