Speakers: Mike Joy
Date: Friday 1 November, 5:30 pm
Venue: Greenmeadows East Hall (83 Tait Drive, Taradale)
Admission: Gold coin donation
Civilization is facing “peak everything”—from energy to resources—and climate change is just one symptom of these broader challenges. Here in New Zealand, we are not immune to the effects of these global threats. These issues stem from biophysical realities we’ve long ignored, now manifesting as planetary boundaries we are reaching. These limits to growth were first brought to our attention in the 1970s.
We often take energy for granted, without realizing just how much our modern lives are dominated by fossil fuels. In this talk, Mike Joy will introduce the concept of “energy slaves” and explore how we must adapt to living without them. He will also explain the crucial concept of Energy Returned on Energy Invested (EROI), which is in decline—a development with serious implications for humanity. Mike will discuss the complexities of achieving net zero, the transition away from fossil fuels, and how energy density impacts this shift, while exploring the possibilities for New Zealand’s energy transition.
Mike Joy is a prominent environmental advocate in New Zealand, known for his outspoken efforts to protect the environment. He has received numerous awards, including the Ecology in Action Award from the New Zealand Ecological Society, the Old Blue Award from Forest & Bird, and was named 2009 Environmental New Zealander of the Year by North & South magazine.
In addition to being recognized as Manawatu Evening Standard’s 2012 Person of the Year, Mike received the Tertiary Education Union NZ Award of Excellence for Academic Freedom and Public Education in 2013. He was also honored with the Charles Fleming Award for Environmental Achievement from the Royal Society of New Zealand that same year. In 2015, he was the recipient of the inaugural Morgan Foundation River Voice Award, and in 2017, he received the inaugural NZ Universities Critic and Conscience Award.