Institute of Advanced Studies

 From Backyard to Senate: how everyday Australians can affect the Government’s approach to climate change

by  Simon Sheikh, National Director, GetUp!

Climate change remains one of the defining policy issues of our time, but with Australian governments producing weak targets and empty promises, there is a need for fresh voices to pressure government into effective action.

Just months after the launch of GetUp?s large scale field program focussing on renewables, Simon Sheikh presents a case for community action in Australia as well as some learnings from GetUp?s approach.

About Simon Sheikh

Simon Sheikh is National Director of the grassroots community advocacy group GetUp! He has had articles published in newspapers, blogs and co authored the book The Future By Us. He was born and raised in Sydney and studied Economics at the University of New South Wales. 

Prior to joining GetUp Simon represented Australia at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Uganda in 2007 as Australia?s Commonwealth youth representative and in the same year was named the NSW Young Professional of the Year. He was also one of the youngest attendees at the Australia 2020 summit.

In 2009 he was named one of The Weekend Australian Magazine?s Next 100 Emerging Leaders.

About The New Critic Lectures

This lecture forms part of The New Critic Lecture Series. This annual lecture features distinguished scholars, authors, writers, thinkers, entrepreneurs, activists and others who have helped to shape new ideas. The lecture is co-sponsored with the Institute of Advanced Studies? on-line journal The New Critic.

Thursday, 8 October 2009