Tim Flannery

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Timothy Fridtjof Flannery (born 28 January 1956) is a well-known Australian mammalogist, biologist, writer, Humanist and paleontologist.

He is famous for his best-selling non-fiction books including The Future Eaters and Throwim Way Leg. His most recent book, The Weather Makers: The History and Future Impact of Climate Change, was published in September 2005. A young persons' edition of this book, titled We are the Weathermakers, was published in August 2006.

He is a frequent speaker on ecological issues, in particular global warming, in Australia and the United States.

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[edit] Academic career

Prof. Flannery has held many academic positions throughout his career including Professor at the University of Adelaide, director of the South Australian Museum in Adelaide, Principal Research Scientist at the Australian Museum, Visiting Chair in Australian Studies at Harvard University, and an adviser on environmental issues to the Australian Federal Parliament. He holds bachelor degrees in English and Earth Science, a doctorate in Paleontology, and has contributed to over 90 scientific papers.

Some of his notable contributions to science have included:

  • Description of 29 new kangaroo species, including the oldest known fossilised species;
  • Involvement in the discovery of many fossilised dinosaurs and Cretaceous species in Australia;
  • Description and taxonomy of a huge variety of Melanesian species in New Guinea.

In August 2006 he moved to Macquarie University's Division of Environmental and Life Sciences as an adjunct Professor. He has also accepted a role as a climate change advisor to Premier Mike Rann of South Australia.

[edit] Awards and recognition

In 2005 Flannery was recognised as the Australian Humanist of the Year by the Council of Australian Humanist Societies.

Sir David Attenborough is quoted as saying "Tim Flannery is in the league of the all-time great explorers like Dr. David Livingstone."

In December 2006, Flannery was nominated for the 2007 Australian of the Year award, to be announced on Australia day in 2007.

In 2006, Flannery won a $150,000 (US) Lannan award for his nonfiction work.

[edit] Television

He is currently on the small screen in Australia in a documentary called Two Men In A Tinnie with his longtime friend, John Doyle.

[edit] Bibliography

[edit] Edited and Introduced by Tim Flannery

[edit] External links

In other languages