Earth Matters

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 featuring Renzo and Rosie of Renzo's Fresh, 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.

Native Title and Nuclear Colonialism "The sacred sites we're protecting have been handed down to use from generation to generation... We're fighting to protect that country because that's where it all is... Our spirituality is out there, that's our church, our grocery shop, our butcher's, our pharmacy. Everything that we have been taught over all our lives is on country." - Aunty Sue Coleman-Haseldine In the wake of Peter Dutton’s nuclear energy plan announcement, First Nations organisers and allies are wondering where all the waste will go, and calling out the corrupt consent processes used by corporations and governments to get away with desecrating country. We hear from Aunty Sue Coleman-Haseldine and Bundjileenee Robbie Thorpe, as part of a panel discussion at the recent Nukes-Free Gathering on Wurundjeri country. Drawing on decades on the frontlines, they share the truth about Native Title, the corporatisation of consent processes, and what happens when Southern Launch wants to launch rockets from your country. The Nukes-Free Gathering was a project of Old Country Calling and Nuclear Free at Friends of the Earth. Earth Matters #1426 was produced by Mia Audrey on the lands of Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung in Narrm (Melbourne).

As fires rage and temperatures exceed the 1.5-degree threshold, learning about environmental changes in Antarctica helps us understand what's happening.This week we speak to two women raising awareness about Antarctica’s crucial role in regulating the Earth’s climate systems.In the first half of the programme acclaimed filmmaker and climate activist  Liz Courtney speaks about her documentary film 'Antarctica - the Giant Awakens’ and the science behind Antarctica’s global climate impact. Liz is artist-in-residence at the Earth Observatory of Singapore and was the 2024 winner of the Women Changing the World in Media award.In the second half, we hear from virologist and women’s mentor Dr Rachel Cameron, one of 108 women and non-binary STEMM experts embarking on the Homeward Bound Global Women's STEMM Leadership Initiative to Antarctica.  To view 'Antarctica - the Giant Awakens’ Log in here. [No password needed until April 2025] Cinema screening and Q & A - Feb 11th Events Cinema, George Street, Sydney. Tickets here. Follow Rachel’s journey in Antarctica on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/drrachelcamero1/ This week's show is #1488 and was produced by Claudia Craig. Image credit: Liz Courtney Music credit: Cinematic 10-2 Synth Gm 105 bpm by Josee1969  https://freesound.org/s/732830/

Indigenous rangers in the Kimberley have put metal turkey feeders filled with kangaroo pellets to help one of Australia’s rarest animals survive, after a devastating wildfire swept through its habitat.Thankyou to the World Wide Fund for Nature for audio. In the second half, Gurridyula is convincing telling why water is sovereign.Music: Gurridyula "Onamission" [edited for profanity] with permission to podcast.Pay some rent to this fund keep the camp at the mine site going. Chip in to the Wangan Jagalingou legal defence fund.https://chuffed.org/campaign/106614-wangan-and-jagalingou-nagana-yarrbayn-cultural-custodians-legal-defence-fund/20250117a2?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2kC2lDcZYXoSm2ygX_pjoXKTOYu13MHWmNFU63sSenKoFppvMdaVFFsVw_aem_Cu6hGICBnJClfSN2QELQEw Earth Matters #1486 was produced on the lands of the Nyikina Mangala people of the Kimberley region in Western Australia and on the lands of the the Woromi  and Awabakal people in Mulubinba by Bec Horridge

Time to meet Anjali Beames an 18 year old climate activist, co -coordinator of the Rising Tide caucus for People of Color, interviewed by Nicky Page from Radio Adelaide. “When People of colour shape what the movement looks like,it's not also just for the benefit of people of colour, but for the benefit of all marginalised identities and everyone in general"  Anjali Beames Hear about her involvement with  School Strike for Climate and Rising Tide and the campaign to cancel all new fossil fuel projects in our country  and close the coal port of Newcastle.  Understand why:  it’s not cool to go round saying how pleasant it is to work with the police  or how cooperative they are.That's  only your experience and people of colour may have a much more unpleasant one.    Earth Matters #1485 was produced on the Traditional Country of the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plain by Bec Horridge