Tim Flannery at the 5th World Conference of Science Journalists, 2007

Professor Timothy Fridtjof Flannery (born 28 January 1956) is an Australian mammologist, palaeontologist and global warming activist. Flannery was named Australian of the Year in 2007 and presently an adjunct professor at Macquarie University. His controversial views on shutting down conventional coal burning for electricity in the medium term are frequently cited in the media. It has been suggested that Tim Flannery (baseball player) be merged into this article or section. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Paleontology, palaeontology or palæontology (from Greek: paleo, ancient; ontos, being; and λόγος, logos, knowledge) is the study of prehistoric life forms on Earth through the examination of plant and animal fossils. ... Global mean surface temperatures 1850 to 2006 Mean surface temperature anomalies during the period 1995 to 2004 with respect to the average temperatures from 1940 to 1980 Global warming is the observed increase in the average temperature of the Earths atmosphere and oceans in recent decades and the projected... The Australian of the Year Awards commenced in 1960. ... Macquarie University is an Australian university located in Sydney. ...

Scientist

TIM FLANNERY BBY?/ In 1985, Flannery earned a doctorate at the University of New South Wales for his work on the evolution of macropods. Uniwalk is the main walkway stretching through the whole Kensingtion campus The University of New South Wales, also known as UNSW or colloquially as New South, is a university situated in Kensington, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. ... Genera Lagostrophus Dendrolagus Dorcopsis Dorcopsulus Lagorchestes Macropus Onychogalea Petrogale Setonix Thylogale Wallabia Tree kangaroos have smaller ears for easier maneuvering between tree branches, and much longer tail. ...

Flannery has held various academic positions throughout his career including Professor at the University of Adelaide, director of the South Australian Museum in Adelaide, Principal Research Scientist at the Australian Museum, Visiting Chair in Australian Studies at Harvard University, and an adviser on environmental issues to the Australian Federal Parliament. He holds bachelor degrees in English and Earth Science, a doctorate in Palaeontology, and has contributed to over 90 scientific papers. The University of Adelaide (colloquially Adelaide University or Adelaide Uni) is a public university located in Adelaide. ... The South Australian Museum situated on Adelaides cultural boulevard, North Terrace. ... Adelaide is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of South Australia, and is the fifth largest city in Australia, with a population of over 1. ... The Australian Museum is the oldest museum in Australia, centering on natural history and anthropology, with collections centering on vertebrate and invertebrate zoology, as well as minerology, palaeontology, and anthropology. ... Harvard University (incorporated as The President and Fellows of Harvard College) is a private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA and a member of the Ivy League. ... The main entrance to Parliament House in Canberra, with the flag mast visible. ...

In 2007, he took up a role within the Climate Risk Concentration of Research Excellence at Macquarie University. Macquarie University is an Australian university located in Sydney. ...

Mammalogist

Flannery's early research concerned the evolution of mammals in Australasia. As part of his doctoral studies, he described 29 new kangaroo species including 11 new genera and three new subfamilies. In 1990, Flannery published The Mammals Of New Guinea, the most comprehensive reference work on the subject. Through the 1990s, Flannery surveyed the mammals of Melanesia – discovering 16 new species – and took a leading role in conservation efforts there.^[1] Map showing Melanesia. ...

Flannery's work prompted Sir David Attenborough to describe him as being "in the league of the all-time great explorers like Dr David Livingstone".^[2] Sir David Frederick Attenborough, CH, CVO, CBE, FRS, born May 8, 1926 in London, (the younger brother of director and actor Richard Attenborough), is the presenter of many ground-breaking and award winning BBC wildlife documentaries, and a former senior manager for the BBC. He has travelled widely, originally to... David Livingstone (19 March 1813 – 4 May 1873) was a Scottish Presbyterian pioneer medical missionary with the London Missionary Society and explorer in central Africa. ...

Palaeontologist

In 1980, Flannery discovered dinosaur fossils on the southern coast of Victoria and in 1985 had a role in the groundbreaking discovery of Cretaceous mammal fossils in Australia. This latter find extended the Australian mammal fossil record back 80 million years. During the 1980s, Flannery described most of the known Pleistocene megafaunal species in New Guinea as well as the fossil record of the phalangerids, a family of possums.^[3] Orders & Suborders Saurischia Sauropodomorpha Theropoda Ornithischia Thyreophora Ornithopoda Marginocephalia Dinosaurs were vertebrate animals that dominated the terrestrial ecosystem for over 160 million years, first appearing approximately 230 million years ago. ... For other uses, see Fossil (disambiguation). ... “VIC” redirects here. ... // The Cretaceous Period is one of the major divisions of the geologic timescale, reaching from the end of the Jurassic Period (i. ... The Pleistocene epoch (IPA: ) on the geologic timescale is the period from 1,808,000 to 11,550 years BP. The Pleistocene epoch had been intended to cover the worlds recent period of repeated glaciations. ...

