Michael Roux Round Table: Climate Change & Economic Inequality

The Advance Public and Charitable sector was fortunate to have Mr Michael Roux, who was designated by the World Economic Forum as their representative in Australia, speak on the pressing issues of climate change and the growing economic divide between rich and poor.

The roundtable discussion focused on the big issues of geopolitical change and social and political changes that Australia and the world faces now that global governments have reached a consensus that climate change is a fact.

Under the Chairmanship of Michael Roux, the Australian Davos Connection Business Leaders Forum had been held in Canberra the previous week where visiting UK climate change economist Nicholas Stern had made a presentation. The Forum issued a statement urging “aggressive action” to abate greenhouse emission. During the roundtable discussion Michael indicated that he was also in favor of the government providing a regulatory framework and binding target for

2020 as well as a longer-term aspirational target for 2050.

Michael recommended that all those interested in the science of climate change and the direct affects on Australia read the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report and the book “The Science and Politics of Global Climate Change, A Guide to the Debate” by Andrew Dessleer.

He commented that Climate Change was the number one item on the Australian agenda at the moment. A growing amount of CEO’s were agreeing that the primary reasons that businesses needs to act are “moral and ethical” indicating an important shift in business culture on the issue of sustainability.

Michael had encouraging news of action already taken by large Australian corporations such as ANZ and AGL, but in general, at all levels, government, business and local there was a long way to go in the education process.

Suggested reading:
“Climate Change: An Australian Guide to Science and Potential Impacts", edited by Barrie Pittock and published by the Australian Greenhouse Office
"Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change", Editor in Chief Hans Joachim Schellnhuber; Cambridge University Press.

Listen to Podcasts of the Event Speeches: