Environmental protection and reconciliation in the Solomon Islands: a case study

The seminar, 'Environmental Protection and Reconciliation in the Solomon Islands: A Case Study', will take place at the Innovations Lecture Theatre (Room 2.04) at Anthony Low Building (#124) from 3:00-4:00 PM on Thursday, September 28th. Professor Flannery's presentation promises to shed light on critical aspects of biodiversity conservation and reconciliation in the Solomon Islands.

 

Light refreshments will be served in the foyer afterwards, as an opportunity for informal discussion and networking.

 

 

In 2017 a joint JCU/Australian Museum initiative with the Kwaio people of Malaita, Solomon Islands, was established. Its aim was to protect the last primary forests on the island, along with their unique biodiversity, in exchange for community development funds. The process involved a reconciliation process to lay to rest colonial-era wrongs. Today the Baru Conservation Alliance, run by the Kwaio people, has carriage of this highly successful project.

 

 

Tim Flannery is the 2007 Australian of the Year. In 2013 he founded, and is chief councillor, of the Australian Climate Council, Australia's largest and most successful crowdfunded organisation. He is currently Distinguished Visiting Fellow in Climate Change at the Australian Museum, Sydney.

 

Flannery has taught at Harvard University, and has advised governments both in Australia and Canada. In 2007 he established and co-chaired the Copenhagen Climate Council, and in 2011 was appointed Australia's first Climate Commissioner. He serves on the board of the Prince Albert II Foundation, has been a board member of WWF International and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, an advisor to the National Geographic Society, and board member of the Kelp Blue Foundation.

 

He has published over 140 peer-reviewed scientific papers and has named 25 living and 50 fossil mammal species, many of which are from PNG. His 32 books include The Future Eaters and The Weather Makers, which has been translated into over 20 languages. He has made numerous documentaries and regularly writes for the New York Review of Books.

 

He serves on the Queensland Land Restoration Fund, a $100 million fund which focusses on carbon sequestration and biodiversity protection.