The Australia Institute’s International and Security Affairs Director, Dr Emma Shortis is addressing the Climate Integrity Summit.

Dr Shortis did not mince her words when highlighting how our unwavering allegiance to the United States leaves us vulnerable and risks aligning climate and security strategies with a partner that is failing to lead on the most pressing issue of our time – climate change.

“The Trump administration is an active direct threat to our security and the security of the world,” Dr Shortis said.

“The America we thought we knew is gone and never coming back.”

But she points out that hope is not lost, but it requires bravery, understanding and imagination.

“We and the rest of the world have choices… what Australia does matter, our choices matter,” she said.

You can hear more from Emma Shortis on her podcast, After America.