SERIES

IQ2 Debate

DATE & TIME

28 AUGUST 2018

LOCATION

SYDNEY TOWN HALL

Do we ditch fossil fuels right here and transition to renewable energy right here and now, or transition over time?

It’s the biggest debate humanity has to settle. Every minute we delay could mean dire consequences for our future and the climate. Yet a hasty switch could see unreliable and expensive options rolled out. With no clear-cut answer, a respectful debate was needed to unpack the challenges about a sustainable transition.

Consumers, the Australian government, and the energy and mining sectors all recognise the world needs to move away from coal, oil, and gas. But we can’t seem to agree if we do we do it today or in stages over a few years, or even decades?

On 28 August we took the debate out of parliament and onto the IQ2 stage at Sydney Town Hall with four experts invited to take on the motion “It’s too soon to ditch fossil fuels” in front of a live, active audience. Over 900 people braved a chilly evening to come along and inform their choices around our energy policies.

With compelling and thought-provoking arguments presented at both ends of the spectrum, it was a heated evening that illuminated the challenging road ahead.

Catch up

Didn’t make it on the night? The complete debate is available for streaming on YouTube. Just hit play on the viewer below.

Photo gallery

Did you come along to the debate? Check out our gallery for all the action on the night. Spot yourself, or a friend in the crowd.

Speakers

Cecile Wake

is Shell Australia’s vice president of commercial, overseeing the company’s national oil and gas investments. She has 20 years’ experience in mining, oil, and gas sectors around the world. Cecile says the world has a moral imperative to transition away from fossil fuels and that work is already underway, but we can’t simply ditch them overnight.

Josh Manuatu

Is the president of the national Young Liberal Movement of Australia. He has worked as a policy and media advisor for federal parliamentarians and ran his own communications and workplace advisory firm. Josh argues Australians like renewables but don’t want to pay for them. He urges against haste in favour of a planned, staged transition to affordable and reliable energy options.

Ketan Joshi

Is a science communicator who worked in the renewable sector for eight years, first as a data analyst, then in communications and advocacy. He has published work in The MonthlyGizmodoCosmos and others, and now works in data science communications at CSIRO. Ketan says we’re overdue for the full-scale ditching of fossil fuels, and the delays are unforgivable.

Lisa Cox

Is The Guardian AU’s environment reporter. She has been working on a special series called ‘Our wide brown land’ which has investigated overlooked environmental issues in Australia. Lisa argues ditching fossil fuels is becoming more urgent and can no longer be delayed. She says we have the urgent need, technology and ability to switch to renewables today.

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Who is it for?


  • THE ENVIRONMENTALIST
  • THE FUTURIST
  • THE PROVOCATEUR
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What you'll take away


  • 01A SPARKED INTEREST IN HOW WE CONSUME ENERGY
  • 02BROADEN YOUR AWARENESS OF HOW WE DEPEND ON POWER
  • 03UNDERSTANDING OF THE CHALLENGES OF AN INSTANT TRANSITION