The Talbot Oration: Taking Climate to the World’s Highest Court

In the fourth annual Talbot Oration held on Wednesday 5 June 2024, renowned Pacific climate champion, Cynthia Houniuhi, tells her story of fighting for change in the world's highest court.

Following her address, Cynthia was joined by a panel of fellow climate campaigners, including ABC presenter and popular television personality, Craig Reucassel, and International Director at the Smart Energy Council, Richie Merzian, in a discussion hosted by 10 News First presenter Narelda Jacobs OAM.

As this video was recorded with live captions, we apologise for any inaccuracies

As President of Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC), Cynthia led a team of activists to agitate for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to define the responsibilities of nations to combat climate change, and the legal consequences of failing to do so. Born and raised in the Solomon Islands, Cynthia is witnessing first-hand the devastating impacts of climate change in the Pacific and is committed to ensuring nations around the world understand their obligations to take positive climate action. Cynthia and PISFCC are powerful examples of how the work of youth activists is safeguarding the world for generations to come.

Cynthia Houniuhi is President of the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC) and one of 27 lawyers from the University of the South Pacific who initiated the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion (ICJAO) initiative and campaign in 2019. Cynthia has a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the South Pacific, a Master of Laws specialising in Environmental Law from the University of New South Wales and was included in TIME100 NEXT 2023. Born and raised in the Solomon Islands, Cynthia is witnessing first-hand the devastating impacts of climate change in the Pacific and is committed to ensuring nations around the world understand their obligations to take positive climate action.

Craig Reucassel is an Australian writer, director and comedian who is best known for his work with The Chaser and for going through your bins on The War on Waste. He and some friends started the satirical newspaper The Chaser which went on to TV shows like CNNNN and The Chaser's War on Everything. Craig has hosted three series of the award winning War on Waste documentary. He has also hosted climate change documentaries Fight for Planet A and Big Weather. In 2020 he Directed the movie Big Deal, which looked into the issue of money in politics in Australia. He is currently the host of 702 ABC Sydney Breakfast.

Richie Merzian is the International Director at the Smart Energy Council, a peak renewable energy industry group. He focuses on how to combine local climate solutions with international opportunities, with an eye to securing the Australian Government’s bid to host a UN Climate Conference in 2026 in partnership with Pacific nations. He previously served as the inaugural Climate & Energy Program Director at the Australia Institute think tank and spent almost a decade as climate negotiator for the Australian Government.

Narelda Jacobs OAM is a Whadjuk Noongar journalist and presenter. Her career at Network 10 spans more than two decades. Narelda presents the daily one-hour national news bulletin 10 News First: Midday, and 10 News First: Afternoons. You'll also find her on NITV and SBS, the ABC, podcast airwaves, appearing in documentaries and Australian dramas, hosting events around the country and internationally, sharing her lived experience on panels and giving back to her community through various ambassadorial and board roles.

About The Talbot Oration

Named in honour of former Australian Museum Director Professor Frank Talbot, this annual oration celebrates Talbot’s commitment to, and achievements in marine research and environmental studies in Australia and on the global stage.

The Talbot Oration will showcase advances in the field of climate change research and environmental conservation, enabling the public to better understand how responses to the climate challenge determine our future prospects, health, and the sustainability of our natural environment.