Earthed: Australian climate change, nature and sustainability news

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 clea...

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 ac...

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...

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...

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...

Victoria's plans to generate huge amounts of electricity offshore. How a helicopter fitted with a special camera is being used to monitor for bird flu outbreaks.  An exciting event in the small Western Australian town of Hyden. Plus, we hear about some brave bilbies that are striking out on their own. And we ask: can koalas change the colour of their ears? Plus, we've got a new segment we're tryin...

In this episode: Why thousands of penguins are being vaccinated and microchipped, and how a renewable energy deal will keep a big smelter that employs 1,000 people open for business.     Plus, we look at government efforts to cut carbon pollution by substituting biofuels for diesel and jet fuel, and substituting biogas for fossil gas.     And we talk about an exciting wind and solar project in Que...

This week we celebrate National Landcare week – and the community benefits of being involved while also highlighting some of the pressure groups are under. Also, more concerning updates on bird flu, but there are other things we can and should be doing now to protect Australia's wildlife. Plus, ACT consults on how to manage the shift away from fossil fuels in a recent consultation paper. And we al...

It's true - lots of farmers want to host wind and solar farms. Also in this episode, why 7,500 Western Australian beehives are on their way to South Australia. Plus, get ready for the 'threatened species bake-off'! Also: there's more money to fight invasive species; and it's time for a rethink on how we manage marine parks. And meet Terry the Seal - has he been 'on the tinnies'? Follow Earthed if...

A long-running groundwater conservation project has clocked up some big wins. And conservation organisation Bush Heritage has acquired an extraordinary new property.   Plus, the government is disbanding its 'Climate Active' program (possibly keeping one small part of it).  In other news: Major wind and solar farms are advancing. A new report says Australian governments spend four times as much sup...

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 tin...

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...

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'...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

There's some big news from Tasmania's Little Dog Island! And there's an expansion on the way for a NSW scheme that was designed to support green hydrogen - now it's also going to support another green gas. Also, there's great news on the clean energy front - especially on the deployment of big and small batteries. And we (belatedly) celebrate World Fish Migration Day! In this episode we also talk...

Giving cattle a seaweed-derived 'garnish' to go with their grass can stop them burping so much - which really reduces the amount of methane that goes into the air. And that's a good thing, because methane is a potent climate polluting gas.   In this episode we talk about Australian government plans to better regulate the use of methane inhibitors, such as seaweed, so everyone is confident they wil...

In this episode we talk about why environment groups are warning that the federal Budget allocated too little money to nature protection.  Also in this episode, we look at some of the exciting new clean energy projects that are being approved around Australia. And we talk about Opposition leader Angus Taylor's depressing, pro-coal speech that attacked net zero. Plus, we chat about a Queensland gov...

A Green Sheep program is on the way! Plus, hear from Australia's youth ambassador to this year's climate change talks - she and her partner run a grazing and cropping farm in Queensland. Also, in this episode, we talk about plans in NSW and Western Australia to make it easier to approve and build new wind and solar farms. But in Victoria, the Coalition wants to take the state in the opposite direc...

Australia's fifth biggest employer isn't a company, it's a natural wonder, and now it's got better legal protection. Also, a Queensland region will gain community benefits worth $840,000 a year from a clean energy project. And WA clean energy projects newly backed by the federal government have pledged community benefits totalling just shy of $2 billion - a staggering amount. Earthed is a quick, w...

Are you looking for a quick, weekly round-up of climate, nature and sustainability news from around Australia? Check out Earthed! Hosted by Franziska Curran and Murray Griffin. 

What's the connection between old mattresses and new pavers? And what's the link between a Tasmanian plant that was once thought extinct and the beating of a native bee's wings? Oh, and what $5 billion funding stream opened for business last week? Also in this week's episode we talk about measuring what the Australian environment does for us, and we chat about a new NSW report on the impacts of ex...