From waste to wealth, and grids to growth, the show digs into the impact of consumption across all areas of life - it tracks the movements, discoveries and technologies making way for a sustainable future.
How to solve the problem of waste
The amount of waste we create is out of control. When it comes to tyres, we dump two Harbour Bridge’s worth into the Australian environment each year.
But there is something we can do.
Guests:
Paul Randell, Director Randell Environmental Consulting
Dr. Linda Mitchell, Science, Research and Innovation Manager, Tyre Stewardship
Australia
John Gertsakis, Director, Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence, and Adjunct
Professor, Institute for Sustainable Futures UTS
Audio:
Producer and co-host: Sam Loy
Executive producer and co-host: Lawrence Bull
Editorial consultant: Sharon Davis
Sound designer and mix engineer: Martin Peralta
10/23/2024 • 28 minutes, 53 seconds
The case for making housing a human right
Every Australian has the right to housing under international law. But despite being a signatory to this, the Australian government hasn’t made it the law of the land.
Here’s the case for why they should.
Guests:
Kate Colvin, CEO of Homelessness Australia
Daney Faddoul, Campaign Manager at the Human Rights Law Centre
Professor Jessie Hohmann, Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Technology Sydney
Tyler, Lived Experience Advisor
Raghav Motani, International Student Ambassador for the City of Sydney
Amy Persson, Interim Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion, University of Technology Sydney
Audio edit:
Executive producer and episode host: Lawrence Bull
Editorial consultant: Sharon Davis
Sound designer & mix engineer: Martin Peralta
Watch the full talk here: https://www.uts.edu.au/partners-and-community/initiatives/social-justice-uts/centre-social-justice-inclusion/news/recording-right-housing
10/9/2024 • 24 minutes, 33 seconds
How to clean your lungs
The air inside your home and workplace is probably more polluted than the air outside. Fortunately there’s a cheap and (somewhat) easy solution.
Guests:
Dr Fraser Torpy, Director of the Plants and Environmental Research Group, Faculty of Science UTS
Dr Brian Oliver, Distinguished Professor, Faculty of Science UTS
Johan Hodgson, Managing Director for the Pacific Region, Ambius
Audio:
Producer and co-host: Laura Corrigan
Executive producer and co-host: Lawrence Bull
Editorial consultant: Sharon Davis
Sound designer & mix engineer: Martin Peralta
9/25/2024 • 30 minutes, 2 seconds
The big carbon rethink
What if your kitchen sink was a carbon sink? Your corner store, stored carbon? And your shoes reduced your carbon footprint?
In this discussion, our experts explain how this is already underway.
Panelists:
Craig Reucassel, Australian writer, comedian, and TV presenter, best known for his work on the Australian TV programs, The Chaser and The War on Waste, televised on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Alex Thomson, Marine ecologist, Science and Technology Australia ‘Superstar of STEM’, leading science communicator and industry engagement manager in the UTS Faculty of Science, and a big fan of algae and how it can change our planet!
Julia Reisser, co-founder of innovative climate-positive Australian company – Uluu – leading production of a natural material derived from oceans able to replace plastics at scale
Peter Ralph, Leading international researcher in the fields of algae bio-systems and biotechnology, seagrasses, and the adaption of aquatic plants to warming and acidifying oceans; and Executive Director of the UTS Climate Change Cluster in the Faculty of Science
Amy Low, Director of brand and marketing for iconic Australian surf-wear company, Piping Hot, delivering sustainable and affordable material and product production for clothing, swimwear, footwear, and accessories
Audio edit:
Executive producer and episode host: Lawrence Bull
Editorial consultant: Sharon Davis
Sound designer & mix engineer: Martin Peralta
9/11/2024 • 26 minutes, 23 seconds
How to die sustainably
Plastic-filled funerals… spacious burials… gas-fired cremations – the ways we die are unsustainable. Here are some alternatives.
Guests
Jewelz Hansons, Performer and death doula
Dr Maiken Ueland, Deputy director, AFTER
John Humphries, CEO and founder of Aquamation
Hartley, Rock and Tug
Production staff
Producer and co-host: Regina Botros
Executive producer and co-host: Lawrence Bull
Editorial consultant: Sharon Davis
Sound designer & mix engineer: Martin Peralta
8/28/2024 • 28 minutes, 42 seconds
How rich is too rich?
Economic inequality is at a record high. And many economists say political inequality is a likely consequence. Is there a point where "rich" becomes "too rich"?
