There’s so many things we had to stop and put on hold when COVID hit. But one thing that didn’t stop was the relentless resource extraction of mining and forestry.    On today’s show we hear about two campaigns that are challenging governments who have been trying to use COVID as a cover for destruction.    First up we hear from Yuyun Harmono, Climate Justice Campaign Manager at the Indonesian environmental network, WALHI.    And then later in the show, Chris Schuringa from the Goongerah Environment Centre gives us an update on the fight to save East Gippsland forests in Victoria.    Guests: Yuyun Harmono (WALHI Indonesia); Chris Schuringa (GECO)    Links: Indonesia’s Law on Job Creation: The Omnibus Law - APHEDA.    Earth Matters #1280 was produced by Teishan Ahearne.

False Promises & Real Solutions: Part 2Part two of a two part series with long time anti-geoengineering watch orgs—ETC Group & Friends of the Earth crew fighting against geoengineering and "net zero" greenwashing by global north governments, big fossil fuel industries and their neo-liberal allies.In this episode Dipti Bhatnagar argues that big picture climate crisis is not just a technical problem and it can't be solved solely by technical solutions—but rather by people power & energy sufficiency through just transition. Speakers:Dipti Bhatnagar, Friends of the Earth InternationalTom Wakeford (Moderator), ETC GroupGopal Dayaneni, ETC Group, Climate Justice Alliance & Hands of Mother Earth Campaign Sara Shaw, Friends of the Earth InternationalMusic: Anarka & Poppy, All that is shattered, 'If it dies, we die' Earth Matters #1279 was produced by Nicky StottLISTEN to False Promises & Real Solutions: Part 1 here*audio sourced with thanks from a 2020 COP26 protest webinar organised by Scotland & UK based COP 26 coalition

We must start cooling the planet.Walter Jehne and Cindy Eiritz explain how to restore the Earth s hydrological cooling system AND restore the “soil carbon sponge” offering resilience to global heating. The Soil Carbon Sponge is porous, well-aggregated soil rich in plant roots, diverse life forms, nutrient availability, air, and often holding lots of water. Building up the Soil Carbon Sponge draws down massive amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere AND regenerates our soils AND enhances agricultural productivity and human health. Walter describes how forests can be managed so that logs and other fuel on the forest floor is rotted down by fungi assisted by the nitrogen in animal poo and wee and other animal activity like the 150 holes a padymelon can dig in a night.Guests: Walter Jehne is an internationally known Australian soil microbiologist and climate scientist. Founder of Healthy Soils Australia and Founder/Director of Regenerate Earth               Cindy Eiritz: Strategic Director, Regenerate earthMusic:  Encounter by the River : composed and played by Dar Shelton. Find more here on  SoundclickTranscript:  [follow the link to Soils for Life website who have made a two page transcript of the interview:https://soilsforlife.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Earth-Matters-Interview-Transcript.pdfLinks: Regenerate Earth A short paper by Walter Jehne: "The practical drawdown of 20 billion tonnes of carbon back into soils annually, to rehydrate bio-systems and safely cool climates"  Regenerate Earth Facebook Page Regenerate Earth website: https://www.regenerate-earth.org/ 4 per 1000 initiative:  https://www.4p1000.org/ Earth Matters #1221 was produced by Bec Horridge in December 2019

Sydney's newest suburbs are too hot to live inTemperatures in western Sydney, home to 2.3 million of Sydney’s poorest residents, are already peaking at unliveable highs. Bureau of Meteorology weather stations in Sydney’s west have recorded 10 of the hottest ever years in the last 15 years, but urban heat researcher Sebastian Pfautsch says poor design means temperatures in built-up areas are up to 8C hotter than BoM records. He says we need to radically rethink how we design our suburbs, because climate change is already affecting Sydney's most vulnerable hard. This week's show is #1277 and was produced by Else Kennedy

