Past Programs
Climate Change
Solar thermal power
11/10/2008
Dr David Mills is a world leader in solar research and founder of the US based company Ausra Inc.
What plans are afoot to develop solar thermal power stations in Australia?
Allan Jones: getting off the grid Read Transcript
26/07/2008
In the early 1990s engineer Allan Jones set the town of Woking on the path of independence from the national grid. It was a move that saved customers money and radically reduced carbon emissions. He is now trying to repeat the same success for the City of London. Could it work in Australia?
Politics of the emission trading scheme Read Transcript
05/07/2008
The politics of climate change are in overdrive right now.
The federal government has promised an emissions trading scheme by 2010, but being able to deliver that is becoming a real political problem.
Some analysts warn of the political and economic risks to the government if they introduce radical reform.
Chris Turner - The Geography of Hope
14/06/2008
Chris Turner's book The Geography of Hope: A Tour of the World We Need is an account of successful environmental innovation from around the world.
Roger Wilkins Read Transcript
24/05/2008
The solar industry believes that the decision by the Commonwealth to means test the rebate for solar power systems could devastate their industry.
The Productivity Commission has added further fuel to this fire. In its submission to the Garnaut Climate Change Review the Commission questions the benefit of a mandatory renewable energy target.
Th government has promised to set a mandatory renewable energy target of 20% of power to be generated through renewable energy by 2020.
So where is the debate on energy and climate change heading?
Lobbying on climate change
05/04/2008
The debate on tackling climate change is getting very robust.
In the next few months lobbyists from a range of sectors will be putting their case to the federal government to try and ensure that their constituency is not negatively affected by any changes.
We hear from two people who represent the interests of two very different groups -- low income households and the energy sector.
Ross Garnaut Read Transcript
29/03/2008
Ross Garnaut and the need to reshape the Australian economy as we tackle the problem of climate change.
Can we handle the challenge?
China: the Sun King Read Transcript
23/02/2008
Dr Shi Zhengrong, or the Sun King, is a leading solar scientist and, according to Forbes magazine, is the richest man in China and the fourth richest in Australia.
He is estimated to be worth 3 billion dollars and is the inventor of 11 patents in photovoltaic (solar) technology.
Dr Shi Zhengrong is the founder and chief executive of Suntech Power, China's largest solar manufacturer.
Carbon valuation
05/01/2008
Global warming throws up numerous questions and challenges for business.
For instance: how will a carbon liability change the way analysts and fund managers estimate what a company is worth?
This interview was first broadcast in 2007.
Climate California
05/01/2008
In August 2006 the Californian state legislature introduced a suite of strong actions to change behaviour around global warming.
But what has happened since these measures were introduced?
This interview was first broadcast in 2007.
