Lesley Hughes is Professor Emerita in Biology and Pro-Chancellor at Macquarie University. Her principal research interests have been the impacts of climate change on species and ecosystems and the implications for conservation. She is a former Lead Author for the IPCC’s 4th and 5th Assessment Report, a former federal Climate Commissioner, a member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists, a Councillor with the Biodiversity Council of Australia, a Director of the Environmental Defenders Office, and a Councillor and Director of the Climate Council of Australia. She has recently been appointed as a member of the Climate Change Authority.