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The podcast Who's Gonna Save Us has changed its name to The Weather That Changed Us

Australia experiences all kinds of extreme weather. Cyclones, fires, floods and heat — we see it all. But in the midst of these disasters, it seems we're pretty good at rallying together and making necessary changes. So how have we taken what we've learned in the past to shape the Australia of today and our future? And what are the challenges that climate change will bring? In a year of ever-hotter global temperature records, warnings about ice melting in Antarctica and the northern hemisphere, rapidly developing hurricanes, torrential rain and flooding, it can be hard to understand the ways our weather is changing and intensifying. Everyone is grappling with what it's like to live in a warming world and the consequences we will have to face and survive.

In this season we revisit 2009 when a blanket of heat smothered south-eastern Australia, killing hundreds and melting cities. It's the story of how that became a wake-up call for Australia, that we need to change how we manage extreme heat.

Fifty years later we learn how Cyclone Tracy decimated the northern city of Darwin on Christmas Day in 1974. But its devastation also led to transformation. Building codes were overhauled changing how we build houses across Australia today.

In 1999 a hailstorm like no other came out of nowhere and rained down across Sydney, Australia's most populous city. The hail shattered roofs, windows and cars and all previous

insurance bills from natural disasters. It also became a transformative moment for the state's emergency services.

In 2003 on a baking hot Canberra day, a phenomenon never before caught on camera was captured unleashing its full power. The first pyro-tornadogenesis, or fire tornado, ever recorded screamed across the Canberra hills and into the suburbs. It also supercharged fire research in Australia and changed our warning systems.

For some children, the breaking of the millennium drought was the first time they'd seen rain and puddles. But the decade-long dry spell that covered eastern Australia delivered more than cracked earth — it changed how we thought about and valued water. It also heralded 'star ratings' so we could buy appliances that saved water.

For those who lived through them, our past disasters have left deep and lasting change. But they've also left a legacy for us all, from the houses we build to the jobs we do, our politics and the way we live in our world. Join 'The Weather That Changed Us' to learn more about the disasters that shocked, united and rallied Australians and how they can prepare us for the next ones Australia will face.

WHO'S GONNA SAVE US?

On a baking hot Canberra day, a phenomenon never before caught on camera was captured unleashing its full power. The first pyro-tornadogenesis, or fire tornado, ever recorded screamed across the Canberra hills and into the suburbs. It also supercharged fire research in Australia and changed our warning systems.

The Weather That Changed Us | Canberra's Fire Tornado

Cyclone Tracy decimated the northern city of Darwin fifty years ago on Christmas Day in 1974. Its devastation also led to transformation. Building codes were overhauled changing how we build houses across Australia today.

The Weather That Changed Us | Cyclone Tracy fifty years on

In 2009 a blanket of heat smothered south-eastern Australia, killing hundreds and melting cities. This is the story of how this event served as a wake-up call for Australia to manage extreme heat.

The Weather That Changed Us | Heatwave

For some children, the breaking of the millennium drought was the first time they had seen rain and puddles. The decade-long dry spell that covered eastern Australia delivered more than cracked earth, it changed how we thought about and valued water. It also heralded ‘star ratings’ so we could buy appliances that saved water.

The Weather That Changed Us | Millennium Drought

Violent winds knocked down electricity transmission towers in South Australia and caused a massive blackout, plunging the state into darkness also started a heated national conversation about renewable energy. The event also sparked a Twitter conversation between prominent tech entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Mike Cannon-Brookes and an even bigger bet to build a giant battery.

The Weather That Changed Us | SA's Power Blackout

In 1999 a hailstorm like no other came out of nowhere and rained down across Sydney, Australia’s most populous city. The hail shattered roofs, windows and cars and all previous insurance bills from natural disasters. It also became a transformative moment for the state’s emergency services.

The Weather That Changed Us | Sydney's 1999 Hailstorm

This isn't a podcast about how climate change is real – we've known that for a long time. And it's not another show about the devastation climate change is causing, or how we got here.

Because we don't need to talk about the problem anymore. We know what's going on.

This is a show about how much better things could be, and the people who are fighting to get us there.

Reporters from the science team at ABC RN and triple j Hack have been travelling around the country to meet the people bringing about real change and coming up with authentic climate solutions.

If we want to avoid a climate catastrophe … WHO'S GONNA SAVE US?

INTRODUCING — Who's Gonna Save Us?

Have you ever done something that’s just blown everything up? A single decision that changed everything?

This episode is all about people taking a stand for the climate. It’s about being brave in those moments, backing yourself and what you believe is right. Choosing to do something, even if it means risking everything. 

We’re going to meet three people who didn’t think enough was being done about climate change in their patch of the world.

So they took a stand: against the most powerful news media company in the world; against the fossil fuel industry; and against the Australian government. 

Guests: Emily Townsend, Alex Hillman, Anjali Sharma

Host: Jo LauderSeries Producer: Cheyne AndersonExecutive Producer (audio): Joel WernerExecutive Producer (digital): Clare BlumerSound engineer: Hamish Camilleri

Who's Gonna Save Us? 01 | Standing up for the climate

For decades, scientists have been warning us about climate change. The warnings have been getting more and more urgent -- but we're still falling short of what the science says we need to do. 

Today, the stories of climate scientists who have become fed up with not being heard and are taking matters into their own hands. 

Some are getting involved in protests and blockades. Others are trying out more experimental ways of sounding the alarm. 

Because if science alone isn’t enough to save us… Will scientists on strike do the trick? 

Guests: Annie Bond, Peter Kalmus, Karin Xuereb, Bruce Glavovic, Mark Howden

Host: Jo LauderReporter: Nick KilvertSeries Producer: Cheyne AndersonExecutive Producer (audio): Joel WernerExecutive Producer (digital): Clare BlumerSound engineer: Hamish Camilleri

Thanks to Jon Tjhia, Iain White and Tim Smith for their help with this episode.

Who's Gonna Save Us? 02 | Scientists on strike

What happens to Australia’s “carbon capital” when we phase out coal?

If we’re going to tackle climate change, we have to stop burning fossil fuels. That means big change for the towns across Australia whose economies depend on coal and gas. 

Reporter Cheyne Anderson visits Gladstone, in central Queensland, to meet some of the locals who are thinking hard about the future. 

Guests: Tobi Loftus, Jaclyn McCosker, Amanda Cahill, Ron & Mal from the Men’s Shed, Andrew & Rebecca Lockwood, Kahn Goodluck, Cameron Smith, Jade Wright

Host: Jo LauderReporter: Cheyne AndersonSeries Producer: Cheyne AndersonExecutive Producer (audio): Joel WernerExecutive Producer (digital): Clare BlumerSound engineer: Hamish Camilleri

Who's Gonna Save Us? 03 | The Switch

Australia is a wild continent with some of the most intense weather on the planet. From massive bushfires to severe cyclones and devastating flooding; extreme weather is becoming part of our everyday lives. How do we take what we’ve learned from our past to better prepare and adapt for our future?

INTRODUCING — The Weather That Changed Us

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