Totally Cooked: Episode 20 – How Lesley Hughes and the Climate Council got one over Tony Abbott

In this Totally Cooked episode, hosts Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan talk with Professor Lesley Hughes, exploring the concept of biodiversity—what it means, why it matters, and how it connects all life on Earth, from genes to ecosystems. They cover how climate change is accelerating biodiversity loss, particularly in Australia, and the real-world consequences this has for ecosystems, communities, and the economy.

Lesley shares insights from her career in climate science and public advocacy, including her role in the Climate Council and the political challenges surrounding climate communication in Australia. The episode also unpacks how scientists engage with the public and policymakers, and the importance of clear, accessible communication in driving action. Ultimately, it’s a story about resilience, evidence-based advocacy, and how climate scientists have navigated political resistance to keep critical conversations alive.

Whether you want to start your own climate change organisation, learn how one of Australia’s best functions, or just love successful women in STEM, this episode is for you.

Iain records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation. Sarah records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging and recognise their unique and continuing connection to the land, skies, waters, plants and animals.

Show Notes

In this episode, we look at:

• What biodiversity is: genes, species, and ecosystems
• Why biodiversity underpins human life and economies
• Climate change as a key driver of biodiversity loss
• Australia as a biodiversity hotspot under threat
• Real-world impacts on ecosystems and communities
• Lesley Hughes’ journey into climate science
• Role of scientists in public communication
• The founding of the Climate Council
• Political challenges under Tony Abbott’s government
• How scientists responded to funding cuts and resistance
• Importance of clear, accessible climate messaging
• Hope, resilience, and pathways for future action

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Listen Now

This episode will be released and available to stream and download on Friday 1st May, 2026.

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Why listen to Totally Cooked?

Because it’s time to feel empowered, not overwhelmed. Totally Cooked is a science-backed, straight-talking podcast about weather, climate change, and what it all means for life on Earth – especially here in Australia.

Hosted by climate scientist Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and science communicator Iain Strachan, Totally Cooked breaks down how human activity is changing the Earth’s systems—from our skies to our seas—and what we can do about it.

From greenhouse gases to fire weather, supercomputers to Antarctic ice cores, this is climate science without the jargon, and where no subject is too complex or controversial.

Totally Cooked is for anyone who wants to understand the science of climate change—without needing a PhD. Whether you’re a high school student, policy maker, journalist, teacher, concerned citizen or just a little climate-curious, this podcast will give you the tools to think clearly and act confidently.

• Cut through the noise with clear, honest science.
• Understand the why behind climate change;
• Learn how climate change impacts real-world weather;
• Hear from the best researchers and scientists in their field and from around the world;

Stay in touch

We want to build a community of climate and weather nerds.

If can’t get enough of Totally Cooked, join our mailing list to receive episode alerts, show notes, information about our guests and behind the scenes content.

You can also suggest a guest or topic by emailing totallycooked@21centuryweather.org.au.

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