WOMADelaide: Recent Episodes
WOMADelaide
Listen to the world’s greatest minds live from WOMADelaide’s “The Planet Talks” stage. Fascinating conversations about our environment and sustainable relationship with the planet.
Speakers: Andry Sculthorpe, Cissy Gore-Birch, Katherine Moseby
Facilitator: Andrew Lowe
The earth is experiencing its sixth mass extinction event, with approximately one million species of plants and animals at risk of extinction globally. How can we stop this, and find a path towards a wilder world where nature returns? This session will explore rewilding, and what it could mean in Australia. Learn about exciting efforts across the country to bring species back from the brink, and bring life back to Australian landscapes.
Presented with the Environment Institute
Saturday 8 March
Speakers: Belinda Noble, Simon Holmes à Court, Ebony Bennett
Facilitator: David Morris
Greenwashing is on the rise, undermining our efforts to tackle big issues like climate change and biodiversity loss. How do we know that the positive stories we are told by companies and governments are genuine and not just a smokescreen for inaction, or worse? This session will explore what greenwashing is, how to spot it and how to fight it.
Supported by the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre.
Saturday 8 March
Speakers: Rachel Perkins, Tim Winton
Facilitator: Natasha Mitchell
What is the role of stories and storytellers in tackling the big issues? Two of Australia’s best storytellers will explore how stories can be told in new ways to help Australia reckon with its past actions and attitudes towards the environment and First Nations people. How can storytellers help us imagine possible futures that will help orientate us going forward?
Supported by the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre.
Monday 10 March
Speakers: Helena Norberg-Hodge, Peter Martin, Warwick Smith
Facilitator: Tory Shepherd
Has globalisation made us healthier and happier? Has the global era of capitalism finally reached its end point and, if so, what comes next? This session will explore localisation movements around the world and how economic systems can be reshaped to be better for people and planet. This session will feature a keynote speech from award-winning linguist, author and film maker Helena Norberg-Hodge, a global pioneer in the localisation movement.
Monday 10 March
Speakers: Dr. Kumi Naidoo, Professor Naomi Oreskes
Facilitator: Sarah Martin
Despite governments around the world making commitments to climate action and investments in renewable energy, investments in fossil fuels are still at a record high. How can we chart a future that breaks from fossil fuels, and with the urgency that is needed? This session will explore the ways in which the fossil fuel industry is distracting and delaying, and look at the global efforts to cut our ties with fossil fuels for good.
Supported by the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre.
Sunday 9 March
Speakers: Bhiamie Williamson, Elizabeth Mossop, Emma Bacon
Facilitator: Julia Lester
Extreme floods, storms, heatwaves and bushfires are on the rise in extent, intensity and frequency. How can Australian communities be better equipped to deal with a future of extremes as climate change gains momentum? Can our cities and towns be radically redesigned and retrofitted to cope? What is at stake and how far are we prepared to go?
Presented with the Environment Institute
SPEAKERS
Darryl Jones, Sheryn Pitman, Sarah Bekessy
FACILITATOR
Chris Daniels
Imagine a world where cities are homes to thriving ecosystems of plants, animals and other life, and not just concrete metropolises. Australian cities have the potential to transform into nature wonderlands, but how can nature be better integrated within our towns and cities? What role do individuals, neighbourhoods and communities have to play? We will explore diverse approaches to greening our streets, towns and cities.
SPEAKERS
Abby Barrows, Vanessa Pirotta, Bronwyn Gillanders.
HOST
Clare Peddie
Our oceans are in deep trouble, and facing threats and stressors on multiple fronts. From alarming rises in temperature to the tonnes of microplastics, the health and ongoing integrity of our marine environments are under severe threat. In addition noise pollution from seismic exploration and shipping disrupts the ability of marine animals to communicate. A powerhouse panel of marine biologists, who are using new technologies and citizen science to better understand these impacts, will discuss the different ways to advocate for the necessary change.
Presented in partnership with The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre
SPEAKERS
Anote Tong, Yessie Mosby, Tishiko King
Facilitator
Tiahni Adamson
Can Australia shift its global reputation from climate laggard to climate leader, and fulfill its hopes of co-hosting the 2026 UN Climate Change Conference with the Pacific? Although Australia has committed to net zero by 2050, it continues to approve new coal, oil and gas mines. It is now under increasing pressure from within the Pacific region and its own borders to commit to an end to the expansion of fossil fuels. Are we reaching a pivotal moment for climate action? Join a panel of Torres Strait and Pacific Islanders to hear first-hand about the growing climate movement emerging from our nearest islands.
