Christiana Figueres on the energy centre of the world
Australia could be the energy centre of the world… exporting renewable energy to the entire world and three other planets.
Diplomat, architect of the Paris Agreement on climate change, and former Executive on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Christiana Figueres is a force to be reckoned with.
In March 2020, speaking at UNSW Sydney, Figueres had the crowd on their feet as she emphasised Australia’s unique ability to power the entire world through renewable energy resources. And yet, even with these available resources, our Government has positioned us a renewable energy backwater – ignoring both the economic and environmental prosperity our sunburnt plains could bring.
As the climate crisis continues to deepen, Figueres reminds us of Australia’s chance to help not only ourselves, but our entire civilisation.
Christiana Figueres spoke with UNSW Sydney in March 2020, at a live event presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and supported by WOMADelaide Planet Talks. Animation designed by Juune Lee and David Lobb – UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture alumni – with composition by Lama Zakharia.
Christiana Figueres
Christiana Figueres is an internationally recognised leader on global climate change. As the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change from 2010–2016, she oversaw the delivery of the historic Paris Agreement of 2015. Since then, together with her co-author for her new book, Tom Rivett-Carnac, Figueres founded Global Optimism, a purpose driven enterprise focused on social and environmental change, under which run various initiatives including the podcast Outrage and Optimism.
