EarthChat

How to function when feeling overwhelmed by Eco-Grief, S26 Ep7

As a follow on to last Tuesday’s program on Eco-Anxiety, we now shine the light on Eco-Grief, a profound sense of loss felt in response to the negative impacts of global warming on the planet. It is an experience of deep sadness about the consequences of environmental degradation of our air, land, and waters, and the subsequent loss of many species, along with natural systems’ breakdown on our precious planet.
While Eco-Anxiety focuses on the anxious anticipation of environmental problems and their potential impacts, Eco-Grief centers around the emotional response to the actual loss and damage in the environment that has already occurred and continues. Both are interconnected responses to negative environmental change that often require validation and action to manage.
To help understand the impact of Eco-Grief, and ways we can work with it, Ruth’s joined by The Euroa Arboretum’s, Cathy Olive and Libby Woodhouse, along with Alison Trethowan, who is the facilitator for the newly formed Granite to Goulburn Biodiversity Recovery Alliance - an alliance of local environmental groups, (which includes The Euroa Arboretum, ‘The Arb’), who are working together to restore the Granite to Goulburn landscape following the Longwood bushfires of this January. https://www.biodiversityrecoveryalliance.com 
Eco-Grief is especially present at this time due to these recent Victorian bushfires - some of which are still burning. Nearly 500 human homes have been confirmed lost along with 15,000 farm animals, and countless native animals have suffered and perished, along with their natural habitat.
We’re beginning to talk about what climate change is doing to us not just what needs to be done about it. Acknowledging and expressing our grief is a starting point for naming what we’re feeling, allowing us to see that this is a collective experience, and that it’s okay to feel this way.  This is especially critical for young people who need to be able to experience ‘active hope’ for a healthy future for the planet.
Indigenous people are more consciously aware of their kinship with the natural world so we can only imagine how intensely personal their ‘eco-grief’ must be.
Cath, Libby, and Allison are passionate conservationists and regenerative nature gardeners, inspired by landscape restoration that cultivates and supports biodiversity of natural habitat for wildlife to thrive. Cath works alongside Traditional Owners to best manage Country to also create positive environmental outcomes whilst balancing the needs of community and farmers.
With decades of experience between them, all three guests continue to offer significant leadership in environmental restoration education enabling many people to reconnect with nature and participate in programs that help restore biodiversity in their region.
Libby is know as ‘a local national treasure’. Quote from Cath: “If anyone can turn around Eco-Grief, it’s our Lib!” Her successful restorative care for the Seven Creeks bush in Euroa has inspired others to join her, and learn from her, bush gardening techniques. “Libby is a tireless worker and volunteer… Her energy and interests seem unstoppable“. In the 2022 Australia Day awards, Libby was named Strathbogie Shire Citizen of the Year. “Her passionate concerns are for both the environment and the community”.
Alison works in environmental education in projects like ‘RiverConnect’ in Shepparton, as well as running her own small business, ‘Find Your Feathers’, which aims to re-connect people with nature for the physical and mental health benefits that comes with spending time in Nature. Previously a Social Worker in both youth work and mental health she brings with her valuable insights from experiencing and witnessing Eco-Grief in others.
Our guests will reflect how they overcome this profound sense of loss by acknowledging and validating the grief, along with seeking others who feel the same. We need to know we’re not alone. We’ll learn from their experience of how we can become stronger and more creative in finding innovative solutions to help us contribute to a healthier planet and our own collective healing.
Useful links:
https://www.biodiversityrecoveryalliance.com
 
https://euroaarboretum.com.au/ The Euroa Arboretum Nursery will re-open on March 23, 2026
Important Fire Recovery information published weekly for Strathbogie Shire & Surrounds GRANITE NEWS subscribe by emailing Pauline Roberts: pdphroberts@gmail.com
 
The Work that Reconnects (Joanna Macy) https://www.joannamacy.net/main) 
2026 Work that Reconnects events in Australia 
 
Volunteering with Libby on The Seven Creeks, Euroa - Meet up at Mondays at 9 am at Saxon Parker Parker corner. Email: eswoodhouse@hotmail.com
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/u4G5C5UTU5M
 
