Lucky Last – Here’s the ABC Carbon 50 for 2010

Outspoken and daring climate change activists young and old – including a Nobel award winning scientist and international movie star – feature in this year’s ABC Carbon 50. This is the list, like no other, of Australia’s most notable and influential people, recognised for their contribution to climate change action and awareness, the environment, conservation, green issues and opportunities, energy efficiency and/or renewable energy.

We received more 150 nominations from readers and supporters around the country and while there may well be additional worthy recipients, we decided to draw the line at 50. Preference was given to people who had achieved national recognition, even though there are some who have been particularly active in one state or community. Many of those selected also have influence way beyond Australia.

The decision on the final 50 was made by Ken Hickson, Director of ABC Carbon, who was ably assisted in the selection process by Graeme Philipson of Connection Research and Graham Readfearn, environmental journalist & green blogger.

We should point out, as we have said before, that politicians and journalists have been excluded from the final list, even though some had been nominated. We do feel it is important to acknowledge the important role that journalists and communicators are playing in Australia and globally to influence the debate and action for the planet’s sake. We are currently developing a list – most likely a TOP 20 – to serve this purpose.

This year, it was also decided that there would not be a ranking or order from 1 to 50, as just securing a place in the final 50 was enough. So names are listed in alphabetical order – just to be different – based on first names not last!

We congratulate all those who made it. Keep up the good work.

ABC CARBON 50 for 2010:

Andrew Grant, CEO, CO2 Australia

Andrew Lawson, CEO, MBD Energy

Andrew Petersen, PWC Partner & professional advocate on Climate Change

Andy Pittman, Climate Change Researcher, University of NSW

Anna Keenan, Climate change Campaigner & organiser Climate Justice Fast

Anna Rose, Founder of Australian Youth Climate Coalition

Anne-Maree Huxley, CEO, Models of Success and Sustainabilty (MOSS)

Barry Brook, University of Adelaide climate scientist

Ben McNeil, University of NSW climate scientist & author

Cate Blanchett, Sydney Theatre Company Director & speaker World Business Summit at Copenhagen, international film star, actress and green activist

Clive Hamilton, author & climate change campaigner

Dave Sag, Founder, Carbon Planet

David Baggs, Founder, Ecospecifier and new Green Tag certification for building products

David Hood, Chairman, Australia Green Infrastructure Council

David Karoly, University of Melbourne climate scientist

Dick Smith, businessman, outspoken on climate change & population issues

Fiona Wain, CEO, Environment Business Australia

Ian Lowe, President, Australian Conservation Foundation

Janis Birkeland, QUT Built Environment Lecturer & author of “Positive Development”

Jean Palutikof, Head of National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility

Jeff Angel, Founder, Total Environment Centre & Green Capital

Jeff Harding, Director Carnegie Corporation & Chairman, Ceramic Fuel Cells

John Buchanan, Director Workplace Research Centre & Climate Change @ Work conferences

John Connor, Director, The Climate Institute

Jon Dee, Founder, Planet Ark, Do Something Campaign and National Tree Day

Ken Bellamy, Founder, Prime Carbon & VRM Biologic

Linda Selvey, CEO, Greenpeace

Mara Bun, CEO, Green Cross

Martijn Wilder, Baker & McKenzie Global CC Director  & Director, Carbon Trust

Matthew Warren, CEO, Clean Energy Council

Matthew Wright, Director,  Beyond Zero Emissions

Michael Ottaviano, CEO, Carnegie Corporation (wave energy project)

Michael Raupach, Global Carbon Project & CSIRO

Natalie Isaacs, Founder, One Million Women Campaign

Ngaire McGaw, Sustainable Jamboree & climate activist

Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Director, Global Change Institute & University of Queensland Professor

Pep Canadell, Global Carbon Project

Peter Cosier, Wentworth Group of Scientists

Peter Doherty, author & Nobel Prize winning scientist

Richard Cassels, Director Climate Leadership

Rob Cawthorne, CEO, Carbon Reduction Institute

Robert Pekin, Founder, Food Connect

Rupert Posner, The Climate Group

Robert Quirk, World Sugar to Ethanol project

Ross Garnaut, economist & Government advisor

Sam Mostyn, Institute for Sustainable Solutions, University of Sydney

Sara Gipton, CEO, Greenfleet

Sidonie Carpenter, President, Greenroofs Australia

Tim Flannery, Chairman, Copenhagen Climate Council, plus author & scientist

Will Steffen, ANU Climate Change Institute at Australian National University

Source: www.abccarbon.com