Think: Sustainability

In this episode, we assess the real impacts of bushfire smoke on our health, why it may be crucial health practitioners and environmental scientists collaborate in anticipation of worse bushfire seasons in the future. Producer/Presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel Featured: Benjamin Herder, asthma sufferer David Bowman, co-author of the University of Tasmania study, professor of pyrogeography and fire science Dr. Arnagretta Hunter, cardiologist and clinical senior lecturer, Australian National University Medical School Dr. Alex Baumber, senior lecturer at the Faculty of Transdisciplinary Innovation, University of Technology Sydney Music: Epidemic Sound

The coronavirus pandemic saw a boom in gardening with many people taking up the hobby during their time in isolation. We know scientifically that being in nature can decrease stress as well as a myriad of other health benefits. In this episode we look at why nature is good for our mental health and the inequitable access to green spaces. Presenter/Producer: Marlene Even Featured: Phil Pettitt, Community Greening Coordinator, Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney Professor Tonia Gray, centre for educational research, Western Sydney University Dr Peter Irga, research fellow, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Business School, University of Technology Sydney Professor Sara Wilkinson, professor of sustainable property, school of built environment, University of Technology Sydney Dr Fiona Orr, senior lecturer in mental health nursing, University of Technology Sydney Music: Epidemic Sound

It's safe to say Dr Ian McGregor has committed his entire career to tackling this century's biggest challenge, global warming. Ian has attended every United Nations Climate Summit since 2009. He earned a place on Afghanistan's delegation for six of those summits, in the lead-up to the Paris Agreement in 2015. Ian spent time in the country himself, consulting with the Afghan government on climate change policy. He has worked with some 35 other Least Developed Countries. Ian and I spoke about climate refugees and the political systems best suited to tackling global warming. Produced and presented by: Julia Carr-Catzel Featured: Dr Ian McGregor, Business School, University of Technology Sydney Music: Epidemic Sound

As we confront one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century - the climate crisis - people around the world are becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of guidance from governments. Leading some to seek solutions elsewhere. Big business has been hailed both the most obvious obstacle and obvious opportunity for saving the environment. But, can we trust the promises of big business to meet sustainability targets? What's genuine and what's just a bit of greenwashing? Presenter/Producer: Julia Carr-Catzel Producer: Marlene Even Featured: Peter Fleming, Professor, Business School, University of Technology Sydney Daye Moffit, Executive Strategy Director, Landor Music: Epidemic Sound

In this episode we're looking at how Australia's disastrous bushfire season affected our water systems. How drinking water can become so easily compromised. And how experts are working to make sure our system is resilient for next time. Producer/presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel Featuring: Stuart Khan, Professor, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New South Wales Stuart White, Director, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Music: Epidemic sound

How do we heal an ecosystem traumatised by fire? How will climate change result in more intense fires? And why aren't we listening to Indigenous fire management recommendations from past inquiries? Producer/Presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel Production Assistant: Marlene Even Featured: Oliver Costello, CEO, Firesticks Alliance Indigenous Corporation Kevin Tolhurst, Associate Professor, Fire Ecology and Management, University of Melbourne Brad Murray, Senior Lecturer, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney More information on cultural burning: #116 Rekindling Cultural Burning

In part two, we examine how the climate crisis is fuelling ecofascist ideology, how the ideology may be taken up by more mainstream politicians and how ideas spread online. Featured: Andrew Jakubowicz, emeritus professor, sociology, University of Technology Sydney Betsy Hartmann, emeritus professor, development studies, Hampshire College, Massachusetts, USA Producer/Presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel

In part one, we unpack the history of ecofascism. The ideology written in the manifestos of terrorists. We trace back the movement to its beginnings in German philosophy, Eugenics, Hitler's 'blood and soil' slogans and Norse mythology. We also examine how overpopulation has changed meaning over the past few decades - and how all of this is linked to environmentalism. Featured: Andrew Jakubowicz, emeritus professor, sociology, University of Technology Sydney Betsy Hartmann, emeritus professor, development studies, Hampshire College, Massachusetts, USA Producer/Presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel

Through the heart of Inner-Sydney runs a river pushed to the environmental brink. The Cooks River has bared the burden of urban development in Sydney from the time colonisers settled in Australia. But the river, once dubbed Australia's most polluted, is on the mend. In this episode, we meet the people who want to bring the Cooks River back to life. Featuring: Jennifer Newman, Lecturer at the University of Technology Sydney Ian Tyrell, Emeritus Professor of History at the University of New South Wales Sue Burton, Executive Officer of the Cooks River Alliance Dr Ian Wright, Senior Lecturer in Natural Science at the University of Western Sydney Anne Leahy, President of the Cooks River Valley Association Peter Monroe, Co-Founder of the Mudcrabs Ranjit, Mudcrabs Coordinator Producer/Presenter: Victor Petrovic

In this episode: as the most vulnerable citizens bear the brunt of the climate crisis, confronted with civil conflict and forced to migrate as climate refugees - will the international community come to their aid? Featured: Christopher Odeyemi, PhD student, University of Technology Sydney Dr Ian McGregor, Business School, University of Technology Sydney and member, Climate Action Research Group, UTS. Dr Julian Bolleter, Deputy Director, Australian Urban Design Research Centre, University of Western Australia Producer/Presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel

On this episode, we question how journalists have been covering the climate crisis. We look at whether they are numbing audiences with never-ending urgent messaging. And, we examine a new wave of young activists campaigning for climate action, assessing to what extent they can make a difference. Featured: Tom Morton, Professor in Journalism, researcher at Centre for Climate Change, University of Technology Sydney Tooba Farooqui, student and climate change activist Nathaniel Geiger, Associate Professor, Communication Sciences, Indiana State University Producer/presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel

In this episode, we look at why Australia is reviving the nuclear energy debate after more than a decade of silence. And why some are dubbing nuclear as our climate salvation. Featured: Sue Coleman-Haseldine, nuclear test survivor and anti-nuclear campaigner Robert Parker, Vice President, Australian Nuclear Association Heiko Timmers, Associate Professor of Physics, UNSW Canberra Kerrie-Ann Garlick, nuclear free community campaigner, Conservation Council of Western Australia. Dani Alexander, Research Principle, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Music: Fuzzy Logic - Nihoni Subconscious - Nihoni Olsted Harten - The Fence In passage - Migration Algea Trio - Algea Fields Closing Shop - Crabshack Kirkus - Architect Producer/Presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel

What is the real waste from sanitary products? And why is no one talking about eco-friendly alternatives? This episode explores how a culture valuing discretion and secrecy around periods can be harmful to the environment. Featuring: Juliette Kidston-Lattari, graduate student of Environmental Biology and Creative Intelligence and Innovation, University of Technology Sydney Rosie Sheba, Founder, Sustainable Menstruation Australia Music: Popism - Banana Cream Neon Drip - Radio Pink Producer/Presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel

Bushfire season in Australia is starting earlier every year, going for longer, and bringing more destructive fires. Fire authorities do their best to prevent and limit this destruction, as climate change makes their jobs ever more difficult. But are we looking at Australia's relationship the right way? Aboriginal people have been managing the landscape with fire for thousands of years, and still do. We look at how Aboriginal fire knowledge is being revived, and what it means for fire management in Australia. Featuring: Oliver Costello, founding director of the Firesticks Alliance Indigenous Corporation Peta-Marie Standley, cultural burning researcher at James Cook University Jacqueline Gothe, associate professor at the University of Technology Sydney School of Design

It's the year 2031. The temperature is rising, as is the price of electricity. But the government has banned renewable energy. Will you go underground to survive? Or join the Solarnauts in their rebellion? Featuring: Claire Marshall - Creator, Museum of Futures Tania Leimbach - Research Assistant, Faculty of Transdisciplinary Innovation, University of Technology Sydney