WOMADelaide - The Planet Talks

Tackling Greenwashing - Presented with The Environmental Defenders Office - WOMADelaide 2025

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.

Storytelling For Change - Presented with The Environmental Defenders Office - WOMADelaide 2025

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.

Local Futures - Presented with The Guardian - WOMADelaide 2025

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.

Ending Fossil Fuels - Presented with The Guardian - WOMADelaide 2025

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.

Adapt or Collapse? - Presented with the Environment Institute - WOMADelaide 2025

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

Wild Cities - Presented by The Environment Institute - WOMADelaide 2024

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.   

Oceans of Change - Presented in Partnership with The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre - WOMADelaide 2024

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

Islands Rising - Presented by The Australian Institute - WOMADelaide 2024

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.  

The Future of Activism - Presented by The Australia Institute - WOMADelaide 2024

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. 

Deep Listening To Nature - WOMADelaide 2024

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.