People before Nature: will undervaluing natural ecosystems thwart out ability to secure a sustainable future?

As we scramble for solutions to the causes and impacts of climate change, will knee-jerk survival impulses put more stress on ecosystems already nearing collapse? Will an ongoing blinkered view of our dependence on the natural world stop us heeding important research that recognises its practical value?

Drawing on examples of stressed ecosystems in Australia and overseas, this public lecture considers the complex interactions humans have with the natural world and explores alternatives to the way individuals, communities and governments can develop sustainable strategies that protect the environment and ourselves.

Dr Roel Plant
Roel Plant is a researcher in applied sustainability with the UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) whose work adopts a value-based approach to assist environmental policy and management responses. His current project portfolio focuses on natural resource management and ecosystem and contaminated site management. He also works with the CRC for Contamination and Remediation of the Environment.

Dr Scott Rayburg
Applying a multidisciplinary approach to his work, Scott Rayburg is a researcher with the UTS Centre for Environmental Sustainability, studying semi-arid ecosystems, rivers, lakes and wetlands. This includes physical, biological and social dimensions to solving scientific and natural resource management problems.

Joanne Chong
ISF Research Principal Joanne Chong is an environmental economist and policy analyst. She has designed and evaluated a wide range of sustainability and environmental management policies and projects. She has worked to achieve sustainable outcomes across sectors, including urban water planning and management, contaminated site management policy, and business innovation. Jo has worked as an economist for the Australian Government and in wetlands and catchment management for the International Union for Conservation of Nature.