Commissioner is an endangered species

Federal climate commissioner Tim Flannery was in Docklands last month speaking to the nation’s energy producers about the impacts of climate change on their industry.

Professor Flannery (pictured) addressed the 2013 Australian Energy and Utility Summit on June 19.

He warned the industry that it needed to adapt and diversify in the wake of the increasing trend of consumers producing their own electricity.  He likened this to the internet-driven shakeout in the global
media industry.

On his own future, he was philosophical – predicting that should Tony Abbot become  prime minister in September, the dismantlement of the Climate Commission would be on his first order of business.

He said his sacking would be perceived as a political “trophy”.

“We will never get good policy until we achieve good community understanding about these complex and difficult issues,” he said.

His only comments when asked about Docklands was that it needed more native trees for summer shade.

Returning to live in Melbourne after 30 years, Prof Flannery has been impressed by biodiversity evident in nearby Westgate Park.