Earth Matters

We are living on a compromised planet. Alongside acting to slow the pace of change, we have to adapt; and prepare for increasingly challenging conditions. Communities everywhere are already doing this, often independent of - and in spite of - the actions of their governments. On this show, and next month, I share some examples of community-led climate adaptation on this continent. You’ll hear how individuals and organisations are working to build resilience, respond collectively to climate impacts, and prepare for escalating disaster. Amanda Kelly is the CEO of Women’s Health Goulburn North East, a feminist organisation based in North-east Victoria which co-produced a research report on disaster resilience called ‘Care Through Disaster’. Sasha Mainbridge is a resident of Mullumbimby, in the flood-prone Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. She is the founder and president of Mullum Cares, a non-profit organisation that focuses on resource conservation. Catherine Strong is an associate professor in the RMIT University’s Music Industry program. She researches extensively on industry work conditions, gender in music and the impacts of the climate emergency. The Climate Adaptation Fair took place at Borderlands Cooperative in Footscray, Narrm (melbourne), as part of the National Sustainability Festival. It was organised by Friends of the Earth’s Act on Climate collective.Earth Matters #1509 was produced by Mia Audrey.

Food sovereignty is the ability to make informed choices about our food, to define our own food systems, and to access healthy, culturally appropriate food that is produced sustainably. Food sovereignty puts the needs of the people who produce and consume food at the heart of food systems, and is key to addressing the overlapping crises of climate, hunger and inequality. On this show, you’ll hear some ways this is put into practice, through the work of four different food initiatives and advocacy groups operating in ‘Australia’.The Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance (AFSA) is a farmer-led civil society organisation of people working together towards socially-just and ecologically-sound food and agriculture systems that foster the democratic participation of Indigenous Peoples, smallholders, and local communities in decision making processes.Supporticulture Cooperative is a specialised disability cooperative based in Greensborough that provides agricultural work opportunities for people living with intellectual or physical disabilities. Its public face, Caring Farms Cooperative, is an agroecological food enterprise in Greensborough, featuring a market garden tended by a collective of people living with disabilities and their supporters. The Just Food Collective is a not-for-profit advocacy organisation founded in 2021 by emerging food systems leaders. Comprised of graduates in Food Studies, ex-hospitality workers, young researchers and people working in advocacy and grassroots organisations, Just Food mobilises youth and future leaders in the battle for a more equitable, just, and sustainable food system. Guerilla Gardening Narrm is a collective creating community gardens on public land in Narrm, Melbourne. Their first garden, the Radicle Roots garden, was established in 2023 in De Chene Reserve, Coburg. The project aims to respond to the escalating cost-of-living and climate crises by creating localised food systems grounded in 'the commons'. Organisers of the Food Sovereignty Day put together a thorough list of reading materials, podcasts, videos and food sovereignty groups.Earth Matters #1508 was produced by Mia Audrey on Wurunjderi Woi Wurrung Country.

Genocide and ecocide are not separate crimes — they are two sides of the same colonial system that has brought the planet to the brink of collapse. From the invasion of these lands to the global climate crisis, colonialism is an engine of ecocide. But Indigenous peoples, here and around the world, continue to resist — defending lands, waters, and all life. Because if the destruction of Country continues, it will be suicide for the planet. But through decolonisation, land back, and Indigenous leadership, a path to survival is still possible. Tune in for this powerful episode.

Vicky Ellmore is an organiser from the Act on Climate initiative within Friends of the Earth Melbourne. Vicky joined us to chat about the need for climate adaptations, and findings from recent research undertaken by Friends of the Earth. Find their report about climate adaptation here.Aawa is from Kinglake Friends of the Forest (KFF), a volunteer community group committed to protecting native forests and relishing the joy of their unique biodiversity. Since the end of VicForests, KFF have turned their attention to the industrial burning of forests the occurs under the guise of bushfire management.Find their petition here. Earth Matters #1507 was produced by Bec Horridge

Tackling Plastic Waste: Producer Responisibility + Plastic-Free July ‘…85% of Australians are hugely concerned about plastic pollution…We need our leaders to lead by example and show that the circular economy is possible…’ Birte Moliere, Packaging Campaign Lead, Boomerang Alliance This week Earth Matters speaks to Rebecca Prince-Ruiz, founder of the Plastic Free Foundation and Plastic Free July and Birte Moliere, Packaging and Product Stewardship Lead at the Boomerang Alliance about the solutions being actioned at community, national and international levels to reduce plastic waste.We hear how the Plastic-Free July challenge is reaching MPs in Parliament and what you can do to join the fight.More than 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced every year worldwide, with an estimated 11 million tonnes ending up in water ways, damaging local ecologies and wildlife.Globally it is estimated that plastic kills one million seabirds and one hundred thousand sea mammals each year. Microplastics have been found in a whopping 94 per cent of oysters, and in Australia 62 per cent of fish have been found contaminated with these tiny particles. PFAS toxins are present in human breast milk, semen and blood.Plastics are also manufactured from fossil fuels, contributing to emissions and exacerbating climate change.The plastic problem is so great that the United Nations Environment Programme has dedicated this year’s World Environment Day to beating plastic pollution.

