What does the future hold for our planet?

In the latest issue of Lumen, Professor Andrew Lowe responds to readers’ question surrounding their concerns or excitement about the future. He explores themes of climate change, biodiversity loss, nature disconnect, unsustainable planet, water security, waste and pollution, and government inaction, and also and how we as Institute are responding to them.

Readers’ disquiet was clearly very real and deeply felt. One reader imagines mosquitoes at the peak of Mt Everest after the ice and snow has gone. Others write of their concerns for the future of their descendants. “The dissociation of humanity from Earth has already happened… mega cities have replaced natural habitats, leading to a profound disconnection,” one reader writes.

At the Environment Institute we are working in each of these areas but there is also a lot that can be actioned individually - the article outlines some of this key research, identifies how a broader range of the community can get involved through citizen science and promote the importance of educating and equipping the next generation with solutions.

In a Lumen feature for YouTube, Professor Lowe discusses the motivation behind our research excellence at the university, and how the Environment Institute can combat pressing environmental issues.  Our members who are leading the research are creating real solutions and outcomes, and how the Environment Institute acts as a catalyst to invest in the academics, working with partners to achieve results.

You can read the full article from Lumen, available here.

Click the video below to watch Professor Lowe’s interview.