In this episode we hear from a money coach who gave her wealth away, and an ethicist who says we shouldn't raise taxes on billionaires.
Guests
Morgan Curtis, Ancestors & Money Coach
Carl Rhodes, Dean of UTS Business School, University of Technology Sydney
Jessica Flanigan, Professor of Leadership Studies and Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Law, Richard L. Morrill Chair in Ethics & Democratic Values
Production staff
Producer and co-host: Lawrence Bull
Co-host: Laura Corrigan
Editorial consultant: Sharon Davis
Sound designer & mix engineer: Martin Peralta
8/14/2024 • 29 minutes, 34 seconds
A critique of the circular economy
Reduce, reuse, recycle. How might this actually cause more waste and social inequity?
Guests:
Trevor Zink, Assistant Professor of Management from Loyola Marymount University
Melissa Edwards, Senior Lecturer in the University of Technology Sydney Business School
Producer: Jake Morcom
Host: Lawrence Bull
This episode originally aired in 2018.
7/17/2024 • 24 minutes, 36 seconds
The green infrastructure revolution
Cities are home to the vast bulk of humanity. We live, work, and play in these densely packed places. Urban environments are also responsible for 75% of global emissions. In this discussion, experts explore the transformative power of green infrastructure in urban landscapes and examine innovative ways to make cities smarter, greener, and more communal – places where people can live for generations to come.
Panelists:
Anthony Burke, Professor of Architecture at the University of Technology Sydney and TV Presenter; Australian host of the popular TV series Grand Designs Transformations, Restoration Australia, and Grand Designs Australia (all on ABC TV)
Remy Sietchiping, Internationally recognised expert and UN strategist on Urban Planning & Geographic Information Systems; Chief of Policy at UN-HABITAT, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, Nairobi, Kenya.
Germain Briand, Owner and director of the internationally acclaimed company, The Urban Canopee, on a bold mission to accelerate our cities’ greening through innovation to fight climate change and re-connect people with nature.
Jua Cilliers, Recognised global leader in urban planning and green infrastructure solutions, 'A Defender of the Future', Head of the School of the Built Environment, University of Technology Sydney.
Rob Stokes, Leading Australian spokesperson on city planning and the importance of Net Zero Cities; former New South Wales Minister for Planning and Public Spaces.
Audio edit:
Executive producer and episode host: Lawrence Bull
Editorial consultant: Sharon Davis
Sound designer & mix engineer: Martin Peralta
Watch the full talk here: https://www.uts.edu.au/partners-and-community/events/global-game-changers
7/3/2024 • 31 minutes, 26 seconds
What does free parking really cost?
Car-centric design has congested our cities. So how do we beat the traffic?
Guests: Dr Kasun Wijayaratna, Senior Lecturer, UTS School of Civil & Environmental Engineering; Dr David Mepham, Urban Planner; Dr Elizabeth Taylor, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning & Design at Monash University; Peter Casimaty, Managing Director & Co-owner Future Village; John Bui, owner of The Bay Bakehouse
Producer and co-host: Laura Corrigan
Executive producer and co-host: Lawrence Bull
Editorial consultant: Sharon Davis
Sound designer & mix engineer: Laura Corrigan
6/19/2024 • 31 minutes, 28 seconds
Eco homes aren’t the only answer to sustainable housing
Do we need more green homes? Or is sustainable housing more about the communities we live in rather than the homes we build?
Guests: Gordon Noble and Caitlin McGee, research directors at the UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures
Producer and co-host: Wendy Frew
Executive producer and co-host: Lawrence Bull
Editorial consultant: Sharon Davis
Sound designer & mix engineer: Martin Peralta
6/5/2024 • 26 minutes, 8 seconds
Why we let the rich pay less tax
Is greed fundamental to human nature? Or can we have a society where it doesn’t pose a threat?
Guest: Dr Nathan Kettlewell, Senior Lecturer in Economics, University of Technology Sydney
Producer and co-host: Lawrence Bull
Co-host: Laura Corrigan
Editorial consultant: Sharon Davis
Sound designer & mix engineer: Martin Peralta
5/22/2024 • 27 minutes, 49 seconds
Genocide in the suburbs
As a child, people would tell Shannon she was “lucky” she didn’t look Aboriginal. But as an adult she discovers “luck” had nothing to do with it. It was intentional.
Guest: Shannon Foster, D'harawal Saltwater Knowledge Keeper and artist
Producer & presenter: Lawrence Bull
1/31/2024 • 29 minutes, 5 seconds
The inner lives of wild animals: Conservation’s new frontier
Traditionally, attempts to save animals in the wild have focused on their population numbers and reproductive success. But new research exploring the mental quality of life experienced by wild animals could revolutionise conservation efforts.
Featuring:
Dr Andrea Harvey, UTS Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Morgan Philpott, WIRES Volunteer Koala Carer
Executive producer & post production: Lawrence Bull
Producer & presenter: Wendy Frew
1/24/2024 • 26 minutes, 32 seconds
Rewilding the city
When we think of the city, “nature” might be the furthest thing from our minds. But we’ve found a hidden army of people bringing our cities back to life.
Featuring:
Dr Judy Friedlander, Founder and Director of PlantingSeeds Projects and Adjunct Fellow at the Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney
The Mudcrabs and the Mudlarks – Hans Beg, Russel Cail, Jennifer Kent and Jo
Abbie Galvin, NSW Government Architect
Produced by Tom Melville and Laura Corrigan
12/6/2023 • 26 minutes, 39 seconds
Why we let corporations act like monsters
A pharmaceutical company profits from legions of addicted customers; a gambling company knowingly markets to people in debt; a hospital kills its patients.
People who do far less damage are locked up for life, yet corporations act like horror villains and get away with no criminal penalty.
Why do we let them get away with it? And how do we stop them?
Featuring: Penny Crofts, Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Technology Sydney
Producer and presenter: Lawrence Bull
11/22/2023 • 32 minutes, 49 seconds
How to make a new carbon tax that sticks
At least forty countries and the European Union now have a price on carbon. Australia tried, and failed in 2012. What do we need to do to make it work this time around?
Featuring: Mona Mashhad Rajabi - Post-doctoral Research Associate, UTS School of Business Centre for Climate Risk and Resilience.
Executive producer and post production: Lawrence Bull
Producer and presenter: Annamarie Reyes
11/1/2023 • 22 minutes, 53 seconds
Dark cloud: The true cost of data
Our online lives and the massive digital infrastructure that supports them are eating up our carbon budgets. But who's paying attention?
Featuring:
Jessica McLean, Associate Professor in the School of Social Sciences at Macquarie University
Gordon Noble, Research Director at the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney
Executive producer & post production: Lawrence Bull
Producer & presenter: Wendy Frew
10/25/2023 • 26 minutes
We make a pro-climate ad campaign
It seems like every product has an ad campaign. Cars, cereal, chewing gum, in-soles… What about the most important issue of our time?
Featuring:
Aimee Smith, Graduate Research Student and Sessional Academic in the Marketing Discipline Group at the University of Technology Sydney
Sam Saunders, Chief Creative Officer at Sam Saunders Creative Nyoosa, and International Entrepreneur
Producer & presenter: Lawrence Bull
10/19/2023 • 21 minutes, 30 seconds
The best (and worst) ads of the decade
A good ad campaign can change your behaviour for life. A bad one can hurt a good cause. But both can be very entertaining! We rate and review some of our favourites.
Featuring: Aimee Smith, Graduate Research Student and Sessional Academic in the Marketing Discipline Group at the University of Technology Sydney
Producer & presenter: Lawrence Bull
9/20/2023 • 28 minutes, 13 seconds
#173 - Should We Protect Feral Animals?
We kill millions of animals at a cost of tens of billions of dollars a year. What would happen if we stopped?
Featuring: Dr Eamonn Wooster, Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Technology Sydney
Host: Lawrence Bull
Music: Epidemic Sound
3/6/2023 • 21 minutes, 37 seconds
#172 Algae and the human right to clean air
With most of us breathing air that is causing us harm is Algae the key to a world of clean air?
Dr Alex Thomson is an Industry Engagement Manager for the Climate Change Cluster (C3), UTS
Professor Sara Wilkinson, School of Built Environment at UTS
Professor Andrew Tovey, TULIP Program Manager, Senior Research Consultant, Urban Systems, UTS
3/6/2023 • 27 minutes, 14 seconds
#170 - Is capitalism incompatible with a healthy climate?
In this episode we ask a big question; can capitalism work inside and alongside a sustainable environment?
Featuring: Dr Jonathan Marshall
Host: Lawrence Bull
Music: Epidemic Sound