ecoFuturists

The Australian landscape is a cacophony of sights and sounds. Whether it be kookaburras greeting you in the morning with a loud chuckle, or the scent of flowering gum trees on the breeze, our country is a truly immersive and unique experience for all. But as Buffel grass continues to spread across the nation, we could be at risk of living in a silent monoculture that impacts our economy, livelihood and damages Indigenous culture and connection to Country. A hardy and fast-growing tussock, Buffel grass was first introduced to Australia in the 1960’s and 70’s as pasture for stock and as a way of controlling dust from overgrazing. Since then, this highly flammable grass has spread over much of the Australian landscape, smothering desert ecosystems and creating hazardous conditions for people, wildlife and native vegetation. Joining Andy in the studio for this timely episode of eco Futurists is James Johnston, Senior Advocate at the Invasive Species Council, and Taigen Ryan, Voice of Country Campaign Lead (Invasive Species Council). Together, they unpack what a weed is, where Buffel grass came from and will share their tips on what we can all do to help protect our incredible landscape into the future.Think you can identify a weed? Show your skills with the poll below!Got an episode idea or topic you want to know more about? Send us an email at [email protected]

Should nature itself have rights? What would this look like in South Australia? In this episode of eco Futurists, host Andy Lowe is joined by special guests Alex Wawryk and Veronica Soebarto – authors of the North Adelaide Golf Course Redevelopment Law and Policy Brief.  To kickstart the conversation, Alex and Veronica explore the history and future of the Rights of Nature – a legal and philosophical framework that treats ecosystems, species and natural entities as rights-bearing legal entities, rather than as property owned by humans.  They then delve into the roots of the recent controversy in the North Adelaide Parklands, where a $45 million redevelopment of the North Adelaide Golf Course and the construction of a new MotoGP track have sparked both protests and legal challenge.  Together, they offer their opinion on the overarching question: When does cutting down trees infringe the Rights of Nature?  Download the North Adelaide Golf Course redevelopment Policy Briefing here: https://adelaide.edu.au/research/environment-institute/policy-and-translation/Join the conversation! Leave us a comment or question and subscribe to our podcast to ensure you don’t miss a thing. Have an idea or want to get in touch? Contact us at [email protected]

Gardens come in many different shapes and sizes. From formal gardens that favor symmetry and straight lines, to edible herb gardens that provide fresh produce for the dining table, gardening is a vast and varied pastime for many around the world. Yet, despite their differences, many gardens grow amongst an undertone of cleanliness and control. Jon Davies and Steve Williams are two self-described ‘punk urban gardeners’ whose approach to our natural world challenges the confines of both traditional and modern gardening. Together, they run Wild City Studio, a platform for creating places, sharing ideas and building connections that strengthen the connection between people and the urban environment.In this episode, Jon and Steve join Professor Andy Lowe in the ecoFuturists studio for a virtual conversation from their home in North London. Together, they dig deep into what it means to be a punk urban gardener, unpack Jon and Steve’s new book “Wild City” and explore how true appreciation of our environment sometimes requires working with nature, rather than against it. Want to read the full book by Wild City Studio? Visit their website: https://wildcitystudio.comJoin the discussion! Like, comment and subscribe to our podcast and unlock your inner ‘ecoFuturist’. Have a question or would like more information? Connect with us at [email protected]

In March of 2025, dead marine creatures began to wash up on the shores of South Australia, sparking concern amongst communities, governments and scientists alike. The cause? A harmful algal bloom. In the months that followed, the bloom spread across much of South Australia’s coast, decimating shellfish reefs, impacting iconic populations like the Giant Australian Cuttlefish, and leaving lasting effects on community mental wellbeing. But despite the undeniable devastation that it wreaked on our marine environment, the bloom has largely disappeared from everyday discussion, leaving an important question unanswered: What happens next? In this episode of ecoFuturists, Professor Andy Lowe is joined by eminent marine scientists Zoe Doubleday and Dominic McAfee as they dive beneath the surface of the HAB to uncover what happened and how we can help our marine ecosystems recover. Citizen science has been an important piece in this environmental puzzle. Using programs like iNaturalist, communities can record potentially HAB-related incidents and contribute to the recovery of our shorelines. Visit iNaturalist.com.au to learn more: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/sa-marine-mortality-events-2025-2026Get the latest updates on the Harmful Algal Bloom at: https://www.algalbloom.sa.gov.auJoin the discussion! Leave us a comment or question and subscribe to our podcast to ensure you don’t miss a thing.