SPEAKERS
Bob Brown, Elaine Johnson, Roj Amedi
Facilitator
Noah Schultz-Byard
With protest laws tightening, misinformation campaigns on the rise, and the media landscape changing, what is the future of social and environmental activism? A discussion to explore the myriad ways there are to fight for change, whether it’s in the courtroom, at shareholder AGMs, in online communities or through targeted political and media stunts.
SPEAKERS
Andrew Skeoch, Simone Slattery, Anthony Albrecht.
HOST
Shannon Evenden
The soundscape of the natural world is rich with the voices of birds, insects and animals. What might these species have to say to us? Can listening to them help us learn not only how to care for them, but how to create a ‘culture of care’ for nature? Can listening help create stronger emotional connections between humans and the natural world?
Featuring multimedia presentations from one of Australia’s most prolific nature-sound recordists Andrew Skeoch and music duo the Bowerbird Collective. Have you ever heard humans perform a dawn chorus of birdsong? Come along and hear for yourself.
SPEAKERS
Joe Morrison, Kate Andrews, Ariadne Gorring, Martine Maron
HOST
Andrew Lowe
How can our nation transform from being a global leader in species extinction to a global leader in nature regeneration? The term Nature Positive has snuck into the conversation and sounds like a good thing, but what does it really mean? Could it be a game-changer or is it just another buzzword, or worse, yet another form of greenwashing.
Australia will host the first Global Nature Positive Summit in October 2024, and governments and businesses are starting to incorporate ideas of Nature Positive into the way they operate. Hear from a range of experts on what this means for our environment, and how we can help build momentum for Nature Positive ideas to help restore and regenerate Australia’s fragile ecosystems and deliver positive outcomes for First Nations people.
SPEAKERS
Alice Jones, Steve Meller and Catriona Mcleod
HOST
Nikolai Beilharz
With thousands of kilometres of coastline, a tradition of seaweed use going back thousands of years, increasing demand for sustainable foods and products, and the capacity to contribute to regenerating ecosystems, is Australia ready to take advantage of this opportunity? In the Blue Economy, something as simple as seaweed could provide new opportunities for regional communities as well as climate solutions. Featuring entrepreneur Steve Meller and marine researchers Alice Jones and Catriona Macleod, hosted by ABC 891s breakfast presenter Nikolai Beilharz.
Supported by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre
Proudly presented by The Environment Institute
SPEAKERS
Eytan Lenko, Polly Hemming and Brynn O'Brien
HOST
Maree Lowes
Reaching net zero by 2050 is now law of the land for Australia. But how are we going to get there? With policy slowly or totally failing to make change fast enough, some businesses, industries and financial institutions have started to set the path for themselves, or face pressure from stakeholders to do so. So when it comes to government versus industry, who is leading who on the race to net zero? We speak with Eytan Lenko, CEO of Boundless, the philanthropic organisation funded by Mike-Cannon Brookes Green Fund, Polly Hemming, Climate & Energy Program Director at The Australia Institute and Executive Director of the Australasian Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility Brynn O’Brien.
Proudly presented by The Australia Institute
Supported by Dr Bronner's
Planet Talk favourites Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas give you the political analysis that matters and explain what it means for you with a live recording of the best political podcast in Australia.
SPEAKERS
Fran Kelly, Patricia Karvelas, Penny Wong and Tory Shepherd.
Proudly presented by The Australia Institute
People assign themselves rights over nature all the time. The right to extract, or the right to protect. But what happens when you give nature its own rights? What happens when we extend human rights to the earth?
When policy fails, can the legal system step in? What if rivers had human rights? Join Community leader, advocate and scholar Anne Poelina, legal scholars Erinn O’Donnell and Peter Burdon on recognising personhood in the ecology around us.
SPEAKERS
Erin O’Donnell, Anne Poelina, Peter Burdon
HOST
Tanya Ha
Proudly presented by The Environment Institute
Stealing water, illegal logging, smuggling animals and plants – there are some pretty terrible things that humans do. But who is there to hold them to account? And who makes the rules? Join water economist Sarah Wheeler, ecologist Phill Cassey and environmental lawyer Emma Carmody with host, Ruby Jones as they delve into how we can fight crimes against nature.
SPEAKERS
Phill Cassey, Sarah Wheeler and Emma Carmody
HOST
Ruby Jones
Proudly presented by The Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Resources
SPEAKERS Alex Bruhn, Amber Brock-Fable, Pantju Nam, Amelia Chaplin, Tiahni Adamson
HOST Keira Jenkins
What might a renewed relationship to the planet look like? What do we need to regenerate? Form anew? Bring again into existence? We’re joined by six young, engaged and passionate advocates for change who will share their stories about what we should be paying more attention to.
