Aug 29, 2026 | Biodiversity, Forests, Legal action, State election
Protecting Victoria’s Forests with A/Prof Philip Zylstra and Natalie Hogan, EJA Fire scientist and forest ecologist A/Prof Philip Zylstra shares stories of cultural burning for food, and shows us results from years of scientific data that show that...
Jun 14, 2026 | Biodiversity, Bushfire, Forests, Logging
Planned burning Increases flammability The most common form of so-called “fuel reduction” in Victorian forests is planned burning. Location: Sardine Creek, Bunyip State Park, East Gippsland It is highly questionable because after a few years, flammability often...
Feb 8, 2026 | Biodiversity, Environmental protection, Forests, Lighter Footprints Events
Forests are a vital part of Earth’s well being If you’re reading this blog, you’re probably already a forest lover – and for good reasons! Forests are beautiful and awe-inspiring landscapes, which lower our blood pressure and promote feelings of peace and...
Feb 5, 2026 | Biodiversity, Boroondara Council, Tree Canopy, Urban forests
For too long, Boroondara’s magnificent street trees have undergone unnecessary lopping, which has created grotesque shapes and reduced tree canopy. Image courtesy City of Boroondara Open Space & Trees | Places & Spaces Now that the importance of tree canopy is...
Oct 25, 2025 | Biodiversity, Climate Policy, Court action, Environmental protection, Forests
Trees are essential for our health, for biodiversity, and for protecting our climate. Forests Working Group The Forests Working Group highlights and supports forest conservation efforts, research, as well as informing the public what is really going on with forests –...
Aug 11, 2025 | Biodiversity, Boroondara Council, Climate Policy, Environmental protection, Forests, Tree Canopy, Urban forests
We depend on trees! We all learnt so much more about the amazing benefits of our neighbourhood trees to our health and community, and what we can do to improve biodiversity. Watch Dr Greg Moore and Dr Judy Bush on our video highlights here and Chris Spencer and Amy...
May 14, 2025 | Biodiversity, Boroondara Council, Calendar of events, Carbon, Clean Energy, Climate change, Climate Policy, Energy, Energy Efficiency, Federal election, Forests, Gas, Nuclear, Volunteering
Labor was returned with a very large majority, and Greens hold the balance of power in the Senate. We have read through some expert responses and given you a comprehensive look looking at opportunities for climate action and potential challenges in what could be a...
Jul 10, 2023 | Biodiversity, Climate change, Environmental law, Federal election, Kooyong, Monique Ryan, Politics
Dr Monique Ryan MP was elected to Parliament on 21 May 2022. She rode a teal wave of optimism for action on climate change, integrity in government and gender equality. A full house at the Balwyn Park Centre came to hear Dr Ryan’s reflections on her first year...
Apr 14, 2023 | Biodiversity, Carbon, Climate Policy, Communicating climate change, IPCC
IPCC Webinars Lighter Footprints is pleased to share two recordings of recent webinars on the latest IPCC Synthesis Report and Summary for Policymakers released 20 March 2023. This is perhaps the most important synthesis report in the IPCC cycle because the next one...
Mar 24, 2023 | Biodiversity, Carbon, Land gap, Land use, Safeguard Mechanism
What’s wrong with land-based offsets? The important Land Gap Report gives a definitive, quantitative ‘no’ to reliance on land-based offsets given that offsets: take up too much land – Cumulative land-based solutions would add up to 1,200 million hectares...
Mar 6, 2023 | Biodiversity, Carbon, Carbon credits, Carbon markets, Carbon offsets, Indigenous, Land gap
Image source and acknowledgement: The Land Gap report The pressure on land in carbon dioxide removal In response to climate change, governments are increasingly relying on land for carbon dioxide removal. This is particularly true in Australia, notorious for its use...
Aug 26, 2022 | Biodiversity, Boroondara Council, Climate Policy, Planning
Canopy tree and climate change in Boroondara. Why should we be concerned? Benefits of Canopy Trees Whether in public spaces or on private land, trees enhance our sense of well-being, help reduce the urban heat island effect and support biodiversity. Canopy trees cool...
Jun 22, 2022 | Biodiversity, Climate change, Forests
The Bill has passed the Upper House. It was proposed by Mary-Anne Thomas, Minister for Health, (03) 8392 2261 on reception.thomas@minstaff.vic.gov.au or mary-anne.thomas@parliament.vic.gov.au, Electorate Office (03) 5428 2138. With proposed legislation that includes...
Aug 28, 2021 | Biodiversity, Bushfire, Carbon, Climate Damage, Forests, Indigenous
The Great Forest National Park, worth fighting for with Dr Chris Taylor and Sarah Rees You can also download Dr Chris Taylor’s slides here, Sarah Rees slides here, watch the event again on Youtube or Facebook Live, read more about our presenters here, and check...
Jan 7, 2021 | Biodiversity, Bushfire, Climate Damage
This blog relates the story of bushfires in Australia, revisits Australia’s disastrous 2019-2020 bushfires, and makes connections with the numerous reports and resources that have followed. The Royal Commissions Federal and NSW) The report of the Royal...
Nov 1, 2020 | Biodiversity, Carbon, Court action, Environmental law, Environmental protection, Forests, Legal action, Taking Action
Forests store amazing amounts of carbon The amount of carbon stored in the world’s forests is more than the carbon stored in fossil fuel reserves and more than the total carbon added to the atmosphere as a consequence of human activities in the last 150 years....
Oct 11, 2020 | Biodiversity, Climate Emergency, Habitable zone, Protecting The Natural World
A brilliant talk: If you only listen to one talk about climate change, this should be it. Johan Rockström is a distinguished and awarded global environmental scientist and a diligent debater of climate issues. He has been appointed “The most powerful environmental...
Sep 11, 2020 | Biodiversity, Carbon, Environmental law, Environmental protection, Forests, Lighter Footprints Events, Protecting The Natural World
Coming event 28 Oct 2020 RSVP here to find out more about protecting our forests BREAKING 1: VicForests has lodged an appeal VicForests has lodged an appeal and is seeking to overturn Justice Mortimer’s ruling in the recent landmark Federal Court case protecting 66...
Aug 27, 2020 | Biodiversity, Clean Energy, Climate Damage, Environmental protection, Gas, Submission, Taking Action
Example of an LNG tanker ship next to a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU). Both are approximately 300 metres long Lighter Footprints joined Environment Victoria, Save Westernport Bay and other organisations to protest against the proposed AGL Gas Import...
