Earth Matters

The Lake Bolac Eel Festival is held at Lake Bolac in southwest Victoria in autumn to celebrate the Eel harvest. It continues a tradition that goes back tens of thousands of years when Indigenous peoples from the area gathered for important business; to trade goods, conduct ceremonies and share stories.Begun in 2005 by Neil Murray, singer/songwriter from the area and founding member of the Warumpi Band, the Festival recognises this historic gathering and attracts people from all walks of life to come to the shores of Lake Bolac for the eel harvest to share, learn, remember and celebrate. The festival is now held every two years.Earth Matters speaks to Indigenous Cultural Artist Brett Clarke, two of the Festival organisers, Ayesha Burdett and Gen Blades, Emily Innes from Worn Bundj Native Nursery, Talia Robertson-Wilson and James Flaherty from the Kirrae Health Service, Kim Thomson, eel enthusiast from Melbourne and Malcolm Johnson, an eel advocate, geographer, ecologist and PhD student.Music: Boorook 'Keep the Dream Alive'For more information about the Lake Bolac Eel Festival, go to the website: www.eelfestival.org.au.For more information on the Yoorrook Justice Commission go to the website here.

Buddy up with Bec and get down to the Protestival. Many people commented that they found the community they long for: fun, talented, helpful, inclusive, collaborative and on purpose at The Peoples Blockade. Be moved and kick off those shoes to groove with Gurridyula. Music: Gurridyula's song supporting Pilliga activists; a live recording with permission to broadcast and podcast Earth Matters #1481 was produced on the lands of the Woromi and Awabakal people by Bec Horridge

Join the the circle of thousands and be challenged by a deep and unique Welcome to Country at the Peoples Blockade of the worlds largest coal port. Uncle Joodaloo, didge and singing melds to a deep plea to care for the land, before hundreds of people and canoes entered the coal port shipping channel to disrupt movements of coal ships. Over 170 people were arrested for blocking the coal shipping channels but that was only a fraction of what happened at this well organised and uplifting event.Guests: -Renae Lamb: Wiradjuri & Wongibong woman; visionary artist with Midnight Dreaming -Joodalu and Woomera Mob -YARRABAH DANCERS - Yidaki And Traditional Cultural Singing | artist-bookings.com - 0428 785 000 -Rowan 7 years old -Zac Schofield: Rising Tide -Guridjula: Wangang and Jagalingu man reoccupying his country on Adani mine site, QLD -Anasina Gray-Barberio is the first Samoan Member of Parliament in Victorian Parliament. -Francis Nona; a proud Badalaic man. Academic at Queensland University of Technology. Links:Rising Tide 170 arrests at Rising Tide 2024 – The Echo Earth Matters #1481 was produced on the lands of the Woromi and Awabakal people in Mulubinba /Newcastle by Bec Horridge

Would you prefer gas, secrets or radioactivity with your cancer? The proposed Middle Arm Gas Hub in Darwin threatens residents with cancerous fumes and us all with global heating. The ask is simple; redirect the 1.9 billion dollar subsidy and Stop Middle Arm. Nuclear power is at the heart of the Dutton opposition’s energy policy. His leadership style was exposed when he tried to slip out a back door in Collie, Western Australia after excluding traditional owners from discussion, on whose land he wants to build radioactive towers. Guests:Dr Barry Trail director of Solutions for Climate Australia and with Vote Climate Laura Sykes from Lock the Gate and Middle Arm Roadshow - Environment Centre NT Music:- The Gruff Pack; a Perth band with Birack from their Summer Rainbow release-Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) · iNaturalist-Australian boobook - Wikipedia Earth Matters #1480 was produced on the beautiful lands of the Wulbunja in Eurobodalla Shire, NSW by Bec HorridgeLinks:Opposition Leader Peter Dutton heckled by protesters opposed to building a nuclear power station in Collie - ABC NewsOpinions split in Collie over Peter Dutton's plan to build a nuclear reactor in mining town - ABC NewsAustralia nuclear energy: Liberals leader Peter Dutton has ‘frank’ meeting in first Collie visit since nuclear plan announced'Your job is to be impartial': Peter Dutton unleashes on ABC reporter over questions about nuclear plans during heated press conference | Sky News Australia‘Don’t care:’ Dutton clashes with ABC journoFormer NT deputy chief minister Nicole Manison takes up role with fracking company Tamboran ResourcesDarwin's planned Middle Arm industrial hub could face lengthy delays after Infrastructure Australia rejects business case

