Today, we’re joined by Rob, a passionate advocate for climate action and sustainable living. Rob brings so much energy to the Sydney climate scene, often with his toddler along for the ride.

From his involvement in grassroots organisations to his professional role at Turo, where he's helping shape the future of the transport sharing economy, Rob is deeply engaged in finding practical solutions for a safer, more sustainable world.

In this conversation we discuss choosing actions and careers that feel both meaningful and impactful, Rob’s experience growing up as a first generation migrant from Hong Kong in Australia, and the influence this has had on both his parenting and climate journey.

We talk transportation, the sharing economy, and the idea of a perfect environmentalist. And about the joy that comes from seeing the positive impact of actions on family.

So, whether you're already on your climate action journey or looking to learn how you can start to make a difference, this conversation is packed with insights, inspiration, and practical takeaways.

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Rob's Links

Peter Newman (IPCC co-author): Innovating transport

Proudest climate moment: Duty of Care Discussion at Climate Action Week Sydney

Rent an EV!

Parents for Climate - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Meet your local group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music by Lesfm. Track 'Travel to the city.'

Today’s wonderful guest Dr Emma Skowronski is a GP and mum of three tweens from Sydney.

Emma has been volunteering with Doctors for the Environment for almost a decade and takes us on a fascinating journey into the health system.

Emma outlines impacts of gas, micro-plastics and heat on our bodies. We also talk about the power of the medical voice in the incredibly politicised climate landscape; Emma’s work with Indigenous communities in Arnhem Land; and how she approaches it all.

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Podcast Links

Doctors for Environment Report - Fossil Fuels are a Health Hazard

Doctors for Environment Australia

Climate and Health Alliance Australia

Parents for Climate - ⁠⁠⁠⁠Meet your local group⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music by Lesfm. Track 'Travel to the city.'

Today’s episode is a bit different than usual. Rather than an interview, I’m reading a story.

It’s a fictional account of Yvette, a mum, teacher and climate concerned parent, watching the 2020 US presidential election unfold from the other side of the world, in Sydney.

As Yvette goes through her day, she’s filled with thoughts and questions and emotions about motherhood; politics; the people around her; her role and place in the world; and the future of the planet.

I wrote this story a while ago. Watching so many people grappling with the current election outcome; now seemed like a good time to share it.

Text version

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Music by Lesfm. Track 'Travel to the city.'

In this episode, I was lucky to interview Steven, a father, dentist and electric vehicle advocate from Sydney.

We start with Steven’s arrival in Australia as a Vietnamese refugee and his childhood in Perth, and finish with his predictions for the future of electric vehicles and fossil fuels.

Along the way, we discuss Steven’s advocacy in many different climate groups; the centrality of transport to our lives; Steven’s suggestion that Elon Musk may have done the right thing by supporting Donald Trump; and the idea that it’s what you do rather than what you say that matters.

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Podcast Links

Australian Electric Vehicle Association

Climate Action Burwood Canada Bay

Tesla Owners Club of Australia

Asian Australians for Climate Solutions

Parents for Climate - ⁠⁠⁠Meet your local group⁠⁠⁠

Music by Lesfm. Track 'Travel to the city.'

In this episode we speak with a Sydney mum - she didn't want her name attached to the episode, because she wanted to speak more freely than she otherwise would have. Or maybe she wouldn't have done the interview at all.

The conversation charts her story of growing up in regional NSW in a Liberal/LNP voting family. She tells how she herself moved from a conservative position, unaware of the climate crisis, to the other side of the political spectrum.

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Podcast Links

Parents for Climate - ⁠⁠Meet your local group⁠⁠

Kate Raworth: Doughnut Economics

Jason Hickel: Less is More

Johann Hari: Stolen Focus - a great text about the challenges of overcoming the climate crisis if we are addicted to our screens and alrogithms

Additional resources this mum wanted to share

Stephanie Kelton: The Deficit Myth - On Modern Monetary Theory - an explanation about how we understand economics all wrong and we actually can afford to fight the climate crisis, despite what governments tell us.

Music by Lesfm. Track 'Travel to the city.'

Christmas 2019 - a family holiday on the NSW south coast will change Amy’s life forever.

Caught in the midst of the devastating bushfires, Amy and her family endured a terrifying summer.

Join us in this powerful episode as we sit down with Amy to unravel her journey to becoming a tireless climate advocate in the wake of the fires.

Amy talks about her work with the People’s Climate Assembly, Electrify Canberra, and her local Buy Nothing group, approaching the climate crisis from multiple angles…often with her 3 year old in tow!

We delve into the importance of grassroots movements, ways to build resilient communities, creative approaches to climate action, and the ways in which the bushfires still shape Amy her family’s lives today.

Join us for a heartfelt conversation on resilience, activism, and the power of family and nature to provide hope.

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Podcast Links

Electrify Canberra

People's Climate Assembly

Parents 4 Climate - ⁠Meet your local group⁠

Music by Lesfm. Track 'Travel to the city.'

Claire works in social policy, her love of people and social equality sparked her interest in unusual climate work - starting a climate playgroup.

What is a climate playgroup? For Claire, it's a way for her community to explore what a good future life might look like. She was also inspired and supported by the group to take the nerve-wracking step of speaking to the national media on climate. She was surprised how she felt after taking that leap!

After her toddler was born, Claire grappled with climate grief but she is managing to take it from something that paralysed her to something that drives her, hear how she transformed her grief.

This episode is in partnership with Australian Parents 4 Climate Action.

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Podcast Links

Little Climate Heroes Playgroup on Instagram.  

An article Milkwood Permaculture wrote about Claire's husband, which also mentions the Playgroup. 

Australian Parents 4 Climate Action - Spokesperson program

Australian Parents 4 Climate Action - Meet your local group

Recommended links from Claire

Milkwood Permaculture's ‘Permaculture Living Course’, which really informed our thinking on the playgroup, and has some great practical strategies for how to live  more sustainably. 

Work that Reconnects site - I found a beautiful eco grief course through this site

2040 movie - obvious I know

Joanna Macy on Active Hope - I've slowly been making my way through Coming Back to Life

Outrage and Optimism - This episode is a great listen on how powerful the Aus 2022 election was 

Music by Lesfm. Track 'Travel to the city.'

In the autumn of 2022, Louise was becoming a pro door-knocker. A volunteer for Kylea Tink in the now independent seat of North Sydney, she was learning how to talk to her electorate about climate change.

In this interview, Louise explains how she gained the knowledge and confidence to be a leader in this groundswell campaign.

She also shares why climate change makes her sad. Louise, a psychologist with 25 years experience, is now turning her attention to ways psychology can help foster action and support people experiencing climate grief.

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Subscribe to Now What Now to hear more stories on parents and carers figuring out how to act on climate while navigating their work and family life.

Podcast Links

Australian Parents 4 Climate Action - Spokesperson program

Australian Parents 4 Climate Action - Meet your local group

Music by Lesfm. Track 'Travel to the city.'