Rewilding Workshops https://www.naturesapprentice.com.au/events
 

The Rise of Eco Anxiety, S26 Ep6

The Rise of Eco-Anxiety: positive and practical ways to prepare for and process climate related events.
Climate anxiety is increasing worldwide and affecting a wide range of groups, especially younger people and other vulnerable groups such as older people and those with limited resources to take preventative action or adapt to climate risks. A 2023 Mission Australia study of 19 000, 15-19 year olds found that 60% have some level of concern about climate related events and 21% were very or extremely concerned.Older Australians are also vulnerable to heat stress and the effects of cold weather, however many lack the financial resources to install or use air conditioning which can lead to isolation and poor health outcomes. Essentially “Eco Anxiety” is a worry, fear or sadness and in some cases a “sense of doom” or helplessness and overwhelm related to natural events over which we have limited control. Often these stressful situations result in trauma, grief, loss of freedom and in some cases anger against Governments and organisations for their perceived lack of empathy and appropriate responses to the events or preventing future loss.
Links:
The Granite News - prepared by the Hughes Creek Catchment Collaborative this newsletter contains essential information on sources of help and community connection for anyone dealing with the impacts of the fires or who would like to be part of the recovery process. To get on the mailing list, Email: pdphroberts@gmail.com
The Tiaki Promise www.tiakinewzealand.com
Kaitiakitanga – Guardianship and Conservation. It is a way of managing the environment and looking at the world in an interconnected way.  This concept informs land and tourism management and ensures that future generations are equipped to hand down culturally important values www.environmentguide.org.nz www.kaitiakitanga.org
Qualmark program https://www.qualmark.co.nz
A highly regarded quality assurance organisation that helps Tourism businesses improve their sustainability and providing benefits to local communities and the broader economy.
Taupo Bungy Jump Sustainability Initiatives www.bungy.co.nz/environment 
US Climate Resilience Toolkit Based around the concept of 72 hour resilience for all city infrastructure eg, power, water, supplies, relocation centres. Practical advice and suggestions for preparedness and self sufficiency
Climate Justice Toolkit  Climatejusticetoolkit.org.au 
This organisation highlights how climate change unfairly impacts groups who may already experience inequality, marginalisation and discrimination. The Toolkit provides free advice  and resources for community service organisations to help with disaster resilience and social justice responses for all affected by climate events.
Parents for Climate
Champions for Climate Action within their communities and protect children with a safe environment and clean air for a better future https:// www.parentsforclimate.org
Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia
Connection and training to transform Australia’s response to environmental and climate issues https://wela.org.au
Psychology for a Safe Climate (PSC) https://www.psychologyforasafeclimate.org 
PSC strengthens the emotional foundations of communities responding to critical climate and nature events. They recognise that climate change response is not just about science and policy but about feelings, emotions and cultures. They aim to provide relief, build resilience and empower systems change

A Treaty for the Future S26 Ep5

This week Marie  chats with  Julian Cribb. He is a very experienced science communicator specializing in environmental issues, the problems and what we need to do to alleviate them.
He has written several books including "The Earth System Treaty" which presents a plan for humanity going ahead and outlines the issue we are facing which will be central to our discussion. You can find out more about his book, The Earth System Treaty here: humanfuture.org/earth-system-treaty

Can Stories Shape Communities? How Bendigo Found Self-Belief S26 Ep4

Tim chats with Anthony Radford about how stories can have a positive impact on how people think and act. Anthony grew up in Broadford and is now a Bendigo-based media professional who cares deeply about good storytelling and strong local communities. Through Radford Media, he works with community organisations, Traditional Owners and businesses to help them tell clear, honest stories about who they are and what they stand for, with a strong focus on regional voices. He has a lot of experience about communication strategies related to climate action. He was a journalist for 20 years and won a Walkley Award (a finalist twice!) and a Quill Award.He is one of the founders of Believe in Bendigo, an initiative that encourages pride, confidence, and connection in the city while respecting its history and diversity. It was very active supporting the planning application for a local mosque. Campaigning through story telling is a big part of his life and work. He has also been involved in campaigns to build a $630million hospital in Bendigo and a $110m pipeline to secure the city’s water supply. Both of which the city is benefitting from today.Anthony’s work is about sharing positive local stories and bringing people together, grounded in a belief that communities are stronger when people believe in their place and in each other. So much of his work has relevance for communities in Mitchell Shire, and the local and global issues we are struggling with at this time.

