The Politics of Power

The Politics of Power

For over a decade Australia’s clean energy policy stagnated during the climate wars, leaving the country effectively without an energy policy. While things have improved, we are still moving too slow. This episode will explore why. Most importantly, it will explore why our politicians are so unwilling to commit to an energy transition at the speed and scale that most Australian’s want. And why our fossil fuel industries remain so unstoppably powerful. We sit down with Zali Steggall to find out more about Canberra’s politics of power and ask what are the carrots and sticks to drive change in the Australian energy network. What works best—positive incentives or tough regulation? What role do independents play in pushing for greater ambition? How do we differentiate between misleading ‘astro-turfing’ by vested interests who misinform and stir dissent in communities, and the genuine need to engage the public in the need for new forms of power generation and infrastructure? These are some of the questions we’ll be exploring, when focusing on what hope there is for COP31 later this year. Zali Steggall OAM, MP is the Independent Member of Parliament [https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Parliamentarian?MPID=175696] for the Federal seat of Warringah, New South Wales. Learn more about her at zalisteggall.com.au [https://www.zalisteggall.com.au] climate360.com.au [https://www.climate360.com.au] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit climate360.substack.com [https://climate360.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Roadblocks Aren't Technical. They're Political.

Of all the different ways we can act to help mitigate climate change, with what we eat, how we build and what we buy, nothing is more critical to climate change than the urgent need to transition away from carbon-intensive fossil fuels. That is why our third series of conversations on Climate360º focuses squarely on clean energy and the end of coal, oil and gas. Our first guest is a powerful and uncompromising voice for that transition. Saul Griffith is an MIT-trained engineer, founder of Rewiring Australia and Rewiring America, recipient of the MacArthur “Genius Grant”, and the author of The Big Switch — a blueprint for electrifying Australia from the power grid to the family car. He is, in short, a force of nature. Interestingly, Griffith now spends less time in the lab than he once did. While there is still important work to be done, improving clean energy technologies, driving down costs, expanding their reach, Griffith argues that the big challenges are no longer primarily technical. Policy is the battleground now, not the lab. This may be a good thing. After all, politicians are answerable to the electorate. You. Without underestimating the scale of change that is needed, and without letting the big polluters off the hook, Griffith emphasises how much agency ordinary people hold. How we spend our money, who we vote for, what products we support, and what we choose to be informed by — all of it has the potential to move the dial on climate action, and on the speed with which we can complete the transition to clean energy. Learn more about Saul’s work by subscribing to his podcast The Shameless Plug, visiting his website rewiringaustralia.org [http://www.rewiringaustralia.org] or subscribing to his blog on Substack! Saul Griffith Andrew Mackenzie This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit climate360.substack.com [https://climate360.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Climate and You, a conversation with Bronwyn Gresham, CEO of Psychology for a Safe Climate

There is a growing connection between anxiety and an increased engagement with the changing climate. In this episode of Climate360°, hosts Andrew Mackenzie and Sam Redston sit down with Bronwyn Gresham — clinical psychologist and CEO of Psychology for a Safe Climate — to explore what’s really going on beneath the surface when we engage with the climate crisis. Bronwyn unpacks the full spectrum of climate emotions: anxiety, ecological grief, guilt, and burnout — and explains why the familiar advice of “just take action” isn’t enough on its own. She shares a three-part framework for climate mental health (regenerative action, self-care, and emotional engagement) and makes the case for Climate Cafés as a thoughtful and transformative capacity-building tool for the community.If you've ever felt the weight of the climate news cycle — or wondered how to hold hope and despair at the same time — this one's for you.Visit https://www.psychologyforasafeclimate.org [https://www.psychologyforasafeclimate.org] to learn more about their work, how to join a Climate Cafe and a growing library of resources that are available to support your mental wellbeing. See you at a Climate Cafe near you soon! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit climate360.substack.com [https://climate360.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Putting Research to Work

In the most recent Climate Change Performance Index (2025), Australia has dropped two ranks to 52nd place. But a recent emboldening of Federal government may see that negative trend reverse. This interview unpacks Australia’s current climate policy platform, and while being a long way from perfect, the positive changes occurring in Australia’s performance. We will look at how research can help inform good policy, and what policy levers look likely to deliver best outcomes Climateworks is taking on the transition to net zero emissions. They guide decisions from government, companies and institutions that can reduce emissions at the scale and pace needed during this critical decade. Anna heads the Australian Country Context team which takes an outward facing approach to enhance Climateworks’ understanding of the political and economic landscape. Anna focuses on influencing policy and investment, and managing relationships with senior stakeholders. Her role includes building our ability to partner with stakeholders and funders, supporting external partners to engage across the full range of our work and ensuring our teams make the most of opportunities to create systems change. Prior to Climateworks, Anna was Assistant Director at the Climate Change Authority. She also worked on climate policy, including as Director of the Climate Action Network Australia and in the Victorian Government. Anna’s climate policy expertise builds on her policy roles in the UK government on environment and sustainable development. She also has experience in international development – including working in Latin America – and in urban conservation. Anna holds a Masters in Forestry and Land Use from Oxford University and a Bachelor in Ecological Science (Ecology Hons) from Edinburgh University. She also completed post-graduate modules in Urban Regeneration at the University of London. Find Anna’s work in The Conversation [https://theconversation.com/profiles/anna-malos-424945] Find Anna’s work on Researchgate [https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anna_Malos2] About Climate360  Climate360 is a podcast series that will take a broad view of how climate impacts our whole world. It is an initiative of Sam Redston and Andrew Mackenzie.  Over the weeks and months ahead we will explore how climate impacts health, economics, politics, science, farming, manufacturing and everything else. We will explore the challenges of a changing climate, while throwing a light on a rich community of innovators and activists, professionals and academics, makers and motivators, who are leading the way in how we might respond to our changing climate.  We acknowledge that we work and create on the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung and Boon Wurrung People of the Eastern Kulin Nation, and we pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. Always was. Always will be.  www.climate360.com.au [http://www.climate360.com.au] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit climate360.substack.com [https://climate360.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Local Heros

All across Australia there are communities taking climate action into their own hands. One example is in rural Victoria, where Totally Renewable Yakandanah [https://totallyrenewableyack.org.au] (TRY) is a 100% volunteer run community group with “the lofty goal of powering this small Victorian town with 100% renewable energy, giving resilience, savings, lower emissions and showing that it can be done”. We talk to Juliette Milbank and Matthew Charles-Jones of TRY, about the challenges involved in the energy transition, the scale of the opportunity, and where they are on their journey. About Climate360º Climate360º [http://www.climate360.com.au]is a podcast series that will take a broad view of how climate impacts our whole world. It is an initiative of Sam Redston and Andrew Mackenzie. www.climate360.com.au [http://www.climate360.com.au] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit climate360.substack.com [https://climate360.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]