Summary: In this episode of the Smart Community Podcast, I had a brilliant conversation with Larissa Rose, the Managing Director for the Queensland Renewable Fuels Association. We discuss Larissa's background as an environmental consultant, her Masters degree in renewable fuels and advanced biofuels, and how this sparked her interest in the Smart Community Space. Larissa tells us about the importance of future proofing a city, and how that relates to Smart City concepts, as well as what biofuels actually are, and some examples of different types of low carbon fuels. We talk about what's happening in Australia regarding transitions to global regulatory pressure to reduce emissions, and the often overlooked health aspects of creating Smart Cities and Smart Communities. Larissa makes a point about air quality that might make you rethink your morning jog through the city streets. We then explore how low carbon fuels, electric vehicles and hydrogen powered vehicles all fit together and specifically how they play their part in Australia. Larissa tells us about her trip to San Francisco for the Global Climate Action Summit, and how the QRFA foster collaboration from a global to domestic level. This includes their 'paddock to parliament' approach, which helps integrate across levels of government and different industries and disciplines. We finish our conversation discussing the emerging trend of fuel security in Australia, and the double benefit of progressive action on decarbonising the transport sector. This is a slightly longer episode than usual, but it's a great conversation. As always I hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I enjoyed making it. Find the full show notes as: www.mysmart.community Connect with Larissa via the Queensland Renewable Fuel Association website or on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Connect with me via email: hello@mysmart.community Connect via LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook @smartcommpod