SPEAKERS Anika Molesworth, Bruce Pascoe, Charles Massy
HOST Anthony James
How might regenerative agriculture change the way our food production system works, so that it’s better for the soils, uses water more efficiently, captures carbon, emits less CO2 and is still profitable for farmers?
SPEAKERS Katja Hogendoorn, Rocio Ponce Reyes, Richard Glatz
HOST Michael Harvey
We might overlook them, but they outnumber us around 20 million to one. It’s an insects’ world and we’re just living in it. Join our panel of experts to examine how much we rely on insects and how resilient they are in the face of catastrophic change.
SPEAKERS Waleed Aly, Scott Stephens, Lisa Hill
ABC Radio National Podcast - Recorded live at WOMADelaide
If our current politics is failing our children, should they get a say in changing it? After all 16 and 17 years olds already pay taxes, work, drive, volunteer for political parties. Not that any of these are a pre-requisite for voting in Australia, so why exclude young people? Especially when the policy decisions made now will be felt for decades when it comes to things like energy, climate and the environment.
SPEAKERS Richard Denniss, Renate Egan, Andrew Blakers
HOST Nick Feik
Reducing our emissions by making everything electric won’t just benefit the climate, it’s going to be great for everyone. In the long run, electrifying everything is cheaper and more efficient. We can get to 80 per cent emissions reductions by 2035 and we don't need any new technology at all. So what are we waiting for?
SPEAKERS Michael-Shawn Fletcher, Martin Breed, Luke Price
HOST Lee Constable
Human interactions with the environment aren’t always a disaster. There are thousands of years of history of people working and shaping the Australian environment, and more efforts than ever today to restore ecosystems both marine and terrestrial. But a healthy ecosystem doesn’t have to mean untouched by humans. And healthy ecosystems lead to healthy people.
SPEAKERS Dr Jane Goodall
HOST Hosted by Natasha Mitchell
A pre-recorded conversation with one of the world’s most influential conservationists.
Jane Goodall made discoveries that radically changed and enriched the field of primatology, and has worked for decades advocating to protect habitats and promote environmental education. From a lifetime dedicated to nature, she shares her insights into how we find hope and strength in the face of the climate crisis.
SPEAKERS: Christiana Figueres
HOST: Sabra Lane
Former UN Secretary for Climate, Christiana Figures, and Tom Rivett-Carnac, her UN political strategist, are the architects and driving force behind the landmark 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement when 194 countries, including the EU and China, signed up to collectively tackle the climate emergency.
Their mission however didn’t stop in Paris. It continues to empower the world to make a difference for the sake of future generations via international campaigns, engagements and initiatives such as Global Optimism, Mission 2020, Profiles of Paris, Future Stewards, the podcast – Outrage and Optimism, and a new book titled The Future We Choose to be released in March featuring ten things we can do today to make a difference.
Join Christiana in conversation with Sabra Lane as she discusses how the final hour, can still be our finest hour.
SPEAKER: Jan Fran
HOST: Tory Shepherd
Walkley Award-winning journalist and TV presenter Jan Fran is an ambassador for Plan International Australia, anorganization that works alongside children, young people, supporters and partners to tackle root causes of the injustices facing girls and the most marginalised children.
She’s best known for her work as host of SBS TV’s The Feed and Medicine or Myth, Network Ten’s The Projectand podcasts Sexism and the City and The Few Who Do and ‘The Frant’.
The Advertiser State Editor and senior columnist Tory Shepherd is the author of On Freedom, a Churchill fellow, a Walkley judge – and once wrote a thesis on UFO cults.
Proudly presented in partnership with the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre
HOSTS: Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas
GUESTS: Rebekha Sharkie and Sarah Hanson-Young
Australia’s best politics podcast – The Party Room – has been described as biting and brilliant and Planet Talks 2019 showed it’s even better live. If you missed it, don’t worry because Fran and PK are bringing their super sharp political minds and even sharper wit back in 2020 for a special International Women’s day edition of TPR LIVE.
Join them as they dissect and interpret all the news and issues of the week in federal politics with some very special guests, live at WOMADelaide.
Proudly presented in partnership with the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre
SPEAKERS: Damon Gameau, Will Steffen, Michelle Lim and Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor
HOST: Bernie Hobbs
The planet is suffering because humans have failed to listen and act. We have failed to act responsibly as individuals and governments have failed to listen to the scientific consensus and act fast.
Despite being faced with unprecedented biodiversity loss, mass species extinctions and the dire consequences of a world not meeting the 2015 Paris climate change pledges, our panel however is still optimistic.
