Environmental change: Activism wins the debate

Dec 07, 2004

Activism won over negotiation last night (Monday 6 Deember) when Former Federal Government Environment Minister, Ros Kelly, and 'Clean Up Australia” activist, Ian Kiernan, headed an array of speakers to participate in a debate on environmental change at the University of Wollongong.

Ros Kelly passionately believes in negotiation. Besides serving nearly four years as Federal Environment Minister, Ms Kelly also headed Australia's delegation to the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, which started global action on climate change and water supply among others. Her expertise in resolving mining/environmental disputes saw her manage controversial matters such as North Limited's Lake Cowal gold mine and Jabiluka Uranium mines.

Ian Kiernan's activist streak started the successful Clean Up Australia and Clean Up The World Days. He was inspired to take on this environmental role by the garbage he saw in the oceans as he sailed around the world. Ian's latest campaign is to reduce the number of plastic bags in supermarkets going into landfill or the environment.

The 2003 Environmentalist of the Year, Dr John Wamsley, has been saving wildlife for more than 50 years, using his own money and self-determination. His company, Earth Sanctuaries, fences off native woodland, removes feral pests and then reintroduces the natural flora and fauna. They then turn the areas into tourist parks where visitors pay to see the results. He believes this is the only way to save endangered marsupials from extinction and to date he has helped save six from extinction.

The campaign manager for Greenpeace in Australia, Danny Kennedy, has many examples of change achieved through high-profile activism.

Danny says he loves “the good old thrill of the chase”. “There is nothing sweeter than making a multinational change its behaviour through community activism,” he said.

He was opposed by Senior Counsel, Tim Robertson, a top environmental barrister, who negotiated to block the Franklin Dam, and the recent stopping of 'Stealth', the big budget Hollywood filming in sensitive areas of the Blue Mountains.

Another participant was Dr Richard Denniss who served as chief of staff for Senator Natasha Stott-Despoja when she was national Democrats leader, and is now deputy head of the Australia Institute. The Institute is a Canberra-based think tank called in to research and report on important environmental issues facing the nation.

The title of the Environmental Engineering Research Event (EERE) EcoDebate was “Changing Your World”.

The debate was moderated by author and head environment writer for The Sydney Morning Herald for the past 12 years, Mr James Woodford. Arron Wood, 2001 Young Australian of the Year for the environment, also attended.

The debate was the opener to the Environmental Engineering Research Event 2004, being held in Wollongong, from December 6 to 9, 2004.