A warming and drying climate is connected to the increased frequency, severity and duration of extreme wildfire weather conditions in Australia.

And in the months leading up to Summer, Australian’s are reminded of bushfire season and advised by government and community organisations to prepare.

Generally, the recommendations are for people who live in bushfire prone areas to prepare their homes and ensuring they have an evacuation plan. But I wanted to find out how our natural spaces are being prepared through appropriate land management.

So, I reached out to the team at Firesticks, a national Indigenous network that works with communities and organisations to help restore the cultural wellbeing and identity of their country.

I had the pleasure of speaking to Thungutti, Bundjalung and Mualgal man and Lead Fire Practitioner Leeton Lee. Leeton works across Southeast Queensland and brings a wealth of traditional knowledge to this episode on the climate and community benefits of cultural land management.

We had a great conversation discussing Country of Fire, where timed burns are used to improve the health of the land plus how local land management plays a critical role to reduce the risk of bushfires, improve natural areas for endangered animals and when it comes to reforestation, why plant selection is so important.

It was also a personal reminder of the incredible value in Indigenous voices whose traditional knowledge can help us rethink current climate policies and adapt to what is truly suitable for our survival.

I hope you enjoy the episode.

You can learn more about Firesticks through their website, donate or follow them on their socials below:

Facebook

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This audio was edited by Peter Magill.

The funeral industry is one that has remained largely unchanged with many people seeking sustainable alternatives to traditional burials or cremation.

Current end of life practices can have a significant effect on the environment from energy use to greenhouse gases and soil pollution.

So, one of the alternatives will be introduced by my guest today who is Katrina Spade, founder and CEO of the world’s first human composting company, Recompose.

Founded in 2017, Recompose describes the process of human composting as natural organic reduction. Human composting has a host of environmental benefits which supports a return to nature and a reduction in carbon and energy.

At the time of recording, Maine became the 12th state in the U.S. to legalise human composting however it is not yet available in Australia.

But at the heart of today's conversation it's about more than a green solution, we’re exploring the opportunity for more choice with Recompose respectfully challenging the funeral industry and current practices.

I hope you enjoy the episode.

You can learn more about Recompose on their website or follow them on Instagram for updates.

This audio was edited by Peter Magill.

While oil and energy garner the bulk of attention for the climate crisis, there is another major culprit - the fashion industry that is responsible for 8 to 10 per cent of global carbon emissions.

Impacts include water and plastic pollution and fashion is also a major human rights issue through fast fashion’s unethical production.

There is a lot of work to do for the industry to align with the Paris Agreements 1.5-degree pathway and in Australia, we are large fashion consumers. With a population of approximately 26 million, on average, Australian’s buy 56 brand new items of clothing a year.

So here to help me explore how we can all improve our fashion footprint is communication and brand specialist Tiffanie Darke.

With over 30 year’s experience in editorial sensibility and commercial strategy, Tiffanie is the co-founder of Ibiza’s luxury sustainability fashion boutique, AGORA and the creator of Rule of Five – a global movement where participants only buy five fashion items a year.

Tiffanie and I discuss what makes a garment truly sustainable from fabric and production to sale. She also offers advice on how to shop sustainably and even alter current items in our wardrobes to give our clothes longevity. We also discuss the sustainability concerns around new plant-based materials and the responsibility of designers to create fashion items with circularity.

Tiffanie’s transformation from luxury fashion consumer to one of sustainable fashion advocate is inspiring and achievable without costing the earth.

I hope you enjoy the episode.

You can follow Tiffanie via her Instagram and read her newsletters at:

Its Not Sustainable

Rule of Five

This audio was edited by Peter Magill.