Best Practice and Imperatives for a ‘Safe Climate”; and a plan for the Hunter Valley

Two speakers Joe Herbertson (ex-head of BHP Research Labs) and Gary Ellem will talk about the best practice thinking and initiatives for Australia and the Hunter Valley, respectively, to respond to emerging global challenges.
What is required for a ‘Safe’ Climate? – Best Practice Safety thinking and the Strategic Imperatives for Australia in a Global Context

Dr. Joe Herbertson was recently honoured with an AM for his service to Sustainability and the Environment, and is well known for his infectious enthusiasm as a speaker and the clarity he brings to complex ideas. Joe will talk about Safe Climate Australia’s aims to mobilise Australia’s extensive technological, economic and political expertise to plan a transition to a safe climate. As a non aligned, science based and solutions focussed organisation, Safe Climate Australia has recently completed the first instalment of its Strategic Framework which outlines the Strategic Imperatives for Australia in a global context. The document represents the clearest articulation of the case for action and the strategic tasks required to ensure a safe and civilised future for mankind. It then drills down and outlines the Australia specific context and the key imperatives for our own society. This is in terms of both our responsibilities to the global community and as a way of understanding the value of opportunities associated with various technological and social innovations.

For the full report follow the link in Meeting Resources on this page.

Joe received his PhD in Metallurgy from the University of London and became head of BHP Central Research Labs. He is a past Director of The Natural Step in Australia and initiated both the CRC for Sustainable Resource Processing and the Australasian Battery Recycling Initiative (ABRI). In 2007 Joe helped form Crucible Carbon, a consulting, research and development company targeted to delivering breakthrough technologies and advice to industry regarding sustainable futures. In addition to serving on the Board of The Tom Farrell Institute, Joe is Lead Author of the Safe Climate Australia Transition Plan and a Conjoint Professor of The University of Newcastle.

For further information on Safe Climate Australia visit http://www.safeclimateaustralia.org/

Can we create Opportunities from Global Challenges in the Hunter? – The Carbon Valley 2050 Project

Dr Gary Ellem received his PhD in Biophysics from the University of Newcastle (Australia) and followed on to lecture in Biology and Ecology. Now working for Crucible Carbon, he has been seconded to The Tom Farrell Institute for the Environment as Project Manager for the Carbon Valley 2050 project. Gary is an engaging and energetic speaker with a broad technical knowledge, and will talk on the work being undertaken for the Carbon Valley 2050 project. As a framework program, the Carbon Valley 2050 project sets out to enable the Hunter to identify and respond coherently to opportunities arising from emerging global challenges. The name draws obvious parallels to Silicon Valley in the Santa Clara Valley of California, which grew from an initial market focus on opportunities arising from national defence challenges. The project works with Hunter organisations, businesses and industries to develop the framework and assist in implementation. Gary’s presentation can be found in the Meeting Resource section of this page.

“The Hunter is an exciting place to be. We are a pro-active region that has taken ownership of integrated strategic planning and we know the value of diversification and innovation. We are therefore better positioned than most to respond positively to emerging global challenges such as climate change, population growth and energy and food security. These challenges present opportunities and it is by engaging with these opportunities that positive solutions will be found.”

Gary is employed by Crucible Carbon and is a conjoint lecturer of The University of Newcastle. His recent work has focussed on modelling and analysis of the scale and economics of alternative energy, sequestration and land management systems, as well as the development of innovative biomass technologies such as microalgae. He provided research analyst support to Safe Climate Australia in developing their Transition Plan. His doctoral studies were focused on the biophysics of shell shape in molluscs and he holds IP in a number of fields including radio position finding techniques, the thermal processing of biomass and photobioreactor design for the mass cultivation of microalgae.