If, like us, you’re anxious about the climate emergency, tune in: this episode is all about the gaining of wisdom in an uncertain world. We look to science, innovation and First Nations knowledges to learn how one young Australian is detoxifying the ocean and atmosphere, and what the world’s oldest link between humans and the land can teach us about managing the environment.  

In his 2021 Australian Museum Talbot Oration, Professor Tim Flannery calls for solutions. One of those is floating out at sea – a native seaweed called asparogopsis, which when fed to cows substantially reduces their methane emissions. Another solution is listening to First Nations people, whose successful stewardship of Country for time immemorial saw both people and the environment thrive. Australian Museum First Nations curator Dr Mariko Smith discusses what one new acquisition – the Kimberley Boab Nut Collection – can teach us about this legacy.    

Guests: Professor Tim Flannery, Sam Elsom and Dr Mariko Smith 

Host: Alice Gage

Find images, extra stories and transcript at australian.museum/explore

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Sam Elsom is the founder and CEO of Sea Forest. He is a passionate environmentalist with over 15 years’ experience in sustainability. Having founded one of Australia’s first sustainable apparel businesses to measuring social and environmental impact across supply chains as well as implementing a satellite factory in India to support poor communities with income, training, clean water and education. Sam was drawn to explore seaweed cultivation for its impressive capacity to sequester CO2 as a potential solution to reverse Climate Change. 

Professor Tim Flannery is the Distinguished Visiting Fellow focussed on researching the impacts of climate change and raising awareness of the issues, especially impacts on biodiversity and our coastal environments. He is an internationally acclaimed scientist, author, explorer and conservationist. In recognition of his work on the Climate Commission and the Climate Council, he was recently awarded the Geddes Environment Medal by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.

Dr Mariko Smith is a Yuin woman and Manager, First Nations Collections & Engagement at the Australian Museum. Mariko focuses on Indigenous community-based cultural resurgence initiatives and incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing into curatorial and artistic practices. Mariko holds a combined Bachelor degree in Arts and Laws (University of Sydney), a Master of Museum Studies (University of Sydney) and Doctor of Philosophy from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (University of Sydney). Her PhD thesis focused on the cultural resurgence of Aboriginal tied-bark canoe making in south-eastern Aboriginal communities. Mariko is an Honorary Associate in the School of Literature, Art & Media at the University of Sydney. 

Alice Gage is the producer, writer and host of the Australian Museum’s Explore podcast, and editor of Explore, its biannual magazine. Alice is an editor, writer and content creator interested in the nexus of science, cultural knowledge and art. She founded and published cult art journal Ampersand Magazine from 2009-2013. Alice lives on Bidjigal Country with her husband and their two little redheads. She holds an MA in Communications from Melbourne University and a BA in English from Sydney University.  

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