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Prime ministers inevitably attract media scrutiny and public criticism. But Julia Gillard has had it particularly tough … with some of the fiercest opposition coming from within her own party, and…
Climate change. Pandemics. Peak oil.These days, many of us have grimly accepted the fact that the human species is hurtling towards oblivion – if not in our lifetime, in that of our children or…
How does climate change threaten your savings? And how do your savings threaten climate change? Can you do anything about it?One of the world’s fastest-growing social movements calls for citizens…
We share some amazing (and innovative) eco-friendly buildings from around the world – from the world’s first vertical forest in Italy to a stunning mountain hut that generates 90% of its own power…
By Greg Foyster In the midst of a stellar advertising career, Greg Foyster came to the realisation that the work he was doing had grave consequences for the health of the planet. He became a walking…
By Michael Green Michael Green lifts the lid on the Victorian government’s ‘good news’ approach to climate change. ‘Gradual changes in temperature potentially enable industries to transition and…
One of the biggest untold tragedies in our world is the simple fact that 2.5 billion people still lack safe sanitation; somewhere to go to the toilet, wash their hands and get clean water. We all…
Spraying sulphur compounds into the upper atmosphere to reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the planet? Transforming the chemistry of the world’s oceans so they soak up more carbon? These ideas…
We live in the foodie age – where celebrity chefs are the new rock stars. But while organic food is a must-have fashion accessory, obesity and food intolerances are on the rise.But there are good…
We live in the foodie age – where celebrity chefs are the new rock stars. But while organic food is a must-have fashion accessory, obesity and food intolerances are on the rise.But there are good…
Spraying sulphur compounds into the upper atmosphere to reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the planet? Transforming the chemistry of the world’s oceans so they soak up more carbon? These ideas…
When we think about cities of the future, we think about edgy architecture and technological breakthroughs. But what we should be thinking about is how to plan for a Melbourne that seems likely to…
The Wall Street Journal calls Jared Diamond ‘a star among public intellectuals’.The big-brained anthropologist built his own brand of intellectual blockbuster with the Pulitzer Prize-winning Guns…
Once the Apple Isle, Tasmania’s size and isolation made it the butt of mainland jokes. But those qualities – and its stunning natural environment – are now seen as major advantages. And the buzz…
In 30 years, Melbourne’s CBD will have another 220,000 new residents. A ‘second CBD’ has been proposed for Melbourne’s west, along with a third runway for Tullamarine airport – and more green wedge l…
In 30 years, Melbourne’s CBD will have another 220,000 new residents. A ‘second CBD’ has been proposed for Melbourne’s west, along with a third runway for Tullamarine airport – and more green wedge l…
We bring you our favourite findings from around the internet this week.Lizzie Bennett: Looking good at 200 years oldIt was the two-hundredth birthday of Pride and Prejudice this week – and the New…
Dr Adam Kerezsy is a freshwater ecologist who works in some of the driest rivers and springs of inland Australia. Working with Bush Heritage Australia, he focuses on recovering populations of the…
Saving the redfinned blue-eye is no great greenie-pinko conspiracy – it just makes sense. It might work, it might not, but I reckon it’s worth a go. – Dr Adam KerezsyDr Adam Kerezsy is a freshwater e…
Tim Flannery spoke to a passionate crowd at the Wheeler Centre last night about the crisis in biodiversity. He was urgent about the need for immediate, informed and ‘businesslike’ action on the…
In the clash between money and conservation, money usually wins – with devastating results in a land that tolerates few mistakes. Tim Flannery delivers a wake-up call about the consequences of…
In the clash between money and conservation, money usually wins – with devastating results in a land that tolerates few mistakes. Tim Flannery delivers a wake-up call about the consequences of…
Following the tsunami and ensuing nuclear disaster at Fukushima last year, former diplomat and ambassador Richard Broinowski travelled to the irradiated zone, to look at all aspects of nuclear power …
Australia’s population has become a political hot potato. With forecasts of 30–40 million people by 2050 and up to 60 million by 2100, Australians are becoming increasingly concerned about the…
Australia’s population has become a political hot potato. With forecasts of 30–40 million people by 2050 and up to 60 million by 2100, Australians are becoming increasingly concerned about the…
The Fifth Estate is the Wheeler Centre’s new series of fortnightly forums: a more measured approach to news and current affairs. Provocative and studied, authoritative and unhurried, this is real…
In our ecologically-threatened world, birds have a vitally important place in the human psyche. At a more intimate level their wondrous nests – exquisite, painstakingly-constructed creations that…
Jenny Gray, CEO of Zoos Victoria, speaks passionately about the role of zoos in fighting extinction, in preserving species at risk, and in engaging communities to take action to help animals. In the …
The Breakfast Club is a series of talks events, presented in partnership with the Next Wave Festival, and held at breakfast time: on weekdays at 8am, on weekends at 10am.We’re interested in how the w…
Anna Rose is co-founder and Chair of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition. Her new book Madlands: A Journey to Change the Mind of a Climate Sceptic tells the tale of her extraordinary journey with …
Anna Rose is co-founder and Chair of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition. Her new book Madlands: A Journey to Change the Mind of a Climate Sceptic tells the tale of her extraordinary journey with …
For the first time in history, humans sit unchallenged at the top of the food chain. To coincide with the publication of the latest Quarterly Essay, Us and Them, Anna Krien investigates the…
On Tuesday 20 March, the Intelligence Squared series of debates kicks off with a look at the ethics of eating meat. Six speakers will divide into two teams to speak for and against the proposition…
In 2012, Ideas for Melbourne will be the talk of the town.With city elections looming in 2012, we’re kicking off this year’s programming by turning the spotlight on some of Melbourne’s biggest civic …
In his Lunchbox/Soapbox talk, David Holmgren explores the profound improvements that the application of permaculture principles and strategies could deliver for the sustainability and liveability of …
In recent years, as we have become more aware of the negative effects of our high-impact lifestyles, a number of environmental responses have been introduced – such as building insulation…
The capital of what used to be known as the garden state is graced by green wedges and a cool climate – but for how much longer? Adam Morton, Kelly O'Shanassy and Kirsten Larsen discuss.
With greater Melbourne growing by thousands every week, how will we ensure bigger really is better? Does high density mean high rise? As we live ever-closer to our neighbours, can we all get along…
In 2012, Ideas for Melbourne will be the talk of the town.With city elections looming in 2012, we’re kicking off this year’s programming by turning the spotlight on some of Melbourne’s biggest civic …
The Dolly Parton show is in town and so it’s a good occasion to pay tribute to the veteran country singer’s work to promote literacy among poor kids. Since 1996, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library…
Is the world split between those who want to save the planet and those who want to save themselves? In Quarterly Essay 44, Andrew Charlton exposes the rift that will shape our future: progress…
(Click to watch video.) Historian Bill Gammage’s recent Lunchbox/Soapbox event was subtitled ‘How Aborigines made Australia’. In the course of his address, …
Bill Gammage AM is an Australian academic historian. In this Lunchbox/Soapbox presentation, he discusses the mistaken belief that Aboriginal Australians were passive occupiers of the land before…
Paul Hawken is an environmentalist, entrepreneur, journalist and author. Since the age of 20, he’s dedicated his life to sustainability and changing the relationship between business and the…
(Click to watch video.) The passing of a raft of bills associated with the carbon tax through the House of Representatives this week earned Prime Minister J…
High density living is great for the environment, right? But what does it do to our heads and hearts? The Australian psyche was moulded by the myth of the ‘wide brown land’, so what might life…
Image of Melbourne’s effort courtesy Michael Green Today is PARKing Day, where across the world devoted park enthusiasts wake before dawn and go about taking the ‘car’ out …
It’s a debate with a decidedly apocalyptic ring: stand by while the dynamics of life on earth change irrevocably, or try to take action that may slow or halt the process – and in so doing possibly…
The carbon tax debate is amping up ahead of Julia Gillard’s announcement of the long-awaited carbon tax specifics, to be broadcast nationally on Sunday night. Gillard has said that almost 70% of…
(Click to watch video.) Australia has a proud tradition of gardening, and of gardening literature. In this video, ABC Radio National’s Ramona Koval leads a …
