The 2020 Black Summer bushfires devastated nearly three billion animals, but less known is the impact on freshwater ecosystems. Rainfall after the fires washed ash and debris into rivers, harming aquatic life by blocking sunlight and clogging gills. Thayanne Barros joined 2SER to shed light on these effects and how humans can support river recovery.

This episode of The Renewable Energy Update explores agrivoltaics, or the practice of installing solar panels on farmland. Matt Wright discusses how livestock, like sheep, can safely share space with solar panels and even benefit from the shade they provide. He also cites an ABC News report showing that merino sheep grazing under solar panels produced improved fleece. In this way renewable energy and agriculture can work together for mutual gain.

The “Animals Are Calling” podcast from World Animal Protection explores the intricate connections between animals, humans, and the environment. Across two seasons, it covers topics such as animal sentience, wildlife exploitation, factory farming, and habitat loss, offering expert discussions and real-world stories. The podcast aims to raise awareness, challenge systems that harm animals, and inspire listeners to take action for a more compassionate and sustainable world.

The world’s animals are dealing with climate change in many ways. Some migrate to cooler climates and some change their migration and breeding to cooler climates. Animals have been known to change their body size to cope with the warmer climate. Researchers have now examined new ways animals have been coping with, by changing their physical features. Researchers have found animals have been changing the size of their beaks, tails, ears and appendages. 2SER was joined by Dr Matthew Symonds, Associate Professor in Evolutionary Ecology from Deakin University to discuss this widespread pattern.

In this Resilient Pacific seminar, Professor Jacinta Ruru explores how Aotearoa New Zealand’s legal system can engage with Māori law and relational environmental ancestors. Honoring Indigenous resilience, she challenges the legal profession to imagine just futures where Māori voices, especially those of land and water, are seen, heard, and acted upon through Treaty settlements and transformative legal practice.

Michelle Maloney and former Western Australian MP Diane Evers discuss advancing Earth-centered law in Australia. Maloney, co-founder of the Australian Earth Laws Alliance, emphasizes integrating Indigenous knowledge and restructuring legal systems to prioritize ecological well-being. Evers highlights her legislative efforts, notably introducing the “Rights of Nature and Future Generations Bill” to the Western Australian Parliament, aiming to recognize nature’s legal rights. Together, they advocate for systemic change through legal reform, community engagement, and political action to embed ecological values into Australian governance.

Animal Matters is SAFE’s podcast about all things animal rights and the issues impacting animals in Aotearoa New Zealand. The hosts discuss the latest current affairs impacting animals, the decisions of policymakers and government, and the complexities that surround the exploitation of animals.

Australian lawyer Michelle Maloney discusses Earth-centered law through her work with the Australian Earth Laws Alliance. She critiques Australia’s colonial legal foundations, promotes Indigenous knowledge, and highlights local initiatives like Rights of Nature Tribunals and community economies. Maloney calls for systemic change in Australia’s legal and economic structures to align with ecological sustainability.