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Witnessing Climate Change
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Photo: Jon Tjhia
Climate change is too often discussed in the abstract – in terms of graphs, statistics and future projections. So what does climate change look like today, across the globe? How is it affecting the daily lives of people, plants and animals? What are the obstacles – in political systems and in language – that hinder change and can we overcome them?
At the Athenaeum Theatre, we hear moving words and performances from Marshall Islands spoken-word artist Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner and activist Ursula Rakova from Papua New Guinea as well as New York Times science writer Jim Robbins and Melbourne-based author and environmentalist Tony Birch.
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Andi Horvath, Jim Robbins, Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner, Tony Birch and Ursula Rakova — Photo: Jon Tjhia
Who?

Andi Horvath
Andi Horvath has been commenting on science and culture online, on air and on the go since she was let out of the lab. Ask her about her latest podcasting adventures. She was a science broadcaster on 3RRR for over 20 years, alongside appearances on ABC TV and radio. She has developed major exhibitions for Museum Victoria and lectured and trained researchers in communications and podcast training.

Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner
Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner is a poet and climate change activist from the Marshall Islands, who first came to international acclaim through her performance at the opening of the United Nations Climate Summit in New York in 2014. Her first collection of poems, Iep Jāltok: Poems from a Marshallese Daughter, was released in 2017.

Jim Robbins
Jim Robbins has written for the New York Times for more than 35 years, as well as numerous other magazines including Audubon, Condé Nast Traveler, Smithsonian and Vanity Fair. He is the author of several books including The Man Who Planted Trees and Last Refuge: The Environmental Showdown in the American West.

Ursula Rakova
Ursula Rakova is a pioneer in Papua New Guinea’s environmental movement and international campaigner for the survival of her people and homeland. She is the Executive Director of Tulele Peisa, a local community organisation in Papua New Guinea trying to relocate small island communities affected by the impacts of climate change.

Tony Birch
Tony Birch is the author of Ghost River, which won the 2016 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Indigenous Writing, and Blood, which was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Award. He is also the author of Shadowboxing, and three short story collections – Father’s Day, The Promise and Common People.
Tony is a frequent contributor to ABC local and national radio, and a regular guest at writers’ festivals. He lives in Melbourne and is a Senior Research Fellow at Victoria University.

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