Rob Chan: Wheels and the World, How to make it Move Forward Better
Today, we’re joined by Rob, a passionate advocate for climate action and sustainable living. Rob brings so much energy to the Sydney climate scene, often with his toddler along for the ride.
From his involvement in grassroots organisations to his professional role at Turo, where he's helping shape the future of the transport sharing economy, Rob is deeply engaged in finding practical solutions for a safer, more sustainable world.
In this conversation we discuss choosing actions and careers that feel both meaningful and impactful, Rob’s experience growing up as a first generation migrant from Hong Kong in Australia, and the influence this has had on both his parenting and climate journey.
We talk transportation, the sharing economy, and the idea of a perfect environmentalist. And about the joy that comes from seeing the positive impact of actions on family.
So, whether you're already on your climate action journey or looking to learn how you can start to make a difference, this conversation is packed with insights, inspiration, and practical takeaways.
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parents and carers figuring out how to act on climate while navigating their work and family life.
Rob's Links
Peter Newman (IPCC co-author): Innovating transport
Proudest climate moment: Duty of Care Discussion at Climate Action Week Sydney
Rent an EV!
Parents for Climate - Meet your local group
Music by Lesfm. Track 'Travel to the city.'
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49:05
Dr Emma Skowronski (GP): a doctor's perspective on the impacts of gas, micro-plastics and heat on our bodies; the medical voice in climate action; working in Arnhem Land
Today’s wonderful guest Dr Emma Skowronski is a GP and mum of three tweens from Sydney.
Emma has been volunteering with Doctors for the Environment for almost a decade and takes us on a fascinating journey into the health system.
Emma outlines impacts of gas, micro-plastics and heat on our bodies. We also talk about the power of the medical voice in the incredibly politicised climate landscape; Emma’s work with Indigenous communities in Arnhem Land; and how she approaches it all.
Subscribe to Now What Now to hear more stories on
parents and carers figuring out how to act on climate while navigating their work and family life.
Podcast Links
Doctors for Environment Report - Fossil Fuels are a Health Hazard
Doctors for Environment Australia
Climate and Health Alliance Australia
Parents for Climate - Meet your local group
Music by Lesfm. Track 'Travel to the city.'
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38:44
Yvette - Yearning for a world she doesn't know how to believe in. Trump, Social Media, Motherhood, Climate (story)
Today’s episode is a bit different than usual. Rather than
an interview, I’m reading a story.
It’s a fictional account of Yvette, a mum, teacher and
climate concerned parent, watching the 2020 US presidential election unfold from the other side of the world, in Sydney.
As Yvette goes through her day, she’s filled with thoughts and questions and emotions about motherhood; politics; the people around her; her role and place in the world; and the future of the planet.
I wrote this story a while ago. Watching so many people grappling with the current election outcome; now seemed like a good time to share it.
Text version
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Music by Lesfm.
Track 'Travel to the city.'
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39:09
Dr Steven Du - from Vietnamese Refugee to Climate Advocate and Tesla Fan
In this episode, I was lucky to interview Steven, a father, dentist and electric vehicle advocate from Sydney.
We start with Steven’s arrival in Australia as a Vietnamese refugee and his childhood in Perth, and finish with his predictions for the future of electric vehicles and fossil fuels.
Along the way, we discuss Steven’s advocacy in many different climate groups; the centrality of transport to our lives; Steven’s suggestion that Elon Musk may have done the right thing by supporting Donald Trump; and the idea that it’s what you do rather than what you say that matters.
Subscribe to Now What Now to hear more stories on parents and carers figuring out how to act on climate while navigating their work and family life.
Podcast Links
Australian Electric Vehicle Association
Climate Action Burwood Canada Bay
Tesla Owners Club of Australia
Asian Australians for Climate Solutions
Parents for Climate - Meet your local group
Music by Lesfm.
Track 'Travel to the city.'
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36:28
Sydney mum - From Conservative Voter to Climate Activist & Why Self-help Books didn’t Help
In this episode we speak with a Sydney mum - she didn't want her name attached to the episode, because she wanted to speak more freely than she otherwise
would have. Or maybe she wouldn't have done the interview at all.
The conversation charts her story of growing up in regional NSW in a Liberal/LNP voting family. She tells how she herself moved from a conservative position, unaware of the climate crisis, to the other side of the political spectrum.
Subscribe to Now What Now to hear more stories on parents and carers figuring out how to act on climate while navigating their work and family life.
Podcast Links
Parents for Climate - Meet your local group
Kate Raworth: Doughnut Economics
Jason Hickel: Less is More
Johann Hari: Stolen Focus - a great text about the challenges of overcoming the climate crisis if we are addicted to our screens and alrogithms
Additional resources this mum wanted to share
Stephanie Kelton: The Deficit Myth - On Modern Monetary Theory - an explanation about how we understand economics all wrong and we actually can afford to fight the climate crisis, despite what governments tell us.
Music by Lesfm.
Track 'Travel to the city.'
About Now What Now - Parent and Carer Climate Journeys
Now What Now is a podcast about parents and carers figuring out how to act on climate while navigating their work and family life.
Meet parents and carers who are thinking about the legacy we leave as parents, have experienced climate grief, connected with other families, created groups for their community, championed local solutions, learnt new skills, met friends for life along the way and more.
If you're concerned but you haven't figured out how to act, hear how other parents and carers are carving out a path.
Listen to Now What Now - Parent and Carer Climate Journeys, Good Inside with Dr. Becky and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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