10. Adam Wood: intergenerational injustice, bushfires and coal in NSW, electric vehicles in Australia, climate strike

A conversation with Adam Wood, a secondary school teacher at a large well-known private school in Sydney, teaching Legal and Christian Studies. Adam used to be a corporate lawyer, until he decided to use his powers for good. He is married to Emma and they have two small children. 

Episode Outline

I. What's the big idea?

Byron chats with Adam Wood about intergenerational injustice, particularly as it relates to climate disruption. As a complex, global, cumulative crisis with a significant lag time between combustion and climate disruption, it is easy for each generation to enjoy the immediate benefits of burning fossil fuels while passing on to coming generations the full costs of that combustion. This creates a fundamental structural injustice by creating a gap between the beneficiaries of an activity and those who suffer from its consequences. How do we connect empathetically and ethically with those downstream from us, whose future suffering or flourishing is dependent upon our choices today?

Byron reads from the epilogue to Last Chance to See by Douglas Adams and Mark Carwardine (1990).

 

II. What's going on?

1. NSW laws proposed to prevent scope 3 being considered in mining approvals - National Resources Review

• Huge Bylong coal mine blocked due to long term environmental impacts - Renew Economy

 

2. This is not normal: what's different about the NSW mega fires - SMH

• Ex-emergency chiefs sound climate alarm - Canberra Times
• Former fire chiefs warn Australia unprepared for escalating climate threat - The Guardian

 

3. Australians worry about the environment but are wary of electric cars - SMH

 

4. 'Climate Strike' named official word of the year - Independent

• 7.6 million people demand action after week of climate strikes - 350.org

 

III. What do we do?

i. Immediate: Donate to help people fighting and affected by the bushfires. Also to support wildlife rescue.

ii. Immediate: Consider committing to making your next (new) car purchase an EV. Use an online map to check what range you actually need in your regular life.

iii. Book recommendation: The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann

iv. More ambitious: identify a young person in your life and ask them how they feel about climate disruption, being emotionally available to really hear their answer.

 

Credits

• Host - Byron Smith
• Producer - Simon Bunstead
• Sound - Byron Smith
• Music - Francis Preve