In this episode, host Keiran Stewart-Assheton looks at the propaganda we are sold around ethical consumption, particularly in the form of "green" energy, electric cars and carbon offsets.He asks Who really pays for this? Are we sacrificing lives for lifestyle? Can individual lifestyle choices truly make an impact?

John Seed explains how modern economics functions as a powerful, unrecognised religion, driving environmental destruction and social inequality, and that unmasking it is crucial for planetary survival.John is the co-founder of the Rainforest Information Centre and, for over forty years, has facilitated hundreds of transformative experiential Deep Ecology, also known as the work that reconnects. Find his upcoming workshop schedule at the Rainforest Information website.Also, a  poem  by John,  celebrating the universe, Earth's creation, and the interconnectedness of all life, reinforcing the call to: "Celebrate life, celebrate Earth, celebrate the cosmos." In 2026 John Seed and friends are holding a series of Deep Ecology workshops at Narara Ecovillage in NSW. FEBRUARY 6-8 DEEP ECOLOGY with John Seed, Erika Aligno & friends, Narara Ecovillage, Central CoastMARCH 7“BUDDHA TOUCHED THE EARTH”, Susie Brown and John Seed, Narara EcovillageAPRIL 10-12 DEEP ECOLOGY with John Seed, Magpie Sally & friends, Narara Ecovillage, Central CoastThere will be workshops at NARARA in June, Aug, Oct & Dec - stay tuned for detailsThankyou to Regen Sydney and the Cooks River Alliance for recording John Seeds' talkThere is a video of John Seeds' talk here. He speaks alongside Helen Norberg Hodge.https://youtu.be/1NeVUUkgrbY?si=3LSjg0ZHM08SgcdQEarth Matter #1524 was made in Gadigal/ Sydney on Wangal Country, the lands of the People of the Eora Nations by Bec Horridge.

Six weeks ago, billionaire businessman Clive Palmer lost a $300 billion case against the Australian government when the High Court determined that he is not, in fact, a Singaporean investor.It may sound absurd, but Palmer’s case had potential – and he has three more similar cases in the works. Across the globe, fossil fuel companies are taking up a secret weapon against climate action: it’s baked into many trade agreements, and allows corporations to bypass court systems and sabotage climate policies.‘Investor-state dispute settlement’, or ISDS, has the potential to crush what little progress states are making on climate action.  To fill us in on this toxic global loophole, I called on the Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network, AFTINET. Audio for this episode comes from their recent webinar on ISDS, and features expert voices on the problem and its solutions. Dr Pat Ranald is an honorary research assistant at the University of Sydney and convenor of the Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network.  Kyla Tienhaara is Canada Research Chair in Economy and Environment and Associate Professor in the School of Environmental Studies and Department of Global Development Studies at Queen’s University, Kingston. Maria Poulos Conklin is a diplomat, policy maker, founder of the Save the Bay Coalition and the former Parliamentary and Political Relations Manager at the Australian Conservation Foundation. Earth Matters #1533 was produced by Mia Audrey on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.Image courtesy of AFTINET.

What would you guess is the largest environmental threat to our iconic deserts? Feral animals? Contaminated or depleted water tables? Desertification? Actually, it’s a grass. Since its introduction in the 1960s and 70s, and particularly in the last couple of decades, buffel grass has spread like wildfire through central so-called Australia. It’s wreaking havoc on fragile arid ecosystems, and ranks higher than any other environmental threat in terms of its social and cultural impacts for Aboriginal people. How is one little grass doing so much damage? To find out, I spoke to Alex Vaughan and Kat Herbert from ALEC, the Arid Lands Environment Centre, in Mparntwe (Alice Springs). ALEC’s ‘Beat Back Buffel’ campaign is a world-leading effort to manage the spread of Buffel Grass through the continent’s arid ecosystems.  Sign the petition to declare buffel a Weed of National Significance: https://www.alec.org.au/wons_25 Earth Matters #1532 was produced by Mia Audrey on Wurundjeri Woiwurrung country.

Angelica Mantikas from Market Forces details the environmental, social, and financial risks associated with APA Group's proposed pipelines in Australia's Northern Territory, which would enable extensive gas fracking in the Beetaloo Basin.Angelica explains Market Forces' strategies to oppose APAs' plans.Angelica is a first-generation Greek-Australian hailing from the island of Chios, Greece. She is a dedicated youth nature and climate justice advocate with a deep-rooted understanding of nature, cultivated through her heritage and a string of impressive achievements at a young age. 