We all have to respond to climate extremes yet many groups are still cant find seats at climate negotiation tables. This Earth Matters gets into the nitty gritty of inclusion issues at the global heating international negotiations known as COP. Guests: Dr Sally Box, Australia's Chief negotiator at the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP) conferences. Kesaya Baba a Senior Manager for COP31 Strategy and Partnerships with WWF-Australia and Tamara Inkster-Draper; Programme Manager of the International Climate Politics Hub With Womens Climate Conversation host: Janet Salisbury Earth Matters is grateful for this collaboration with the Womens Climate Conversations Earth Matters #1478 was produced by Bec Horridge

Sonia Randhawa interviews Radost Stanimirov;a a geospatial analyst with the World Resources Institute hear about the loss of forest cover related to mining https://www.wri.org/insights/how-mining-impacts-forests Samoan climate justice activist Suluafi Brianna Fruean interviewed by Priya Kunjan speaks with us about centring Pacific climate priorities during this year's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which was held in Apia, Samoa, the first time that the gathering has been hosted by a Pacific Island Nation. Brianna also talks about presenting The Coconet's documentary series 'The Forgotten Pacific', which travels across five Pacific Islands to discover how communities are weaving Indigenous knowledges into their ongoing fight to save their homes from climate change impacts. Brianna launched a report for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty initiative, hosted by government leaders leading the initiative from Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Fiji.

A small community are putting their bodies on the line to save Greater Gliders before they are gone forever their homes felled by Forestry Corp. Even the local retired school principal has been arrested.Susie Russel almost flys with the Greater Gliders as she describes how they live in the forest, their plight and the deaf ears of the government.Then long time campainer Dailan Pugh from the North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) unpicks the vested interests in the Northern NSW native forests logging industry: the people and companies profiting from the destruction of the homes of our unique and threatened animals and plants. Susie Russell: Facebook : Save Bulga Forest on Biripi Country 2429 Website: savebulgaforest.org Fundraiser: https://chuffed.org/project/115308-save-bulga-forest Music: Garra by DRMNGNOWEarth Matters #1426 was produced by Bec Horridge on the lands of the Nunnawal and Ngambri in Canberra and on the land of the Kalibai people in Murwillumbah and Widjibul lands of the Bundjalung Nation

Warmly, three skilled and powerful women share what they actually do in their jobs as international climate negotiators and advocates. Dr Sally Box, explains her role as Australia's Chief negotiator at the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP) conferences. Kesaya Baba a Senior Manager for COP31 Strategy and Partnerships with WWF-Australia and Tamara Inkster-Draper; Programme Manager of the International Climate Politics Hub joins the conversation.. With Womens Climate Conversation host: Janet Salisbury Music: Visionary artist ZOE from Earth with her fourth single, This Too Shall Pass, completing the release of the Sun EP. Earth Matters is grateful for this collaboration with the Womens Climate Conversations Earth Matters #1475 was produced by Bec Horridge on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Lands in Canberra, Australia.

Today on Earth Matters, in the lead up to an upcoming Federal Election, we are looking at how so called fake news is slowing down the environmental action in Australia. We explore how traditional media, and its newer social media cousin, is driving a twin crises that threatens not only the environment, but our minds aswell.Thanks to ABC Friends for their assistance.Check out the Climate of Misinformation report here.Featuring music from Australian artists, Monkey Marc and Combat Wombat. Earth Matters #1474 was produced by Phil Evans on Whadjuk Noongar boodja.

Today's show features an interview from the 26th of September this year with members of Cook Islands grassroots collective Ocean Ancestors Louisa Castledine and Dr Teina Rongo, who spoke about Cook Islanders' concerns about and resistance to deep sea mining in their waters. On the 18th of September, Ocean Ancestors were involved in organising a sail-out rally to demonstrate community support for the fight to protect marine environments, ecosystems and kin from the threat posed by offshore extractive industries, as well as climate change, pollution and overfishing. During this interview, Louisa and Dr Rongo also discuss the community and economic impacts of mineral exploration on the fabric of Cook Islands society.This episode of Earth Matters also includes two beautiful renditions of classic Cook Islands songs performed by Kura Happ - 'Manea' and 'Aue Oki Koe Te Purotu'. These performances were recorded as part of the Poly Songbook by thecoconet.tv.Earth Matters #1473 was produced by Priya Kunjan on the lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation.