Activist

Despite his scientific achievements, it's as an environmental activist that Flannery has achieved prominence. His advocacy on two issues in particular, population levels and carbon emissions, culminated in being named Australian of the Year at a time when the environment had reached the forefront of public debate in Australia. The Australian of the Year Awards commenced in 1960. ...

Population and land use

In 1994, Flannery published The Future Eaters: An Ecological History of the Australasian Lands and People. The controversial bestseller covered the impact of humans on the natural environment in Australia and New Zealand. Flannery argued that firestick farming, carried out by Australian Aborigines over thousands of years, had drastically reshaped the continent's ecology. He further argued that European settlers had, in addition to introducing unsustainable agricultural practices, intensified bushfires by effectively ending the practice of firestick farming.^[4] Fire-stick farming is a term coined by Australian archeologist Rhys Jones in 1969 to describe the practice of Indigenous Australians where fire was used regularly to burn vegetation to facilitate hunting and to change the composition of plant and animal species in an area. ... Australian Aborigines are the main indigenous people of Australia. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ...

Both arguments are hotly contested. Still more controversially, Flannery recommended that ideally, Australia's population should be as few as 6 million (less than a third of its current level) and that European-imported livestock be phased out in favour of native species such as emus, kangaroos and crocodiles. ^[5] Binomial name (Latham, 1790) The Emu has been recorded in the areas shown in black. ... This article is about the animal. ... Genera Mecistops Crocodylus Osteolaemus See full taxonomy. ...

The Future Eaters enjoyed strong sales and critical acclaim. "Flannery tells his beautiful story in plain language," Redmond O'Hanlon, a Times Literary Supplement correspondent wrote of the book, describing it as "science popularising at its antipodean best." Fellow activist David Suzuki praised Flannery's "powerful insight into our current destructive path." Some experts disagreed with Flannery's thesis, however, noting that his broad-based approach, ranging across multiple disciplines, ignored counter-evidence and was overly simplistic.^[6] Dr. David Takayoshi Suzuki, CC, OBC, PhD (born March 24, 1936), is a Canadian science broadcaster and environmental activist. ...

The Future Eaters was made into a documentary series for ABC Television and the book was republished in late 2002. ABC Television is a service of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation which began in 1956. ...

Carbon emissions

In The Weather Makers: The History & Future Impact of Climate Change, Flannery outlines the science behind anthropogenic climate change. "With great scientific advances being made every month, this book is necessarily incomplete," Flannery writes, but "That should not, however, be used as an excuse for inaction. We know enough to act wisely." Variations in CO2, temperature and dust from the Vostok ice core over the last 400,000 years For current global climate change, see Global warming. ...

Concepts outlined in the book include:

• That a failure to act on climate change may eventually force the creation of a global carbon dictatorship, which he calls the "Earth Commission for Thermostatic Control", to regulate carbon use across all industries and nations - a level of governmental intrusion that Flannery describes as "very undesirable"^[7]; and

• the establishment of "Geothermia" - a new city at the NSW-South Australia-Queensland border - to take advantage of the location's abundance of natural gas reserves and solar energy. Flannery argues that such a city could be completely energy self-sufficient, and would be a model for future city development worldwide. Of the city project, Flannery told The Bulletin that "I know it's radical but we have no choice".

The book won international acclaim. Bill Bryson concluded that "It would be hard to imagine a better or more important book." The Weather Makers was honoured in 2006 as 'Book of the Year' at the New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards.^[8] William Bill McGuire Bryson, OBE, (born December 8, 1951) is a best-selling American-born author of humorous books on travel, as well as books on the English language and on scientific subjects. ...

Flannery's work in raising the profile of environmental issues was key to his being named Australian of the Year in 2007. Awarding the prize, Prime Minister John Howard said that the scientist "has encouraged Australians into new ways of thinking about our environmental history and future ecological challenges."^[9] John Winston Howard (born 26 July 1939) is an Australian politician and the 25th Prime Minister of Australia. ...

That said, Howard – along with many others – remains unconvinced as to Flannery's proposed solutions. Flannery joined calls for the shutdown of conventional coal burning in Australia in the medium term, on which the country relies for most of its electricity. Flannery claims that conventional coal burning will lose its social license to operate, as has asbestos.^[10]

Though Flannery has the ear of South Australian Premier Mike Rann in his role as a climate change advisor, the scientist's anti-coal rhetoric is at odds with the positions of Steve Bracks and Peter Beattie of Victoria and Queensland respectively.^[11] Capital Adelaide Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Premier Mike Rann (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 11  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $59,819 (5th)  - Product per capita  $38,838/person (7th) Population (End of September 2006)  - Population  1,558,200 (5th)  - Density  1. ... Michael David Rann (born 1953), Australian politician, is the 44th Premier of South Australia. ... Stephen Philip Bracks (better known as Steve Bracks) (born October 15, 1954), Australian politician, was the 44th Premier of Victoria, holding the position for eight years, from 1999 to 2007. ... Peter Douglas Beattie (born, New South Wales 18 November 1952), Australian politician, is the Premier of the Australian state of Queensland and leader of the Australian Labor Party in that state. ... Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Peter Beattie (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd)  - Product per capita  $40,170/person (6th) Population (End of November 2006)  - Population  4,164,590 (3rd)  - Density  2. ...

