It has become globally acknowledged that our world needs to decarbonise.
Gone are the days of aiming to reduce emissions while existing technology and fuels remain in place, business as usual.
We now have a vision of a global economy built on the premise of 'net-zero' emissions, which many powerful economies have committed to by 2050.
Australia is well positioned to be a major player in this net-zero emission economy.
We have some of the best renewable resources on the planet as well as the minerals needed to build the technology, and infrastructure to build on in place.
We have the engineering, we have the industries, we have the resources.
But we also have reliance on heavy fossil fuel industries, which were once thought to be entrenched and unable to pivot to a new world.
In his time as Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel AO oversaw the beginning of a major transition in our national economy, that of our energy system.
The Chief Scientist of Australia holds an important position. They inform the government of potential impacts of science and engineering on policy and advise on issues that can change the lives of everyday Australians.
While Dr Finkel has a background in many different areas of science and technology, in his time as chief scientist, his impact could be argued to be seen most clearly in the emergence of a push for a clean, low-emission economy.
Dr Finkel led the development of the 2019 National Hydrogen Strategy and a review into our National Electricity Market along with being involved with many other technology and climate based advisory panels and roadmaps.
Dr Finkel has finished his term as Chief Scientist and is now Special Advisor to the Australian Government in Low Emission Technology.
Dr Finkel has an inspiring vision for our future economy.
So where does this leave Newcastle?
What people might also not realise is that, in future visions of Australia from both the CSIRO and from Dr Finkel, we could become more energy intensive, not less.
We have a history of heavy industry and continued reliance on fossil fuel industries such as coal exports and related services in the broader Hunter Valley.
But we have also been chosen to host one of the National Hydrogen Technology clusters, have been earmarked as one of the state's Renewable Energy Zones and the site of Australia's first lithium-ion battery manufacturers.
In short, we are a region with the capacity and capability to transform our energy economy.
Transition happens slowly, sometimes without realisation of a change.
What the community here might not realise is that we have already started to make headway, working in partnership and alongside our traditional energy producers such as coal and gas.
Many of our traditional industries here are in fact on board and are actively positioning themselves for a low carbon future.
What people might also not realise is that, in future visions of Australia from both the CSIRO and from Dr Finkel, we could become more energy intensive, not less.
This means more onshore manufacturing, more industry jobs, and more energy processing facilities.
Energy diversification and transformation means more infrastructure. The key is, that this new boom must be driven by clean, renewable energy to make low carbon products that the world now demands.
Technology has come a long way since it first demonstrated our capacity for greatness by hurtling people through the vacuum of space and placing them on the moon so many years ago.
While technology may have also arguably got us into this mess, it can surely get us out again.
To do so, we need to listen to the bright minds of people such as Dr Alan Finkel. To be inspired and excited by the changes this will bring.
A cleaner, greener future for all of us is surely just as exciting as the moon landing for this generation.