Yuin elder, Tom Slockee describes his experience organising the rehousing of aboriginal families who fled their burning houses in Mogo NSW in 2019. Music: Why you tryna bring us down from Melbourne based artist Canisha Barkindji song woman Nancy Bates, latest single, "Blood Red Moon". Set against the backdrop of the Menindee Lakes, in far west New South Wales. It is a celebration of the healing power of nature, friendship, and the enduring strength of women. Wyirrt Wyirrt (Food of the Country);A version of a traditional song, which comes from Karajarri Country in WA's north-west and was sung by Family Shoveller Band's great-great-great-great grandmother as she walked between Broome and Bidyadanga gathering food. South West Syndicate is a First Nations led multicultural hip-hop collective from South West Sydney. The group formed in the late 80's and rose to prominence in the 1990's. They are now back with a renewed hunger. The song is Paradise. The Ants: A brand new release from Tandanya/Adelaide-based post-punk six piece Coldwave Earth Matters #1462 was produced by Bec Horridge on the beautiful Walbunja and Yuin Country, Batemans Bay, NSW.

The Connecting Communities gathering on Walbunja and Brindja-Yuin Country, Moruya on Saturday 23rd March, bought hundreds of people together for a day of solidarity, unity and acknowledgment of the shared struggles of First Peoples locally and around the globe.A Unity Walk of song and dance, led by Walbunja Songman Jordan Nye, of the Muladha Gamara cultural performers, saw hundreds of people make a Snake Dance across the Moruya Bridge.Eliza Cannon: Co-creator for the day said that the event arose in response to the challenge of holding our grief and hope for peace in Palestine while living on unceded Aboriginal lands in a society attempting to come to terms with our own First People’s struggle and survival through colonisation.Jordan Nye said “These challenges require us to unite with our sisters and brothers here and across the globe. The universal languages of art, music and food bring allies together to share space, to learn and to unlearn, and to work together for peace. We can come together to share our grief and helplessness about the war on Palestinian people, but also to celebrate the survival and strength of Australian and Aotearoan First Peoples.”Music: Muladha Gamara Ripple Effect Band Earth Matters #1461 was produced by Bec Horridge on Walbunja and Brindja-Yuin Country, Moruya, NSW.

This Womens Climate Conversation identifies some tools and ways forward to caring for future generations and all life. Guests: Susan Moylan-Coombs is the founding director of The Gaimaragal Group, which she established to create a new story of connection and wellbeing for all Australians.The group’s aim is to facilitate the voice for our Elders in the contemporary social space, empower First Nations youth to realise their full potential, and provide two-way cultural translation to bring individuals and communities together. Susan’s ancestry is Woolwonga and Gurindji from the Northern Territory. She has extensive experience working with First Australian communities nationally, with specific expertise in community consultation, empowerment and the facilitation of voice and storytelling. Susan previously held the positions of Executive Producer ABC’s Indigenous Programs Unit and Head of Production, NITV a division of SBS. Professor Susan Harris Rimmer is the Director of the Griffith University Policy Innovation Hub, which helps policy-makers solve policy problems through evidence based collaboration with multidisciplinary experts.Sue works at the intersection of human rights and politics and researches gender dynamics in transitions. She is a member of the Law Futures Centre and the Griffith Asia Institute. Dr Elise Stephenson is Deputy Director of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership (GIWL) and National Security College (NSC) at the Australian National University, as well as an Adjunct in the Griffith Asia Institute.A political scientist and international relations scholar, Dr Stephenson’s research focuses on intervening at critical junctures to ensure equality in ‘frontier’ international affairs and grand challenges. She researches gender and sexuality, leadership, equality and justice across politics, diplomacy, national security, government, intelligence, and the Asia Pacific. Hosted by Janet Salisbury, co-founder of the Women's Climate Congress Earth Matters #1459 was produced by Bec Horridge on Ngunnawal and Ngambri lands in Canberra.

“Caring for future generations and all Life” is the topic of this ground breaker Womens Climate Conversation. “How do we look to the future when we haven’t addressed the historical issues of the past”. Susan Moylan-Coombs Guests: Susan Moylan-Coombs is the founding director of The Gaimaragal Group, which she established to create a new story of connection and wellbeing for all Australians.The group’s aim is to facilitate the voice for our Elders in the contemporary social space, empower First Nations youth to realise their full potential, and provide two-way cultural translation to bring individuals and communities together. Susan’s ancestry is Woolwonga and Gurindji from the Northern Territory. She has extensive experience working with First Australian communities nationally, with specific expertise in community consultation, empowerment and the facilitation of voice and storytelling. Susan previously held the positions of Executive Producer ABC’s Indigenous Programs Unit and Head of Production, NITV a division of SBS. Professor Susan Harris Rimmer is the Director of the Griffith University Policy Innovation Hub, which helps policy-makers solve policy problems through evidence based collaboration with multidisciplinary experts.Sue works at the intersection of human rights and politics and researches gender dynamics in transitions. She is a member of the Law Futures Centre and the Griffith Asia Institute. Dr Elise Stephenson is Deputy Director of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership (GIWL) and National Security College (NSC) at the Australian National University, as well as an Adjunct in the Griffith Asia Institute.A political scientist and international relations scholar, Dr Stephenson’s research focuses on intervening at critical junctures to ensure equality in ‘frontier’ international affairs and grand challenges. She researches gender and sexuality, leadership, equality and justice across politics, diplomacy, national security, government, intelligence, and the Asia Pacific. Hosted by Janet Salisbury, co-founder of the Women's Climate Congress Part Two is coming on the 7th August.Earth Matters #1458 was produced by Bec Horridge on Ngunnawal and Ngambri lands in Canberra.

