"The urgent plan  to restore our catchment  is the only way to reduce flood heights in Lismore."                                                                                                                              John Corkill           John Corkill  was  dismayed when he heard that the Nationals response to the devastating and expensive Lismore floods is to increase height of the existing flood levees that hold water out of the business district of central Lismore.  The levee was called a lemon when it was first built and a lemon it has proved to be.  Dr Corkill  knows that money and planning would be better spent on planting and regenerating trees  in the catchment of the entire flood area to reduce flood heights in Lismore. Links: Australian Rainforest Seeds, Mark Dunphy, Steve McAlpin, Paul Nelson, Michelle Chapman, Hugh Nicholson, 9781486311507 (csiro.au) Once a lemon, always a lemon say Big Scrub critics of Lismore flood levees – The Echo

Unsettling Climate Colonialism Pt 3: Indigenous ActionPart 3 of a three part show with Indigenous Action hosts Bearcat and Klee in conversation with anarchaqueer Onkwehon:we organizer Amanda Lickers about land trauma and the extractive ways the climate justice movement perpetuates white supremacy, capitalism, and colonialism.You can support Amanda’s work hereListen to part 1 of this show hereListen to part 2 of this show hereThis audio was sourced via creative commons, with thanks, from Indigenous Action Media—support the important work that they are doing here  Earth Matters #1352 was produced by Nicky Stott

Unsettling Climate Colonialism Pt 2: Indigenous ActionPart 2 of a three part show with Indigenous Action hosts Bearcat and Klee in conversation with anarchaqueer Onkwehon:we organizer Amanda Lickers about land trauma and the extractive ways the climate justice movement perpetuates white supremacy, capitalism, and colonialism.You can support Amanda’s work hereListen to part 1 of this show hereListen to part 3 of this show hereThis audio was sourced via creative commons, with thanks, from Indigenous Action Media—support the important work that they are doing here  Earth Matters #1351 was produced by Nicky Stott

Unsettling Climate Colonialism Pt 1: Indigenous ActionPart 1 of a three part show with Indigenous Action hosts Bearcat and Klee in conversation with anarchaqueer Onkwehon:we organizer Amanda Lickers about land trauma and the extractive ways the climate justice movement perpetuates white supremacy, capitalism, and colonialism.You can support Amanda’s work hereListen to part 2 of this show hereListen to part 3 of this show hereThis audio was sourced via creative commons, with thanks, from Indigenous Action Media—support the important work that they are doing here  Earth Matters #1350 was produced by Nicky Stott

On this week’s Earth Matters we get an update on the lower Darling/Baaka and thier floodplain that haven't got the water we'd expect despite the exceedingly wet conditions, but thats about to change.  Guests:Sarah Moles – water advocate for over 25 years and member of the Lifeblood Alliance Graeme McCrabb – Menindee Resident Music sample from Bush Witch Productions Earth Matters Episode #1349 produced by Megan Williams

The Leadbeater Possum was named Victoria’s state fauna in 1971.  Yet despite this status the Leadbeater possum exists in a state of extinction. This episode Earth Matters investigates the combination of Fires, Logging and State inaction that threaten Victoria’s “Forest Fairy” possum. Guests include Professor David Lindenmayer and President of Friends of the Leadbeater Possum, Steve Meacher. Resources references in todays show:Lidenmayer, 2017 report, “Improving the design of a conservation reserve for a ctitically endangered species” (ANU article)Meacher, 2014 article “What was the real purpose of LPAG”Meacher, Wilderness society, 2019 paper “Abandoned: Australia’s forest wildlife in crisis” Image: 25g juvenile male Leadbeaters Possum (photo: Emma Campbell) Earth Matters #1348 was produced by Eiddwen Jeffery

When forest activist, Susie Russell heard that friends in flood devastated Lismore had lost everything they owned and were hungry,  she swung into action  to help. The North East Forest Alliance used their mobile kitchen equipment and skills to host a tent café in the centre of flooded Lismore serving hot food for weeks on end. “We’ve been here a bit over a week now, and apparently we’re the only sit down cafe left standing in Lismore :-). Lots of displaced people and work crews coming through each day for a feed and coffee/tea/chai. Also lots of local support with people donating food, cakes, soups, stews … and did I mention cakes! However, we do need a little tip up of cash to get us through another 2 weeks - anything you can spare would be most appreciated!” Susie Russell tells the café story and describes how mature forest  filters rainwater and slows floodwaters. Earth Matters #1347 was produced by Bec HorridgeLinks:Facebook Trees not Bombs CafeCafe Fundraiser     https://gofund.me/91844ad4Koor Mail fundraiser : https://gofund.me/26ef7126Flood help Northern Rivers Services 2 — Flood Help Northern Rivers (floodhelpnr.com.au)

Feminist Navsharan Singh reflects on the crucial role of women workers in mobilising the 2020/2021 Indian farmers and agricultural workers strike, and film maker/activist Navkiran Natt reflects on the success of resistive counter measures by the farmers movement against government driven media propaganda during the strike  This audio was sourced with thanks from the Oxford Real Farming Conference  Earth Matters #1346 was produced by Nicky Stott

Priya Kunjan speaks with ANU researcher Bhiamie Williamson on the disproportionate vulnerability of Indigenous peoples to climate change & mitigation strategies.And Jacob Gamble speaks with John Cook from the Monash Climate change  Communication Research Hub about systemic climate misinformation. [Image sourced from Seed Mob: You can support their important work by donating here] Earth Matters #1344 was produced by Priya Kunjan & Jacob Gamble

As floodwaters recede in the Northern Rivers, the federal budget offers little to those facing the impending climate crisis. This week on Earth Matters we hear from Elly Bird, coordinator with Resilient Lismore, the grassroots community lead recovery initiative happening in Lismore and Matt Rose the Economy and Democracy Program Manager at the Australian Conservation Foundation.Support the flood recovery at floodhelpnr.com.auEarth Matters #1343 was produced by Megan Williams