QUT Institute for Future Environments

The freedom of journalists to do their jobs and report in the public interest has been under threat since the US terror attacks in 2001. The imprisonment of Peter Greste along with two of his Al Jazeera colleagues in Egypt in 2013 on terrorism charges has been followed in recent years by similarly concerning incidents in Australia and overseas that have thrown a sharp spotlight on the erosion of press freedom. In this Grand Challenge Lecture, Peter Greste explores how journalism became a target and what we can do about it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

IFE Distinguished Visitor Lecture recorded on 29 April 2020 at QUT. This presentation discusses the model used to conduct research at the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) and its Synthesis Centre (sDiv). Dr Winter discusses iDiv/sDiv's successes and challenges, and the strategies used to bring people together to work on cutting-edge environmental research. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

IFE Distinguished Visitor Lecture - recorded 15 February 2018 at QUT. Providing society with the energy it needs is getting more challenging by the day, thanks to greater emissions, urbanisation and climate change. This podcast discusses an initiative called Urban Energy Hub which aims for a higher integration of renewables in urban energy systems and how this has worked in practice in Switzerland and Sweden. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

IFE Distinguished Visitor Lecture - recorded 31 January 2020 at QUT. While the energy consumption of our world steadily increases at the rate of three per cent per year, fossil fuel resources are steadily consumed, and energy-related geopolitical tensions rise at an alarming rate. Humans inevitably seek alternative energy sources, new methods of storing energy for stationary and mobile applications, and energy savings. This lecture will describe ventures into the world of hydrogen fuel, as well as potential new families of room temperature superconducting materials based on silver (2+) compounds for non-resistant conduction of electric current. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

IFE Grand Challenge Lecture - recorded 26 July 2019 at QUT. We have entered the time where climate change is not a distant concern, but one that is undermining basic human development and survival around the world right now. As fear and alarm increases in communities across the globe, have we reached the point of no return? Is it too late to mitigate our climate emergency, or is there still hope for a cleaner, better planet? In this Grand Challenge Lecture, Andrew Higham reviews progress towards the 2020 climate turning point and elaborates on the necessary diplomatic and political pathway to keep the promise of the Paris Agreement alive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

IFE Grand Challenge Lecture - recorded 1 May 2020 at QUT. Professor Bertsch explores the scientific and technological trends and opportunities that will help shape a sustainable future for Queensland. He examines the science and technology trends and challenges as Australia moves towards a population of 50 million and covers topics such as technology drivers, the circular economy, synthetic biology in sustainable food production, the current COVID-19 pandemic and emerging challenges and opportunities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

IFE Grand Challenge Lecture - recorded on on 23 August 2019 at QUT Gardens Point. Many challenges and opportunities lie ahead as we contemplate a renewable hydrogen energy future. The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources is our highest priority to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, mitigate global climate change and ensure human life is sustainable for the centuries to come. Future possibilities include large-scale solar generation plants, a potentially lucrative hydrogen export industry for Australia and new farming and food production pathways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

IFE Grand Challenge Lecture recorded at QUT on 6 September 2019. Astrophysicist and Australian Government Women in STEM Ambassador, Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith will discuss the grand challenges facing Australia’s STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) industry, particularly highlighting emerging opportunities in astrophysics, supercomputing and space. Professor Harvey-Smith will also examine how barriers to the equal participation of women in STEM threatens Australia’s effectiveness to tackle these new challenges, and explain how the implementation of the new national Women in STEM Decadal Plan hopes to transform the sector. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

IFE Grand Challenge Lecture - recorded 25 October 2019 at QUT. Is it time to move past the era of ‘practical reconciliation’ to something more substantive and defined by Indigenous Australians? This presentation will discuss the challenges and opportunities that QUT is facing while undertaking the redevelopment of its strategic plan and the vision for Indigenous Australian engagement and empowerment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Earth's atmosphere is contaminated by many pollutants, all of which are harmful to life and the environment. The need to clean up our air for the future health of the planet is widely understood and accepted, but how do we remove these contaminants safely and efficiently? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices