The Environment Institute

Empowering Young People Through Housing, Support, and Green Spaces 🌱🏡

In a heartfelt story of resilience and hope, Hailie Hansen and Xander Parker, both 19, have found stability and community in an affordable housing program in Adelaide, designed for young people at risk of homelessness. Thanks to Anglicare's program, they now live independently in a supportive environment, learning essential life skills and getting the help they need to manage everyday tasks.

Their journey highlights the power of community support for young people facing significant hardship. In addition to the housing and support they receive, residents are working together to create a community garden—a green space that offers more than just fresh herbs and vegetables. It fosters connection, sustainability, and mental wellbeing. The initiative has brought everyone together, with residents contributing to the garden and benefiting from the collective effort.

Ehsan Sharifi, of the Environment Institute, is researching the urban heat mitigation benefits of the project, which could help cool urban spaces by 2-10°C. The initiative is also being studied by Mark Kohler of the Environment Institute, who is exploring the impact of the green space on residents’ mood, problem-solving skills, and sense of purpose. Dr. Kohler emphasizes that nature can significantly enhance people's wellbeing, providing a sense of hope and wonder—essential elements for young people rebuilding their lives.

This project not only offers practical skills and community engagement but also contributes to mental health and environmental sustainability. It’s a powerful example of how small, thoughtful interventions can transform lives and foster long-term resilience.

Let’s continue to support programs that uplift and empower young people—giving them the tools to thrive. 🌍💚

🔗 https://shorturl.at/RyHNw

For a young couple at risk of homelessness, a community garden is helping hope bloom Residents at an affordable apartment complex in Adelaide are taking part in a greening project intended to improve the wellbeing of young people who have spent time in state care, and reduce the amount of heat trapped in urban spaces.

Urgent Action Needed to Protect Australia’s Freshwater Fish Species from Extinction 🐟

A groundbreaking study has revealed that 35 freshwater fish species across Australia are at risk of extinction, including the Kangaroo River perch, which hasn’t been seen in the wild for over 26 years. Although the species might be officially declared extinct soon, it highlights a broader and urgent issue: Australia's freshwater ecosystems are under threat like never before. Of 241 species of freshwater fish assessed, 88 species were identified as threatened—many of them under 15 cm in length. Key threats include invasive species, climate change, and habitat destruction.

Jess Marsh, an Environment Institute member, a Biodiversity Council councillor and University of Adelaide taxonomist and ecologist, has backed this study, saying that it will help species conservation. "This [study] is important to assess the impacts of threats and also the effectiveness of conservation actions," she said. "Conservation is often heavily skewed towards the cute and the cuddly taxa, with heavy biases against taxa, such as fish, invertebrates and fungi.

One of the most pressing recommendations from the study, led by Dr. Mark Lintermans the University of Canberra, is the need for a national strategy to manage invasive fish, such as trout, redfin, and carp. Recognizing these species as a “key threatening process” would encourage better collaboration across state governments and provide essential funding for conservation actions like captive breeding programs and creating safe refuges for native fish.

Let’s work together to protect Australia’s unique freshwater biodiversity before it’s too late. 🌏💧

🔗 https://shorturl.at/xru74



📷 The freshwater sawfish has been recommended for an uplisting to critically endangered from vulnerable. (Supplied: Sharks and Rays Australia/Barbara Wueringer)

'Ring the alarm bells': Study finds 35 fish species should be added to threatened species list The largest survey of Australia's freshwater fish suggests about one third should be listed as threatened species.

🌏 ☘ The Cycle of Influence, Laws and Nature

What is the Law's role, locally and internationally, in implementing good practises and emerging technologies to remedy declining biodiversity and a changing climate? Are legal systems too cumbersome to act with the urgency demanded by academia, community and industry?

In this stimulating episode of the EcoFuturist Podcast Prof Andrew Lowe speaks with the The University of Adelaide's Dr Phillipa McCormack Postdoctoral Researcher and Dr Kerryn Brent and the Adelaide Law School.

🎧 Listen here! >>> https://shorturl.at/IBAg4



📷 Prof Andrew Lowe with Dr Phillipa McCormack and Dr Kerryn Brent

DAFF Timber Testing Trial Reveals Urgent Need for Stronger Illegal Logging Laws 🌳 🌏

The results of the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s (DAFF) recent timber testing trial have highlighted critical gaps in the traceability and legality of timber products entering the Australian market. The trial tested 146 timber products from 39 distinct species using advanced scientific techniques such as DNA analysis and stable isotope testing. Shockingly, 25% of the products tested showed inconsistencies with declared species or origin.

Key Findings:

🌳 25% of tested products had discrepancies in species, origin, or both.

🌳 Illegal logging remains a significant global environmental issue, impacting biodiversity, climate, and economies.

🌳 Despite many businesses complying with regulations, some are deceiving consumers and undermining Australia’s biosecurity.

See source here: https://tinyurl.com/47x88n3x

💫 🌳 Understanding Nature Disconnection and Eco-Anxiety in Young People: A Growing Challenge

An interdisciplinary team of researchers from The University of Adelaide has conducted an insightful study into the growing phenomenon of nature disconnection and eco-anxiety among young people. Their findings, published in Environmental Education Research, shed light on the emotional and psychological impacts of the environmental crisis on today’s youth.

✨ Key Insights:

☘ Rising Eco-Anxiety: A significant increase in eco-anxiety among young people, who are deeply concerned about the state of the environment but feel powerless to create meaningful change. Many struggle with a sense of hopelessness and fear for the future of the planet.

☘ Nature Disconnection: Young people today spend less time outdoors compared to previous generations. This disconnect from nature not only contributes to eco-anxiety but also reduces their ability to form meaningful relationships with the environment.

☘ The Impact of Education: Outdoor education and field trips can help foster stronger connections to nature, with positive impacts on students' well-being. However, there is a complex paradox: young people who develop a strong connection to nature may experience more intense emotional distress when confronting the realities of environmental degradation.

Read more here: https://tinyurl.com/bddryanh