Earthed: Australian climate + nature news

Murray Griffin and Franziska Curran
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News and chat for people who like Australia's native plants and animals and who don't like climate pollution. From zoos breeding Lord Howe 'tree lobsters', to farmers hosting wind, solar and carbon farms - from Tasmanian rangers getting rid of feral cats on Little Dog Island, to Wollongong scientists inventing a better way to make hydrogen - we talk about it here. Hosted by Murray Griffin and Dr Franziska Curran. (Want more Australian sustainability news and conversations? Listen to our 'Track Changes' podcast, featuring chats with climate change and sustainability experts.)

  1. 4d ago

    Producing heat without pollution; The bird that changed a RAAF flight path

    This week, we talk about new, clean technologies to generate heat and steam for factories, without causing climate pollution. We take a stroll by a Queensland creek looking for fish that haven't been seen in its waters for decades. Plus, we look at four special features of a proposed huge new Western Australian data centre. And we ask two big questions: How do you tell if companies are telling the truth about how they're protecting the environment? And how do we tell if the things we do to protect nature, are actually protecting it? And our quiz question for the week - what rare Australian bird led to the Royal Australian Air Force changing a flight path so as not to disturb it? Earthed is a quick, weekly round-up of climate of climate, nature and sustainability news from around Australia. It's hosted by Murray Griffin and Franziska Curran. If you enjoy this episode please follow the show, and rate it! Links this episode: What the UN says about our efforts to fight climate change: https://www.unep.org/en/publications/report/emissions-gap-report-2026 Petrie Creek fish weirs: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/about/news/overcoming-barriers-native-fish-petrie-creek Government advice on making sure environmental claims are legit: https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/making-emissions-claims-to-consumers_1.pdf 'Hot, here, now' - a snapshot of commercial heat pump use in Australia: https://www.a2ep.org.au/_files/ugd/c1ceb4_9060eec0c96b46f69df307e0652b56eb.pdf

    Producing heat without pollution; The bird that changed a RAAF flight path

  2. Oct 20

    Why a giant wind farm is music to our ears

    This week, there's some important new nature protection areas in Queensland and NSW. And there's some exciting wind and solar farm advances in Victoria and Western Australia. We find out why a tiny Tasmanian sea star is different from almost every other sea star on the planet.  Plus we talk about a scheme that sounds like it's about immigration control, but is actually an important clean economy program. And we find out about the connection between musician Nick Cave and a wind farm that will be capable of powering up to 1.2 million homes! Earthed is a quick, weekly round-up of climate of climate, nature and sustainability news from around Australia. It's hosted by Murray Griffin and Franziska Curran. If you enjoy this episode please follow the show, and rate it! Links this episode: Vaccinating shy albatross against bird flu:  https://nre.tas.gov.au/about-the-department/news/building-wildlife-resilience-against-bird-flu How to slash electricity bills for companies in industrial estates: https://climateworkscentre.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Strengthening-industrial-prosperity-through-coordinated-energy-planning-a-Gladstone-case-study-Climateworks-Centre-October-2026.pdf Protecting frogs against a deadly fungus:  https://consult.dcceew.gov.au/draft-threat-abatement-plan-for-infection-of-amphibians-with-chytrid-fungus

    Why a giant wind farm is music to our ears

  3. Oct 13

    What does a High Court climate pollution decision mean for coal mines?

    This week, Australia gets a chance to do more to outfox the red foxes that kill so many native animals. Cosmetics companies get hit with EPA orders for not deep cleansing dangerous plastic microbeads out of their product lines. An Australian ecologist famous for his work on forests, turns his attention to protecting paddock trees. Australia backs a big new global solar campaign. And two proposed wind farms progress towards approval.  Plus we talk about a state environment department that has a ghost workforce managing contaminated sites!  And we look at the Australian High Court's first climate change ruling. Earthed is a quick, weekly round-up of climate of climate, nature and sustainability news from around Australia. It's hosted by Murray Griffin and Franziska Curran. If you enjoy this episode please follow the show, and rate it! Links this episode: The Great Aussie Bird Count:  https://aussiebirdcount.org.au What the High Court said about the Mount Pleasant coal mine and climate pollution:  https://www.hcourt.gov.au/cases-and-judgments/judgments/judgments-1998-current/mach-energy-australia-pty-ltd-v-denman-aberdeen-muswellbrook-scone-healthy-environment-group-inc The Unity in Strength 'pre-COP' climate declaration:  https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/Pre-COP31_Taku-Pakasoa_Leaders-declaration_EN.pdf