When Polly Cutmore   heard that Minister Susan Ley had approved the 850  gas fracking wells in the Pilliga  she  immediately  took a detour to   Canberra to rally  against the announcement. She talks of her peoples battle to survive  recent persistent  heatwave  temperatures in Nth Western NSW around her  hometown of Moree. We chat about  the importance of allies  giving financial and other  support in our shared struggle to protect country. On 27th November 4 days after Minister Susan Leys dreaded announcement,  hundreds of people  in Canberra, Sydney , Melbourne and Brisbane protested to stop fracking in  the Pilliga.  Annie, Chris and  Gill from the  Knitting Nannas & Friends For Freedom From Fossil Fuels  express why they  are appalled at the coalitions decision to bankroll fracking .Uncle Kevin Buzzacott  talks about the persistent demolition of sacred sites by unwelcome mining companies in his  Arabunna nation .Guests: Polly Cutmore  Gamilaroi elder from Moree               Gill, Chris, Anni: Knitting Nannas & Friends For Freedom From Fossil Fuels               Uncle Kevin Buzzacott: Arabunna Elder:  Veteran campaigner against uranium mining.Poem: "Enough,  by Mary GudrumSong: Cathie O Sulllivan Song of Artesian Water - Cathie O'Sullivan by undercovermusicThis week's show is #1275 and was produced Bec HorridgeLinks:Groups:Knitting Nannas & Friends For Freedom From Fossil FuelsNewsHundreds rally in Australian capital cities against the $3.6bn Narrabri gas project | Indigenous Australians | The Guardian

The practice of diverting floodwaters into private storages is being legislated in the NSW northern Murray-Darling. What will this mean for environment and communities that depend on it. We speak with Charlee-Sue Frail Ngemba Woman and advisor to the Dharriwaa Elders Group in Walgatt and hear excerpts from a presentation by water consultants Slattery & JohnsonHave your say on Floodplain harvesting until Dec 20. Handy Submission buide posted tohttps://healthyriversdubbo.com/2020/12/16/floodplain-harvesting-in-nsw-make-a-quick-online-submission/Episode 1275 was produced by Megan Williams

The ground is cracking and subsiding, water is vanishing, wetlands are being drained, and habitats are destroyed.    Why?    Because successive New South Wales governments have allowed mining in Sydney’s water catchment, and now two of those mines are set to be expanded.    But the community is fighting back.    This week we speak with Kaye Osborn from the Protect Our Water Alliance about coal mining in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, and its effect on the environment and Sydney’s water supply.    Guest: Kaye Osborn (Protect Our Water Alliance)    Earth Matters #1274 was produced by Teishan Ahearne.

False Promises & Real Solutions: Part 1We've all heard the extremely disturbing hype about geoengineering as a so-called solution for climate change—but how much do we really know about it? Where did it come from? Who started it—and why? Why does it totally suck? Why is it sooo sinister? And what can we do about it? What are the genuine and viable alternatives that will actually fix up our climate—and our entire human society—for real?Get the full story from long time anti-geoengineering watch-groups—ETC Group & Friends of the Earth crew—fighting against geoengineering and "net zero" greenwashing by global north governments, big fossil fuel industries and their neo-liberal allies.Part one of a two part series.Moderator: Tom Wakeford, ETC GroupSpeakers:Gopal Dayaneni, ETC Group, Climate Justice Alliance North Turtle Island & Hands of Mother Earth Campaign Dipti Bhatnagar, Friends of the Earth International Sara Shaw, Friends of the Earth International Music track: Godspeed You! Black Emperor, F# A# ∞, 'Dead Flag Blues' Earth Matters #1273 was produced by Nicky StottLISTEN to False Promises & Real Solutions: Part 2 here*audio sourced with thanks from a 2020 COP26 protest webinar organised by Scotland & UK based COP 26 coalition

A young ecologist, Mark McVeigh, took his super fund REST to court over its failure to consider the risk of climate change to his investments. Today on Earth Matters we hear about this historic legal win through the courts and how its changing your superannuation fund for the better. Guests: David Barnden, Equity Generation LawyersMark McVeigh, 25 year old ecologist who challenged his super fund in federal court See REST's statement herehttps://rest.com.au/why-rest/about-rest/news/rest-reaches-settlement-with-mark-mcveigh This week's show is #1272 and was produced by Megan Williams

Follow the Money: federal budget recapIn the federal budget announced last month, A$52.9 million was allocated to expanding Australia’s gas industry, and an extra A$8.7 million was slipped to NSW’s Vales Point power station.The announcements have added new urgency to community efforts to protect the Beetaloo Basin from fracking in the NT and are meeting with resistance from renewable energy advocates across the country. This episode we hear from Dr Brad Smith, campaign director at Nature Conservation Council about resistance to Vales Point upgrades, Dan Robins from Protect Country Alliance about the campaign for the Beetaloo, and Nicky Ison, Energy Transition Manager at World Wildlife Fund about what the budget offers for the renewables industry. Guests: Dr Brad Smith, campaign director, Nature Conservation CouncilDan Robins, Protect Country AllianceNicky Ison, Energy Transition Manager, World Wildlife Fund This week's show is #1271 and was produced by Else Kennedy