Forging a Sustainable Future: WOMADelaide’s 2025 Planet Talks Program Revealed

Providing a vital platform for dialogue and insight regarding environmental sustainability and the future of our planet, WOMADelaide’s The Planet Talks series tackles the most pressing challenges facing our world today – returning as a centrepiece of the festival program – at the Frome Park Pavilion, in Adelaide’s Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla, from Saturday 8 March to Monday 10 March 2025.

For over a decade, Planet Talks has brought together a diverse array of global thoughtleaders, trailblazing activists, pioneering scientists, and visionary change-makers. And the 2025 program once again hosts a compelling lineup of speakers including: globally recognised activist and President of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Dr. Kumi Naidoo; Harvard Professor and author Prof. Naomi Oreskes; acclaimed author and environmental advocate Tim Winton; and trailblazing filmmaker and Blackfella Films founder Rachel Perkins.

As they reflect, dissect, and discuss; these leading voices will share their knowledge and own experiences as climate activists, delving into the complexities of issues impacting our daily lives, while offering innovative and practical solutions alongside fresh perspectives to inspire action and ignite conversation.

Planet Talks 2025 Program:

SESSION 1: TACKLING GREENWASHING – SATURDAY 8TH MARCH

Facilitator: David Morris (CEO of the Environmental Defenders Office)

Panelists: Ebony Bennett (Director, The Australia Institute), Belinda Noble (CommsDeclare Founder) and Dr Debra Dank (Author)

Greenwashing is on the rise, undermining critical efforts to address pressing issues like climate change and biodiversity loss at a time when action matters most. How can we discern whether the stories we’re told are genuine or merely a smokescreen for inaction? This session will delve into what greenwashing is, how to identify it, and how to combat it effectively.

Presented by Environmental Defenders Office

SESSION 2: STORYTELLING TO SAVE THE PLANET – SATURDAY 8TH MARCH

Facilitator: Natasha Mitchell (Radio National Big Ideas Presenter)

Panelists: Tim Winton (Author) and Rachel Perkins (Filmmaker, storyteller)

What roles do stories and storytellers play in addressing major issues? Two of Australia’s best storytellers explore how stories can be told in new ways to help Australia reckon with its past actions and attitudes towards its environment and First Nations people. And how can storytellers inspire us to imagine possible futures, guiding us toward a more informed and hopeful path forward?

Presented with the Environmental Defenders Office

Supported by the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre

SESSION 3: BACK FROM THE BRINK – SUNDAY 9TH MARCH

Facilitator: Andy Lowe (Director, Environment Institute)

Panelists: Katherine Moseby (Arid Lands Recovery cofounder), Andry Sculthorpe (Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre) and Cissy Gore Birch (Kimberley Cultural Connections)

The Earth is currently facing its sixth mass extinction, with approximately one million plant and animal species at risk of disappearing globally. How can we rewrite this narrative? Is there an alternative path that transforms our anxiety over ecological destruction into hope for a wilder world where nature thrives once more? This session will delve into the concept of rewilding, its potential impact in Australia, and how it could help restore life and vitality to bring it back from the brink.

Presented with the Environment Institute

SESSION 4: ADAPT OR COLLAPSE – SUNDAY 9TH MARCH

Facilitator: Julia Lester Panelists: Professor Elizabeth Mossop (UTS), Bhiammie Williamson (National Indigenous Disaster Resilience Program) and Emma Bacon (Sweltering Cities)

Extreme floods, storms, heatwaves, and bushfires are becoming increasingly frequent, intense, and widespread. How can Australian communities better prepare for a future shaped by more extreme climate events? Can we radically redesign and retrofit our cities and towns to withstand these challenges? What is at stake, and how far are we willing to go to adapt?

Presented with the Environment Institute

MARCH SESSION 5: ENDING FOSSIL FUELS – MONDAY 10TH

Facilitator: Sarah Martin (The Guardian)

Keynote/s: Dr. Kumi Naidoo (President of the global Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty) and Prof. Naomi Oreskes (Harvard Professor and author of Merchants of Doubt)

Despite global commitments to climate action and significant investments in renewable energy, fossil fuel investments remain at record highs. How can we urgently chart a future that breaks free from fossil fuels? This session will examine how the fossil fuel industry continues to distract, delay, and undermine global efforts to sever our reliance on these outdated energy sources once and for all.

Presented with The Guardian

Supported by the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre

SESSION 6: LOCAL FUTURES – MONDAY 10TH

Facilitator: Tory Shepherd (The Guardian)

Keynote: Helena Norberg-Hodge (Linguist, author and filmmaker)

Panelists: Arabella Douglas and Warwick Smith

Has globalisation made us healthier and happier? Has the global era of capitalism reached its endpoint, and if so, what comes next? This session will explore localisation movements worldwide and how economic systems can be reshaped to better serve people and the planet. It will feature a keynote speech by award-winning linguist, author, and filmmaker Helena Norberg-Hodge, a global pioneer in the localisation movement.

Presented with The Guardian

The Planet Talks are generously supported by Claire Pfister and David Paradice, with thanks to the City of Adelaide/Adelaide Economic Development Agency. The daily programs are proudly presented by The Environment Institute and The Australia Institute.

More information visit: womadelaide.com.au