Earth Matters

To celebrate 30 years of Earth Matters, Mia digs into the archives and presents a special feature on a historic milestone: the Jabiluka blockade. You'll hear former presenter Juliet Fox interviewing Jane Weepers, spokesperson for the Jabiluka Alliance, on the first day of the blockade in March 1998; and audio from the road trip to the proposed uranium mine site organised by the Australian Student Environment Network the year before, in mid-1997.More on the Jabiluka blockade: https://commonslibrary.org/the-jabiluka-blockade-22-years-on/ Earth Matters #1560 was produced by Mia Audrey on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.

Content WarningThe episode mentions domestic and sexual violence, and online hate in this episode which might be distressing for some listeners. Later on there is a more in-depth discussion of mental illness including suicidal ideation. The presenter announces when the more in-depth discussion begins and provides support service contacts for anyone needing help at the end of the show. Part 2 Exploring Extreme Heat: Mental Health How does heat affect the way we think, feel, and behave? Today on Earth Matters we continue our exploration of the impacts of extreme heat on Australian lives. We look at how hot weather affects physical health and mental health, as well as secondary impacts like increased domestic violence and online hate speech.  We learn of an alarming trend of increased mental health emergency presentations among young people during warm and hot weather and the importance of maintaining mental health care including medications during these times. Guests:  Kellie Caught, Programme Director for Climate and Energy at the Australian Council of Social Service.Dr Cybele Dey, member of Doctors for the Environment Australia and child and adolescent psychiatrist working in the Sydney Children's Hospital Network. Episode #1558: Producer/presenter: Claudia CraigPhoto image: Tatiana Syrikova Crisis numbers and support LIFELINE 13 11 14 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732 | or visit1800respect.org.au   First Peoples support: 13YARN: 13 92 76 | 13yarn.org.auYarning Safe'n'Strong: 1800 959 563 Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 | beyondblue.org.au Suicide Call Back Service  1300 659 467 For anyone in immediate danger call Triple Zero 000.   Resources https://www.dea.org.au/how_climate_change_affects_mental_health_in_australia https://www.acoss.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Heat-in-Homes-Digital-1.0.pdf DEA Heat Health Fact Sheet:https://assets.nationbuilder.com/docsenvaus/pages/382/attachments/original/1730167589/Heat_Health_Fact_Sheet_DEA_Oct_2024.pdf?1730167589  Missed Part One of the Exploring Extreme Heat series?  Catch up by podcast here: Part One Exploring Extreme Heat.

This week on Earth Matters, Hannah speaks with fire scientist Phil Zylstra about the large planned burn that took place in the Snowy River National Park.  He speaks on the ecological impacts planned burns have on wet forest ecosystems and how Forest Fire Management Victoria is escalating the impacts of fires in the long-term.  We also hear from activist and organiser Violet Coco on fuel breaks mimicking the logging-past of Victoria, with some motivating words on fighting for forest protection.  Links:  https://www.geco.org.au/https://www.victorianforestalliance.org.au/   Earth Matters #1557 was produced by Hannah York on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.

This episode of Earth Matters examines the ecological crisis unfolding across this continent, from the destruction of the Victorian Volcanic Plains to extinction, land clearing, invasive species and climate change. It explores the responsibilities people hold in response, including First Nations obligations to Country grounded in lore, kinship and cultural practice, alongside the broader responsibilities people have to future generations, clean water, food systems and ecological survival.The episode also focuses on practical action and environmental restoration at the local level. It looks at ways people can contribute through learning about ecosystems, planting indigenous species, supporting conservation groups, restoring habitat and reducing environmental harm within their own communities. It also examines the impacts of invasive plants and roaming domestic cats on native wildlife, and the importance of realistic but active approaches to ecological repair.

Sooty from South East Forest Rescue shares a significant legal win in the High Court, which affirmed the right for third parties with a "special interest" to take Forestry Corporation to court in New South Wales. This overturned Forestry's argument that such actions would "open the floodgates” to legal action from environmentalists.Sooty describes  the subsequent ongoing case in the Land Environment Court against Forest Corp, hinging on the precise definition of a "glider den tree."Fifteen year-old Jesinta Newland, describes how her passion for nature, ignited at age eight after witnessing logging. She speaks out against deforestation that destroys habitats for endangered species like koalas and gliders, mostly for woodchips and paper.Jesinta and her mother Jaclyn attended the South Coast Action Network Forest Festival, a family-friendly, dry, vegan-food event focused on community and environmental education. Jacinta describes forest festival activities: Spotlighting, Eco-dying: and NVDA Training and campaigning for protection for 500-year-old "Mother Tree" Big Spotty in Booman State Forest.Jesinta  notes that there is a  lack of awareness and education as many of her peers are unaware of the logging occurring locally. She wishes for more comprehensive environmental education in schools, as she has learned most of her knowledge through SCAN and older mentors. Guests: Sooty: South East Forest Rescue             Jesinta Newland:  South Coast Action Network ( SCAN)              Jaclyn NewlandLinks:South East Forest RescueNorth East Forest AllianceNational Parks Association of NSW - Protecting Nature Through Community Action

