Tim Flannery
Tim Flannery is one of the most prolific and respected authors of the 21st century. He has written books on numerous topics, ranging from ecology to history, and has earned awards such as the New South Wales Premier's Literary Award and the Miles Franklin Award. His books are often praised for their fact-based, readable nature and the critical standing of author that he has gained throughout his long and successful career.
Born in 1956 in Sydney, Australia, Flannery originally had ambitions of being a professional musician. After realizing his talent lay elsewhere, he turned his attention to science and completed a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of New England in 1977. From there, he obtained a pre-eminent position in the Australian Museum in Sydney, where he continued his focus on vertebrate zoology, conservation issues, and the impact of climate change.
In the late 90s and early 2000s, Flannery began transitioning towards writing books and essays on topics in the field. The critical attention he received was so positive that he soon became one of the leading voices in the scientific community, focusing his work on ecology, evolutionary biology and the effects of climate change.
One of the most important works written by Flannery is The Future Eaters, in which he traces the human impact on the Australian ecology from the first arrival of humans to the present day. This book examines everything from the changes in Aboriginal lifestyles to the introduction of new plants and animals, and has been described as showing “how millennia of human manipulating of the land and water led to abrupt and devastating changes for the region”.
In 2013, another major work of Flannery's was released - Atmosphere of Hope. This work examines the concept of climate change and explores the potential of geo-engineering to slow down the progression of global warming. In the book, Flannery argues that the solution to the climate crisis is a combination of mitigation and geo-engineering, acknowledging that “we cannot put all our eggs in one basket” and that a two-pronged solution is needed.
Flannery has continued his work in the realm of climate change, both as an author and in his various academic roles. He has held positions at both Macquarie and Adelaide Universities, where he has served as the Climate Change Research Chair.
In his most recent works, Flannery has returned to his roots by writing about his travels and research in Australia’s wilder part - The Weather Makers examines the history of climate and the development of modern meteorology. Along with this book, Flannery has released books on human-animal relationships, family life and ancient history.
Tim Flannery has earned a warrant as one of the most influential authors of recent years. His works provide much-needed insight into the effects of human behaviour on the planet, and he offers both practical and theoretical solutions to the existing problems.