The COVID-19 crisis has caused chaos, but have there been any rays of light that have shone in the darkness?
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University of Newcastle physicist and solar energy researcher Paul Dastoor believes there are. In particular he cites the reduction in pollution in recent months and a resurgence in nature.
He is keen to hear from the community on the issue during Tuesday's Looking Ahead online lecture, hosted by the university.
Professor Dastoor will give a 30-minute lecture titled 'Climate Change In Challenging Times' before opening up a panel discussion he hopes the community will participate in by submitting questions.
"Has COVID demonstrated we can do things when there is an acute problem and we are somehow incapable of doing things when it is a chronic problem?," Professor Dastoor, the creator of a revolutionary printed solar cell technology, said. "Will it provide us with an impetus to do things? Where do we see the solutions coming from?"
The online panel will include local government specialist Professor Roberta Ryan, Lake Macquarie council's director of circular economy Debbie O' Byrne, Diffuse Energy chief executive Dr Joss Kesby, University of Newcastle environmental manager Daan Schiebaan and Newcastle young citizen of the year Alexa Stuart.
The federal government's gas-led recovery strategy is among the issues Professor Dastoor is expecting to arise.
And while he is confident there will be some disagreement among participants, Professor Dastoor said he hoped he hoped the overall experience would focus on solutions to the climate challenge.
"I think there will be some disagreements but not in a major way. I think everyone will be pretty aligned on the need to do something but the solutions will probably vary from person to person,"
"As a global community we have got to get better at having discussions at coming to a consensus. We can't just keep shouting at each other over the fences."
The lecture will begin at 5.15pm. A link can be found on the university's website.
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Matthew Kelly
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