Find out why in a discussion about protecting, restoring, funding and the revolutionary and transformative changes they’re supporting to fix the mess we have collectively created.
Are we in the midst of a sleep loss epidemic?
SPEAKERS: Greg Roach, Jill Dorrian and Danny Eckert
HOST: Deb Tribe
A good diet and exercise have dominated our media and social feeds as the answer to a long and healthy life. But is a silent sleep loss epidemic the greatest health challenge of the new 24/7 society we live in? Some have suggested, ‘the shorter your sleep, the shorter your life’ - but is it as simple as that?
How much sleep do you need to be healthy?
Join three internationally respected sleep researchers as they talk about the secrets of sleep and what we can do as individuals and a society to improve our waking life through better sleep.
SPEAKERS: Robert Elliott Smith, Julia Powles, and Peter Lewis
HOST: Marc Fennell
Our personal data has become the most valuable commodity the world has ever seen, yet most of us happily give it away for free to the likes of Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon (Big Tech).
These companies have in turn used this data to accumulate extraordinary wealth, power and influence through mostly unseen and largely unaccountable algorithms and AI that interpret, manipulate and control every aspect of our contemporary digital life.
So can we trust Big Tech to always ‘not be evil’?
Join our excellent panel of tech thinkers for a discussion about the future use and misuse of our data.
The power and passion in the student climate strike movement.
SPEAKERS: Doha Khan, Harriet O’Shea Carre, Milou Albrecht
HOST: Tory Shepherd
They can’t vote but they’re angry, fearful for the future and demanding to be heard by governments around the world. Passionate, smart and informed, these students have helped to create a thunderous collective voice for change that is hard to ignore.
Doha, Harriet and Milou are three of the leaders of the Australian Student Strike for Climate movement. They’ve played a key part in one of the largest environmental movements the world has ever seen with millions demonstrating in more than 4500 locations across 130 countries.
Their message is clear - act now - because their lives depend on it.
But who’s listening? We are. And you should too.
SPEAKERS: Peter Owen, Bunna Lawrie and Jodie Rummer
HOST: Clare Press
Peter Owen (The Wilderness Society), Bunna Lawrie (Mirning Elder and Coloured Stone frontman) and Jodie Rummer (marine scientist, James Cook University) represent a large and growing movement of concerned people, councils, businesses, industries, environmental and scientific organisations opposing the proposed drilling by Norwegian oil company Equinor in The Great Australian Bight.
It’s a David versus Goliath battle in one of the most pristine and diverse ocean environments left on Earth. On one side, Equinor’s supporters point to jobs and economic benefits for the state, while the other highlights oil-spill modelling that shows catastrophic consequences for fisheries and tourism industries worth over $1.5 billion collectively per annum. The risks are real and battle lines are drawn. Find out what the future holds for oil drilling in the Bight.
SPEAKERS: Quentin Beresford and David Ritter
HOST: Deb Tribe
Our Prime Minister recently declared the need for “fair dinkum power" when the wind isn't blowing and the sun isn't shining. But can this “fair dinkum power” be good for the planet, leaving the 90 per cent of the nation’s coal reserves in the ground estimated for Australia to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement?
Join Prof Quentin Beresford (author of Adani and the War on Coal) and David Ritter (Greenpeace CEO and author of The Coal Truth) as they discuss the Adani saga and the power behind our government’s passion for coal over a 100% renewable energy future.
SPEAKERS: Angie Plummer, Cecile Godde, Matthew Evans and Andy Lowe
HOST: Deb Tribe
Can we really tackle climate change without addressing our relationship with meat consumption and the livestock industry? Ditching the snag on the BBQ and shifting to a more plant based diet is a demand-side solution but only half the consumption / production equation. What needs to be done to change a livestock industry that contributes 15% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions? That’s even more than the transportation sector.
Inaugural Director of Food Innovation at the University of Adelaide, Andy Lowe, Less Meat Less Heat CEO Angie Plummer, CSIRO food systems scientist, Cecile Godde and farmer/SBS TV food documentary maker, Matthew Evans have a few thoughts on where to start, even if you don’t want to become a vegan.
SPEAKERS: Gavin McIntyre, Brian Pickles, Alison Pouliot and Mike Hornblow
HOST: Robyn Williams
Fungi preceded trees and animals on the Earth by hundreds of millions of years, and they’ll be cleaning humanity’s mess long after we’re gone. But can the humble ‘shroom help us save the planet right now? Bioneer Gavin McIntyre from ground breaking New York biofabrication company Ecovative Design, mycologists Brian Pickles and Alison Pouliot, and interdisciplinary designer Mike Hornblow are certain they can.
