Marcus Butler
26 February 2015: Former Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett AM fittingly received a rock star reception when he delivered the Institute of Applied Ecology's 2015 Krebs Lecture at the University of Canberra on 24 February.
Far from reflecting on his past career as one of Australia's most immediately recognisable musicians, he returned to his roots as an environmental activist to call for immediate and comprehensive action on climate change.
The sold out lecture addressed what Mr Garrett sees as the continual 'biting of the hand that feeds us – our planet' by failing to take action to prevent further climate change.
Having spent many years as an environmental advocate, he used his rock star status to further his conservation messages, before stepping into the job as Federal Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts in 2007.
Calling out the current Federal Government over its stance on climate change and environmental issues, he said Governments are elected to protect the national interest and have a duty of care to protect citizens from harm.
"It is occasioning harm to its citizens for the Abbott government, or any subsequent government, to resist taking the kind of steps scientists tell us are necessary to halt warming to around two degrees.
With our national interest imperiled, as an ordinary person who if they see a crime being committed can make a citizen's arrest, so too we could act on this glaring negligence," he said.
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Peter Garrett delivering the 2015 Krebs Lecture. Photo: Michelle McAulay. |
He recommended a 'Citizens' Tribunal' should be formed to hear the evidence, assess government policies and to pass judgement on our nation's leadership for any failings.
One such policy which he put forward was to include a greenhouse trigger in the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.
"A greenhouse trigger in the EPBC act has been mooted in the past – now it's urgent. We've done it for water, now it's the atmosphere's turn," he said.
Mr Garrett rounded out the hour long lecture by calling for Australians to spend more time outdoors, getting in touch with the world around us.
"Playing in nature is good for the physical and mental health of children. Experiencing nature is good for helping keep depression at bay for young and old, good at helping stimulate the senses and the imagination, good for deepening our sense of belonging, and connection to other people, and the world around us."
The Krebs Lecture is perennially well received and this year was no different, more than 500 people crowded into the Boilerhouse lecture theatre responding to Mr Garrett's encouragement for more people to do more to address climate change with raucous applause.
The 2015 Krebs Lecture was sold out well ahead of time, was live-streamed and there was a substantial following on social media for the event using the hashtag #IAEKrebs15
Mr Garrett also paid tribute to the late Professor Dave Choquenot who was previously the director of the Institute, but who passed away suddenly in early January.
"I understand that Dave was keen to have me give this lecture and I'm thankful for this opportunity," he said.
