Earthed: Australian climate change, nature and sustainability news

Murray Griffin and Franziska Curran
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A quick, weekly round-up of climate, nature and sustainability news from across Australia, for people who care about conservation, climate action, sustainability, and cutting waste and pollution. Also covers Australia's involvement in this year's COP31 global climate talks. Hosted by climate and sustainability comms consultant Murray Griffin and sustainability consultant Dr Franziska Curran. You can find bonus content - and support our work - via our website - https://www.earthed.au. Murray and Franziska also co-host 'Track Changes', a podcast featuring chats with climate change and sustainability experts.

  1. 3d ago

    A possum-eating bird, tiny frogs, and a giant wind farm

    A new vaccine will better protect koalas against a deadly disease, a tree-planting project near Mission Beach will help local cassowaries, and a proposed massive new wind farm in central Queensland - capable of powering half a million homes - has reached an important milestone. Plus we talk about what to do with old coal mines, and look at what an environmental organisation is doing to protect tiny thumbnail-sized frogs that are found only in one Queensland cloud forest.  Also in this episode, a new report again confirms solar and onshore wind are the cheapest options to supply Australia with power. And we go for a quick surf with WA Premier Roger Cook and Transport Minister Rita Safioti! Links in this episode: Check out some amazing nature audio, including a clip from Mt Lewis National Park, at Wild Ambience - http://www.wildambience.com/. Do you want to see a cassowary eating a dead possum? And lots of other fabulous cassowary images? Of course you do! Check out the Mission Beach Cassowaries Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/missionbeachcassowaries/. We talk in this episode about a WA report that attempts to value the state's conservation estate. You can find the report here - https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/management/parks/social-research.  And here's a short reel about the new koala vaccine program, featuring koala 'Bamse' (it's Norwegian for teddy bear) - https://www.instagram.com/reels/Da3oNDAzwYU/.

    A possum-eating bird, tiny frogs, and a giant wind farm

  2. Jul 13

    Why Google and Victoria's State Electricity Commission love this big battery

    It doesn't look like a typical grid battery and it operates on CO2 - and one is going to be built in Victoria's Latrobe Valley. Also in this episode, why politicians last week went to the opening of a refurbished tank, how a new University of Tasmania seagrass nursery will give the endangered red handfish a helping hand, and why you will soon be able to get your groceries delivered in an electric truck.  Plus, two new wind farms advance towards environmental approval, and two programs that breed threatened native animals and release them into the wild reach new milestones. And how is Queensland doing in its efforts to improve water quality in the Great Barrier Reef, and how well is Victoria doing in cutting waste? Links mentioned in this episode: Release the bettongs!: https://www.facebook.com/reel/843597411885754 The Preston electric bus depot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gW_vUb5d6I0 A great new episode of the Surfers for Climate 'Politics in the Pit' pod featuring Chris Bowen - check it out!: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/politics-in-the-pit-with-chris-bowen/id1596869888?i=1000775598470 and  How well is NSW's nature credits market working? https://www.ipart.nsw.gov.au/documents/media-release/media-release-nsw-biodiversity-credits-market-findings-and-recommendations-7-july-2026  Report on water quality in the Great Barrier Reef: https://www.marineconservation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AMCS_water-pollution-report2.pdf Report on waste levels in Victoria: https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/circular-economy-market-report Earthed is a quick, weekly round-up of climate of climate, nature and sustainability news from across Australia, for people who care about conservation, climate action, sustainability, and cutting waste and pollution. 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, rate it, and share it with a friend or your network! And check out our website at earthed.au.

    Why Google and Victoria's State Electricity Commission love this big battery

  3. Jul 7

    Green hydrogen win, compost to die for, stopping pest species

    Also, we don't mean to pry, but how comfortable is your home? Plus, if you live in the city you might still be living near threatened native species. And big supermarkets in NSW now have to do more to stop food waste. Plus, Australia's Great Barrier Reef is apparently under threat but not in danger, according to a UN committee. In other news, we're big fans of the Climate Change Authority, and it's just put out an excellent new discussion paper on Australia's progress to net zero (which talks about Franziska's favourite topic!). Also, do you want a climate change grant for your sporting club? Links mentioned in this episode: About the new Home Energy Rating scheme: https://www.homeenergyrating.gov.au/households/existing-homes Why do Australians leave energy rating stickers on their appliances?: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DaG0hrASNNj/ Orica's new hydrogen project: https://www.orica.com/about-us/locations/global-major-sites/kooragang-island/hunter-valley-hydrogen-project The Great Barrier Reef and coral bleaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVMxhhIqCAE&t=274s The UN committee decision on the Great Barrier Reef: https://whc.unesco.org/document/226496 Murray River floodplain restoration: https://caportal.com.au/vmfrp/projects/projects-legacy/eastern-project-videos?hview=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.caapp.com.au%2Fembed%2F7WLtv4mns42p%3Fautoplay%3Dtrue Game On climate grants: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/energy/programs/sports-clubs-energy-climate-upgrades  Earthed is a quick, weekly round-up of climate of climate, nature and sustainability news from across Australia, for people who care about conservation, climate action, sustainability, and cutting waste and pollution. 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, rate it, and share it with a friend or your network! And check out our website at earthed.au.