In this episode of Earth Matters, host Keiran talks about the rocket testing being undertaken by Southern Launch, discussing its impacts on the local environment, Aboriginal community and Aboriginal culture; the dangers it is posing to people undertaking cultural duties within the testing range; as well as the campaigns against this testing being undertaken by senior Kokatha Elder and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aunty Sue Haseldine and her supporters.Link to fundraiser mentioned in show: West Mallee Protection Fund | Chuffed | Non-profit charity and social enterprise fundraising

This show is the second of two parts on the tricky and crucial work of speaking with young people about the climate: conversations with two educators on opposite sides of the world.  Jonathan Noble is the Director of the School of Nature and Climate at CERES Community Environment Park, Narrm (melbourne), which every year delivers climate education programs to thousands of learners. His previous work includes engagement and learning program design for Conservation Volunteers Australia, Zoos South Australia, and the SA Department of Education.   Sandra Goldstein Lehnert is the Cultural Director at Camp Kinderland in Massachusetts, USA, which has operated since 1923 delivering a leftist political education program in a summer camp context. They are a community organiser, PhD candidate, and adjunct lecturer and graduate teaching fellow in the Department of English at Queens College, New York. You’ll hear about the importance of spaces outside the traditional classroom, for giving kids the space and tools to love our living world; as well as insights for your own engagement with young people, at home, work or in your community. Earth Matters #1529 was produced by Mia Audrey on Wurundjeri Woiwurrung country.

Talking about climate change is hard. And for those of us who work, live or spend time with young people, it can be especially difficult to work out how to balance the harsh realities of present and future impacts; communicate accurately about what can be done; and respond to the feelings that come up for us and for the kids we care about. On this show, Mia brings you interviews with two climate advocates who are using their talents to help kids and their carers grapple with the climate crisis:Tim Winton is a West Australian author, four-time Miles Franklin award winner, and named a Living Treasure by the National Trust of Australia. His new picture book, ‘Ningaloo: Australia’s Wild Wonder’, captures his love for the Ningaloo reef region; he has campaigned for its protection for over 20 years. Dr Linden Ashcroft is a senior lecture in climate science and science communication at the University of Melbourne. She co-created ‘Climate Kids’, a series of Youtube videos answering kids’ questions about climate change. Climate Superpowers quiz - https://climatesuperpowers.org/  Earth Matters #1528 was produced by Mia Audrey on Wurundjeri Woiwurrung country.

In September, the federal Government made an announcement that sent shockwaves through the community of climate activists and advocates: a 2035 climate target range of 62 to 70 % below 2005 levels. The lead-up to the announcement saw hundreds of groups calling for an ambitious target, many advocating for net-zero. Now they’re left reeling.  Today, I bring you interviews with two leaders in the climate advocacy space: David Morris, CEO of Frontrunners and former CEO of the Environmental Defenders Office; and Karin Stark, Director at Farm Renewables Consulting and Founder of the National Renewables in Agriculture conference. Their unique perspectives  - drawing on work with sportspeople and farmers respectively – highlight the disappointment and frustration many are feeling in the wake of these new targets – and how they’re forging onwards with the work for a safer future.David Morris joined Frontrunners as CEO after over a decade with the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO). Frontrunners has helped support the formation of player-led climate movements like Footy for Climate, Cricket for Climate and the Sport for 75 open letter to the Federal Government.  Karin Stark is the director of Farm Renewables Consulting and founder of the National Renewables in Agriculture conference – an event bringing together farmers, agriculture and energy consultants, peak bodies and Government representatives to share stories of on-farm renewables, their business case and discuss what’s driving the transformation of energy use in agriculture. She co-authored ‘Farm-Powered’, a report on renewable energy and agriculture commissioned by Farmers for Climate Action. Earth Matters #1527 was produced by Mia Audrey in narrm (Melbourne).   

Western hubris about water leads to really bad water policy - kate harridenAustralia’s First Peoples looked after the country’s waterscapes for millennia before colonisation brought Western ways that exclude their contribution. This week on Earth Matters Wiradyuri woman and indigenous water expert kate harriden (link is external) from the Monash Sustainable Development Institute (link is external) explains how educating settler societies about indigenous ways of knowing is crucial to decolonising water management in Australia.Produced by Claudia Craig at the studios of 3CR on unceded Wurundjeri land.Sound recordings of Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra, created and supplied by kate harriden.This epsiode of Earth Matters first aired on 3CR on 11 May 2025. ReferencesOverturning Aqua nullius, Virginia Marshall (link is external)Indigenous design: Water Country by kate harriden (link is external)‘Hear Their Voices: Australia’s First Nations Women and the Legal Recognition of Their Rights to Water’ Katie O’Bryan & kate harriden (link is external)Victorian Government Water is Life Policy document (link is external) 

