EVENT: Join us at 'Pints of Ideas' to discuss the plastic pollution problem and solutions

Join the Environment Institute and Ecoversity to discuss the problem of plastic pollution.

This inaugural Pints of Ideas event, is an environmental pub-talk series brought to you University's Ecoversity program.The first session will explore 'How big is the plastic pollution problem and what can we do about it?' Hear about the solutions in research, policy and industry, and most importantly what individuals can do to help from a distinguished lineup of guests.

Date: Thursday 8 April 2021
Time: 5pm to 6pm
Location: UniBar, North Terrace, University of Adelaide
Bookings: By Wednesday 7 April, 2021 at Eventbrite.

The evening will include special guests:

Introduction by: Hon David Speirs MP, Minister for Environment & Water

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  • Professor Melissa Nursey-Bray – Department of Geography, Environment and Population & Environment Institute
  
  
  • Scott Morton, Australian Director of BioBag
  
  
  • Paige LeCornu, Coordinator of the Adelaide Sustainability Centre
  
  
  
  

Facilitated by Professor Bob Hill, The Environment Institute.

This series is brought to you by the University's Ecoversity program.

Find out more about the speakers:

Hon David Speirs MP, Minister for Environment & Water

Hon Speirs was appointed South Australia’s Minister for Environment and Water in March 2018. He is also South Australia’s Cabinet Secretary.

He represents the coastal electorate of Black in Adelaide’s southern suburbs. He first entered the South Australian Parliament in March 2014, having previously served as a City of Marion Councillor and Deputy Mayor between 2010 and 2014.

Hon Speirs obtained a Bachelor of Laws with Honours from the University of Adelaide in 2008. Prior to his election to Parliament he held a series of senior policy development positions in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and has been a National Director of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Australia. He was awarded South Australia’s Young Community Leader of the Year in the 2012 Young Achievers Awards.

As Minister for Environment and Water, Hon Speirs has led a suite of reforms and exciting policies including creation of Glenthorne National Park; overseeing major coastal protection initiatives; driving ambitious eco-tourism opportunities; leading an Australian-first ban on single-use plastics; development of a climate change strategy for South Australia; and opening the state’s reservoirs for recreation.

Born in Galloway, Scotland, David immigrated to South Australia with his parents in 2002.

Professor Melissa Nursey-Bray – Department of Geography, Environment and Population & Environment Institute

Professor Nursey-Bray's research investigates the connection between people and the environment. She focuses on how to engage communities to be part of environmental decision making, particularly in the context of climate change and biodiversity protection. She has worked with Indigenous, ports, local government and fishing communities on a range of projects. These projects have examined how conflict, social and cultural values, knowledge, social learning and perceptions affect how people become involved in or help drive environmental sustainability.

Her recent work explore how different communities can adapt to climate change. This has included developing adaptation strategies for Indigenous peoples, looking at how urban areas can be ‘greened’ and the ways in which fisheries can be made more resilient and responsive to climate threats.

Scott Morton - Australian Director of BioBag

In January 2018, Mr Morton took over BioBag World Australia as managing director after starting Peakfresh and being named the Australian Export Awards Small Business Award for South Australia in 2017. In 2019, BioBag’s Adelaide manufacturing plant was launched and is now producing a wide range of single-use plastic alternatives including agricultural mulch film, coffee machine knock tube liners and supermarket produce rolls.

BioBags break down just like plants in a composting environment. When plant matter composts it can be returned to the ground to grow more plants - the best end-of-life option for a bag. They’re certified to Australian Standards for compostability, so BioBag's will completely disappear anywhere there’s oxygen and microorganisms, leaving no microplastics or toxic residues behind.

Paige LeCornu, Coordinator of the Adelaide Sustainability Centre

Ms LeConu coordinates the Adelaide Sustainability Centre based at the Joinery, one of nine environment centres in the state, supporting the community to live more sustainably and connect to nature. She's coordinated various sustainable behaviour change and climate change-focussed projects and courses, including with young people and school students specifically. She's passionate about supporting individuals to share skills and knowledge and working with community to create positive and sustainable change.