Living hot: finding ways to survive and flourish on our heating planet

A new book co-authored by Professor Clive Hamilton (Vice-Chancellor’s Chair in Public Ethics at Charles Sturt University) offers an assessment of the challenges we face on our heating planet and provides a farsighted road map for what we must do next if we want to survive and thrive. In their groundbreaking book, Living Hot – Surviving and Thriving on a Heating Planet, Clive and Dr. George Wilkenfeld confront the urgent challenges posed by climate change. Launched at Parliament House in Canberra in June 2024, this insightful work shifts the focus from merely reducing carbon emissions to building resilience against climate extremes. Clive argues that preparing for intensifying heatwaves, floods, droughts, and bushfires is crucial for Australia’s future and will require a comprehensive investment and social change program to protect communities.

The book highlights the inadequacy of current efforts, calling for the prioritisation of resilience-building to ensure that all Australians, especially the vulnerable, are prepared for the tough times ahead. With the university’s support, Clive has commissioned the first ever survey of the attitudes of Australians towards making their lives and the nation more resilient to climate change. The results are expected in late 2025.