A podcast that explores place and our relationship to it. Come on an audio field trip with leading geographers from the Australian Centre for Culture, Environment, Society and Space (ACCESS) at the University of Wollongong.
Each episode we go knee deep into some of the forgotten corners of the Illawarra and beyond. The podcast examines how places are transformed by humans and others, and poses questions like: What might a more sustainable future look like as place is affected by natural disasters and invasive species? What is our relationship with nature today and what can Indigenous connections to Country teach us about these places?
Allens Creek has been described as the worst creek in the Illawarra. It’s a dirty little creek that runs through the middle of an industrial estate at Unanderra on the New South Wales south coast. It reaches the sea at the Port Kembla steel works.
So what makes this the worst creek in the Illawarra? Worst according to whom or what? And if it’s the worst why is there so much life growing and living on the banks of Allens Creek?
Joining us on this field trip are Associate Professor Michael Adams, Dr Chantel Carr, Dr Jenny Atchinson and Dr Leah Gibbs from the Australian Centre for Culture, Environment, Society and Space at the University of Wollongong.
In this special episode recorded live at the Geographers Declare Symposium, hosted by UOW’s ACCESS and the Geographical Society of NSW, Geographers from around Australia gathered to discuss how they would or should declare a ‘Climate Emergency’.
The longevity and severity of the bushfires along Australia’s east coast this Summer prompted many local governments, industries, organisations, peak bodies and academics to declare a climate emergency and pledged to reduce their own emissions.
Climate scientists, engineers, architects, planners, medical professionals, lawyers, religious groups, small business and the arts have already declared, but not yet Geographers.
This symposium brought together a panel of experts from around Australia to discuss how Geographers, who habitually research and teach about climate change, social and environmental justice, should best declare a ‘Climate Emergency’.
Speakers include:
Carrie Wilkinson PhD Candidate with University of Wollongong's, School of Geography and Sustainable Communities, Dr Susannah Clement an early career feminist geographer, Pauline McGuirk Director of University of Wollongong ACCESS (Australian Centre for Culture, Environment, Society and Space), Rosie Goslett-King Coordinator of the Women Rangers Environmental Network (WREN) at World Wildlife Fund, Professor Richie Howitt at Macquarie University, Tim Wall UOW Geography honours student, Associate Professor Lauren Rickards at RMIT University, Associate Professor Fiona Miller at Macquarie University, Madeleine Bretag Geography teacher at Trangie Central School and Dr Blanche Verlie a postdoctoral fellow at the Sydney Environment Institute.