James Hansen expressed his concern about the widening gap between scientific knowledge and public understanding of climate change to an audience of more than 500 at a Sydney Ideas lecture. The NASA scientist who is often called the Grandfather of Climate Change, was heavily critical of Obama’s cap and trade solution, advocating a fee and dividend policy in its place. Hansen warns that Australia must cut its coal exports or risk becoming a “drug dealer” for a world addicted to fossil fuels.

James Hansen was in Australia as a guest of IQ Australia. This Sydney Ideas lecture was co-presented with the US Studies Centre and the Centre for Human Aspects of Science and Technology (CHAST).