    What does a High Court climate pollution decision mean for coal mines?

  4. Oct 6

    Turning a big mine into a lake; Saving our rarest marsupial

    This week, we talk about saving one of Australia's most critically endangered animals – which lives on a diet of truffle-like fungus. And speaking of critically endangered fussy eaters, we've got some good news on dugongs, which feed off seagrass. Plus, we find out why a dairy farmer in Victoria's western district is one of many business owners who is very happy about the expansion of a major clean energy scheme. And we talk about plans to turn a coal mine that's six kilometres long and 3.5 kilometres wide into a big lake.  Earthed is a quick, weekly round-up of climate of climate, nature and sustainability news from around Australia. It's hosted by Murray Griffin and Franziska Curran. If you enjoy this episode please follow the show, and rate it! Links this episode: Can Ningaloo Reef cope with extreme marine heat waves? https://wamsi.org.au/news/innovative-regeneration-program-launches-to-protect-was-coral-reefs/ Recycling solar panels: https://www.nsw.gov.au/ministerial-releases/nsw-leads-australia-new-solar-panel-recycling-mandate Turning a huge coal mine into a lake:  https://engage.vic.gov.au/Hazelwood-Rehabilitation-Project-IAC So much plastic waste: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/waste/publications/australian-plastics-flows-fates-report-2024-25#recycled How plastic waste affects seabirds:  https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/flesh-footed-shearwaters-toxic-ocean-plastic-diet.html  Doing more to protect NSW renters from high energy bills:  https://renew.org.au/advocacy/fit-to-rent-report/  A huge coal mine expansion:  https://www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/news/hunter-valley-operations-coal-mine-approved-conditions Saving the Noisy Scrub-bird:  https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=830114569446555

    Turning a big mine into a lake; Saving our rarest marsupial

  5. Sep 29

    Footy fever! AFL and NRL bird and animal mascots

    Game on! In this special episode we celebrate the AFL and NRL grand finals. Which team mascot is classified as a threatened species? And which team mascots are feral pests? Which team mascot is the most abundant in Australia? And which team mascot makes the longest migratory journey (regenerating several times along the way)?  Plus, which player in Saturday's AFL grand final is a climate change activist? Find out the answers to all these questions and more in this special episode. Follow the Earthed podcast for a weekly roundup of climate change and nature news from around Australia. Links this episode: Earless dragons: https://earlessdragonalliance.com.au/about-the-dragons/ Alex Pearce calls for climate action: https://www.smh.com.au/national/athletes-turn-up-the-heat-on-politicians-over-climate-change-20250217-p5lcui.html  Global Citizen Now summit: https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/now/perth/  Frontrunners (protecting the future of sport, protecting the future of all of us): https://www.frontrunners.org.au Footy for climate (protecting the future of grassroots footy): https://footyforclimate.org.au Artist Cheryl Davison and the story of the black swan:  https://www.facebook.com/reel/1139381119914018

