027 | 100 Johanna Johnson: Biochar from human waste

Date: Friday 19 August 2022

Time: 9:30am - 10:30am

Location: 100 Climate Conversations Exhibition, Level 1, Powerhouse Museum

Price: FREE - Bookings Essential as places are limited

Logan City Council in Queensland is transforming human waste into biochar, a process which sequesters carbon, destroys microplastics and saves the community money. Johanna Johnson spearheads the Australian-first project, which will help the Council meet its target of carbon neutral operations in 2022.

See Johnson in conversation with presenter Nate Byrne, recorded live at the Powerhouse as part of 100 Climate Conversations. Entry is free, but bookings are essential as places are limited. Doors open at 9:15am for a 9:30am start. No late admittance.

100 Climate Conversations is a two-year survey of visionary Australians who are accelerating the net zero carbon revolution. To find out more and subscribe to the podcast visit 100climateconversations.com.

Johanna Johnson is a former chemist and water management expert who leads sustainable projects at Logan City Council in Queensland, which has pioneered an Australian-first water treatment facility. The Loganholme Wastewater Treatment Plant now uses a gasification process to transform 34,000 tonnes of biosolids (treated and partially dewatered sewage sludge) annually into biochar, a form of sequestered carbon. After a successful trial in 2020, Logan Water is constructing a permanent biosolids gasification facility which will be operational by mid-2022. This will save Logan Water and the community around $500,000 a year in the cost of managing biosolids.

Polymath Nate Byrne is a meteorologist, oceanographer, science communicator and former navy officer, but is perhaps most well-known for his high energy ABC News Breakfast weather broadcasts. From briefing senior military officers and hosting children’s science shows, to presenting the nation's weather in times of emergency and calm, Byrne understands the importance of engaging and climate-focused communications. He helped launch the University of Melbourne Climate Futures program and maintains a close eye on developing climate stories. While weather is his speciality, Byrne is driven to share narratives about the world and the role of climate change in shaping our future.