News from Friends of the Earth S26 Ep3

Ruth welcomes back Cam Walker from Friends of the Earth (FOE) to talk about FOE’s current environmental focus including the latest fires in Victoria, both from FOE’s perspective and his own personal experience, having been on the ground as a CFA volunteer firefighter in the recent Harcourt-Ravenswood fires that destroyed 48 houses earlier this month. Cam brings a fresh perspective on how to prepare for future fires in these unpredictable times of climate change, including the urgent need for Australia to purchase our own fleet of Large Air Tankers (LATS) currently leased from North America. Climate change is creating longer and longer fire seasons around the world so not having our own fleet is rapidly becoming a risky option.He talks about how to better support out local communities, (that’s all species! Fire affected wildlife are barely getting a mention on the news in these days….), and we will provide important information about where to get all levels of practical help including where we can source what’s actually needed to ensure relevant and appropriate support is available for those devastated by the fires.Cam reflects on where we are at with land management and Cultural Parks, and the new era of land management.With Victoria’s State election looming this year, Cam highlights the environmental issues faced by the State, such as the state of our forests and the imminent Snow Gum Summit whose focus will be on how to save the dying Snow Gums from the native wood-boring beetle whose larvae eats the sapwood, this combined with the effects of climate change, increased drought and fires means these severely stressed trees are struggling to survive.Join us for this interesting and informative conversation when Cam will bring important information to increase our knowledge and awareness of our planet’s environmental needs, so we can actively and most usefully participate in caring for the Earth, both locally and globally.Cam Walker is Friends of the Earth Australia’s campaigns coordinator. Cam has been active on environment and climate justice issues for more than 25 years. He has lectured in environmental politics and change theory at RMIT University and is currently working on nuclear-free energy with Victorian communities to protect farmland from unconventional gas and fracking, as well as new coal developments; koala protection and other regional environmental issues in Central Victoria. You can follow Cam’s Twitter feed at @Cam_Walker.Friends of the Earth fire recovery information is excellent - they have collated resources from the ground, and ideas on grassroots initiatives, to help us all support those affected by the fires. https://www.melbournefoe.org.au/support_vic_fires_jan2026 or, email: Vicky Ellmore <Vicky.rae@melbournefoe.org.au> who is Melbourne FOE's Community Organiser, Act on Climate Collective.The Biodiversity Recovery Alliance. Website: h[ps://www.biodiversityrecoveryalliance.com/ This is the coordinating group for on ground fire recovery from a biodiversity perspective. An alliance of local environmental groups working together to restore the Granite to Goulburn landscape following the Victorian Longwood bushfires this month, 2026. Subscribe to Granite News if you live in the Caveat, Highlands, Hughes Creek, Ruffy, Tarcome, Terip Terip, and Whiteheads Creek area, Their fire support information is excellent advising what help is available and how to get it. Email: pdphroberts@gmail.com Australia needs a publicly owned fire fighting air fleet https://www.foe.org.au/lat_2026#:~:text=For%20instance%2C%20the%20Australian%20government,see%20in%20a%20warming%20world. Sign the petition and write to national Emergency Services minister, Kristy McBain, to urge the federal government to get on with purchasing a publicly owned fleets of LATs. Kristy.McBain.MP@aph.gov.au
 

What does a Green Philosophy of Life offer in 2026? S26Ep2

2026 has started with heartbreaking fires in central Victoria, floods on the South West Coast and political tremors around the world. Many of us are directly affected by the impact of the local fires and any sort of recovery will take a long time. Local communities have rallied with dedicated emergency support and compassion. The best of human behaviours is there in the midst of uncertain and difficult times.As people who care about the planet and about our neighbours, what are the conversations we need to have about how our society responds to severe weather events, disasters, conflict and threats to community wellbeing?Our guest this week, Dr Samantha Ratnam has a 20 year career covering youth work, social research, political activism and social and climate activism. She also has lived through refugee experience as a young child. She was Mayor of Merri-bek Council, served as a Member of the Victorian Parliament (including as State Leader) for seven years and stood as the Greens candidate for the federal seat of Wills.She joins us to chat - not about party politics - but to reflect on her political outlook and philosophy of life. What has she learned about "how community works"? What are the basics of a "green philosophy"? The pillars of the global Greens Movement include ecological integrity, social and economic justice, grassroots democracy and participatory decision-making and peace and non-violence. Do these have relevance in 2026 beyond political point scoring and increasing tensions, anxiety and global warming/heating?
Here are some links relevant to the show:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samantha_Ratnamhttps://www.theage.com.au/national/i-ll-never-forget-that-moment-samantha-ratnam-on-politics-palestine-and-the-path-ahead-20250605-p5m59c.html https://samantharatnam.com/my-story/And finally, here is the link to the Yo-Yo Ma podcast she mentioned https://open.spotify.com/show/6KjZWAn5bZwBDWXj9a0Bdh?si=f9b354621a004ba3

Responding to recent fires and why bees are important S26Ep1

Following the Victorian fires, on EarthChat we discussed the importance of a respectful  immediate response to people who are seriously affected.  We also acknowledged the fantastic efforts of our first responders who did such a wonderful job.
On a related topic, we discussed the central role of bees and other pollinators in the health of our environment and how they are affected by climate change and heat. We are dependent on them for a large percentage of our food supply. the selection of bee-friendly plants for our gardens and how to choose plants that flower at different times of the year.  We looked at the wide variety of other pollinators including our native bees. We discussed the dangers posed by the presence of varroa mites to honey bees, how to detect them and treat hives that are infected.Want to support bushfire response efforts?Supporting Rotary Clubs to support their communities: https://forms.office.com/r/98d5dPqW9tSupporting NFP organisations to help injured animals:https://forms.office.com/r/1fQy9sMkSq