    Footy fever! AFL and NRL bird and animal mascots

  6. Sep 22

    It's electrifying! A new push to get Australia off gas and diesel

    Plus, why did eyes roll when Australia's environment ministers agreed  to urgently reduce packaging waste? And what does a soon to be rat-free island in the Timor Sea have in common with an Antarctic penguin? Also this week, choosing which parts of Australia to prioritise for nature restoration, and inventing a better way to make green hydrogen. Earthed is a news and chat pod for people who like Australia's native plants and animals and who don't like climate pollution. Hosted by Murray Griffin and Dr Franziska Curran. Links this issue: The Electrifying Australia website - https://electrifyaustralia.org.au/case-studies Jenny Edwards from Rewiring Australia talking about Tradies Day - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jenergy27_electrifyaustralia-activity-7506603755468152832-wAX0 David Pocock talking about a new home electrification scheme - https://www.instagram.com/reels/DdYHQBPBYDG/ A new national renewable energy scorecard - https://ieefa.org/articles/ieefa-launches-australian-renewable-energy-scorecard An Australian Conservation Foundation expose report on deforestation for beef production - https://canopy.acf.org.au/asset/333bfb8f-5189-4818-b5f9-d83af92e8db2/Bulldozers-and-broken-promises.pdf  In-cray-dible news on spiny crayfish - https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/news/in-cray-dible-news-freshwater-biodiversity  'I've got chills, there multiplying ...' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYk0_U7kf3g

    It's electrifying! A new push to get Australia off gas and diesel

  7. Sep 15

    A massive new koala park is coming!

    Also this week, there's good news about a tiny native animal called the red-tailed phascogale. And there's some welcome progress on a NSW solar farm project that can power 119,000 homes. We also learn how renewable energy has saved the City of Sydney $8 million dollars. And we find out why snakes and giant snails went to Parliament House last week!  Earthed is a quick, weekly round-up of climate of climate, nature and sustainability news from around Australia. It's hosted by climate and sustainability communications consultant Murray Griffin and sustainability consultant Franziska Curran. If you enjoy this episode please follow the show, and rate it! Links this issue: Frank Jotzo's suggestions for reforming how we manage carbon pollution from big emitters - https://theenergy.co/articles/how-to-create-stronger-signals-for-decarbonisation-investment  Waste plastic and packaging -  https://boomerangalliance.org.au/media-release/industry-recycling-and-environmental-leaders-unite-in-call-for-national-packaging-reform/ The cost of abandoning transmission projects in Victoria -  https://nexaadvisory.com.au/web/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Nexa-Advisory-Delay-is-putting-Victorias-energy-security-at-risk.pdf The City of Sydney saves $8 million thanks to renewable energy - https://news.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/articles/renewable-energy-deal-saved-us-8-million  Mt Gibson sanctuary webinar - reintroducing native animals https://www.australianwildlife.org/news-and-resources/webinars/ten-species-in-ten-years-restoring-wildlife-to-the-wheatbelt

    A massive new koala park is coming!

  8. Sep 8

    Two legendary marine species under threat

    This week, we've got an update on two extraordinary marine species found in Australian waters. We talk about some amazing industrial projects that aim to cut carbon pollution. Also in this episode: How renewable energy is helping the NSW town of Mudgee improve local wetlands; New records for solar energy; Plans to bring the platypus back to an urban river; And a new inquiry into data centre water use. Earthed is a quick, weekly round-up of climate of climate, nature and sustainability news from around Australia. It's hosted by climate and sustainability communications consultant Murray Griffin and sustainability consultant Franziska Curran. If you enjoy this episode please follow the show, and rate it! Links this issue: Overshooting 1.5 degrees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bneWeHu2UkU How hosting renewable energy is making it possible for Mudgee to improve a local wetland:  https://www.energyco.nsw.gov.au/news/landfill-legacy-putta-bucca-wetlands-expansion-gets-underway Chris Bowen on EV sales:  https://www.facebook.com/reel/2340178603422287

    Two legendary marine species under threat
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News and chat for people who like Australia's native plants and animals and who don't like climate pollution. From zoos breeding Lord Howe 'tree lobsters', to farmers hosting wind, solar and carbon farms - from Tasmanian rangers getting rid of feral cats on Little Dog Island, to Wollongong scientists inventing a better way to make hydrogen - we talk about it here. Hosted by Murray Griffin and Dr Franziska Curran. (Want more Australian sustainability news and conversations? Listen to our 'Track Changes' podcast, featuring chats with climate change and sustainability experts.)

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