Follow the Money. Use “Market Forces” to go Fossil FreeMarket Forces provides free independent research and analysis online, assisting people who want to learn more about making their superannuation and banking fossil-free. It is a small group with a big impact, driving the shift away from fossil fuels towards ethical, climate-responsible investment in clean energy. Brett Morgan, the Australian Campaigns manager, raises concerns regarding the Australian superannuation fund HESTA, which is accused of “greenwashing” by making claims to be a climate leader while investing in the expansion of fossil fuels. Luckily, Market Forces has done the research and raised the alert and can support HESTA members who want their super fund to stop investing in fossil fuels.Find out about this global trend of people withdrawing financial support for fossil fuels.Find out more and take action by telling HESTA to end support for new fossil fuels or tell your fund to lift its game on climate action.  Guests: Brett Morgan, Australian Campaigns Manager from Market Forces  Earth Matter #1525 was made in Gadigal/ Sydney on Wangal Country, the lands of the People of the Eora Nations by Bec Horridge. 

Israel's miltary annihilation of Gaza and the Palestinian population has been described as the world’s first live-streamed genocide. While the horrific loss of human life and catastrophic humanitarian conditions imposed on Palestinian people have dominated mainstream media output, other crises are also unfolding.  This week’s episode of Earth Matters explores the ongoing destruction of Palestinian land and waters through war, colonisation and climate change, and the role of the Palestinian environmental movement in the worldwide struggle for justice for colonised peoples.Guest: Professor Mazin Qumsiyeh is the Founder, and (volunteer) Director of the Palestine Museum of Natural History and Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability at Bethlehem University in Occupied Palestine. He is a 2025 Nobel Peace Prize nominee. You can connect with Professor Qumsiyeh and the Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability by: emailing info@palestinenature.org.auFacebook @mazin.qumsiyeh.9 or @PIBS.PMNHInformation on how to volunteer at the Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability can be found here. This week's show was produced and presented by Claudia Craig. Image credit: Judith Peppard  

How do we tell stories about a world in climate crisis?  What is the role of writers and storytellers at this critical ecological time? And do the narratives we tell drive climate action or exacerbate the doom and gloom? This week on Earth Matters we hear from two Australian climate advocates grappling with these very questions.   Gen Z millennial Connie Gamble is a Masters student of Public Policy and Management and Wattle Sustainability Fellow at the University of Melbourne. Her current project uses memory as a storytelling tool to build connection to place.  Lauren Fuge is a passionate climate activist whose journey from science writer to author speaks to the role of writing as an agent of change. We chat to her about this journey, her book  Voyagers: Our Journey into the Anthropocene as well as her PhD exploring creative forms of climate communication.  Acknowledgements Audio featuring Connie Gamble and Kumi Naidoo is kindly broadcast courtesy of the Wattle Fellowship, University of Melbourne.  Kumi Naidoo was the keynote speaker at the 2025 Wattle Fellowship Spotlight Series event at University of Melbourne, June 2025.  For more details about the Wattle Fellowship Program see: https://www.unimelb.edu.au/wattlefellowship You can follow Connie Gamble's memory project on instagram @sedimentary.lives Voyagers: Our Journey into the Anthropocene by Lauren Fuge is published by Text Publishing. This week's show is #1523 and was produced by Claudia Craig. 

On today’s show, we hear from two first nations advocates from the frontlines of the climate battle. They touch on climate change impacts in their communities; their fight to protect Country, and why First Nations voices must be front and centre.  Rosaline Parker is a Pasifika advocate and cultural consultant based in Western Sydney. Her work includes empowering young pacific leaders to engage in meaningful advocacy, as well as climate justice initiatives in Tuvalu and Kiribati, in partnership with the Tuvalu Climate Action Network. Kabay Tamu was one of eight Torres Strait Islanders who took a world-first human rights case against the Australian government for its inaction on climate change. He is a Councillor for the Torres Strait Island Regional Council and advocates for the rights of islanders through the Our Islands Our Home campaign.This webinar was organised by seed national Indigenous climate network.  Earth Matters #1522 was produced by Mia Audrey.   

