Steven J Phipps
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stevenjphipps.bsky.social
Steven J Phipps
@stevenjphipps.bsky.social
Climate science, sustainability and renewable energy. International relations and humanitarianism. Tasmania and Japan. Optimist, problem solver.

Location: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Website: stevenphipps.com
I was honoured to represent Australian Red Cross at this morning's Remembrance Day Service at Kingston Beach. Lest we forget.
November 11, 2025 at 1:54 AM
The fourth South Hobart Resilience Fair took place today, celebrating community, resilience and sustainability. In a changing climate, it's more important than ever to understand the risks and prepare for extreme weather.
November 8, 2025 at 9:05 AM
I'm in awe of the work done by JP Miller and countless staff and volunteers from Red Cross to care for others, exposing themselves to considerable danger in the process. Last year, 385 humanitarian personal were killed while working in areas of conflict.
Scenes from a Red Cross Field Hospital
Australian Red Cross delegate JP Miller speaks to the realities—and risks—of nursing in conflict at a time when the dangers facing humanitarian workers have never been greater.
www.redcross.org.au
November 4, 2025 at 7:27 AM
I joined the monthly meeting of Guess My Accent last night. GMA began as a language exchange group in Hobart, but has gone from strength to strength and is now taking on a much broader mission of helping people of all nationalities to connect, grow and thrive. Please support them if you can!
October 31, 2025 at 4:41 AM
Yesterday the City of Hobart Climate, Sustainability and Biodiversity Committee went on a guided tour of the Southern Waste Solutions Lutana Transfer Station and Recycle Smart's Montrose soft plastics consolidation depot. It was confronting to witness first-hand the volume of waste that we generate.
October 30, 2025 at 7:05 AM
I was honoured to be re-elected as Senior Vice-President at the Australian Institute of International Affairs Tasmania's AGM this week. Following the meeting, Christopher Heard from the Tasmanian Department of Premier and Cabinet spoke about how Australia can learn from Japanese disaster management.
October 30, 2025 at 6:16 AM
A taste of Tokyo in Hobart. It was wonderful to see the Banksia Trio perform live last night, with Rosny Barn providing the perfect ambience.
October 28, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Open day today at Heritage Bonsai Tasmania Shofu-en (in Dysart, around 45 minutes from Hobart). The passion of the owner, Chris Xepapas, really shines through. And, of course, I couldn’t resist buying one for myself.
October 23, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Launceston (Tasmania) and Ikeda (Japan) will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of their sister city relationship on 1 November. Wildlife exchanges are central to the relationship, with Launceston first sending wombats to Ikeda in 1990. Two new wombats arrived at Satsukiyama Zoo earlier this month.
October 23, 2025 at 9:54 AM
An inspirational day at the first-ever City of Hobart Climate Ready Hobart Forum today. It was wonderful to meet such a diverse range of passionate climate leaders, to explore our visions of a climate ready Hobart and to share our ideas for how we can create a climate resilient city together.
October 22, 2025 at 8:25 AM
A sobering and yet inspirational presentation by Saul Griffith at @utas.edu.au last night. We can reduce emissions and save money by electrifying everything - and there's absolutely no time to waste. The biggest applause of the night came from a call for our politicians to make it happen.
October 21, 2025 at 5:28 AM
The Australia-Japan Society of Tasmania is excited to be hosting ABC journalist Lucie Cutting for a very special dinner on the evening of 24 July. Lucie will discuss her reporting on the history of the Tasmania-Japan relationship, including the film Tasmania Story.

Registrations: lnkd.in/gASvWHpH
July 21, 2025 at 5:19 AM
With all the challenges that the world faces, it's more important than ever that scientists get involved in the political process. We need decision-makers that take an objective and empirical approach, that build collaboration and that take a long-term perspective.
Angela Merkel’s career shows why we need more scientists in politics
Only 7% of Australia’s federal MPs have backgrounds in science. What would it look like if they were a majority?
theconversation.com
July 9, 2025 at 2:40 AM
With declining support for the major parties, minority government is the new normal in Tasmania. This event, organised by @australiainstitute.org.au, promises to be a fascinating discussion of how we can make this happen.
Power & Partnership: What will Tasmania's next power-sharing parliament look like?
nb.australiainstitute.org.au
July 9, 2025 at 1:51 AM
I’m proud to announce that I’m putting my hand up for the Tasmanian Parliament.

We need more scientists to get involved in politics. We need people who will bring a collaborative, evidence-based approach to the political process, working together to find practical solutions to problems.
June 25, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Happy solstice everyone!
June 21, 2025 at 6:19 AM
We'll be holding our monthly Japanese-English language exchange session from 2pm on Saturday 5 July, at the State Cinema in North Hobart. Everyone is welcome, so please feel free to join us even if you're a complete beginner!

Further information: www.facebook.com/events/12439...
June 21, 2025 at 4:33 AM
The Australian Institute of International Affairs Tasmania was delighted to welcome His Excellency Dr Siswo Pramono, the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Australia, this afternoon. Ambassador Pramono spoke on Australia-Indonesia relations, including collaboration on the energy transition.
June 17, 2025 at 7:47 AM
The 2025 Australian Wooden Boat Festival was thrilled to welcome back their friends from Japan. Their work sparked curiosity, inspired connection, and invited all ages to experience the precision and poetry of Japanese woodworking craft.

Gallery: australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au/2025-japanes...
June 17, 2025 at 2:15 AM
The 2025 Red Cross Oration will tackle the challenges faced by individuals displaced by violence, the protection of human dignity under extreme circumstances, and the evolving role of global institutions.

When: Wednesday 4 June, 6-7.30pm
Where: University of Tasmania, Hobart and online
Safeguarding the Vulnerable in Conflict
How can we protect the vulnerable in crisis? Two experts unpack the challenges of safeguarding dignity in conflict at the Red Cross Oration. Tickets are free.
events.humanitix.com
May 14, 2025 at 4:40 AM
For decades, scientists have been using the Kennaook/Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station in Tasmania to monitor baseline changes in atmospheric gases. The location was chosen because air here has travelled hundreds of kilometres over the ocean in an area unaffected by local pollution.
Even as emissions level off, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is growing faster than ever. Here’s why
Atmospheric CO₂ concentrations are surging, even as emissions level out. Natural carbon sinks are showing signs of faltering as we continue to emit CO₂.
theconversation.com
May 14, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Please join the Australian Institute of International Affairs Tasmania for an evening with Melanie Harris. She will share lessons from her journey as Australia's first female Indigenous Trade & Investment Commissioner, from a small town in coastal NSW to the international metropolis of Kuala Lumpur.
3 June: An evening with Melanie Harris, Head of Indigenous Engagement & Export, Austrade. | Australian Institute of International Affairs Tasmania
Join us in-person with Melanie Harris, Head of Indigenous Engagement & Export at Austrade. Melanie will share lessons from her journey as Australia first female Indigenous Trade & Investment C...
aiiatas.glueup.com
May 12, 2025 at 7:43 AM
It's great to be back in Japan again, starting with a visit to SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025.
May 10, 2025 at 1:48 PM
I am deeply honoured to have been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, by the Government of Japan.

Over the past decade, it’s been my enormous privilege to do whatever I can to promote mutual understanding and to further the relationship between Japan and Australia.
April 30, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Please join us at the State Cinema Cafe from 2pm on Saturday 10 May for our monthly Japanese-English language exchange session. Everyone welcome!

Further information and RSVPs: www.facebook.com/events/17545...
April 29, 2025 at 9:29 AM