Seminar 23 - Creating systems change in a time of crisis

Can we build Earth-centred societies and economies that thrive within ecological limits?

Dr. Michelle Maloney (co-founder of AELA: The Australian Earth Laws Alliance)

Abstract: Around the world, Indigenous peoples, scientists, grass roots community groups, social justice advocates and environmental activists (and occasionally, governments) are arguing for systems change: change that will enable us to reduce carbon emissions, restore ecosystems, revive biodiversity and create more socially just governance. In Australia, we know we are facing multiple ecological crises – but what’s being done to respond? Dr Maloney will bring some much needed optimism into an often frightening space: the world of climate change, social inequity and environmental degradation. She will share insights into the rapidly growing areas of ‘wellbeing economics’, ‘Doughnut economics’, Earth-centred governance, Rights of Nature and more. Join us and hear about the amazing, interconnected networks and projects happening around Australia and around the world, that are building our new futures out of the old and fighting to bring life-centred governance into our old, extractivist and destructive, economic, legal and political ways of doing things.

Biography: Dr Michelle Maloney is a lawyer and advocate for Earth-centred systems change. She has been working for more than 30 years on sustainability, climate change, social justice, and Earth-centred governance projects. She is the Co-Founder and National Convenor of the Australian Earth Laws Alliance (AELA), Adjunct Senior Fellow, Law Futures Centre, Griffith University; Co-founder and Director of the New Economy Network Australia (NENA) and Director of Future Dreaming Australia – an Indigenous and non-indigenous partnership organisation. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science and History) and Laws (Honours) from the Australian National University and a PhD in Law from Griffith University.