From left: Andi Horvath, Erin O'Donnell, Karen White and David Sornig — Photo: Scott Limbrick

The experts have spoken – there’s no doubt the water is rising. But what will it mean for Melburnians?

Your suburban backyard might not be growing seaweed, but the effects will be felt across our city as we adapt to new ways of being. What might rising water levels mean for our ports and for waste management? How will our roads and sewage systems be affected? Will we see a new wave of migration from other Australian cities that have been hit even harder? The reality of our future is upon us – how will we stay afloat?

Presented in partnership with Melbourne Knowledge Week, and featuring Erin O'Donnell, Karen White, David Sornig and host Andi Horvath.

If you like your cartoon hairstyles sharp and your comic observations sharper, Judy Horacek is your cartoonist.

One of Australia’s most successful cartoonists (and one of our few female professionals in the business), her work ranges from wry political commentary to children’s picture books. Her nine cartoon books include children’s classics such as Where is the Green Sheep? and Good Night, Sleep Tight – both produced with long-term collaborator Mem Fox.

Random Life is the latest of Horacek’s cartoon books for adults. It’s a crowdfunded collection of her recent cartoons – most first published in the Age – and many of which riff colourfully and reflectively on themes of labour and fairness, feminism and everyday life.

For Books and Ideas at Montalto, Horacek talks with broadcaster Serpil Senelmis about Random Life, her career in cartoons, and her uniquely pointy take on contemporary society.