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
Location: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Website: stevenphipps.com
I welcomed the Year of the Horse at Zojoji Temple in Tokyo. Following the Buddhist tradition of joya no kane, the temple bell was rung 108 times at midnight to cleanse everyone of their worries and allow them to begin the new year afresh.
Wishing you all a happy and healthy year ahead.
Wishing you all a happy and healthy year ahead.
January 1, 2026 at 8:35 AM
I welcomed the Year of the Horse at Zojoji Temple in Tokyo. Following the Buddhist tradition of joya no kane, the temple bell was rung 108 times at midnight to cleanse everyone of their worries and allow them to begin the new year afresh.
Wishing you all a happy and healthy year ahead.
Wishing you all a happy and healthy year ahead.
I'm back in Japan for the next five weeks and enjoying the crisp, clear weather. At Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, the last lingering traces of the autumn colours look gorgeous in the winter sunshine. It's definitely one of my happy places in Tokyo.
December 28, 2025 at 9:38 AM
I'm back in Japan for the next five weeks and enjoying the crisp, clear weather. At Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, the last lingering traces of the autumn colours look gorgeous in the winter sunshine. It's definitely one of my happy places in Tokyo.
I’m deeply honoured to have had my contributions towards scientific research and the Australia-Japan relationship acknowledged in the Tasmanian Parliament.
Tasmania and Japan have so much in common. I look forward to continuing to build bridges between them for many more years to come.
Tasmania and Japan have so much in common. I look forward to continuing to build bridges between them for many more years to come.
December 23, 2025 at 9:25 AM
I’m deeply honoured to have had my contributions towards scientific research and the Australia-Japan relationship acknowledged in the Tasmanian Parliament.
Tasmania and Japan have so much in common. I look forward to continuing to build bridges between them for many more years to come.
Tasmania and Japan have so much in common. I look forward to continuing to build bridges between them for many more years to come.
The Australia-Japan Society of Tasmania held a reception at Government House last night to celebrate its 55th anniversary. Our members and friends gathered together to celebrate not only our long and extraordinary history, but also the strength of the relationship between Tasmania and Japan.
December 16, 2025 at 8:09 AM
The Australia-Japan Society of Tasmania held a reception at Government House last night to celebrate its 55th anniversary. Our members and friends gathered together to celebrate not only our long and extraordinary history, but also the strength of the relationship between Tasmania and Japan.
I enjoyed a tour of the world’s largest battery-electric ferry as part of today’s open day at Incat. The China Zorrilla will enter service next year between Argentina and Uruguay.
It’s wonderful to see Tasmania play a world-leading role in the transition towards zero-emissions transport.
It’s wonderful to see Tasmania play a world-leading role in the transition towards zero-emissions transport.
December 14, 2025 at 7:58 AM
I enjoyed a tour of the world’s largest battery-electric ferry as part of today’s open day at Incat. The China Zorrilla will enter service next year between Argentina and Uruguay.
It’s wonderful to see Tasmania play a world-leading role in the transition towards zero-emissions transport.
It’s wonderful to see Tasmania play a world-leading role in the transition towards zero-emissions transport.
It's been a while, but it was great to dust off my ikebana skills today.
November 29, 2025 at 9:09 AM
It's been a while, but it was great to dust off my ikebana skills today.
The Australian Institute of International Affairs Tasmania held its annual Government House Lecture on Monday. We were delighted to welcome @lgflake.bsky.social, CEO of the @perthusasia.bsky.social, who spoke on the topic of "One Year of Trump Two: Implications of an Epochal Shift for Australia".
November 26, 2025 at 2:02 AM
The Australian Institute of International Affairs Tasmania held its annual Government House Lecture on Monday. We were delighted to welcome @lgflake.bsky.social, CEO of the @perthusasia.bsky.social, who spoke on the topic of "One Year of Trump Two: Implications of an Epochal Shift for Australia".
On Wednesday evening, I was deeply humbled to be presented with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, by Consul-General Tokuro Furuya.
It was a beautiful ceremony that allowed me to thank my family, friends and mentors for believing in me and for supporting me over the years.
It was a beautiful ceremony that allowed me to thank my family, friends and mentors for believing in me and for supporting me over the years.
November 14, 2025 at 10:14 PM
On Wednesday evening, I was deeply humbled to be presented with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, by Consul-General Tokuro Furuya.
It was a beautiful ceremony that allowed me to thank my family, friends and mentors for believing in me and for supporting me over the years.
It was a beautiful ceremony that allowed me to thank my family, friends and mentors for believing in me and for supporting me over the years.
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
I was honoured to represent Australian Red Cross at this morning's Remembrance Day Service at Kingston Beach. Lest we forget.
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
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.
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'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.
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
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!
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
Registrations: lnkd.in/gASvWHpH
July 21, 2025 at 5:19 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
Registrations: lnkd.in/gASvWHpH
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 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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Happy solstice everyone!
June 21, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Happy solstice everyone!
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...
Further information: www.facebook.com/events/12439...
June 21, 2025 at 4:33 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...
Further information: www.facebook.com/events/12439...