Earth Matters

Sonia Randhawa  interviews Radost Stanimirov;a  a geospatial analyst with the World Resources Institute hear about the loss of forest cover related to mining https://www.wri.org/insights/how-mining-impacts-forests Samoan climate justice activist Suluafi Brianna Fruean interviewed by Priya Kunjan speaks with us about centring Pacific climate priorities during this year's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which was  held in Apia, Samoa, the first time that the gathering has been hosted by a Pacific Island Nation.  Brianna also talks about presenting The Coconet's documentary series 'The Forgotten Pacific', which travels across five Pacific Islands to discover how communities are weaving Indigenous knowledges into their ongoing fight to save their homes from climate change impacts. Brianna launched a report for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty initiative, hosted by government leaders leading the initiative from Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Fiji.

A small community are putting their bodies on the line to save Greater Gliders before they are gone forever their homes felled by Forestry Corp.  Even the local retired school principal has been arrested.Susie Russel almost flys with the Greater Gliders as she describes how they live in the forest, their plight and the deaf ears of the government.Then long time campainer Dailan Pugh from the North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) unpicks the vested interests in the Northern NSW native forests logging industry: the people and companies profiting from the destruction of the homes of our unique and threatened animals and plants. Susie Russell:  Facebook : Save Bulga Forest on Biripi Country 2429                            Website:     savebulgaforest.org                           Fundraiser:  https://chuffed.org/project/115308-save-bulga-forest   Music: Garra                 by DRMNGNOWEarth Matters #1426 was produced by Bec Horridge on the lands of the Nunnawal and Ngambri in Canberra and on the land of the Kalibai people in Murwillumbah  and Widjibul lands of the  Bundjalung Nation

Warmly, three skilled and powerful women share what they actually do in their jobs as international climate negotiators and advocates. Dr Sally Box, explains her role as Australia's Chief negotiator at the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP) conferences. Kesaya Baba a Senior Manager for COP31 Strategy and Partnerships with  WWF-Australia and  Tamara Inkster-Draper; Programme Manager of the International Climate Politics Hub joins the conversation.. With Womens Climate Conversation host: Janet Salisbury  Music: Visionary artist ZOE from Earth with her fourth single, This Too Shall Pass, completing the release of the Sun EP. Earth Matters is grateful for this collaboration with the Womens Climate Conversations Earth Matters #1475 was produced by Bec Horridge on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Lands in Canberra, Australia.

Today on Earth Matters, in the lead up to an upcoming Federal Election, we are looking at how so called fake news is slowing down the environmental action in Australia. We explore how traditional media, and its newer social media cousin, is driving a twin crises that threatens not only the environment, but our minds aswell.Thanks to ABC Friends for their assistance.Check out the Climate of Misinformation report here.Featuring music from Australian artists, Monkey Marc and Combat Wombat. Earth Matters #1474 was produced by Phil Evans on Whadjuk Noongar boodja.

Today's show features an interview from the 26th of September this year with members of Cook Islands grassroots collective Ocean Ancestors Louisa Castledine and Dr Teina Rongo, who spoke about Cook Islanders' concerns about and resistance to deep sea mining in their waters. On the 18th of September, Ocean Ancestors were involved in organising a sail-out rally to demonstrate community support for the fight to protect marine environments, ecosystems and kin from the threat posed by offshore extractive industries, as well as climate change, pollution and overfishing. During this interview, Louisa and Dr Rongo also discuss the community and economic impacts of mineral exploration on the fabric of Cook Islands society.This episode of Earth Matters also includes two beautiful renditions of classic Cook Islands songs performed by Kura Happ - 'Manea' and 'Aue Oki Koe Te Purotu'. These performances were recorded as part of the Poly Songbook by thecoconet.tv.Earth Matters #1473 was produced by Priya Kunjan on the lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation.

Yuin elder, Tom Slockee describes his experience organising the rehousing of aboriginal families who fled their burning houses in Mogo NSW in 2019. Music: Why you tryna bring us down  from Melbourne based artist Canisha Barkindji song woman Nancy Bates, latest single, "Blood Red Moon". Set against the backdrop of the Menindee Lakes, in far west New South Wales. It is a celebration of the healing power of nature, friendship, and the enduring strength of women. Wyirrt Wyirrt (Food of the Country);A version of a traditional song, which comes from Karajarri Country in WA's north-west and was sung by Family Shoveller Band's great-great-great-great grandmother as she walked between Broome and Bidyadanga gathering food. South West Syndicate is a First Nations led multicultural hip-hop collective from South West Sydney. The group formed in the late 80's and rose to prominence in the 1990's. They are now back with a renewed hunger. The song is Paradise. The Ants: A brand new release from Tandanya/Adelaide-based post-punk six piece Coldwave  Earth Matters #1462 was produced by Bec Horridge on the beautiful Walbunja and Yuin Country, Batemans Bay, NSW.