In this episode of Earth Matters, host Keiran Stewart-Assheton discusses the ongoing impacts that PFAS contamination has had on the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community, as well as a look at the broader impacts of PFAS globally.

In his introductory show, host Keiran Stewart-Assheton talks about his people's historic connecion to Beowa (Orcas) of the South Coast, and the impacts of the extractive whaling industry post-colonisation.

The food system accounts for about 25% of total greenhouse gas emissions, yet it is commonly left out of discussions about the climate emergency. Over half of the land on this continent is used for agriculture, but rarely do we bring food and farming into landback discussions. As a climate solution, as a nexus of decolonisation, as a battleground for workers’ rights and more, food is so close, so ever-present, we can forget to pay attention. There are, of course, exceptions; individual and communities who are working to fix what’s fixable, halt what’s causing harm, and build better food systems. In this episode, and my next one in a month’s time, you will hear from some of these unsung heroes, the farmers and organisers of the food sovereignty movement. This episode is an in-depth feature on Brazil’s Landless Workers Movement (MST), a champion of food sovereignty for over 40 years which has been instrumental in its development into a global movement. Ana Chã tells its story, where struggles for land, social transformation and human emancipation converge. Earth Matters #1502 was produced by Mia Audrey on the land of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people.

Western hubris about water leads to really bad water policy - kate harriden Australia’s First Peoples looked after the country’s waterscapes for millennia before colonisation brought Western ways that exclude their contribution. This week on Earth Matters Wiradyuri woman and indigenous water expert kate harriden from the Monash Sustainable Development Institute explains how educating settler societies about indigenous ways of knowing is crucial to decolonising water management in Australia. Produced by Claudia Craig at the studios of 3CR on unceded Wurundjeri land. Sound recordings of Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra, created and supplied by kate harriden. MSDI Water camp, May 20-22 MSDI Water camp, May 20-22, Australian National University, Ngunnawal Country - registrations open! First Nations Bookings, Non-indigenous EOI References Overturning Aqua nullius, Virginia Marshall Indigenous design: Water Country by kate harriden ‘Hear Their Voices: Australia’s First Nations Women and the Legal Recognition of Their Rights to Water’ Katie O’Bryan & kate harriden Victorian Government Water is Life Policy document

Join the throng of Seed Savers with their small table stalls of free seeds and activities at the Canberra City Farm. Why save seeds?How to save seeds.Make a Seed bomb. Guests:Arien MacVeigh; Founder; Canberra Seed Savers NetworkVarious Folk. Dave on Guitar. Episode #1500 was produced by Bec Horridge on Ngnunawal and Ngambrii Country in Canberra.

Calls for national Moratorium on Seismic BlastingCommunities gathered in Warrnambool to call for an end to gas exploration in the Otway Basin and a national moratorium on seismic blasting to stop the damage being done to marine life and the marine environment. They want the recommendations of the Senate Inquiry into the Impact of seismic testing on fisheries and the marine environment implemented.We hear from:Lisa Deppeler, founder of OCEAN, the Otway Coastal Environment Action Networkhttps://www.ocean.org.au/Ben Druitt, Fight for the Bight, Port FairyYaraan Couzens-Bundle, Gunditjmara Whale Dreaming Custodian and Coordinator of SOPEC, the Southern Ocean Protection Embassy Collective.Prof. James Dunbar, Southwest Coast Scientific Group of the Clean Ocean Foundation. https://www.cleanocean.org/science-and-researchLouise Morris, Campaign Manager for offshore fossil fuels, Australian Marine Conservation Societyhttps://www.marineconservation.org.au/ Report of Senate Inquiry into the Impact of seismic testing on fisheries and the marine environmenthttps://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Environment_and_Communications/SeismicTesting Produced by Judith PeppardPhoto: Judith PeppardEpisode #1499

