Earth Matters

Bec Horridge, Claudia Craig, Mia Audrey & Keiran Stewart-Assheton.

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Local and global environmental issues from grassroots, activist perspectives with a strong social justice focus. Distributed nationally on the Community Radio Network.

2d ago

Part 2 Exploring Extreme Heat: The Mental Health Impacts of Heat

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.
May 24

Fire Scientists on Impacts of Planned Burns in Wet Forests

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.
May 17

Conservation: Back2Basics

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.
May 10

Sooty on the High Court win that affirms right for third parties with a "special interest" to take Forestry Corporation to court while 15 year old Jesinta calls for more relevant environmental education in schools. [with transcript]

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
May 3

A regenerative approach to international development

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.
Apr 26

Felling of Mt Macedon snow gums leaves conservationists aghast

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/
Apr 19

Women coming together to activate the UNFCCC Belém Gender Action Plan

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
Apr 5

Return Lee Point to Larrakia People

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.

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Local and global environmental issues from grassroots, activist perspectives with a strong social justice focus. Distributed nationally on the Community Radio Network.