UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures

Queers in Property in collaboration with the UDIA NSW Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee is hosting a special lunch presentation showcasing the Inclusive Place-based Planning for LGBTQIA+ Communities Project. This project investigates how city planning can help improve the senses of belonging, home and safety of our LGBTQIA+ communities living in the Six Cities Region. ISF's Jason Prior and Edgar Liu will feature on the panel alongside Rebecca Cadorin from Arup Register here: https://ow.ly/WMlf50SB5T1 #DiversityAndInclusion #InclusivePlanning #LGBTQIACommunity #InclusiveCommunities

In the vibrant and ever-expanding cityscape of Sydney, Australia, urban living is rapidly evolving. As the city grows, high-density buildings become the norm, presenting unique challenges and opportunities for urban development and the lived experiences of apartment residents. Amid this urban transformation, Tamara Al-Obaidi, a PhD candidate at the University of Technology Sydney ISF, embarks on a journey to explore health and wellbeing within these towering structures. "My aim is to establish a baseline of factors crucial for future developments," Tamara explains, "driven by the lived experiences of residents who navigate apartment living daily, without jeopardising the health of the environment and our planet.” Read more: https://ow.ly/9OYW50SB5Lo #UrbanDevelopment #HighDensityLiving #UrbanResearch #PhDLife #HealthyCities

Making smart sensing smarter: A new guide for local governments. The Operational Network of Air Quality Impact Resources (OPENAIR) project provides practical guidance and tools for smart environmental monitoring, specifically designed for local government use. ISF’s Andrew Tovey wrote a thought piece article on the project that featured in the Australian Smart Communities Association’s newsletter. Read the article here: https://ow.ly/robG50Sysjp #Innovation #Sustainability #SmartSensors

ChatGPT use is rising and so are the technology sector's carbon emissions. Since the release of ChatGPT, the world has seen a surge in investment, development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) applications. The amount of computational power used for AI is doubling roughly every 100 days. ISF's Gordon Noble and Fiona Berry explain the impact of this boom. The Conversation Australia + NZ Read more: https://ow.ly/aAP450SxzzG #ChatGPT #AI #Technology #CarbonEmissions #ArtificialIntelligence

Held across the country from 7-14 July 2024, NAIDOC Week celebrates and recognises the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year’s theme is Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud looks at honouring the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture. ISF is proud to have recently launched the 'Powering First Nations Jobs in Clean Energy' report alongside First Nations Clean Energy Network SGS Economics and Planning Indigenous Energy Australia and Alinga Energy Consulting which aims to create new career opportunities for Indigenous people. "To break this cycle and see intergenerational change taking place, First Nations people – young and old – need to be encouraged to trust in their own abilities allowing them to aim high when it comes to shaping their employment pathways." says co-author Dr Sarah Niklas "Partnering with First Nations people is an essential component of the energy transition, which will benefit the whole community. Our research, in partnership with the First Nations Clean Energy Network, is another chapter in an ongoing conversation with First Nations people on the clean energy transition and I look forward to learning more as we continue this shared journey." says co-author Rusty Langdon.   Read more here: https://ow.ly/FM6k50SwFiY #NAIDOCWeek #FirstNations #CleanEnergyJobs #EnergyTransition #IndigenousEmployment

Stories from ISF - 1 Million Women Festival of Solutions (and hope) Saturday 29 June three ISF’ers Sarah Niklas, Rusty Langdon and Elianor Gerrard, PhD, attended the Festival of Solutions, organised by 1 Million Women, a global movement of women which empowers them to act on climate change and tackle sustainability issues through the way they live. The lineup covered a broad range of themes with climate change being the central topic. The key take-away message was one around activism and hope, an emphasis on the power in action over anxiety, through joining community groups and building social connections. Climate change anxiety is fast becoming the next mental health crisis, members of the community, particularly young people, can quickly become overwhelming due to its large scope and underlying complexity. As Australian academic and climate scientist Leslie Hughes says: “you cannot do it all by yourself” – sending a clear message that we need each other, we need community, and to share responsibilities. The ‘Festival of Solutions’ facilitated the building of hope within the community alongside a call to action. Hope is the glue that brings people together and it is essential for building momentum around a common goal. Hope enables action, despair leads to inaction. #1MillionWomen #ClimateAction #SustainableLiving #EnvironmentalActivism

Meet the Researcher: Professor Jason Prior Jason Prior is Professor of Planning, Health and Environment here at UTS-ISF. The NSW Smart Sensing Network recently published a news article on Jason in their ‘Meet the researcher’ series. Professor Prior says, “Our health and the health of our planet are inextricably linked, and it is imperative that we translate research into practices and policies that support both.” Read the full interview with Jason here: https://ow.ly/2c9m50StoJj #Sustainability #HealthyEnvironments #Research

There is an urgent need to develop climate-friendly ways of producing the chemicals that make life possible. According to the One Earth Climate Model (OECM) developed by ISF researchers, aligning with the Paris Agreement goals would leave the chemicals sector a remaining carbon budget for energy-related emissions of 19.6 gigatonnes between 2020 and 2050. Taking action now to radically reduce the sector’s CO2 footprint can make a big difference in helping the world reach its net-zero goals. Associate Prof. Dr. Sven Teske Maartje Feenstra Sarah Niklas Dr. Simran Talwar Read more here: https://ow.ly/4tNj50SuecO #NetZeroEmissions #ClimateAction #Sustainability #Research

Uncertain about the impact of AI on energy consumption? Turns out that so too are IT managers who are key to AI deployment. ISF, funded by Pure Storage, has just launched a report exploring the sustainability implications of AI deployment in Australia and New Zealand. Key Findings: – 72% of IT managers are already piloting or using AI technologies – Significant uncertainty about AI's energy impact: 53% of managers are unsure how much energy consumption will increase – Only 4% of organisations limit AI usage to offset energy consumption Discover why understanding AI’s energy footprint is crucial for balancing innovation with sustainability. Find out more here: https://ow.ly/RXbZ50Ssx2N #AI #Sustainability #EnergyConsumption #ITManagers #Innovation #GreenTech

Opposition leader Peter Dutton's nuclear energy plan threatens to derail Australia's emissions reduction plan... and could lead to a 40% blow-out in Australia's carbon budget. ISF Research Director Sven Teske explains how, having crunched the numbers using the One Earth Climate Model. Read The Conversation Australia + NZ article here: https://ow.ly/zwiO50Stm6z #NuclearEnergy #CarbonBudget #RenewableEnergy #ClimateChange #Sustainability