The Connecting Communities gathering on Walbunja and Brindja-Yuin Country, Moruya on Saturday 23rd March, bought hundreds of  people together for a day of solidarity, unity and acknowledgment of the shared struggles of First Peoples locally and around the globe.A Unity Walk of song and dance, led by Walbunja Songman Jordan Nye, of the Muladha Gamara cultural performers, saw hundreds of people make a Snake Dance across the Moruya Bridge.Eliza Cannon: Co-creator for the day said that the event arose in response to the challenge of holding our grief and hope for peace in Palestine while living on unceded Aboriginal lands in a society attempting to come to terms with our own First People’s struggle and survival through colonisation.Jordan Nye  said “These challenges require us to unite with our sisters and brothers here and across the globe. The universal languages of art, music and food bring allies together to share space, to learn and to unlearn, and to work together for peace. We can come together to share our grief and helplessness about the war on Palestinian people, but also to celebrate the survival and strength of Australian and Aotearoan First Peoples.”Music: Muladha Gamara            Ripple Effect Band              Earth Matters #1461 was produced by Bec Horridge on Walbunja and Brindja-Yuin Country, Moruya, NSW.

This  Womens Climate Conversation identifies some tools and ways forward to caring for future generations and all life.  Guests: Susan Moylan-Coombs is the founding director of The Gaimaragal Group, which she established to create a new story of connection and wellbeing for all Australians.The group’s aim is to facilitate the voice for our Elders in the contemporary social space, empower First Nations youth to realise their full potential, and provide two-way cultural translation to bring individuals and communities together. Susan’s ancestry is Woolwonga and Gurindji from the Northern Territory.  She has extensive experience working with First Australian communities nationally, with specific expertise in community consultation, empowerment and the facilitation of voice and storytelling. Susan previously held the positions of Executive Producer ABC’s Indigenous Programs Unit and Head of Production, NITV a division of SBS. Professor Susan Harris Rimmer is the Director of the Griffith University Policy Innovation Hub, which helps policy-makers solve policy problems through evidence based collaboration with multidisciplinary experts.Sue works at the intersection of human rights and politics and researches gender dynamics in transitions. She is a member of the Law Futures Centre and the Griffith Asia Institute. Dr Elise Stephenson is Deputy Director of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership (GIWL) and National Security College (NSC) at the Australian National University, as well as an Adjunct in the Griffith Asia Institute.A political scientist and international relations scholar, Dr Stephenson’s research focuses on intervening at critical junctures to ensure equality in ‘frontier’ international affairs and grand challenges. She researches gender and sexuality, leadership, equality and justice across politics, diplomacy, national security, government, intelligence, and the Asia Pacific.  Hosted by Janet Salisbury, co-founder of the Women's Climate Congress  Earth Matters #1459 was produced by Bec Horridge on Ngunnawal and Ngambri lands in Canberra.

“Caring for future generations and all Life” is the topic of this ground breaker Womens Climate Conversation.   “How do we look to the future when we haven’t addressed the historical issues of the past”. Susan Moylan-Coombs Guests: Susan Moylan-Coombs is the founding director of The Gaimaragal Group, which she established to create a new story of connection and wellbeing for all Australians.The group’s aim is to facilitate the voice for our Elders in the contemporary social space, empower First Nations youth to realise their full potential, and provide two-way cultural translation to bring individuals and communities together. Susan’s ancestry is Woolwonga and Gurindji from the Northern Territory.  She has extensive experience working with First Australian communities nationally, with specific expertise in community consultation, empowerment and the facilitation of voice and storytelling. Susan previously held the positions of Executive Producer ABC’s Indigenous Programs Unit and Head of Production, NITV a division of SBS. Professor Susan Harris Rimmer is the Director of the Griffith University Policy Innovation Hub, which helps policy-makers solve policy problems through evidence based collaboration with multidisciplinary experts.Sue works at the intersection of human rights and politics and researches gender dynamics in transitions. She is a member of the Law Futures Centre and the Griffith Asia Institute.  Dr Elise Stephenson is Deputy Director of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership (GIWL) and National Security College (NSC) at the Australian National University, as well as an Adjunct in the Griffith Asia Institute.A political scientist and international relations scholar, Dr Stephenson’s research focuses on intervening at critical junctures to ensure equality in ‘frontier’ international affairs and grand challenges. She researches gender and sexuality, leadership, equality and justice across politics, diplomacy, national security, government, intelligence, and the Asia Pacific.  Hosted by Janet Salisbury, co-founder of the Women's Climate Congress       Part Two is coming on the 7th August.Earth Matters #1458 was produced by Bec Horridge on Ngunnawal and Ngambri lands in Canberra.

1080 is primarily used in the struggle to protect native species from other invasive animals - but it is even used to control native dingoes, and other species of wallaby, possum and pademelon. Is it right to cause death in such a traumatic way? And what about the impact on our domesticated four legged friends?We talk to Alex Vince from the Coalition Against 1080 about their push to stop the use of this dangerous chemical.Earth Matters #1465 was produced on Jabirr Jabirr Land by Phil Evans