070 | 100 Robert Furbank: Climate-proofing crops

Date: Friday 26 May 2023

Time: 3:00pm - 4:00pm

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

Price: FREE - Bookings Essential as places are limited.

Robert Furbank is a plant scientist applying genetic and digital technologies to make wheat and rice crops photosynthesise more efficiently. Furbank and his team are improving stress resilience and yields to address the need to rapidly increase food production in the face of pressure from population and climate change.

See Robert Furbank in conversation with journalist Craig Reucassel, recorded live at Powerhouse as part of 100 Climate Conversations. Entry is free, but bookings are essential as places are limited. Doors open at 2.45pm for a 3pm 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

Robert Furbank is an internationally regarded researcher leading the Furbank Lab at the Australian National University and is director of the Australian Research Council’s Centre for Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis. Furbank and his colleagues are leaders in the development of new technologies to genetically modify crops like rice and wheat to perform C4 photosynthesis. This photosynthesis occurs naturally in some plants that are more efficient at converting light and carbon dioxide into sugars while using less nutrients and water, making them more climate resilient. Furbank is part of the C4 Rice Project, an international initiative supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation aimed at increasing rice yields by 50 per cent.

Craig Reucassel is a writer, broadcaster and comedian who is best known for his work with The Chaser and on ABC TV sustainability and climate series War on Waste, Big Weather (and how to survive it) and Fight for Planet A. His work in sustainability inspires positive action on climate change by offering practical day-to-day changes to reduce waste and carbon emissions, while also calling for greater action from government and business. Alongside a group of friends, Reucassel founded The Chaser newspaper, which led to several ABC TV programs including The Election Chaser, CNNNN, and The Chaser’s War on Everything.