Professor Mark Howden is the Director of the Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions at the Australian National University. Mark’s work has focussed on how climate impacts on, and innovative adaptation options for, systems we value: agriculture and food security, the natural resource base, ecosystems and biodiversity, energy, water and urban systems. Mark has worked on climate variability, climate change, innovation and adoption issues for over 27 years in partnership with farmers, farmer groups, catchment groups, industry bodies, agribusiness, urban utilities and various policy agencies via both research and science-policy roles. Mark has authored more than 420 publications. The national and international greenhouse gas inventories he helped develop are a fundamental part of the Paris Agreement, helping inform sustainable ways to reduce emissions. He firmly believes that the arts can motivate and inspire action on climate change.