H5N1 bird flu is now on mainland Australia. With a deadly track record around the globe, we know the dangers that this virus poses to our wildlife and precious ecosystems. But what can we do about it? In the first ecoFuturists episode of 2026, host Professor Andy Lowe chats with wildlife veterinarian Wayne Boardman and Chair of Green Adelaide and science communicator extraordinaire Chris Daniels to explore what bird flu is, what we can expect to see in the future, and how communities can help to protect our iconic wildlife during this panzootic. With H5 bird flu cases increasing in Australia, it is important to follow current advice to help communities and wildlife stay safe.Visit https://www.agriculture.gov.au/campaigns/birdflu for the latest advice and updates;Avoid contact with sick wildlife, Record the location, type and number of animals, and Report any potential signs of bird flu to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888ecoFuturists is produced by the Environment Institute at Adelaide University

If you’ve ever wondered how you can make an impact in the rapidly worsening biodiversity crisis, then this episode is a must-watch.In this episode of eco Futurists, host Prof Andy Lowe is joined by John Scanlon, a global conservation leader who’s dedicated his career to protecting wildlife and ecosystems. From combating the illegal ivory trade to influencing international conservation policies, John’s work shows that one person truly can make a difference. But to turn the tide, we need more people like him. In many ways this is a ‘how to’ episode on a life devoted to biodiversity conservation.* video cast available on Spotify https://tinyurl.com/45ft9epy YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@EcoFuturistsEco Futurists is supported by the Environment Institute at Adelaide University. Learn MoreJohn Scanlon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_E._ScanlonElephant Protection Initiative https://www.elephantprotectioninitiative.org/ADM Capital Foundation https://www.admcf.org/Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora https://cites.org/engInternational Council of Environmental Law https://icelinternational.org/International Unions for conservation of Nature (IUCN) https://iucn.org/You can contact Eco Futurists podcast ⁠[email protected]⁠Enjoying the show? Rate, review, and share it with your friends to help listeners like yourself explore their inner Eco Futurist.

The ABC TV series Eat The Invaders has sparked curiosity—and controversy—by asking a bold question: Can we eat our way out of Australia’s invasive species crisis?Who better to answer this question than some of the creators of this wild and thought-provoking show, Matthew Bate and Poppy Fitzpatrick? In this episode, host Prof Andy Lowe celebrates their bold vision, of turning a complex environmental issue into a conversation-starter (or perhaps tasty appetiser) for everyone. From cane toads to cats, they took a fun, fresh approach to a topic that’s often met with frustration and fatigue. But here’s the catch though: while eating invasive species might make for great TV, science tells us it’s not going to be the miracle cure. So what is? Andy unpacks the hard reality of tackling this environmental crisis—where suppression strategies like targeted viruses and ecosystem restoration come into play.One thing’s for sure: this series has people talking again, and we’re here to keep the conversation going. So, what do you think—would you put cane toad on your plate?Andy and his colleague, Professor Phill Cassey, served as scientific advisors for the show, ensuring that the balance between entertainment and ecological accuracy was spot-on.* video cast available on Spotify https://tinyurl.com/45ft9epy and YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@EcoFuturistsEco Futurists is supported by the Environment Institute at Adelaide University. Learn More:Book: Eat the Problem by Kirsha Kaechele of Monahttps://shop.mona.net.au/products/eat-the-problem?srsltid=AfmBOoqRQnzTe6kOsR_LR7_nxOYzB0jt67rVuEPVJy7s-aV4gVJnhOPfEat The Invaders on ABC iviewhttps://iview.abc.net.au/show/eat-the-invadersCloser Productionshttps://closerproductions.com.au/episodic/eat-the-invadersAdelaide University press release, Eat The Invaders https://www.adelaide.edu.au/newsroom/news/list/2025/01/03/university-academics-help-abc-host-eat-the-invadersProfessor Phill Casseyhttps://researchers.adelaide.edu.au/profile/phill.casseyYou can contact Eco Futurists podcast at [email protected]⁠Enjoying the show? Rate, review, and share it with your friends to help listeners like yourself explore their inner Eco Futurist.

