WOMAD’s Planet Talk speakers announced

The Speakers Corner at WOMADelaide 2015 will bring three of the world’s greatest environmental thinkers, communicators and activists to Botanic Park next year. Following a massive second line-up announcement comes the Planet Talks sessions, which will include a program of 16 inspirational speakers to discuss a range of topics about our sustainable relationship with the planet. The 2015 talks will host living eco-legend Sylvia Earle, seed democracy activist Vandana Shiva and renowned US environmental communicator Simran Sethi. Marine Scientist Sylvia Earle has spent 60 years exploring and protecting the world’s marine environment. The famed oceanographer has led more than 100 expeditions and spent 7000 hours underwater. She is Explorer in Residence at the National Geographic Society, Founder of Mission Blue/Sylvia Earle Alliance and Founder of Deep Ocean Exploration and Research. Internationally celebrated writer, activist, feminist and philosopher Vandana Shiva has been hailed an environmental hero by Time Magazine and one of the Seven Most Powerful Women on the Globe by Forbes Magazine for her work in the area of sustainable land management, biodiversity and seed democracy. She is also the 2010 Sydney Peace Prize winner. Simran Sethi has been named one of the planet’s top 10 eco-heroes by the UK’s Independent and lauded as an environmental messenger by Vanity Fair. Sethi is a journalist and educator focused on environmentalism, sustainability, and social change. The talks are presented by the University of South Australia. “UniSA is particularly proud to present the Planet Talks because the series provides an opportunity to explore some of the pressing issues of our time,” UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor David Lloyd said. “Sylvia Earle, Vandana Shiva and Simran Sethi have all made major global contributions in changing the way the people, governments and corporations think, act and create a sustainable future for the planet and we are honoured to have them as part of the Planet Talks program.” The 2015 Planet Talks program will also feature former Greens leader Bob Brown, TV presenter and producer Andrew Denton, comedian Hannah Gadsby, RiAUS Director, educator and paleontologist Paul Willis and many more. The talks will be hosted by renowned ABC Science broadcasters Robyn Williams and Bernie Hobbs. The Planet Talks topics, panels and times will be released in early 2015. For more information head to womadelaide.com.au 2015 PLANET TALKS SPEAKERS Sylvia Earle Vandana Shiva Simran Sethi Bob Brown Andrew Denton Paul Willis Rod Quantock Dr Charlie Veron Professor Paul Sutton Professor Fiona Stanley Tim Jarvis Cecilia Woolford Hannah Gadsby Emily Johnston Professor Bronwyn Gillanders Peter Langridge