Environmentalism for a modern Australia.

Australia is changing. Australians deserve an environmental movement that is willing to change with it.

Environmentalism for a Modern Australia is a one-day conference bringing together people who believe we can build a better future for humanity and nature.

Join WePlanet Australia for a day of bold ideas, challenging conversations and practical collaboration as we explore what environmentalism can look like in a rapidly changing world.

The day will feature a keynote presentation from WePlanet Australia’s new National Manager, Tyrone D’Lisle, as well as a presentation from WePlanet Australia President Andrea Leong and three incredible speakers sharing the ideas and perspectives that can help us build an environmental movement for a modern Australia.

We will break for a vegan lunch before moving from ideas to action in the afternoon with a series of engaging and collaborative breakout spaces. Attendees will have the opportunity to contribute, connect with others and help shape the next phase of WePlanet Australia and Australia’s environmental movement.

This is an opportunity to meet the people building the next evolution of the environmental movement in Australia, challenge old assumptions, explore emerging solutions and imagine what we can achieve together.

Whether you have been part of the environmental movement for years or are simply looking for a place that shares your hope for a better future, you are welcome.

Join us and be part of what comes next.

Presentations

Tyrone D’Lisle

Keynote Presentation: Building Australia’s Evidence-Based Environmental Movement

Tyrone D’Lisle is the National Manager of WePlanet Australia, a father and a long-time environmental and social justice campaigner. He has been active in environmental and social justice movements for more than a decade, working across political advocacy, campaigning and grassroots organising.

A former Greens candidate, Tyrone previously challenged Peter Dutton in the federal electorate of Dickson. His experiences in politics and the environmental movement have helped shape his belief in the need for an environmentalism that is willing to challenge established assumptions, engage with new evidence and technologies, and focus on achieving better outcomes for people and the planet.

Australia needs an environmental movement willing to challenge its own assumptions and respond to new evidence, technologies, and environmental and political realities.

In his keynote presentation, Tyrone will outline how WePlanet Australia is building exactly that: a movement equipped to meet the needs of people and the environment in the 21st century and beyond.

Geoff Russell

Presentation: "The High-Protein Hustle"

Geoff Russell is an author and long-time advocate for animals, sustainable food systems and nuclear energy.

His 2009 book CSIRO Perfidy examined the health and environmental implications of high-protein, meat-heavy diets and was endorsed by leading Australian dietitian Rosemary Stanton and ecologist Professor Barry Brook. His 2014 book Greenjacked explored the environmental consequences of anti-nuclear activism and received an endorsement from Nobel Prize-winning immunologist Professor Peter Doherty.

Geoff's presentation will examine whether our growing focus on protein is justified from a health perspective, the relationship between protein and meat consumption, and what this means for building a healthier and more sustainable food system.

Steven Nowakowski

Presentation: The Footprint of the Energy Transition: What Australia’s Clean Energy Debate Is Missing

Steven Nowakowski is a lifelong conservationist, professional cartographer and photographer based in North Queensland. A former Greens candidate, Steven has worked with Greenpeace and other environmental organisations, using mapping to identify conservation hotspots and document the impacts of land clearing and development.

His current work focuses on mapping the existing and proposed footprint of Australia’s energy system, including major renewable energy developments planned across ecologically significant landscapes in Queensland and Tasmania.

Drawing on decades of conservation experience, Steven’s presentation will examine why the environmental impacts of renewable energy projects deserve the same scrutiny as other forms of development, and make the case for conservation and energy policy guided by evidence and environmental outcomes rather than dogma.Steven Nowakowski

Presentation: The Footprint of the Energy Transition: What Australia’s Clean Energy Debate Is Missing

Steven Nowakowski is a lifelong conservationist, professional cartographer and photographer based in North Queensland. A former Greens candidate, Steven has worked with Greenpeace and other environmental organisations, using mapping to identify conservation hotspots and document the impacts of land clearing and development.

His current work focuses on mapping the existing and proposed footprint of Australia’s energy system, including major renewable energy developments planned across ecologically significant landscapes in Queensland and Tasmania.

Drawing on decades of conservation experience, Steven’s presentation will examine why the environmental impacts of renewable energy projects deserve the same scrutiny as other forms of development, and make the case for conservation and energy policy guided by evidence and environmental outcomes rather than dogma.

Dr Jonathan Symons

Presentation: Governing the Sun: The Politics of Solar Radiation Management

Dr Symons teaches in the School of International Studies at Macquarie University. His current research focuses on environmental politics and global climate policy, including governance of solar geoengineering, engingeering biology and carbon dioxide removal.

Jon’s presentation will explore the history, politics and governance of Solar Radiation Management, including how the idea has evolved, why international efforts to regulate it have struggled, and how attitudes differ across countries, generations and political movements. He will also examine Australia’s limited engagement with the issue and why 'climate stabilisation' may now be moving into more mainstream climate policy discussions.