This episode of Earth Matters investigates the toxic legacy of waste on stolen Aboriginal land, from the radioactive scars of nuclear testing and uranium mining to the invisible spread of PFAS “forever chemicals” in our waterways. Drawing on stories from Maralinga, Kakadu, and the Blue Mountains, and with a personal reflection on Wreck Bay, the program explores how contamination doesn’t just harm health—it severs cultural ties, disrupts food systems, and undermines sovereignty.Through a First Nations lens, we uncover the common thread running through these crises: governments and corporations treating Country as expendable, while communities are left to live with intergenerational impacts. Yet resistance remains strong, from Mirarr opposition to uranium mines, to Barngarla victories against nuclear dumps, to communities fighting for accountability on PFAS.Toxic Waste on Stolen Land is a call to recognise the colonial roots of environmental contamination and to stand with First Nations peoples demanding justice, protection of Country, and an end to sacrifice zones.

Georgia and Angel from Seed introduce Australia’s indigenous youth climate action movement, their activities, and strategic plan for the next three years and goals to:to ban fracking in the Kimberley,a ban on fossil fuels across the continent,a significant presence at COP31 train 500 young peopleand more !Donate here  to help Seed achieve its goals

This week on Earth Matters we put the spotlight on the devastating South Australian algal phenomena that is rocking communities and scientists. While the causes of the bloom are becoming clearer, there are many unknowns, making the future difficult to predict. Ngarrindjeri elder Derek Walker is among the many facing uncertainty arising from the bloom. He is a sustainable fisherman harvesting kutis - or pipis - as they are more widely known - on the Coorong.  Shellfishing has been a part of Ngarrindjeri life for millenia. But with toxins infiltrating the seafloor where the kuti grow, operations are in shutdown and the local Ngarrindjeri who work there are off the water. Derek Walker speaks about the impact of the algal bloom on kuti harvesting, cultural tourism and community. In this episode of Earth Matters we speak to:- Ngarrindjeri elder and Kuti and Co director, Derek Walker - Dr Scott Bennett, marine ecology expert from the University of Tasmania (interview conducted by 3CR Breakfast presenter Sonia Randhawa) SA Government Fact Sheet SA Government Advice (including health and food safety advice) 

Dr Radha Wagle started life caring for goats in a Nepalese village.  She tells her story, how she came from there to lead Nepal's delegation in international climate negotiations. Radha somehow manages to find humour in  the  challenges women face in leadership roles within environmental sectors.Sophie Hardefeldt talks about the need for feminist system change to ensure women's voices are heard and outlines some practical ways to achieve that.Guests:Dr Radha Wagle – Biodiversity and Climate Adaptation Specialist, Glen Eira City Council, Victoria; formerly Director General, Department of Plant Resources, Ministry of Forests and Environment, Nepal. Sophie Hardefeldt   – Policy and Research Manager, ActionAid Australia.Earth Matters #1518  was produced by Bec Horridge in collaboration with the Womens Climate Congress

Earth Matters presents local, national and international grassroots perspectives on environmental concerns and broadcasts weekly to a national audience since 1996. In this episode, host Keiran interviews Manju from the Australian Nuclear Free Alliance and discusses the importance of the upcoming annual ANFA conference.Links mentioned in show:https://australianmap.netwww.foe.org,au/anfa_donatehttps://cms.apln.network/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Green-Hawkins-January-2024.pdf

 "So we refuse that idea that we can accept any forms of gender-based violence and any forms that kill ourselves, other species and the living planet." Noelene Nabulivou, Pacific Islands Feminist Alliance for Climate Justice Fiji Every day around the globe women are protecting and defending human rights and nature. At the recent Global Women's Assembly for Climate Justice (link is external) grassroots and frontline women leaders from fifty countries gathered virtually to speak about solutions for climate and humanity. They demonstrate the collective strength of women as diverse intersectional climate leaders resisting, disrupting and transforming systems of power.In this episode of Earth Matters we share excerpts from three of the one hundred and twenty-five voices from the Climate Assembly forum: Turtle Island USA native rights activist Yolanda Fulmer (Tlingit) speaks about indigenous experiences of climate change in the Tongass rainforest, Alaska. Nigerian researcher and ecofeminist Adenike Titilope Oladosu speaks about climate injustice for women in sub-Saharan Africa. Adenike is the Founder/Director of the I-Lead Climate Action Initiative and Fellow of The New Institute in Hamburg Germany on Black Feminism and the Polycrisis. Pacific human rights activist and leader of the Pacific Islands Feminist Alliance for Climate Justice Fiji , Noelene Nabulivou explains how applying a feminist lens increases women’s participation in transformative change when it comes to climate justice.  The event was organised by the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (link is external)(WECAN) in the lead-up to COP30 in Brazil this November. Image credit: Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) Full recordings from the Climate Assembly available here. The event schedule is a useful guide. Further reading: Why Women? The Crucial Role of Women at the Center of Climate Solutions How gender inequality and climate change are interconnected