Eco Futures - Welcome to the New Generation of Planet Restoration: Join the Evolution

by Michelle Michels

A podcast/radio program from Australia about the environment, conservation, climate change and living sustainability in an earth of ever diminishing resources and more waste. The program is based in Byron Bay though the issues we cover affect all people and planet Earth. Your host Michelle Michels has updates, interviews and stories about climate change, conservation, indigenous perspectives on land management, ecology, energy  ...   ...  Read more

Podcast episodes

  • Season 1

  • Modern Slavery: Emelda Davies speaks about 'Black birding' in Australia with Jodee Sydney. Lauren Ornelas also tells Jodee about the issues in farming where slaves are used children.

    Modern Slavery: Emelda Davies speaks about 'Black birding' in Australia with Jodee Sydney. Lauren Ornelas also tells Jodee about the issues in farming where slaves are used children.

    Ms. (Waskam) Emelda Davis is a second-generation Australian South Sea Islander who has worked for federal, state, community and grassroots organizations in Australia where she has exhibited diverse expertise in community development, education, training, media and marketing. Emelda speaks to Jodee Sydney about the history of slavery and the issue in Australia and the North Coast of NSW. Islander people who were brought to Australia to pick sugar cane and work on farms. The practice was common and many descendants live in Australia today. Some mixed with the Aboriginal communities. The contribution of these enslaved people is not widely recognised in Australia. Jodee also speaks to Lauren Ornelas about the modern slaves and children used in the food industry supply chains in farming We envision a food system free from the exploitation of humans and the environment and with equitable access to healthy, sustaining food for all communities; where non-human animals are not seen as food but as individuals with lives, personalities, friendships, and family and are free from harm and exploitation; and where workers, communities, and the environment are always protected and treated with dignity, respect, and appreciation.

  • Modern Slavery: Nick Grono CEO of international organisation 'The Freedom Fund' speaks with Michelle Michels about the approaches and strategies undertaken by the agency to ameliorate Modern Slavery

    Modern Slavery: Nick Grono CEO of international organisation 'The Freedom Fund' speaks with Michelle Michels about the approaches and strategies undertaken by the agency to ameliorate Modern Slavery

    Nick Grono is an Australian (ex-pat) human rights campaigner who heads the Freedom Fund in London – the world's first private donor fund dedicated to ending slavery. hels about the work 'The Freedom Fund' is doing throughout modern slavery affected countries to assist in reducing the incidence of human trafficking into modern slavery. Nick is also the co-chair of the Jo Cox Foundation, and a board member of Girls Not Brides, the Global Partnership to End Child Marriage. Nick was the inaugural CEO of the Walk Free Foundation, a leading international actor in the fight against modern slavery. Prior to this, Nick was the Deputy President and COO of the International Crisis Group (ICG), the world’s leading conflict prevention NGO. Nick has testified on conflict and human rights issues before the European, UK, Dutch, and Australian Parliaments.

  • Modern Slavery: Lauren Power from Food Empowerment; Dr. Natalia Szablewska Legal expert on Modern Slavery and Serrata Martin from the tea industry speak to Jodee Sydney about issues in the industries where modern slavery flourishes.

    Modern Slavery: Lauren Power from Food Empowerment; Dr. Natalia Szablewska Legal expert on Modern Slavery and Serrata Martin from the tea industry speak to Jodee Sydney about issues in the industries where modern slavery flourishes.

    Lauren Ornelas- is the founder and the executive director of the Food Empowerment Project, a nonprofit food justice organization that spotlights the abuse of animals on farms, unfair working conditions for produce workers, and the unavailability of healthy foods in communities of color and low-income areas.Lauren has spent her entire life on the front lines fighting for human and animal rights. She went vegan and became an activist in the 80s, later she founded and ran the animal right’s organization Dr Natalia Szablewska - is a law expert at Auckland University of Technology. She is a Modern Slavery Law expert and Humanitarian advocate. Dr Szablewska said sometimes people may not even know they are a victim of Modern Slavery or what's happening to them is illegal. She says traffickers tend to have a good way of building bonds with their victims, and making them appear like a perceived protector. Serrata Martin- The tea industry particularly in India has a long history of indentured slavery . The Organic India' Ayurvedic Tea Company is trying to change these practices. Jodee speaks to Serrata Martin about the tea industry and how we consume and purchase tea products.

  • Modern Slavery: Om Prakash Gurjar speaks about the culture of slavery and India to Jodee Sydney and Renée Chopping from 'Destiny Rescue' and the amazing work rescuing young people from sex slavery.

    Modern Slavery: Om Prakash Gurjar speaks about the culture of slavery and India to Jodee Sydney and Renée Chopping from 'Destiny Rescue' and the amazing work rescuing young people from sex slavery.

    Jodee Sydney speaks to Om Prakash Gurjar and Renée Chopping from 'Destiny Rescue'. Prakash is an Indian children's rights activist and recipient of the 2006 International Children's Peace Prize. He was born in Rajasthan, India and was a victim of illegal child labor. He is known for his fight to keep public schools in India free and advocating for birth certificate registration for children to protect their rights. In addition, he and two friends founded the organization, Paatshala, which facilitates evening classes in reading, writing, and math for children. Prakash speaks about his experiences and movement to end child slave labor in India. Jodee also speaks to Renee Chopping about the challenging and valuable work Destiny Rescue is an doing going into Asia to rescue children and young people from sexual slavery. https://www.destinyrescue.org.au/our-work/about-us/

  • Modern Slavery: Gordon Renouf from 'Good on You' & James Bartlett from Outland Denim speak with Jodee Sydney 28 min listen

    Modern Slavery: Gordon Renouf from 'Good on You' & James Bartlett from Outland Denim speak with Jodee Sydney 28 min listen

    Jodee speaks to Gordon Renouf from 'Good on You' about how consumers can make better choices. 10 % of the worlds carbon footprint comes from the apparel industry. Where are garments and fabrics made ? https://www.australiancircularfashion.com.au/gordon-renouf/ Are workers being paid fairly for the labor that they are contributing. Are they treated well ? Do they have any labor rights ? Are they enslaved. Are companies aware of the transparency of their supply chains. Companies have the choice to have modern slavery free goods and products. Jodee also speaks to James Bartlett from Outland Denim about these issues an their approach to 'fair fashion'. https://www.mindfood.com/article/outland-denim/