Former Republican congressman Bob Inglis began his political career as a critic of action on climate change, but following visits to Antarctica and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef he became a champion of the cause, making it his mission to prove that protecting the planet is the ultimate bipartisan issue. His political bravery earned him a John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in 2015, but also cost him his seat in Congress.
Just weeks after President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration in Washington DC, Inglis made the case for climate action from a conservative perspective at a public address at the University of Sydney.
Former Minister for the Environment (1996-2001) Robert Hill AC chaired the event.
After his keynote address, Inglis was joined by scientist Dr Scott Heron and Mendo Kundevski to take questions from the floor.
Inglis was in Australia as a guest of The Australia Institute.
The Honourable Robert Hill, AC
Former Australian Minister for Defence and Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Robert Hill AC was an adjunct professor in sustainability at the US Studies Centre until 2016. Previously, Hill represented South Australia in the Australian Senate and was Leader of the Government in the Senate from March 1996 until his resignation in January 2006. He is a former Minister for the Environment, Minister for the Environment and Heritage and Minister for Defence. Following his resignation from Parliament, Hill was Australian Ambassador to the United Nations for Australia.
Bob Inglis
Former Republican congressman
Bob Inglis spoke at a USSC event in 2017. He was elected to the US Congress in 1992, having never run for office before. He represented Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina, from 1993-1998. In 2004, he was re-elected to Congress and served until losing re-election in the South Carolina Republican primary of 2010.
Dr Scott Heron
Adjunct Principal Research Fellow, James Cook University
Dr Scott F. Heron spoke at a USSC event in 2017. He is a physical scientist who works closely with Australian and American oceanic research organisations, based in Townsville, Queensland. He is an expert on coral reefs, specialising in resilience, disease and conservation in the context of climate climate change. He has published over 50 refereed journal articles.
Mendo Kundevski
Principal, ACIL Allen Consulting
Mendo Kundevski is a principal with ACIL Allen Consulting. He advises public, private and non-government organisations on economic, climate change, energy and environmental policies and issues.
