In this episode of The Good Vote,Tim Costello and Mel Wade talk to Dr Tim Flannery about the environment - one of this election's most hotly debated issues.

Podcast guest Tim Flannery:

Dr Tim Flannery is one of Australia’s best known scientists. A mammalogist, palaeontologist, environmental and global warming activist, explorer and conservationist, Flannery was awarded Australian of the Year in 2007.

He has discovered and named more than thirty new species of mammals (including two tree-kangaroos) and at 34 he was awarded the Edgeworth David Medal for Outstanding Research. His pioneering work in New Guinea prompted Sir David Attenborough to put him in the league of the world’s great explorers and the writer Redmond O’Hanlon to remark, “He’s discovered more new species than Charles Darwin.”

In 2002, Flannery received a Centenary of Federation Medal for his service to science and became the first environmentalist to deliver the Australia Day address to the nation.

Flannery has taught at Harvard University, and advised governments both in Australia and Canada. He advised Sir Richard Branson on the Virgin Earth Challenge, and has served on the board of WWF International and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, and as an advisor to the National Geographic Society.

In 2011, he was appointed Australia's first Climate Commissioner and in 2013, he founded, and is chief councillor, of the Australian Climate Council, Australia's largest and most successful crowdfunded organisation.

Flannery regularly contributes his voice to ABC Radio, NPR and the BBC, and has written and hosted several Documentary Channel specials, including The Future, and Islands in the Sky.

He regularly writes for The New York Review of booksand The Times Literary Supplement. He has edited and introduced many historical works and has published over 140 peer-reviewed scientific papers. His 32 books include The Future Eatersand The Weather Makers,which has been translated into over 20 languages.

His latest book is Sunlight and Seaweed: An Argument for How to Feed, Power and Clean Up the World.

A full transcript of this episode will be available soon at eternitynews.com.au/thegoodvote. Be sure to check out Eternity News' Election Guide for a more detailed look at this election's key issues.