We live in a time when algorithms track our every click through the media scape and keep feeding us similar information. So how do we know when we’re being duped? How do we ensure that the scientific ‘fact’ we’re consuming is, in fact, truthful, and how do we get science fact out there?In this episode host Prof Andy Lowe and guest science communicator and ex-The Conversation editor Sarah Keenihan get real about cutting through the noise and identifying trustworthy science in a post truth world.Eco Futurists is supported by the Environment Institute at Adelaide University. Learn More:Sarah Keenihan https://www.sarahkeenihan.com Australian Science Media Centre https://www.smc.org.auThe Conversation https://theconversation.com/auYou can contact Eco Futurists podcast at [email protected] the show? Rate, review, and share it with your friends to help listeners like yourself explore their inner Eco Futurist.

When the continent of Australia was settled by Europeans they came with their cats, foxes, rabbits and any number of foreign animals. It didn’t take long for these ‘invaders’ to destabilise delicate ecosystems and lead to a wave of the extinction amongst native animals. In this episode host Prof Andy Lowe is joined by Katherine Tuft https://tinyurl.com/mrxf6sy3 and Nathan Manders https://tinyurl.com/33hwtjv8 of Arid Recovery https://aridrecovery.org.au, an independent not-for-profit advancing conservation science for Australian threatened species in Roxby Downs South Australia. Together, they explore the challenges and wins of the 25 years of Arid Recovery’s existence, and explore ideas for the future of conservation in the world’s arid lands. Learn More:Arid Recovery https://aridrecovery.org.au Arid Recovery Sunset Tour https://www.roxbydowns.sa.gov.au/lifestyleandsport/visitor-information/attractions/arsunsettour Arid Recovery Education and School Visits https://aridrecovery.org.au/visit/education-and-group-visits  You can contact Eco Futurists podcast at [email protected] the show? Rate, review, and share it with your friends to help listeners like yourself explore their inner Eco Futurist.

Whether they be nature parks in cities or urban areas in nature, what’s the process for navigating how cities and nature come together? How do people use and move through these spaces? Host Prof Andy Lowe is joined by Matthew Skjonsberg, Director of the Praxis Institute in Switzerland, and author of Living Cities: Three Centuries of Years of Park Systems https://www.park-books.com/en/product/living-cities/1477?preorder=1  to explore the rich cultural history of park systems, as well as the challenges facing people in their stewardship of both cities and parks moving forward. Eco Futurists is supported by the Environment Institute at Adelaide University. Learn More: Book - Living Cities: Three Centuries of Years of Park Systems https://www.park-books.com/en/product/living-cities/1477?preorder=1Governor’s Island Projecthttps://www.west8.com/projects/governors-island/ Madrid/Rio Riverfront Projecthttps://www.west8.com/projects/madrid-rio/ Exhibition - Water Designs: l’eau dessine la villehttps://www.epfl.ch/campus/art-culture/museum-exhibitions/archizoom/water-designs-leau-dessine-la-ville/  You can contact Eco Futurists podcast at [email protected] Enjoying the show? Rate, review, and share it with your friends to help listeners like yourself explore their inner Eco Futurist.