1080 is primarily used in the struggle to protect native species from other invasive animals - but it is even used to control native dingoes, and other species of wallaby, possum and pademelon. Is it right to cause death in such a traumatic way? And what about the impact on our domesticated four legged friends?We talk to Alex Vince from the Coalition Against 1080 about their push to stop the use of this dangerous chemical.Earth Matters #1465 was produced on Jabirr Jabirr Land by Phil Evans

Samuel Janama Sandy is chair of the Nurrdalinji Aboriginal Corporation representing eleven native title areas across the Beetaloo area that is slated for intensive fracking. Samuel shares some good reasons why fracking companies must: “Pack up and go home”. He documents the unfair “negations” fracking companies imposed on his community to get so-called “agreements” to frack. The impact of fracking chemicals forced into four kilometer deep holes through precious water aquifers is of huge concern. Guest: Samuel Janama Sandy, Chair of the Nurrdalinji Aboriginal Corporation Stop Fracking the Territory Petition: Frack Free NT Music: MidIlbingini Agiyabarda (When The Water Goes Down) David Garnham & the Reasons to LiveThis song was written by Samuel's nephew, Stuart Nuggett with his mother Janet Gregory and David Garnham in a collaboration expressing deep concern over the fracking that is occurring and is set to expand in the Beetaloo Basin, NT. See the video here. Ecopella; Divest from their “Your needed now album” News LinksKatherine Times: Another controversial Beetaloo deal signed - Nurrdalinji Aboriginal CorporationGas projects to require Commonwealth approval after Labor-Greens deal expands water trigger - ABC NewsEmpire Energy Group Ltd (ASX:EEG) Signs Gas Sales Agreement With NT Government (menafn.com)New York moves to update its fracking ban to include liquid carbon-dioxide as well as water (msn.com)Remote NT Traditional Owners left out of river cons... | NITIndigenous water map petition will bring NT cotton and gas concerns to Canberra - ABC NewsThree years, three Garma festivals, and three different versions of Anthony Albanese - ABC News Earth Matters #1464 was produced by Bec Horridge on the lands of the Dagoman, Jawoyn people, and Walpiri in Katherine, Northern Territory and on, Ngunnawal and Ngambii Country in Canberra.

Approvals for a new nuclear waste facility on Meandup/Garden Island in WA were recently granted to service US and UK submarines.We speak with Mia Pepper from the Conservation Council of WA and Nuclear Free WA about this latest development in the ongoing AUKUS saga.Featuring music from Monkey Marc, CAIN, Combat Wombat and Krzysztof PendereckiEarth Matters #1463 was produced by Phil Evans on Jabirr Jabirr land.

Today, we're looking at a significant legal battle brewing in Bougainville, an autonomous region of Papua New Guinea that voted for independence in 2019. Thousands of residents have come together to file a class action lawsuit against mining giant Rio Tinto and its former subsidiary, Bougainville Copper Ltd, over what they claim is historical mismanagement of the massive Panguna copper mine.We hear from human rights activist and Bougainville advocate, Vikki John.#1463 Produced by Phil Evans with thanks to Jan Bartlett and 3CR.

We catch up with Ella and Nate from Blockade Australia for the latest about their ongoing spree of actions.We also take a look at why Blockade Australia are taking action, and what some of the consequences being faced by activists.Check out https://www.blockadeaustralia.com/ for links and more details.Featuring music by Monkey Marc and DRMNGNOW.Earth Matters #1461 was produced by Phil Evans on Ngarla Pananykarra

What is it like to be an activist in the belly of the beast?We talk to Chris, Fiona, and Rachel from the Pilbara Climate Network about their experience working for climate justice in the remote, north west mining town of Karratha. Many people would have heard the stories of city based activists working to 'Disrupt Burrup Hub' - but what of the folks who wake up to the harsh reality of the mass industrial project everyday?Check out Pilbara Climate Network on Facebook.Featuring music by Monkey Marc and Jimblah.Earth Matters #1460 was produced on Ngarluma ngurra and Nyamal Land by Phil Evans