Restoring Democracy in the Disinformation Age Access to reliable, accurate information is essential for democracy. From misleading health advice to conspiracy theories, unchecked disinformation risks swaying elections, jeopardising ecosystems, and even inciting violence. In fact, the World Economic Forum ranks misinformation and disinformation the number one short-term threat to humanity and progress.This week on the show, we hear from experts at the Disinformation and Democracy Forum hosted by Australian Democracy Network last month in Narrm (melbourne). It’s a timely opportunity to hear from those dealing with the impacts of disinformation, about how we can address the threat while safeguarding free speech, empowering citizens, and holding big tech companies accountable for their role in shaping our democracy.Jane Gardner is the Director of Engagement at the Australian Conservation Foundation. She previously led communications and media at the Climate Council, Save the Children and at the University of Melbourne. Before this, she worked as a daily newspaper reporter. Jane has a strong track record in communications for advocacy and social change. From tackling climate disinformation, to reporting from the epicentre of the world's largest refugee camp, to coaching the next generation of young climate activists, Jane has enjoyed an interesting career and has many tales to tell. Mark Andrejevic is a Professor at the School of Media, Film, and Journalism at Monash University and is on the board of Digital Rights Watch. He writes about digital media and popular culture, with a focus on the ways in which automated data collection is transforming social, political, and cultural life. He is the author of four books and over 80 journal articles and book chapters. acf.org.au/disinformation-resourcesaustraliandemocracy.org.auEarth Matters #1499 was produced by Mia Audrey on the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung in Narrm (melbourne).

Trump politics and climate policy. Plus, the Wilderness Society takes legal action for endangered species As Trump shockwaves ricochet around the world, we ask how significant is the President’s election for future global climate change action? And how is the changing world order affecting the political appetite for climate action at home? In this episode of Earth Matters we hear from Professor Robyn Eckersley, an academic working at the intersection of democratic theory and climate justice. Professor Eckersley shares her reflections on the dangerous trajectory of global democracy and its impact on Australian climate policy. We also hear from former NSW Fire & Rescue Commissioner and international firefighting expert Greg Mullins about the effect of anti-woke politics on climate emergency workers ability to speak out about climate change.And if you’re curious as to why the Federal Environment Minister Tania Plibersek has been absent in the Australian election lead-up, our segment on wildlife protection may provide one clue. We speak to Wilderness Society Campaign Director Amelia Young about the Society’s legal challenge to force the Minister to act in relation to the recovery of eleven endangered species.Acknowledgements and notes Thanks to LaTrobe University for sharing the recording of their recent panel discussion Climate Change – where are we now? The discussion was part of a LaTrobe Ideas and Society event that took place on March 17th. Professor Eckersley and Greg Mullins’ comments were based on policies current at that time. Some new policy announcements and changes of policy have been announced since then. Thanks to the Climate Council for permission to air their election advertisement. You can check out the Climate Council’s election report and election scorecard via these links. Thanks also to Phuong Tran of 3CR for bringing us the story about the Wilderness Society’s legal action. For commentary about Australia's endangered wildlife see The Guardian's special series The Last Chance. This week's show is Episode #1497 and was produced by Claudia Craig on the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung in Narrm (Melbourne).

In the Northern Territory, communities are in the fight of their lives. The fracking industry is determined to expand operations, which have so far been exploratory, and begin to produce gas for commercial sale - as soon as this year. This poses serious threats to water security, cultural sites and climate, and has community advocates turning out to protect country and our future. In the second part of this two-part feature on fracking, we hear young advocate Ivy Sheng in conversation with Hannah Ecken (Frack Free NT) and Dr Thomas Hooley (Climate Analytics) about the risks fracking poses to country and our climate. This episode was produced in collaboration with the Australian Youth Climate Coalition’s From Us, For Us project, and the interviews were conducted by participant Ivy Sheng. As a high school student, Ivy speaks from a challenging and underrepresented position: that of a young person inheriting a world in crisis.Image credit: Ivy, Miles and Jazmin (From Us, For Us).Earth Matters #1497 was produced by Mia Audrey on the lands of Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung in Narrm (Melbourne).

In what has been called a ‘transformational decade’ towards 2035 emissions reduction targets, this conversation explores how two underrepresented groups in climate change decision making, First Nations and settler women, can form innovative partnerships to amplify, while not conflating, First Nations and all women’s voices to support gender justice and self-determination to transform nation-building towards climate security and long-term human and planetary wellbeing.For this important conversation, WCC Founder, Dr Janet Salisbury, was in conversation with:Bec Blurton (Managing Director, First Nations Affairs and WCC Steering Circle member),Robyn James (Global Leader for Gender Equity at The Nature Conservancy)Terri Reid (Project Coordinator, Wiyi Yani U Thangani Institute for First Nations Gender Justice, ANU).Earth Matters is grateful for this collaboration with the Women's Climate Congress..Earth Matters #1496 was produced by Bec Horridge on the lands of the Walbunja, Batemans Bay, NSW.