Fungi are saving the planet daily by energy cycling ecosystems, decomposing organic matter and feeding plants and animals. Now, scientists are also harnessing their mycelium – the root structure of mushrooms – to save the planet. They’re growing incredible sustainable materials to replace the use of wood, foam, bricks, leather, and plastics. They’ve even discovered fungi that eat plastic, clean up petrochemicals, absorb radiation, filter wastewater and treat a range of illnesses and immune-mediated conditions! Here’s to a fungi future.
SPEAKERS: Fran Kelly, Patricia Karvelas, Senator Penny Wong and Minister Simon Birmingham.
Radio National’s brilliant politics podcast The Party Room comes out of the studio and into the Park for the first time. Join two of Australia’s most respected journalist broadcasters, Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas, plus special guests Senator Wong and Minister Birmingham as they analyse and interpret the latest issues from Canberra affecting our world.
SPEAKERS: Brian Pickles, Monica Gagliano and Alex Gaut
HOST: Robyn Williams
Join pioneering scientists Brian Pickles and Monica Gagliano alongside Nature Connection guide, Alex Gaut as they discuss the fascinating world of tree communication, plant cognition and the healing powers of forest bathing. Gagliano’s bio acoustics research in plant cognition and Pickles’ work revealing a mycelium communication network dubbed “the Wood Wide Web” has exposed an incredible hidden world where plants and trees share, trade, care for family, display altruism, wage war, and even think!
And the connection between trees and humans and is just as fascinating. Originally established with Japanese government support because of its measurable health benefits, tree bathing has become widely popular in Japan, Europe and the US as a mind-tree-body therapy.
Internationally celebrated environmentalist, scientist, explorer, writer and 2007 Australian of the Year, Professor Tim Flannery will open the Planet Talks with a keynote address and conversation about our sustainable relationship with the planet joined by the father of Australian science broadcasting, the legendary Robyn Williams.
Currently Professorial Fellow at the Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute and chief councillor of the Australian Climate Council, Australia’s largest and most successful crowd funded organisation, Tim Flannery has published over 140 peer-reviewed scientific papers and named 25 living and 50 fossil mammal species. His 33 books include his latest publication is ‘Sunlight and Seaweed’ and the award winning “The Future Eaters” and “The Weather Makers”, which has been translated into over 20 languages. He has made numerous documentaries and regularly reviews for the New York Review of Books.
Speakers: Kathy Jetnil Kijiner, Ursula Rakova, Julian Burnside, and Tim Costello
Host: Ben Doherty
While the world’s richest countries talk about climate change, many of the poorest nations are experiencing its devastating effects right now. Climate justice activists, Ursula Rakova (Carteret Islands) and Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner (Marshall Islands) are the human face of climate change. Their homelands are the first nations of people being forcibly displaced due to manmade global warming. Ursula Rakova and Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner are joined by Julian Burnside and Tim Costello to explore our responsibilities and the human face of climate change.
Speakers: Genevieve Bell, Kristin Alford and Toby Walsh
Host: Bernie Hobbs
Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Machines represent the most significant social and organizational challenges since human civilisation emerged 5000 years ago. How humanity engages with these technologies today is the key to ensuring that the future development of these tools benefit both society and the environment.
Joining Bernie Hobbs for a live discussion exploring the ramifications of technologies set to disrupt our sustainable relationship with the planet will be three of Australia's brightest minds - cultural anthropologist and former Adelaide thinker in residence Genevieve Bell, futurist and Director of .MOD, Kristin Alford and one of the world’s leading scientists researching Artificial Intelligence, Toby Walsh.
Speakers: Vaughan Levitzke, Vivian Sim, and Anne Sharp
Host: Deb Tribe
An estimated five trillion plastic items - mostly less than five millimetres in size - are currently circulating the surface of the world's oceans and scientists cite microplastics (particles less than 5mm) entering our food chain as a potential toxic ticking time bomb. Let that sink in for a minute... ('scuse the pun).
Three experts in waste, microplastic contamination research and consumer behaviour, Vaughan Levitzke, Vivian Sim, and Anne Sharp sit down with the ABCs Deb Tribe to discuss the scale of the world's addiction to plastic and the possible solutions.
Our Most Vital Connection to Nature & What They Tell Us About the Planet & Ourselves
Speakers: Jim Robbins and Sonia Kleindorfer
Host: Robyn Williams
Our human relationship to birds is like no other creature on earth. These wondrous and miraculous animals captivate, inform and enrich all life on the planet in extraordinary ways.
