046 | 100 Brett Summerell: Protecting plants for healthy ecosystems

Date: Friday 16 December 2022

Time: 9:30am - 10:30am

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

Price: FREE - Bookings Essential as places are limited

The chief botanist and director of research at the Australian Institute of Botanical Science, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Sydney Brett Summerell and his team are determining genetically appropriate plants for specific regions based on climate projections, safeguarding species against extinction at PlantBank and uncovering threats to Australian flora and ecosystems.

See Brett Summerell in conversation with journalist Benjamin Law, recorded live at 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.

As chief botanist and director of research at the Australian Institute of Botanical Science, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Sydney, Dr Brett Summerell is championing the conservation of plants and all life that depends on them. With over 30 years of experience performing vital scientific research at Australia’s oldest living scientific institution Brett is worried about the future of Australia’s biodiversity, warning nearly half our native plants are under threat from climate change. He is a senior scientific adviser to government advocating for plant conservation and how important plants are in our lives.

Benjamin Law writes books, TV screenplays, columns, essays and feature journalism. His work has appeared in 50+ publications — including The Monthly, Frankie, Good Weekend, The Guardian and Australian Financial Review. His books include The Family Law (2010, Black Inc) and Gaysia: Adventures in the Queer East (2012, Black Inc) — both nominated for Australian Book Industry Awards. Law authored a 2017 Quarterly Essay, Moral Panic 101: Equality, Acceptance and the Safe Schools Scandal, and edited the anthology Growing Up Queer in Australia (2019, Black Inc). He speaks out on the topics of diversity, equality, journalism and more.