Jennifer Rayner will be in conversation with Tom Lowrey on her new book Climate Clangers The Bad Ideas Blocking Real Action

The climate assertions that only prevent effective action, and what could replace them. The impacts of climate change keep getting worse, but the typical framing of the problem and the solutions so far being pursued are seriously insufficient. As a result, the steps we’re taking to build a clean energy economy and move beyond fossil fuels are far too incremental for the existential nature of this threat. So what’s holding us back?

Climate Clangers calls out three bad ideas that are blocking action on climate change at the speed and scale we need right now: Decarbonising our economy must not impact economic growth.Net-zero accounting can keep global heating within survivable limits.Strong action now will cost us more than we can afford. Clung to by politicians and leaders of industry, and rooted in outdated and wishful thinking, each of these ideas is fundamentally wrong. With the world continuing to warm, the longer we leave these assertions unchallenged, the more dangerous they become.

In this sharp and lively analysis, Dr Jennifer Rayner makes the case for better ways to gauge the health of our clean economy, track real progress on cutting carbon pollution, and account for the gains from immediate, decisive measures. We need new ways of thinking about the life-threatening challenge of global warming so that we can get on with real climate action.

Dr Jennifer Rayner is Head of Advocacy at the Climate Council, an independent, people-powered organisation advocating for climate science and solutions. She works at the nexus of evidence, policy and politics to catalyse real action that can permanently cut carbon pollution across energy, transport, industry and the built environment. Jennifer has been a chief of staff and senior policy adviser across federal and state politics, with a focus on advancing a positive climate agenda across the spectrum of government activity. She has previously authored books focused on intergenerational inequality and the economic prospects of workers in transitioning industries—both central priorities in designing equitable and inclusive action to tackle the climate crisis.

Tom Lowrey is a reporter in the ABC's Parliament House bureau. Tom has worked in the media since 2010, in a range of locations including regional NSW and Canberra. He joined the ABC in 2013, and began working in Parliament House in 2021
The vote of thanks will be given by Dr. Adam Triggs, a partner at the economics advisory firm, Mandala and a visiting fellow at the ANU Crawford School Partner.

This event is in association with Harry Hartog Bookshop. Books will be available for purchase on the evening in the Cultural Centre foyer. Pre-event book signings will be available from 5.30pm and again after the event.

Additional Information:

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A podcast will be made available after the event.

Symposium by University House Wine bar (Shop 13, 152 University Avenue, Acton, which is just next to the Kambri cultural centre) will now be open for dining after meet the author events. Food and wine details at https://unihouse.anu.edu.au/eat/symposium/. No bookings necessary.

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