New York Times writer and author of "The Wonder of Birds" Jim Robbins and professor of animal behaviour at Flinders Uni Sonia Kleindorfer, will come together for a fascinating conversation about the wonder of birds - our most vital connection to nature and what they tell us about the planet and ourselves.
Speakers: Clare Press, Gab Murphy and Megan O’Malley
Vogue Australia's Sustainability Editor-at-Large, respected fashion journalist and author Clare Press brings her popular "slow fashion" podcast Wardrobe Crisis to a live recording at the Planet Talks! The WARDRODE CRISIS Podcast decodes the fashion system and digs deep to explore fashion’s effects on people and planet. Sitting down with Clare are intrepid documentary makers Gab Murphy and Megan O’Malley of "Walk Sew Good" to investigate the impact of our modern fashion consumption habits. These two intrepid explorers walked 3500km across South East Asia to find and document positive stories they hope will change the way people see, value and talk about fashion.
Speaker: Peter Greste
Host: Ben Doherty
Peter Greste is an award winning foreign correspondent who worked for Reuters, the BBC and Al Jazeera around the world, including London, Belgrade, Africa, South America and Afghanistan. Most recently however, he has become best known for his campaign for press freedom after enduring 400 days in a Cairo prison on charges of terrorism and producing fake news to undermine Egyptian national security.
Peter will be joined in a conversation about press freedom and its importance for the future of democracy by three time Walkley Award-winning journalist Ben Doherty from the Guardian.
Sit in on a one-on-one chat with some of the festival's biggest names with our popular Artists In Conversation series and get a unique insight into the fascinating minds, music and worlds of visiting WOMADelaide artists!
Sit in on a one-on-one chat with some of the festival's biggest names with our popular Artists In Conversation series and get a unique insight into the fascinating minds, music and worlds of visiting WOMADelaide artists!
Sit in on a one-on-one chat with some of the festival's biggest names with our popular Artists In Conversation series and get a unique insight into the fascinating minds, music and worlds of visiting WOMADelaide artists!
Sit in on a one-on-one chat with some of the festival's biggest names with our popular Artists In Conversation series and get a unique insight into the fascinating minds, music and worlds of visiting WOMADelaide artists!
Sit in on a one-on-one chat with some of the festival's biggest names with our popular Artists In Conversation series and get a unique insight into the fascinating minds, music and worlds of visiting WOMADelaide artists!
Sit in on a one-on-one chat with some of the festival's biggest names with our popular Artists In Conversation series and get a unique insight into the fascinating minds, music and worlds of visiting WOMADelaide artists!
Sit in on a one-on-one chat with some of the festival's biggest names with our popular Artists In Conversation series and get a unique insight into the fascinating minds, music and worlds of visiting WOMADelaide artists!
Speakers: Prof Mohamad Abdalla | Rabbi Jonathan Keren-Black | Philippa Rowland
Host: Father Bob Maguire
The Pope’s game changing encyclical—Laudato Si – stressed environmental stewardship and climate change action is consistent with Christian spiritual life. But the Green Faith movement is not just a Christian thing. It’s a central pillar of all major religions.
This interfaith panel led by Australia’s favourite Catholic, Father Bob Maguire, will discuss how and why Christian, Muslim, Buddhist and Jewish faiths have made climate change and environmental responsibility a major part of contemporary religious life and practice.
Speakers: Lewis Yerloburka O'Brien | Veronica Perrurle Dobson | Fiona Walsh | Zaachariaha Fielding
Host: Miriam Corowa
40,000 years of Indigenous Australians have maintained a sustainable relationship with every corner of Australia’s diverse environment via a deep listening tradition that preserves language, heritage and culture. In this panel respected Indigenous Elders, an Ethno-Ecologist and a young Indigenous rising star who sings in his country’s language will talk about this knowledge and how the future of Australian environmental conservation is linked to preserving and sustaining our indigenous cultures, heritage and languages.
Speakers: Karen O'Brien | Jon Dee | Erin Rhoads | Vanessa Morrish
Host: Sonya Feldhoff
Just because you can't do everything it doesn't mean you shouldn't do something. Do we view climate change as a problem for Governments, scientists, environmentalists and economists to sort out or is our role as individuals more important? Join Karen, Jon, Erin and Vanessa as they chat about their work focusing on the “I” in climate change, how people see themselves making changes and how we can empower everyone to “do something”.
Speakers: Kyle Wiens | Veena Sahajwalla | Nicholas Chileshe
Host: Robyn Williams
We’re running out of resources but according to this panel, we’re going to be ok. Can we compete with the convenience of the garbage dump and the latest iPhone? Are tech companies taking away our right to extend the life of products? Is a waste-free economy possible? iFixit founder Kyle Wiens, UNSW’s Scientia Professor of Materials Science, Veena Sahajwalla and UniSA’s reverse logistics expert Nicholas Chileshe know a thing or two about delaying entropy, so let’s ask them.
Speakers: Carmel Johnston | Josh Richards
Host: Robyn Williams
Is colonising Mars the next giant leap for humanity or is it a waste of time and money? Do humans need to be a multi planet species to avoid extinction as argued by Elon Musk? What have humans and the blue planet got to gain in the short term by practising and preparing to inhabit the Red Planet? Who better to ask than two of our favourite Martians, Australian Mars One candidate, Josh Richards and Carmel Johnston – Crew Commander of a year-long Mars Simulation mission.
Guest: Sir Tim Smit (UK)
Host: Richard Fidler
Former Archaeologist, music composer and producer, Sir Tim Smit is best known for his achievements in Cornwall in restoring the Lost Gardens of Heligan and co-creating the multi Award-winning Eden Project - a cradle of life containing world-class horticulture and startling architecture. Eden has become one of the world’s most popular man-made eco-tourism destinations with more than 16 million people visiting it since 2000. And that’s only part of the Tim Smit story…
Speakers: Dee Madigan | Jane Caro | First Dog on the Moon
Host: Tory Shepherd
Can effectively communicating facts about climate change make any difference to how people vote in the next election? What is the PR pollution clouding carbon politics? Is it possible to make an issue this complex simple enough to get good decisions within our short-term electoral cycle? This panel of communications gurus and a canine political cartoon commentariat are masters of words and pictures, so what’s their world-saving climate change action pitch?
Speakers: Naomi Oreskes | Tanya Monro | Karl Kruszelnicki
Host: Paul Willis
Is economic growth possible if we truly address climate change or will a transition require serious economic pain before any gain? Is coal about to disappear as fast as Kodak did and, if so, can new energy technologies deliver a ‘win-win’ for the environment and the economy? This panel features some of our foremost economic and political minds discussing the possibility of a new economy and clean growth.
Speakers: Ross Garnaut | John Hewson
Host: Lenore Taylor
Is economic growth possible if we truly address climate change or will a transition require serious economic pain before any gain? Is coal about to disappear as fast as Kodak did and, if so, can new energy technologies deliver a ‘win-win’ for the environment and the economy? This panel features some of our foremost economic and political minds discussing the possibility of a new economy and clean growth.
Speakers: Simon Hackett | Dan Spencer | Felicia Whiting
Host: Robyn Williams
Three South Australian leaders of 'off the grid innovation and activism' look at what the near future could hold in powering homes, business, streets and cities. Will there be any place for coal fired power stations in that future?
Speakers: David Suzuki | Indira Naidoo | Amelia Telford
Host: Robyn Williams
Is winning the battle for our hearts more important than the economy, politics and carbon numbers? As we increasingly live in cities is our society losing its connection with nature? If so, how might we change this? Our panel looks at cultivating love for the environment and how this helps bring about positive change at the human rather than political level.
Speaker: David Suzuki
MC: Robyn Williams
For four decades Canadian David Suzuki has been one of the most prominent, articulate, passionate and effective advocates for our planet and its environment. At 79 he shows no sign of slowing down. Spend an hour with one of the greatest eco-warriors of our time.
Simran Sethi in conversation with Sylvia Earle
Host: Bernie Hobbs
Simran Sethi and Sylvia Earle are two of the world’s most inspiring environmental messengers. Their mission is both clear and hopeful - to inspire us all to take responsibility for, and play a role in creating a better future for the earth for all generations to come. Listen to two of the world’s foremost eco-heroes discuss their hopes and dreams for the planet.
Speakers: Sylvia Earle, Charlie Veron, Bronwyn Gillanders
Host: Bernie Hobbs
Marine experts have warned that we are in the middle of an unprecedented high-risk period of marine species extinction. On our watch the world’s oceans and natural wonders like The Great Barrier Reef have borne the brunt of a potent combination of over-fishing, pollution, unparalleled mining and farming run-offs, the acidification of the seas caused by increasing carbon dioxide emissions and the disruptive results of rising water temperatures. Our panel, three highly regarded marine scientists, discuss the vast challenge ahead to reverse these dire predictions for our blue heart. As Sylvia Earle herself said - “life depends on the ocean, and to save it we must love it.”
Speakers: Paul Willis, Emily Johnston, Ingo Weber
Host: Bernie Hobbs
Is health the forgotten latecomer to climate change? The change in global temperatures is already causing significant stresses on human populations and we'll need to adapt to a hotter climate regardless of successful emissions reductions. What is the impact likely to be and how might we mitigate it? Our panel of health and science experts discuss what climate change means to our health and well-being.
