The Rise of Eco Anxiety, S26 Ep6

The Rise of Eco Anxiety, S26 Ep6

Author: BEAM Mitchell Environment Group Inc February 19, 2026 Duration: 39:53
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

Every Tuesday, the team at the BEAM Mitchell Environment Group Inc sits down for EarthChat, a weekly conversation that digs into the environmental questions that matter locally and resonate globally. Hosted by Vanessa, Peter, Ruth, and Tim, this isn't just a rundown of headlines; it's a thoughtful exploration where science, policy, business, and community action intersect. You'll hear genuine discussions that consider the practical realities and the hopeful solutions for the planet's most pressing issues. Originally broadcast on Seymour FM, each episode of this podcast captures the spirit of those live, midday conversations-whether you catch the Tuesday broadcast or the Saturday repeat. The dialogue is grounded, informed by the group's non-profit perspective, and always aimed at making sense of complex topics. Tuning into EarthChat means joining a community of listeners who are curious, concerned, and ready to engage. It’s a space where environmental news moves beyond commentary and into the realm of tangible, shared understanding. So find the episode that piques your interest, and get ready for a chat that informs and inspires action.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

EarthChat
Podcast Episodes
Top Environment issues, S26 Ep34 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:03
This week Marie Gerrard chats with Ian Dempsy about the most important issues facing us due to environmental damage. They discuss the damage being done but also possible actions to mitigate them. All on this week's Earth…
Environment Minister Jaclyn Symes joins EarthChat this week [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:06
Jaclyn Symes is the State Labor Member for Northern Victoria and the Minister for Environment, Energy and Resources, Climate Action and the SEC. She is also this week's guest on EarthChat, part of our series of talking t…
How fair is modern society? S26Ep32 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:53
Does everyone have the same access to financial, legal and health benefits in today's society? Who will benefit from the massive role out of data centres? Does capitalism only work when socialism bails it out every ten y…
Friends of the Earth Melbourne, S26Ep31 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:26
FOE's Cam Walker joins Ruth to outline significant environmental issues for this next Victorian State Election. Cam will take us through the issues and then offer ways we can help to be part of the solution.Aside from th…
How Indigenous Cultures Remember Everything, S26 Ep30 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:05
This week on EarthChat, Tim Budge talks with Dr Lynne Kelly AM, a science writer and Adjunct Research Fellow at LaTrobe University. After a secondary school career, Lynne returned to university to complete a doctorate, a…
Caring for Communities, Gardens and Country, S26 Ep29 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:07
This week, new EarthChat host Meredith Budge welcomes Clare Claydon as her first guest. A long-time, Central Victoria resident, Clare has spent her life working in community development across education, refugee and migr…
The Forest Underground – hope for a planet in crisis, S26 Ep28 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:41
What if the impact of your efforts to save the planet and plant trees could be seen from space? How exciting would that be?Tony Rinaudo is someone who spent 18 years in West Africa seeking to support farmers to regenerat…
What will be the real cost of data centres? S26 Ep27 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:37
This week, EarthChat hosts Mark and Jacqui are talking about the environment impact of data centres. It is generally accepted that they will use significant amounts of energy and water. There will be costs and impacts.AI…
An ode to trees: losing trees means losing our lifeline, S26 Ep26 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:46
Ruth is joined by Dr Greg Moore OAM, a Senior Research Associate from the University of Melbourne, and EarthChat regular, Cath Olive from the Euroa Arboretum. They join her to talk about the latest data collected from th…
Serrated Tussock - a very nasty weed, S26 Ep25 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:34
This week on EarthChat Marie chats with Ivan Carter on the detection and control of Serrated Tussock, the working party tasked with its detection and control and the impacts of it.How do we dispose of Serrated Tussock, w…