Winning the Climate Wars for a Greener Future with Rebecca Huntley & Toby Park

The climate wars in Australia are reigniting, with nuclear energy pitted against renewables as a central battleground in the next federal election. This follows decades of deeply polarised debates over climate change, resulting in frequent policy reversals and uncertainty in Australia’s approach to environmental action.

How do we move beyond these climate wars once and for all?

Join us for an insightful fireside chat with renowned social researcher Rebecca Huntley and UK behavioural scientist Toby Park, where they will explore how social sciences can help build a united and inclusive climate movement.

What to expect

• Examine why climate inertia is a fundamentally human problem, requiring behavioural and social solutions
• Discuss the most effective ways to communicate climate change
• The challenge of scaling individual actions into broader societal change.
• Toby will share lessons from the UK, where the Labour Party secured a landslide 2024 election victory with a strong mandate for ambitious climate action.

Can our political system also rise to meet the urgent need for climate action and how do we set it up for success?

Don't miss this thought-provoking dialogue on how to finally end the climate wars.

Thursday, 7th November, 2.00 - 4.00 PM

Greenhouse Climate Tech Hub, Level 3/180 George St, Sydney NSW 2000

Speakers

Toby Park

Toby is an expert in the psychology of pro-environmental action at the individual and society level. Toby has advised four UK Prime Minister’s on the UK’s transition to net zero and public engagement for climate policy and was a contributor to the UK’s Net Zero Strategy. He has led the Behavioural Insights Team’s work on accelerating the adoption of low carbon technologies and encouraging sustainable lifestyle choices in energy, transport, food, and circular economy around the world.

Rebecca Huntley

Dr Rebecca Huntley is one of Australia's foremost researchers on social trends. She is the author of numerous books including How to Talk About Climate Change in a Way that Makes a Difference (Murdoch books, 2020). She writes regularly for The Monthly, Australian Traveller Magazine, The Guardian and the SMH. She is a Fellow of the Women Leadership Institute of Australia and of The Research Society.