Today’s show is the first of two exploring fracking, one of the more controversial elements of the government’s ‘gas-led’ future roadmap. We hear from climate scientist and policy expert Dr Bill Hare, on why fracking poses a serious risk to our climate, and from Dr Monique Ryan, independent Member of Parliament for Kooyong and outspoken opponent of fracking. This episode was produced in collaboration with the Australian Youth Climate Coalition’s From Us, For Us project, and the interviews were conducted by participant Ivy Sheng. As a high school student, Ivy speaks speaks from a challenging and underrepresented position: that of a young person inheriting a world in crisis.Image credit: Ivy, Miles and Jazmin (From Us, For Us). Earth Matters #1494 was produced by Mia Audrey on the lands of Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung in Narrm (Melbourne).

Climate Fear in an Election Year As we prepare to hit the polls again this year, the major parties are scrambling to demonstrate their environmental credentials. Grassroots organisers are looking at what it will take to cut through the noise and mobilise voters for climate action.In this episode, we hear from grassroots campaigners who are mobilising for climate action. Speaking at a recent 350 campaign launch, CEO Te Raukira O’Connell Rapira shares learnings from the Rock Enrol campaign in Aoteroa New Zealand, and Olympic medallist Rhydian Cowley poses sport as a point of connection and concern for voters. We also hear from Genevieve Cowie of Doctors for the Environment about the health impacts of climate change and how to speak to elected representatives about your concerns.Together, they convey the gravity of this political moment, and pose ways forward for those of us concerned about the election and our future. Recordings taken from the 350 Wills Campaign Launch and Nuclear Weapons X Climate Collapse at the National Sustainability Festival. Earth Matters #1494 was produced by Mia Audrey on the lands of Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung in Narrm (Melbourne).

Have you been to a farmers’ market recently? If so, you’ll know the great feeling that buying locally grown food and connecting with your community brings. You’ll also be contributing to something bigger. Localisation is a rapidly growing movement resisting globalisation through the rebuilding of place-based cultures, strengthening local communities, and reconnecting people with nature. It’s an alternative economic model offering a healthier way of living in the face of increasing threats to human and ecological wellbeing. This week on Earth Matters we speak to Helena Norberg-Hodge, founder of the worldwide localisation movement and the international non-profit organization Local Futures. We also speak environmental leader Arabella Douglas, a Minyunbul woman of the Bunjalung nation who is addressing environmental challenges in Northern NSW and South East Queensland. Arabella shares the philosophy behind social change think tank Currie Country Social Change and also, her vision for women’s environmental leadership in the Pacific and at home. For further information on Arabella and Helena’s work including a full list of resources and link to Helena’s book ‘Ancient Futures’, head to the website links above. You can view Helena’s documentary on her experience in Ladakh here. Helena Norberg-Hodge and Arabella Douglas are speaking at WOMAD - The Planet Talks Adelaide, March 8-10 This week's show is episode #1492 and was produced by Claudia Craig on the unceded lands of the Kulin Nation in Narrm. Image of Echuca Farmers' Market kindly supplied by the Victorian Farmers' Market Association.

The founder of The Women’s Climate Congress (WCC) Janet Salisbury invites women of Australia, in all diversity, to come together in Castlemaine at the end of March, with other women to explore how women are leading a national and international paradigm shift to promote more rapid action on climate change based on compassion, kindness, and care for all life on Earth. The Arid Lands Environment Center in Alice Springs punches above its weight. Perhaps that's why the Country Liberal Party has defunded it by $100,000. Alex Vaughan presents their campaigns opposing the extractivist profiteers bent on turning the wild and beautiful NT into a fracking sacrifice zone. Guests: Janet Salisbury: Founder, Women's Climate Congress Alex Vaughan: Policy, Arid Lands Environment Center Music 'Forest Party' with Matt Hsu and the Obscure Orchestra Collective "Harmonic Convergence" with Gaslight Puppet Show (Spotify) Earth Matters #1492 was produced by Bec Horridge on the lands of the Arrernte People in Mbantua /Alice Springs and the Ngunnawal and Ngambri People in Canberra

Today we see inside one of Australia's longest-running environment organizations, the Gecko Environment Council on the Gold CoastTackling Council and State Government, this volunteer-based group has shaped the look of their skyscraper city and 50 kilometers of beachside suburbs. It is also trying to protect the Gondwana land magic of Springbok National Park from human impacts like illegal biking trails and litter. You might find some common threads with issues in your area. The Arid Lands Environment Center just lost $100,000. The Country Liberal Party defunded them. Alex Vaughan, their policy officer is not daunted. Earth Matters will be telling their story over the coming months and finding ways to support them. Earth Matters #1491 was produced by Bec Horridge on the lands of the Kombumeri People.