score twice for the treehuggers (and it's only still january)
It's raining, and the sound is incredibly beautiful, the pitter-patter on corrugated roofing over Puccini on my radio. Not least because it means that I won't have to go around with a watering can reviving the plants tomorrow.
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Acclaimed scientist, explorer, and conservationist Tim Flannery was this evening named 2007 Australian of the Year. An environmentalist and well-known thinker on ecological issues, particularly global warming, Flannery is the award-winning writer of "The Weather Makers" (2005) and "The Future Eaters" (1994).
Sydney Morning Herald (January 25, 2007):
Prof Flannery was presented with his award at an Australia Day-eve ceremony and concert on the lawns of Canberra's Parliament House.
"I do feel that the honour comes with a deep obligation, for it speaks eloquently of the desire of Australians to address climate change," he told the audience of flag-waving concert-goers.
"We are, on a per capita basis, the worst greenhouse polluters in the world and I don't think any of us want our children asking in future why we didn't give our utmost when it was still possible to influence the course of events.
"The best thing I can do for my country in this role, I think, is to continue to challenge and to work with all Australians and particularly our governments to stabilise our climate.
"Prime minister, I need to add that I will be passionately critical of delays or policies by anyone that I think are wrong-headed.
"But it's also important to give credit when steps are taken in the right direction."
Prof Flannery said the $10 billion national plan for water security was a big step in the right direction.
"In terms of climate change, there's only one set of accounts that matters in the long run, and that's the one held by our atmosphere, for the amount of polluting greenhouse gas it contains will profoundly affect our future.
"It's on lowering the level of those greenhouse gases that my sights are set for this year."
Links:
Stephen Colbert interviews Tim Flannery (video)
Grove/Atlantic website with information about his books, reviews and bio
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Acclaimed scientist, explorer, and conservationist Tim Flannery was this evening named 2007 Australian of the Year. An environmentalist and well-known thinker on ecological issues, particularly global warming, Flannery is the award-winning writer of "The Weather Makers" (2005) and "The Future Eaters" (1994).
Sydney Morning Herald (January 25, 2007):
Prof Flannery was presented with his award at an Australia Day-eve ceremony and concert on the lawns of Canberra's Parliament House.
"I do feel that the honour comes with a deep obligation, for it speaks eloquently of the desire of Australians to address climate change," he told the audience of flag-waving concert-goers.
"We are, on a per capita basis, the worst greenhouse polluters in the world and I don't think any of us want our children asking in future why we didn't give our utmost when it was still possible to influence the course of events.
"The best thing I can do for my country in this role, I think, is to continue to challenge and to work with all Australians and particularly our governments to stabilise our climate.
"Prime minister, I need to add that I will be passionately critical of delays or policies by anyone that I think are wrong-headed.
"But it's also important to give credit when steps are taken in the right direction."
Prof Flannery said the $10 billion national plan for water security was a big step in the right direction.
"In terms of climate change, there's only one set of accounts that matters in the long run, and that's the one held by our atmosphere, for the amount of polluting greenhouse gas it contains will profoundly affect our future.
"It's on lowering the level of those greenhouse gases that my sights are set for this year."
Links:
Stephen Colbert interviews Tim Flannery (video)
Grove/Atlantic website with information about his books, reviews and bio