Earth Optimism
Given the numerous environmental crises our planet is facing, it can sometimes be hard to maintain the positive outlook needed to continue working to find solutions. Earth Optimism is a global initiative that aims to bring people together to inspire and energise further environmental action by celebrating successes.
Society for Conservation Biology Oceania and local SCBO chapters have been running Earth Optimism events since 2021, often in partnership with other organisations. For details of past and upcoming events click the link here
Killing for Conservation
4th July 2018, Te Papa, Auckland
There are many issues to tackle in the quest for a predator free NZ. Often overlooked are the ethical questions of predator control. From gene editing to what actually constitutes an invasive species, everything is up for debate. Meet the scientists working on these issues.
Hosted by Kim Hill, with guests: James Maclaurin, Philosopher, Otago University; Edy; Macdonald, Psychologist, Department of Conservation; Doug Armstrong, Ecologist, Massey University; Cilla Wehi, Cultural Ecologist, Manaaki Whenua.
Is Northern Australia the new development frontier?
6th July 2016, Brisbane
What should development in Northern Australia look like? The new ‘food bowl’? Turning the rivers inland? There are grand dreams about developing the ‘north’. But what is the real untapped potential of Northern Australia?
Moderated by Paul Barclay from ABC Radio National, with panellists: Professor Stuart Bunn (Director of the Australian Rivers Institute at Griffith University); Phil Rist (a Nywaigi Traditional Owner, Executive Officer of the Girringun Aboriginal Corporation and Deputy Chair of the North Queensland Land Council); Clare Martin (previous Chief Minister of the Northern Territory); Jann Crase (Chief Executive Officer of Regional Development Australia Far North Queensland and Torres Strait Inc).
The Great Barrier Reef – are we doing enough?
10th December 2015, QUT, Brisbane
Moderated by Professor Richard Kingsford, President of the SCB Oceania section, with panellists: Carole Sweatman, Chief Executive Officer of the Terrain Natural Resource Management (Wet Tropics); Sean Hoobin, Freshwater Policy Manager for WWF-Australia; Distinguished Professor Terry Hughes, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies.
The Extinction Crisis – Man the Lifeboats
February 9th 2015, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Join our expert panel of four conservationists to discuss our conservation challenges and ideas to turn the boat around.
Moderated by Gregg Borschmann from RN Breakfast, with guests: Professor Lesley Hughes (Distinguished Professor at Macquarie University and heads the Climate Change Ecology Group & Councillor, the Climate Council); Scott Gorringe (a Mithaka man from the Channel Country of Western Queensland & Director and founder of MurriMatters Consulting); Professor Richard Kingsford (Director of the Centre for Ecosystem Science, University of NSW); Professor Hugh Possingham (Professor of Mathematics and Ecology, University of Queensland).