Summary
This event is SOLD OUT
Ocean Futures:
A New Generation of Laws and Policies for the Sea
Australia’s seas and global oceans as a whole are at a cross-road. Increases in the scale and reach of global fisheries, pollution, global warming and other threats are now placing at risk the nature of the sea and the food and services it delivers for humanity.
Little known is that for many years Australia has led the world on many aspects of marine conservation and management. But a new generation of laws and policies is needed if we are to protect special seascapes such as the Great Barrier Reef and all our marine life, in the next decades and century to come.
One of Australia’s leaders in ocean conservation, Robert Hill, was an acclaimed former Australian Environment Minister and UN Ambassador, and put in place fundamental improvements in the management and conservation of Australia’s seas. He will detail the new approaches needed for Australians and their governments to conserve the blue parts of our world.
What is The Thomas Conservation Oration?
In 2010 philanthropist David Thomas established the Thomas Foundation Conservation Oration to raise awareness of international findings important to the conservation of biodiversity.
This annual event brings a renowned international conservation expert to Australia for the Thomas Foundation Conservation Oration – an engaging 60 minute address that presents a critical environmental issue affecting our natural landscape and ways we as society can make a difference. Previous Thomas Foundation Conservation Orators have included Harvey Locke, Dr Aaron Bernstein, Dr Wade Davis, Professor Callum Roberts and Professor Daniel Pauly.
The Thomas Conservation Oration 2016 is presented by the Thomas Foundation as part of the World Science Festival Brisbane.
Meet the Speaker
The Honorable Robert Hill AC is a former leading Federal Cabinet Minister and Australian Ambassador to the United Nations. He is Australia’s longest serving Minister for the Environment Minister. As Environment Minister he led major new approaches to conservation, including a full and effective approach for marine planning. His other major environmental achievements included the passage of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, the establishment of the $2.5 billion Natural Heritage Trust, the largest environmental rescue package ever undertaken by an Australian Government, and ensuring government support for the work of Indigenous land management and the creation of Indigenous Protected Areas.
Following his retirement from public service, Robert was appointed Chancellor of the University of Adelaide from 2010-2014, and he is currently an Adjunct Professor in Sustainability and Co-Director of the Alliance 21 project at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. He is also a Commissioner of the Global Ocean Commission; Chair of the University of Queensland’s Global Change Institute Advisory Board, and Chair of the University of New South Wales’ Cooperative Research Centre on Low Carbon Living.