About this Event
David Ritter | Aaron Fa’Aoso | Kal Glanznig | Rebecca Huntley
Australians are a proud oceanic people. None more so than Indigenous Australians who have always nourished Country and lived in balance with nature. But whether it’s swimming, surfing, snorkelling, fishing, exploring the tide pools, walking along the coastline or enjoying the view, Aussies love spending time in and around their big blue backyard.
With the signing of the Global Ocean Treaty, 2026 marks a turning point in protecting our oceans from the ongoing impacts of climate change, overfishing and pollution.
Join Greenpeace CEO David Ritter and Torres Strait Islander actor, screenwriter and producer Aaron Fa’Aoso with author and social researcher, Rebecca Huntley as host. This will be an evening of set talks and conversation that will inspire, motivate and outline a clear path forward for protecting our ocean home. There will also be a special guest appearance from Australia’s Youth Ocean Advocate for COP31 Kal Glanznig, beamed in specially.
From David’s pitch for how Australia could have the best protected oceans on the planet, to Aaron’s lived experience and storytelling from the Torres Strait, to their conversation with Rebecca on collective action, one thing is already clear: there is an ocean of hope to help make change.
Live Event & Venue Information
John Niland Scientia Building is located at UNSW Sydney's Kensington campus (G19). Please note this is a live event only, and will not be available via livestream.
ACCESS
Wheelchair Access
The closest accessible drop off point to Leighton Hall is via Gate 11, Botany Street. More information on getting there can be found via our interactive accessibility map available here.
Assisted Listening
Leighton Hall has hearing assistive technology available. Patrons wishing to utilise this service must collect a Roger™ inductive neck loop receiver from the venue staff, and this system can be used with a hearing aid or cochlear implant with a T-coil, or with headphones.
Captioning
Live captioning on personal devices will be available at this event.
Auslan
Auslan interpreting services can be provided for selected talks upon request.
Contact
To book and discuss access services, please call the Centre for Ideas on 02 9065 0485 or email [email protected].
Public Transport & Parking
Leighton Hall (John Niland Scientia Building) is easily accessible via public transport. The closest light rail stop is the UNSW High Street (L2 line) and the closest bus stop is UNSW Gate 14, Barker Street (303). For more information please call the Transport Infoline on 131 500 or visit transportnsw.info.
Free parking is available in the Botany St Car Park (Gate 11) after 5.30pm. Event patrons should park in the UNSW Permit Holder bays, which are available on all levels. The car park is located here.
Paid casual and visitor parking is available in other UNSW car parks via the CellOPark app or pay-by-plate meters. For more information, visit the UNSW parking website.
Contact
For all enquiries please email [email protected] or call the Centre for Ideas on 02 9065 0485.
The Centre for Ideas is happy to receive phone calls via the National Relay Service. TTY users, phone 133 677, then ask for 02 9065 0485. Speak and Listen users, phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 02 9065 0485. For more information on all other relay calls visit here.
Speakers
David Ritter
David Ritter is Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s Chief Executive Officer. A lifelong environmentalist, David joined the campaign staff of Greenpeace in 2007 in London before returning to Australia to become CEO of Greenpeace Australia Pacific in 2012. David has written three books, and his work has featured in Guardian Australia, The Australian, Griffith Review and numerous other outlets. Prior to joining Greenpeace, David was one of Australia’s leading Indigenous rights lawyers and worked as an academic in the Faculty of Law at the University of Western Australia.
Aaron Fa'Aoso
Aaron Fa’Aoso is an award-winning Torres Strait Islander filmmaker, actor, and creative executive, and the Founder and Managing Director of Lonestar Entertainment Company, a Cairns-based production company developing premium film and television from Northern Australia for global audiences. Beyond the screen industry, Aaron is a respected national leader in cultural governance and public policy. He currently serves on the boards of SBS, Screen Queensland and Supply Nation, and sits on the National Film and Sound Archive’s Indigenous Advisory Committee. A proud Torres Strait Islander man of the Koedal (Crocodile) and Samu (Cassowary) clans of Saibai, Aaron is driven by a mission to bring underrepresented voices to the global stage and position Northern Australia as a powerful hub for world-class storytelling.
Kal Glanznig
Kal Glanznig is a Sutherland Shire Councillor, filmmaker and one of Australia’s leading youth ocean and climate champions. He co-founded Blue Minds, which empowers young Australians to tackle eco-concerns and become ocean leaders. Director of the documentaries RISING UP (2024) and The Plastic Country (2026), Kal has been focused on environmental outcomes since high school where he led a $100,000, 100kW solar panel project while in high school, inspiring over 20 schools to follow suit. He co-founded Plastic Free Cronulla in 2019, spearheading a movement that helped secure a legislative ban on single-use plastics. An accomplished aquatic athlete and 3 x TEDx speaker, Kal represented Australia at the Youth World Water Polo Championships and has recently been appointed as Australia’s Youth Ocean Advocate for COP31, the United Nations climate summit, Kal is helping elevate youth voices and champion the critical role of the ocean in global climate action.
Rebecca Huntley
Dr Rebecca Huntley is one of Australians foremost researchers on social trends. She holds degrees in law and film studies and a PhD in Gender Studies. For a number of years, she ran her own research and consultancy firm working closely with climate and environment NGOs, government and business on climate change strategy and communication. She is now Director of Research at the agency 89DegreesEast. She is the author of numerous books including How to Talk About Climate Change in a Way that Makes a Difference. She is a member of the Advisory Group for the Climate Solutions Centre at the Australian Museum and a board member of the Dusseldorp Forum.
Event venue & nearby stays
John Niland Scientia Building & Scientia Lawn, UNSW Kensington, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, Australia
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