This week on Earth Matters, we zoom out, and across the world, to speak with an author and human development practitioner based in Antigua, about the big picture of sustainable development. You’ll hear about what has changed in the development sector over recent decades; Cherise’s intersectional understanding of poverty and wealth; the concept of the metacrisis; and more.Cherise Adjodha is an author and human development practitioner who spent over two decades as a United Nations Programme Specialist working in human rights, environmental rights, and governance across the Caribbean. She worked in countries including Saint Lucia, Grenada, Suriname, Belize, and Canada, focusing on poverty reduction, gender equity, and resilience. Her book, Things I Would Have Told My Children If I Had Them, explores emotional connection, regenerative living, and what it means to build a life rooted in purpose. Earth Matters #1554 was produced by Mia Audrey on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.

Felling of Mt Macedon snow gums leaves conservationists aghast This week Earth Matters travels to a mountain peak in Central Victoria where the State government has destroyed almost a hectare of fragile snow gums. Nature lovers and conservation advocates are devastated and confused. The snow gums were part of a montane woodland that had regenerated over the course of forty-years since the catastrophic Ash Wednesday fires razed the area in 1983. They are located on Wurundjeri Country in the autumnal wonderland of Mount Macedon, an hour outside Melbourne. The snow gums are treasured not only for their high ecological value but because they are one of only three remaining snow gum communities in Western and Central Victoria.  They were removed to make way for a controversial view from the Mt Macedon Memorial Cross despite the local Council having rejected the proposal three years earlier. We talk to the campaigners who were at the mountain in the leadup to the felling to understand more. Speakers: Ben Gill, Victorian National Parks Association Anna Langford, Friends of the Earth Melbourne  Kate Lawrence, Macedon and Mt Macedon Landcare Cam Walker, Friends of the Earth Melbourne  Additional audio production: Tessa Campisi Vigil audio: Kate Lawrence Photo: Friends of the Earth  Campaigns and references  https://themountainjournal.com/2025/08/21/protect-macedons-rare-snow-gum https://vnpa.org.au/save-the-snow-gums/ https://www.melbournefoe.org.au/save_mt_macedon_snow_gums https://www.melbournefoe.org.au/snow_gum_summit_declaration_2026 https://us13.campaign-archive.com/?u=5e12186049bebef650f31b237&id=dc9eff2531 https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/documents/management-plans/macedon-regional-park-strategic-management-statement-2009.pdf?rev=1c84346e8d87416ea889b94c445ce07f https://www.trustadvocate.org.au/heritage-misused-to-justify-tree-removal-at-mount-macedon-cross/

The Belém Gender Action Plan is a nine-year framework, representing a historic step forward in embedding gender equality into climate action. ensuring inclusive, intersectional, and gender-responsive policies and practices. It emphasizes that climate change impacts are not gender-neutral, recognizing that women and girls—particularly those from rural, Indigenous, migrant, or marginalized communities face disproportionate risks from extreme events, food insecurity, and increased care work.  There is whole lot more too it than that. Find out about the Belem Gender Action Plan here.Featuring:)- Fleur Newman; UNFCCC Unit Lead for Gender, Children and Youth and ACE(Action for Climate Empowerment- Dr Sally Box; Head of International Negotiations at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water- Joanne Crawford AM – an Australian leader in gender equality, sustainable development, gender-sensitive measurement of poverty and inequality. This week’s show episode #1550 was produced by Bec Horridge in collaboration with the Women's Climate Congress

Mia interviews Te Raukura O’Connell Rapira and Laniyuk, two staunch and inspiring warriors in the defence of Larrakia country. Larrakia country is Laniyuk’s country, and together with Te Raukura and an ever-expanding network of fellow protectors she has been fighting a military housing development on her land. Laniyuk is a Larrakia, Kungarakan, Gurindji and French creative and organiser. In January 2024 she launched a campaign for the Return of Lee Point to Larrakia people to stop the destruction of sacred ceremonial and Dreaming sites in Darwin by Defence Housing Australia. She also writes and performs poetry, speculative fiction and is a visual artist.Te Raukura O’Connell Rapira is a Māori and Irish campaigner, researcher and writer. Prior to their appointment as CEO of 350 Australia, Te Raukura was the Executive Director of Movement Building at the Foundation for Young Australians, the Director of ActionStation Aotearoa, and helped co-found the Youth Movement Fund Aotearoa, Te Kuaka and Tauiwi Tautoko.Connect with the campaign, buy a t-shirt or donateFollow the campaign on InstagramSign the petitionEarth Matters #1550 was produced by Mia Audrey on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.