Best of EarthChat - Violet Coco S25 Ep49

From our "best of EarthChat series"
You may not know the name Violet Coco, but you would have seen her on the news, arrested for protesting in different places, all to highlight the precarious state of our planet. Violet is a passionate environment and social justice activist. She has been arrested 49 times in 6 years as a non-violent, direct action, change maker. She was the first person sentenced under controversial new anti-protest laws in NSW, receiving a sentence of 18 months in prison for blocking the Sydney Harbour Bridge in a campaign which was supporting firefighters. Her sentence was dropped on appeal. Violet describes herself as a conscientious objector to the murder of our planet. Violet is an eloquent and gracious conversationalist and someone who has great wisdom to share.  
Information on Violet:- Patreon, Wilipedia and The Guardian
Some links of interest mentioned in the show:- Song: People's Uprising by James Brook ft Violet Coco (on Bandcamp)
- Some books and other resources: 
Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet and Peace is Every Step, Thich Nhat Hanh
We can’t get There from Here: Carbon, Climate and the Call to Wonder, with Báyò Akómoláfé and Paul Hawken 
Any book by Joanna Macy

TREATY IS HERE IN VICTORIA - LET THE HEALING BEGIN! S25 Ep48

In the State of Victoria, Australia’s first Treaty has been negotiated, legislated, and signed by the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria, the Victorian State Government and the Governor of Victoria.Treaty aims to build a new, just relationship, acknowledging history, respecting culture, and creating pathways for prosperity and self-governance, moving beyond past injustices towards a more equitable Victoria for everyone. This is a chance to close the gaps and heal the divisions so we can move forward and mature as a nation.In 2022, The Yoorrook Justice Commission began a process of healing and created a public record of our true history which will now be part of the school curriculum so at last children in Victoria will grow up understanding the truth about white settlement in this State, (and in the whole of Australia), and its impact on the nation’s First People who had lived and cared for the land successfully for over 65,000 years.In the words of Professor Eleanor Bourke, Wergaia/Wamba Wamba Elder and Chair of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, “When we understand the past and how this connects to the present, we have the power to create real and lasting change”. Ngarra Murray - Co Chair FPAV: ”Treaties are a bridge, not just between us and the state, but between black and white, the past and the future.”A year ago, when Treaty negotiations were about to commence between The First Peoples Assembly of Victoria and the Victorian State Government, non indigenous Australians, Ruth, Emma, and Phil discussed the aims and the anticipated benefits of Treaty for all Victorians. Although Treaty is now legislated in Victoria, this conversation continues its investigation into what Treaty means from a non aboriginal perspective. Is it a positive step, and if so why? And how will a statewide Treaty in Victoria benefit all who live in this State?For those still undecided, cautious, or even fearful about Treaty, we aim to reveal ways Treaty has been useful and necessary, based on the history of other colonized countries who have gone down the Treaty path whilst acknowledging any pitfalls we need to learn from. Being the last commonwealth country to have a treaty we can learn from those colonized countries who have embarked down the Treaty Path before us.We also wish to gain a clearer understanding as to why some people are opposed to Treaty, to identify what’s contributing to their views along with the deep divisions in our society that were exposed by the recent Australian Voice to Parliament Referendum.We’ll investigate examples of where self determination has successfully occurred in Australia through indigenous initiatives in business and other types of autonomous indigenous owned and run organizations.We do not represent The First Peoples Assembly of Victoria, nor indigenous people generally in Victoria. Simply, we are three people who see themselves as ancestors of immigrants to this country who support Treaties with its First Peoples and their capacity for self determination, along with decolonization.  We appreciate that unknowns will inevitably emerge as the process of implementing Treaties unfolds. Like all newly trodden paths, we need to allow space, patience, and flexibility with each carefully considered step along this new terrain to collectively evolve the best possible outcomes for all concerned.You can find Victoria's Treaty-related legislation, like the Statewide Treaty Act 2025, directly on the Victorian Legislation website: legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/statewide-treaty-act-2025. For broader information and updates on the Treaty process, visit the official Treaty Victoria site at treatyvictoria.vic.gov.auor the First Peoples Relations page at firstpeoplesrelations.vic.gov.au/treaty.

Peter Lockyer is leaving EarthChat S25 Ep47

It's 10 years since the first program, and with EarthChat is in good health, Peter Lockyer is pulling up stumps. So this week, Peter shares how EarthChat started, its objectives, and some highs and lows.EarthChat is a child of BEAM Mitchell Environment Group, and Peter Lockyer has also retired from the BEAM committee too, after about 15 exemplary years. He stays a life member of the BEAM organisation and will be active in different ways now.So what is this local activist going to do with all of his spare time?  Well, there's attraction in the Kimberley and building work with a First Nations community, and a serious renovation of a Seymour house that is the focus before the Kimberley campaign.And songwriting, maybe even reading.As a special treat, Peter will sing one of his songs. It's a ripper!