    Green hydrogen win, compost to die for, stopping pest species

  4. Jun 30

    Politicians pressured on waste plastic, NSW to use carbon credits to protect koalas

    Also: Ten Australians head to the UN over climate change harm; Releasing cockatoos back into the wild; More big batteries on the way; A disappointing clean energy parting of the ways in NSW. Plus a spooky coincidence involving Cate Blanchett! If you enjoy the show, follow us and rate us - thanks for all your support! Notes for this show include: The best black cockatoo bird release Instagram clip you'll ever see: https://www.instagram.com/p/DaJSOm_yD-k/  The Australian Seed Bank Partnership: https://www.seedpartnership.org.au  Information about the Hard Truths coal and gas exports case brought by 10 Australians: https://earthjustice.org/hardtruthscase/  The koala feed trees field guide: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/news/koala-habitat-tree-field-guide-mid-north-coast-communities  The Net Zero Commission heat stress report: https://www.netzerocommission.nsw.gov.au/publications/heat-stress-spotlight-report  The Integrated System Report on Australia's energy grid: https://youtu.be/G9h88qyeCGg?si=fQ8PDCpF6lHIMknR  Earthed is a quick, weekly round-up of climate of climate, nature and sustainability news from across Australia, for people who care about conservation, climate action, sustainability, and cutting waste and pollution. 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, rate it, and share it with a friend or your network! And check out our website at earthed.au.

    Politicians pressured on waste plastic, NSW to use carbon credits to protect koalas

  5. Jun 23

    Solid progress on CO2, and preparing for H5 bird flu

    In this episode, we discuss H5 bird flu and how governments are preparing. You'll also hear about new technology invented in Australia that turns climate-polluting CO2 into valuable solids, as well as a new NSW government program that will subsidise household energy efficiency upgrades. Plus we talk about endangered spiny crayfish, restoring shellfish reefs, and a rare tortoise! Plus  And we look at the progress being made in protecting the rivers, wetlands and floodplains of Australia's vast Murray-Darling Basin.  We'll also talk about a warning from the wind and solar industry about a potential policy change in Victoria - proposed by the state Opposition if it wins the November state election - that could slow Victoria's shift from polluting coal energy to clean energy, and prevent billions of dollars flowing to regional communities.  You can find out more about bird flu here. And for details about the NSW energy program check out this site.  Earthed is a quick, weekly round-up of climate of climate, nature and sustainability news from across Australia, for people who care about conservation, climate action, sustainability, and cutting waste and pollution. 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, rate it, and share it with a friend or your network! And check out our newsletter at earthed.au.

    Solid progress on CO2, and preparing for H5 bird flu

  6. Jun 16

    Onshoring seaweed production; Improved monitoring for PFAS

    In this episode we talk about why cows are going to love red seaweed - and why it's good for the climate if they eat some. We also chat about the shocking conclusions of a new NSW report that examined what climate change is already costing us (spoiler alert - it's a lot). And we talk about feral pigs! Specifically, a fantastic project on Kangaroo Island to get rid of them. There's a lot of talk about electric cars, but what about electric tractors? A group Farmers for Climate Action (which does some great work) has released a new report that looks at the money farmers could save by switching away from diesel. In other news, NSW is about to make it mandatory for 140 landfills and 260 sewage treatment plants to test for PFAS - a group of chemicals of significant of concern. And we take a look at what some recent climate and environment heavyweights said in their latest speeches - including Australia's Environment Minister Murray Watt talking about ocean sustainability. Plus we chat about a new version of the international standard that many companies rely on to put them on a path to net-zero emissions. More than 11,000 companies around the world use this standard, so these changes a big deal. Also in this episode you'll hear about efforts to build a steel recycling mill in Western Australia, and we chat about progress in building new wind and solar farms. ** If you enjoy this episode, please follow the podcast, and give us a star or thumbs up!* You can find out more about what we talk about in our newsletter - head to Earthed.au.

    Onshoring seaweed production; Improved monitoring for PFAS

  7. Jun 9

    The illegal hissing cockroaches episode!

    Plus we've got a genuine latté-sippers story - NSW's two major parties disagree on 'keep-cup' provisions in a proposed new law on plastic waste. The Opposition is calling it a café-killer Bill, even though the provisions won't affect small businesses. But there seems little or no disagreement over an innovative, more substantive aspect of the Bill. In this episode, we also chat about an important new report on phasing down the use of fossil gas in Australia, and a controversial proposed Queensland law that that will allow big projects to bypass some standard statutory processes, so they can get established faster.  If you enjoy this episode please follow the show! Earthed is a quick, weekly round-up of climate of climate, nature and sustainability news from across Australia, for people who care about conservation, climate action, sustainability, and cutting waste and pollution. It's hosted by climate and sustainability communications consultant Murray Griffin and sustainability consultant Franziska Curran.

    The illegal hissing cockroaches episode!

  8. Jun 5

    Bonus episode! A quick Canberra update (climate + environment news from the Senate)

    A few times every year, senators get to quiz federal officials about all government policies and programs, through what's called Senate Estimates.  And senators relish it, because it's there chance to do a bit of digging about government programs, including climate and environment programs, to see if they can find out things that haven't been made public. The latest Senate Estimates hearings took place in Canberra last week. And in this bonus episode we've picked out the best bits. The moments of drama and pressure, the moments of comedy, and some of the amazing statistics that emerge through the questioning process.  The Earthed podcast is a quick, weekly round-up of climate of climate, nature and sustainability news from across Australia, for people who care about conservation, climate action, sustainability, and cutting waste and pollution. 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, rate it, and share it with a friend or your network!

    Bonus episode! A quick Canberra update (climate + environment news from the Senate)
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A quick, weekly round-up of climate, nature and sustainability news from across Australia, for people who care about conservation, climate action, sustainability, and cutting waste and pollution. Also covers Australia's involvement in this year's COP31 global climate talks. Hosted by climate and sustainability comms consultant Murray Griffin and sustainability consultant Dr Franziska Curran. You can find bonus content - and support our work - via our website - https://www.earthed.au. Murray and Franziska also co-host 'Track Changes', a podcast featuring chats with climate change and sustainability experts.

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