Continuing our popular online Women's Climate Congress conversation series, this event featured  Jennifer Nadel FRSA, Co-Founder and CEO, Compassion in Politics (UK).In the last federal election campaign, Anthony Albanese referred to kindness in government, saying that kindness is not a weakness but a strength. This mirrors Action 6 of the WCC Charter for Change: 'Elevate compassion and kindness in government', which says 'qualities of heart (such as compassion, love, kindness, empathy, forgiveness) are the basis of true strength and decision making.' So it is very timely that Jennifer is planning to launch Compassion in Politics in Australia in the near future.In this online event, Jennifer was joined by Kate Chaney MP (Independent Member for Curtin, WA) and Chloë Spackman (CEO, Next25, an independent think-and-do tank devoted to improving public discourse around major challenges), in conversation with WCC Founder Dr Janet Salisbury. Together we explored what 'Compassion in Politics' could look like in the 48th Australian Parliament - at a time when the clock is ticking on climate change, wars continue to cause unimaginable devastation and inhumanity and the status quo of political discourse continues to relentlessly support the notion that strength can be found in adversarial opposition, stand-over tactics and bullying.  Meet our conversationalistsJennifer Nadel FRSA is the Co-director of the cross-party think tank Compassion in Politics and the Director of Compassionate Politics at Stanford University’s Centre for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education. She has worked in and around Westminster for three decades and advised politicians and campaigns locally, nationally, and internationally.  A  barrister, author, strategist, keynote speaker and award-winning television journalist (ex BBC, Channel Four News and ITN), her books include:  Sunday Times bestseller, WE: A Manifesto for Women Everywhere (written with Gillian Anderson);  How Compassion can Transform our Politics, Economy and Society. Her BBC Radio documentary, Broken Politics. Broken Politicians explores the mental health crisis in UK politics and the implications for democracy. Similar research is now being done with Australian politicians on their mental wellbeing and Compassion in Politics will shortly be launching in Australia. She provides training in Resilience and Compassionate Leadership globally and recently participated in the 8th Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Conference in Sydney, Nov 2024.  Chloë Spackman is the CEO of Next25, an independent think-and-do tank using rigorous research, trusted engagement, and ground-breaking training initiatives to promote constructive public discourse around Australia’s most challenging issues. Prior to taking on this role, Chloë was Director of Programs and Engagement for Next25 for six years, managing the programs team and overseeing “think” (research) and “do” (initiatives) work. During this period, she led the development of Next25 Leadership, Improving Democracy: Transforming Parliament for Women and 21st Century Service (a suite of training courses specialising in building culture and capability within the public service).Chloë brings over a decade of experience in program design, delivery, communications, and evaluation in the international and higher education and not-for-profit sectors, focusing on leadership and global citizenship, innovation, and social impact. Chloë is the Board President of an Australia-based international charity and an accredited facilitator of Corporate Evolution’s Illuminate: Facilitating Deep Transformation program. She previously managed a tertiary leadership program that was awarded a prestigious international award for Innovation and Best Practice in Internationalising the Campus.Kate Chaney MP is the Federal Independent MP for Curtin. She has experience in law, business, professional services, and the community sector. She collaborates with her community and focuses on evidence-based solutions. She ran for Parliament because she was deeply frustrated by the lack of long-term, evidence-based decision-making in Australian politics and that too often, short-term political gains get in the way of real solutions for our future.  She felt optimistic that with a balanced, long-term approach, Australian democracy can evolve to tackle these challenges and secure a stronger future for all.  Her focus remains on housing affordability, climate action, the cost of living, support for small businesses and a stronger community for her constituents. ‘My career has taught me that there is rarely a black and white answer, there is always room to improve a solution after consultation and there is no one right way of thinking.’Janet Salisbury Cofounder Womens Climate CongressEarth Matters #1549 was produced by Bec Horridge--------------------