In contrast to much of the environment movement, Flannery is also supportive of nuclear power.^[12] For fusion power, see Fusion power. ...

More recently, Flannery appears to have changed his view on nuclear power. In May 2007 he was reported to have told a business gathering in Sydney that while nuclear energy might have a role elsewhere in the world, Australia's abundance of renewable resources rule out the need for nuclear power.^[13]

Bibliography

• Tim Flannery (1990 - revised 1995) Mammals of New Guinea ISBN 0-8014-3149-2 (??)
• Tim Flannery (1994), The Future Eaters: An Ecological History of the Australasian Lands and People, ISBN 0-8021-3943-4 ISBN 0-7301-0422-2
• Tim Flannery (1995), Mammals of the South-West Pacific & Moluccan Islands, ISBN 0-7301-0417-6
• Tim Flannery, The Eternal Frontier: An Ecological History of North America and its Peoples, ISBN 0-8021-3888-8
• Tim Flannery, Throwim Way Leg: An Adventure, ISBN 1-876485-19-1
• Tim Flannery, Country: a continent, a scientist & a kangaroo, ISBN 1-920885-76-5
• Tim Flannery & Peter Schouten, A Gap in Nature, ISBN 1-876485-77-9
• Tim Flannery & Peter Schouten, Astonishing Animals, ISBN 1-920885-21-8
• Tim Flannery, The Weather Makers: The History & Future Impact of Climate Change, ISBN 1-920885-84-6
• Tim Flannery, We Are the Weather Makers, ISBN 1-921145-34-X

In addition, Flannery has edited and introduced: Throwim Way Leg is a book written by Australian zoologist and climate change activist Tim Flannery. ... The Weather Makers: The History and Future Impact of Climate Change (2005) is a book by Tim Flannery. ...

• The Birth of Melbourne, ISBN 1-877008-89-3
• The Birth of Sydney, ISBN 1-876485-45-0
• The Explorers, ISBN 1-876485-22-1
• Watkin Tench, 1788, ISBN 1-875847-27-8
• Terra Australis, Matthew Flinders' Great Adventures in the Circumnavigation of Australia, ISBN 1-876485-92-2
• John Morgan, The Life and Adventures of William Buckley, ISBN 1-877008-20-6
• John Nicol, Life and Adventures: 1776-1801, ISBN 1-875847-41-3
• Joshua Slocum, Sailing Alone Around the World, ISBN 1-877008-57-5

Watkin Tench (1758-1833) was a Marine officer in the First Fleet, establishing the first settlement in Australia in 1788. ... Captain Matthew Flinders RN (16 March 1774 – 19 July 1814) was one of the most accomplished navigators and cartographers of his age. ... John Morgan is a common name, especially in Wales, UK. Well-known people with this name include: John Morgan (bishop): Archbishop of Wales, from 1949 to 1957 John Morgan (comedian) John Morgan (etiquette expert) John Morgan (golfer) John Morgan (journalist) John Morgan (mathematician), a mathematician at Columbia University John Morgan... William Buckley William Buckley (1780 - January 1, 1856), was an English convict who was transported to Australia, escaped, was given up for dead and lived in an Aboriginal community for many years. ... Joshua Slocum (February 20, 1844 – on or shortly after 14 November 1909) was a Canadian-born American seaman and adventurer, a noted writer, and the first man to sail single-handedly around the world. ...

References

ABC Television is a service of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation which began in 1956. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 100th day of the year (101st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... It has been suggested that Penguin Modern Poets, Penguin Great Ideas be merged into this article or section. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 100th day of the year (101st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... ABC Television is a service of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation which began in 1956. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 100th day of the year (101st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... ABC Television is a service of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation which began in 1956. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 100th day of the year (101st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 256th day of the year (257th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... ABC Television is a service of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation which began in 1956. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 100th day of the year (101st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... ABC Television is a service of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation which began in 1956. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 100th day of the year (101st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 269th day of the year (270th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... ABC Television is a service of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation which began in 1956. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 100th day of the year (101st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 100th day of the year (101st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The West Australian (often simply called The West) is Perths only locally edited daily newspaper, and is owned by ASX-listed West Australian Newspapers Limited. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 25th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 100th day of the year (101st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 100th day of the year (101st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Australian is a national daily broadsheet newspaper published by Rupert Murdochs News Corporation. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 100th day of the year (101st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... February 23 is the 54th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Bulletin is an Australian weekly magazine, which has been published in Sydney since 1880. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 100th day of the year (101st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• The Weather Makers book website
• Tim Flannery lecture online, RMIT School of Applied Communication Public Lecture series
• National Australia Day Council - Australian of the Year 2007
• NSW Ministry for the Arts - NSW Premier's Literary Awards Winners
• Flannery interview on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos