Speakers: Andry Sculthorpe, Cissy Gore-Birch, Katherine MosebyFacilitator: 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 MarchSpeakers: Belinda Noble, Simon Holmes à Court, Ebony BennettFacilitator: 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 MarchSpeakers: Rachel Perkins, Tim WintonFacilitator: 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 SmithFacilitator: 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 OreskesFacilitator: 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 BaconFacilitator: 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

SPEAKERSDarryl Jones, Sheryn Pitman, Sarah Bekessy FACILITATORChris 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.   

SPEAKERSAbby Barrows, Vanessa Pirotta, Bronwyn Gillanders. HOSTClare 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

SPEAKERSAnote Tong, Yessie Mosby, Tishiko King FacilitatorTiahni 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.  

SPEAKERSBob Brown, Elaine Johnson, Roj Amedi FacilitatorNoah 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. 

SPEAKERSAndrew Skeoch, Simone Slattery, Anthony Albrecht.  HOSTShannon 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.   

SPEAKERSJoe Morrison, Kate Andrews, Ariadne Gorring, Martine Maron HOSTAndrew 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. 

SPEAKERSAlice Jones, Steve Meller and Catriona Mcleod HOSTNikolai 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

SPEAKERSEytan Lenko, Polly Hemming and Brynn O'Brien  HOSTMaree 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.  SPEAKERSFran 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.SPEAKERSErin O’Donnell, Anne Poelina, Peter Burdon HOSTTanya 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.   SPEAKERSPhill Cassey, Sarah Wheeler and Emma Carmody HOSTRuby Jones Proudly presented by The Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Resources

SPEAKERSAlex Bruhn, Amber Brock-Fable, Pantju Nam, Amelia Chaplin, Tiahni Adamson HOSTKeira 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.

SPEAKERSAnika Molesworth, Bruce Pascoe, Charles Massy HOSTAnthony 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?

SPEAKERSKatja Hogendoorn, Rocio Ponce Reyes, Richard Glatz HOSTMichael 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.