Rob is a coastal geomorphologist by training; he taught Environmental Science and Physical Geography at Melbourne State College and Melbourne University, then for thirty-one years presented television weather in parallel with a career as an environmental consultant.
Current Work:
He is an Executive Director of ReThink Sustainability Pty Ltd. and a director of Attentis Pty Ltd, an advanced, real time, sensor and intelligence network technology company and Circular Things Pty Ltd.
Rob is President of the Royal Society of Victoria, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, an Inaugural Fellow of the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand and a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to conservation, to the protection of coastal and marine environments, and to the community.
He is a published author and photographer.
Previous experience:
In previous roles he has been the national President of Greening Australia Limited, Chairman of the Mornington Peninsula and Westernport Biosphere Reserve Foundation Ltd. and a member of the Victorian Coastal Council. He was Environment Ambassador to the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. Rob has been a local government councillor and was a councillor of the Australian Conservation Foundation through the 1990s.
Rob Gell is a uniquely qualified individual who has the respect of government, business, environmental groups and the community for his approach to sustainable development. Importantly he is also an excellent communicator who can get the message across
Talking Points
Welcome To the New World
Changing weather patterns, bigger droughts, fires and flood, issues around water availability, concern over the price of oil, human impacts on the natural world and concerns about the planet's capacity to support us are the conversations of the ‘New World'. This visually graphic presentation will challenge our conventional thinking and investigate the new opportunities we will need to both understand and operate to in coming years. The concept of sustainability is now part of everyday dialogue, but what does a sustainable future really mean? How far beyond "business as usual" will we need to move in order to leave a planetary inheritance we would be truly proud of?
Welcome To the New World
Business As Usual Or Sustainable Business
Examines the three key sustainability issues facing us today; resource consumption, biodiversity loss and climate shift. Ecological footprint analysis shows that we are now living off nature's capital not nature's interest and that the unsustainable use of resources, continuing loss of biological diversity coupled with rapid climate change is putting economy-supporting ecosystems at risk. What are our options for future sustainable development?
Business As Usual Or Sustainable Business
Climate Shift - The Science, Current Impacts and Options For The Future
Is our climate really changing? Where's the evidence - how do we know? Aren't there two sides to this story - who's saying what? Will there be impacts on business - are there opportunities too? What are our options and how quickly should we respond? The Stern Report, Garnaut, CPRS and other targets for emissions reductions.
Climate Shift - The Science, Current Impacts and Options For The Future
Natural Capital, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
These three concepts fundamentally underpin our economy and all are at risk. The State of the Environment Report suggests that there's a lot to be done. Vegetation management and landscape reconstruction programs must be developed at scale if we are to maintain our biological diversity in the face of climate change. Can we protect our environment and continue to enjoy our high quality of life?
Natural Capital, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
Water, Energy & Waste: The Keys to Sustainable Development
The current drought has driven a new focus on water conservation in the home and in business. Should water be our focus? Is there enough? What are our prospects for supporting our growing population? What are our technological options in recycling and reuse? How is water linked to energy and waste? Where are the opportunities to develop smarter systems for water management.
Water, Energy & Waste: The Keys to Sustainable Development
Rob was excellent. A great speaker who really knows his topic and a good entertainer when presenting. We were very pleased with his professionalism and interaction with attendees during morn ... keep reading Australian Corporate Lawyers Association
Thank you for your informative presentation on Sustainability - Global Picture to the staff of the Catholic Education Office Melbourne (CEOM)... Thank you also for participating in the question and answer session after the presentation. Your clear, direct, practical and authentic description of the principles that guide your work and the ways you implement them was inspiring and will provide a guide for our work in this important area. The enthusiastic response of our staff clearly indicated how you engaged and challenged them. May I take this opportunity to wish you every success in your future work. Thank you again for your enlightening presentation.
All feedback was positive regarding Rob Gell’s presentation. Delegates really liked his presentation and wanted more!
