Scientist, explorer and conservationist Tim Flannery is a leading writer on climate change and the 2007 Australian of the Year. His books include the award-winning international bestseller The Weather Makers, Here on Earth and Atmosphere of Hope. He is currently head of the Climate Council.
In his new book Sunlight and Seaweed Tim Flannery investigates exciting new technologies currently being developed to address our most pressing environmental threats, presenting a positive future for us and our planet.
Climate change, food production and toxic pollution present huge challenges, but, as Flannery shows, we already have innovative, practical and inspiring solutions.
‘Much of my recent writing has spelled out a message of hope for the future. It is clear to me that even with the climate crisis assuming its current frightening proportions, and with billions more people on our finite planet, that life in 2050 can be much better than it is today, and the state of our biodiversity and ecosystems much improved,’ says Flannery. ‘But hope is not enough. We need a coherent vision of the future that is capable of guiding investments in clean technologies so that hope can be turned into concrete reality.’
Solar energy has, until now, been limited to supplying power only when the sun is shining. But new technology using concentrated sunlight to provide intense heat energy that can be effectively stored overcomes this problem, providing clean renewable power around the clock. Further, the large amounts of power produced can be used beyond our current power demands to tackle the issue of feeding the world’s growing population – by enabling energy-intense methods of purifying polluted land for agricultural production.
Drawing carbon out of the atmosphere has become an essential component in limiting climate change. Flannery explores the potential of kelp, a fast-growing sea alga, to be used on a large scale to convert carbon from the air to a non-gaseous form, reducing levels of atmospheric carbon.
• Tim Flannery will be appearing at Byron Writers Festival in conversation with Paul Barclay (Saturday) and at Stories from Nature’s Great Connectors with David Haskell and Nicolas Rothwell (Sunday).
• For more on Byron Writers Festival visit byronwritersfestival.com
More Byron Writers Festival 2017 articles:
Tex Talks
Tex is a funny prick. In an industry full of people who take themselves SO seriously, Perkins is a breath of fresh air.
The life and times of Jimmy Barnes
Interview with Mandy Nolan “I didn’t write the story hoping for forgiveness. I wrote it hoping for life.” Prolific songwriter and performer, Jimmy Barnes has been a storyteller for more than 40 years, sharing his life and passions with Australians of...
Book Reviews by Byron Bay Public School Students
Grace Author: Morris Gleitzman Reviewed by: Billie Aitken-McGregor Class: Age 11 Byron Bay Public School “We were a happy family. We were bountiful. But it came to pass that I started doing sins. And that’s when all our problems began.” Imagine having your father taken...
The Reef, trees and stars at Writers Festival
This year’s Byron Writers Festival hosts a range of conversations for those interested in delving into the environment, astronomy and science, led by some of the world’s leading scientific minds. From discoveries made below the waterline, to those made...
Terrorism, politics and betrayals collide in debut novel from Tony Jones
Tony Jones was still at school when Lionel Murphy raided ASIO. After an ABC cadetship, he joined Four Corners as a reporter in 1985, and later Dateline at SBS in 1986. He subsequently was an ABC foreign correspondent, for...
Robert Drewe releases new novel, Whipbird
Bangalow local Robert Drewe is an Australian literary legend whose more than 20 highly acclaimed books, including novels, short stories and memoirs have won state, national and international prizes, been widely translated, and been adapted for film, television, theatre...
Time for Rock’n’Roll at Byron Writers Festival
Byron Writers Festival will feature stars of the Australian music industry who not only can hold a tune but also can hold a pen, and have written or co-written revealing memoirs, and a novel. Read on for more about...
Cosentino’s greatest trick may not be what you think
Trapped underwater in agonising pain, shackled and sinking and desperately trying not to give in to the urgent need to breathe, I really thought maybe I had pushed myself too far this time. The scar was still fresh from...
There’s a kids’ big day out at Byron Writers Festival
Byron Writers Festival has pulled out all stops to create a day full of fun, inspiration and creativity to ignite the imaginations of children. Seven acclaimed children’s authors will face their toughest and most vocal audience at the Greenstone...
A beginner’s guide to the Byron Writers Festival
Never been to Byron Writers Festival? We ask Byron resident and festival-lover Emily Brugman, 27, her top tips for the first-time festival-goer. Tell us a bit about the festival. The Byron Writers Festival is a three-day event that brings writers and...
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
