Dr Mark Diesendorf is currently Honorary Associate Professor in Environment & Society at UNSW Sydney. He is a former Professor of Environmental Science.  As well he is a Founding Director of the Institute for Sustainable Futures at University of Technology Sydney.

His latest book The Path to a Sustainable Civilisation: Technological, socioeconomic and political change (2023) shows how it is still possible to prevent 'civilisation collapse'.  Dr Mark Diesendorf argues for the urgency of social movements to fight 'corporate capture' that diminish democracy. Involved in this, of course, is a fearless ABC holding power to account. 

Mark Diesendorf will outline the threats to democracy in Australia and globally. He will put the case that today's threats to democracy are being driven by the influence on, or 'capture' of, governments by politically powerful vested interests such as the fossil fuel, property,  gambling, finance industries, along with others including the global military-industrial complex.

A strong public broadcaster must expose these threats and ensure government decisions are made democratically and in the public interest.

Mark argues that the ABC, as our public broadcaster, must be fearless.  Mark recognises that the ABC has been critical in shining a light on unscrupulous power, yet also notes it sometimes fails to meet public expectations.

Mark Diesendorf has been a pioneer in renewable energy.  Listen to a Northern Beaches Radio interview with Michael Lester HERE

Please find poster promoting Mark Diesendorf's talk HERE

Mark Diesendorf's talk will be followed by a delicious home cooked light lunch (only $15, but RSVP essential. Pay by cash on the day)