“A Tax Won’t Fix Climate Change”

Series

Intelligence Squared Debates

Where

Melbourne Town Hall

When

Thursday, 15 Sep 2011, 06:30pm - 08:30pm

Event Status

Past event

It’s a debate with a decidedly apocalyptic ring: stand by while the dynamics of life on earth change irrevocably, or try to take action that may slow or halt the process – and in so doing possibly compromise our way of life. It’s a debate that challenges fundamental assumptions about evidence, responsibility and governance. And it’s a debate coming soon to the Melbourne Town Hall.

Few issues of recent times have divided Australia as much as how we should respond to climate change. The Gillard government’s proposed carbon tax is the most controversial policy proposal in at least a decade. Proponents struggle to convince the public of the link between a new, broad-based tax and climate change mitigation, while opponents recite their mantra: “A tax won’t fix climate change”.

This September, the carbon tax debate comes home to roost. The next Intelligence Squared debate will tackle the scaremongering, dispel the fictions and, one can only hope, end the confusion. Come and hear panelists from both sides of the divide: politicians, scientists, academics and stakeholders make their case and plead their cause.

Featuring

Featuring

Sinclair Davidson

Sinclair Davidson is a professor in the School of Economics, Finance and Marketing at RMIT University and a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Public Affairs.

Adam Bandt

Adam Bandt is a Greens MP and the Federal Member for Melbourne. He was elected in 2010 when he made history by becoming the first Greens MP elected to the House of Representatives at a general election. Adam was elected Deputy Leader in April 2012 and is the federal Greens spokesperson on industrial... Read more

Matthew Wright

Matthew Wright is the lead author of the award-winning Zero Carbon Australia Plan, and 2010’s Young Environmentalist of the Year. As founder and executive director of not-for-profit organisation Beyond Zero Emissions, Matthew heads the fastest growing climate change research and development group ... Read more

Tim Flannery

Tim Flannery is a scientist, an explorer, a conservationist and a leading writer on climate change. He has held various academic positions including visiting Professor in Evolutionary and Organismic Biology at Harvard University, Director of the South Australian Museum, Principal Research Scientist ... Read more

Stuart Allinson

Stuart is a co-founder and director of Exigency, an independent, specialist energy and carbon market advisory firm. He is a member of the Coalition Advisory Council on Climate Policy. Stuart has a broad-based energy and utilities background, ranging from oil and gas exploration and production to inc... Read more

Fiona O'Hehir

Fiona O’Hehir is CEO of Greenbank Environmental. She has a technical background in electronics and power conversion for the solar industry and has been involved in the clean energy space for many years. Fiona spent six years as an elected industry representative on the board of the Clean Energ... Read more