Think: Sustainability

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How do you repopulate a native species in steep decline? Join us on a dive into the front lines of our marine ecosystem to peek through the curtains on Australia’s most romantic animal. Featuring: Mitchell Brennan, Project Manager of the Sydney Seahorse Project & PhD student at the University of Technology Sydney Mentioned: Faithful pair bonds in wild seahorses, Hippocampus whitei - Amanda C. J. Vincent A seahorse father makes a good mother - Amanda C. J. Vincent iNaturalist: Sydney Seahorse Project Instagram: Sydney Seahorse Project Producer & presenter: Lawrence Bull

They’re in pizza boxes, toilet paper and dozens of other common household items, but chemicals such as PFAS are likely making us very sick. Featuring: Joanna Pickford Dr Rachael Wakefield-Rann, Senior Research Consultant at the Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Executive producer: Lawrence Bull Producer & presenter: Wendy Frew

After reading an online rant about energy use, I took immediate action to radically reduce my carbon emissions. But after two years of chaos, I became worried about my wellbeing. Was I destroying my mind to save my soul? Featuring: Dr Tania Leimbach, Research Assistant at the School of Communication, University of Technology Sydney. Christina Brauer, Postgraduate Professional Development Learning Designer, University of Technology Sydney Producer & presenter: Annamarie Reyes Executive producer: Lawrence Bull

When Elliot returned to the office after a brain injury, his colleagues struggled to understand his bizarre behaviour. His experience could help us ignite widespread action on the climate crisis. Featuring Professor Chris Riedy, Associate Director of Learning And Development at the Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Mentioned: Antonio Damasio, Professor of Psychology Philosophy and Neurology, University of Southern California Martha C. Nussbaum, Distinguished Service Professor of Law and Ethics, University of Chicago Marshall Ganz, Senior Lecturer in Leadership Organizing and Civil Society, Harvard University Imagining Transformation: Change agent narratives of sustainable futures by Chris Riedy and Sandra Waddock Good Energy: A playbook for screenwriting in the age of climate change The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson This episode was produced and presented by Lawrence Bull

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

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

There has been a great amount of focus on planting trees in public spaces but what about in the private realm, in your very own backyard? Is there space for you to plant a tree? If developments do not include space for vegetation within their designs, what happens to the future of our cities? Join us as we explore the opportunities and challenges of increasing the urban forestry within private properties.    Featuring: Associate Professor Abby Mellick Lopes, design researcher in the School of Design, and Course Director of Postgraduate Design Studies, University of Technology Sydney. Associate Professor Joe Hurley, Center for Urban Research at the RMIT University Host: Marlene Even Music: Epidemic Sound

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