Speakers: Andrew Denton, Rod Quantock, Hannah Gadsby
Host: Robyn Williams
Climate change is no laughing matter … or is it? Science or satire - how do we best communicate climate science and the urgency to act on the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced? Do more people turn to Will Ferrell’s climate change YouTube clips or Al Gore pie charts and PowerPoints for the truth? Are people more likely to share on social media Leigh Sales’ 7.30 interview with the world’s leading climate scientists or US political satirist John Oliver’s interviews with them? Who makes more sense of carbon politics, Andrew Bolt or Shaun Micallef? All will be revealed. Sit back and listen to the (comedy) experts.
Speakers: Cecilia Woolford, Peter Langridge, Bob Brown
Host: Robyn Williams
Are our climate-altering activities hurtling us towards a bleak fate or is this the catalyst for a new era of environmentally sustainable ideas and innovation? Are we witnessing the dawning of an unstoppable wave of action and leadership? According to our panelists we do have the ideas, innovation, motivation and people to give us the hope that we can and will respond to the challenge. Listen to our visionary panel discuss the optimistic future they have seen emerging in business, agriculture, politics and society.
Speakers: Vandana Shiva, Paul Sutton, Tim Jarvis
Host: Robyn Williams
A famous native American proverb says 'Only when the last tree has died, and the last river been poisoned, and the last fish been caught, will we realise we cannot eat money.' The panel's three leaders challenge this pessimistic prediction by discussing values - financial and what we love and care about - that we place on our land, food and water. They will range across themes including seed democracy, urbanisation and land management and what this means for the health of the planet and ourselves.
Speakers: Peter Ward, Chris Daniels, Peter Owen
Hosted by: Robyn Williams
Life on this planet is under extreme duress. The three pressures, whilst being interlinked and ultimately originating with humans all affect ecosystems in different ways. A warming earth affects the water cycle which ultimately determines the susceptibility of terrestrial landscapes to support life. Cities across the world are growing dramatically over the best land, and habitat clearance to support human needs eliminates biodiversity. What will the term biodiversity mean in 2100?
Peter, Chris and Peter talk about how great these three threats are, and how the earth can survive.
Speakers: Polly Higgins | Peter Garrett | Tim Flannery
Hosted by: Bernie Hobbs
Find out what happens when one of the world’s most visionary thinkers in the area of law and environmental action - Polly Higgins - meets Australia's leading environmental thinker, writer and activist Tim Flannery and former government minister, ACF president and Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett for a frank conversation about why and how the law and legislation must tackle climate change.
Speakers: Paul Gilding | Simon Holmes à Court | Richard Slaughter
Hosted by: Robyn Williams
With a change of government and climate change action policy, where to now for “the greatest moral, economic and social challenge of our time”?
Our panel discuss some of the social, corporate and political structures that we still have at our disposal to deal with a planet wide emergency now and into the future.
Speakers: Tim Hollo | Simon Sheikh | Ane Brun
Hosted by: Bernie Hobbs
Generation Z are the most globally exposed and connected generation in the history of the planet. They will inherit any mess made by their parents and grandparents but are they more concerned about celebrity culture and low carb diets than climate change and low carbon economies? With the oldest Generation Z turning 19 this year how do we activate their hearts and minds to consider climate change action as their priority? This panel looks at musicians, role models and ways to harness the power and influence of the most digitally engaged and globally connected generation we’ve ever seen.
Speakers: Tom Wigley | Steffen Lehmann | Amie Albrecht
Hosted by: Bernie Hobbs
Thanks to the latest research from a host of the world’s most respected climate scientists like Tom Wigley, the weight of evidence pointing to the human role in changing our weather is now beyond compelling. Consequently, if their forecasts of climate change increases do occur, life in our most densely populated areas face an unprecedented and urgent call to action.
With 26 cities on the planet currently housing between 10 and 20 million people each and projections of a future with 11 billion people on the planet including the first 100 million person cities, this panel looks at up to date research on how and why our climate may change and how our built environs and transport systems must adapt to accommodate life in future mega cities.
Speakers: Annabel Crabb | Tory Shepherd | Tanya Ha
Hosted by: Robyn Williams
The Media, MPs and Mothers all play vital roles in shaping our emotional (Kirk) and rational (Spock) attitudes to environmental action.
How do they frame a climate change message in ways that are relevant, accurate and meaningful to their audiences?
Our panel of expert science, environment and politics communicators discuss some of the social, cultural, political and psychological machinations behind the things we see, hear and read about climate change.