The Mick Dark Talk for the Future is held to honour the late Mick Dark who gave his family home - Varuna - to the future of Australian writing.

Mick was a life-long conservationist and was president of the Blue Mountains Conservation Society for nine years and vice president for eight years. He was a life member.

The talk is co-presented by Varuna the National Writers’ House and the Blue Mountains Conservation Society, and is an annual address on the environment, inviting prominent and authoritative thinkers to discuss their work on subjects that provoke and inspire.

A distinguished panel will discuss the latest in climate solutions and how we can act to create meaningful change.

The panel will be hosted by science journalist and Varuna board member Bianca Nogrady Climate Change (WIRED guides) How We Can Get to Carbon Zero.

Our panellists are (see mini-bio below) -

Tim Flannery is a paleontologist, explorer and conservationist.

He is a leading writer on climate change and the 2007 Australian of the Year.

His books include the award-winning international bestseller The Weather Makers, The Future Eaters, Here on Earth and Atmosphere of Hope.

He is currently chief councillor of the Climate Council.

His latest publication is The Climate Cure: Solving the Climate Emergency in the Era of COVID-19.

Rebecca Huntley is one of Australia's most experienced social researchers and former director of The Mind and Mood Report, the longest running measure of the nation's attitudes and trends.

She holds degrees in law and film studies and a PhD in gender studies, and is a mum to three young children.

It was realising she is part of the problem older generation that caused her change of heart and to dedicate herself to researching our attitudes to climate change.

She is a member of Al Gore's Climate Reality Corps, carries out social research for NGOs such as The Wilderness Society and WWF, and writes and presents for the ABC.

Her latest publication is How to Talk about Climate Change in a Way that Makes a Difference

Ketan Joshi is a prolific writer, analyst and science communicator focusing on clean energy and climate change.

He previously worked in climate and energy for private companies and government agencies, and now writes journalism and commentary from the frontlines of climate and energy battles around the world.

His latest publication is Windfall: Unlocking a fossil-free future