Women as defenders of the earth: Voluntary restoration activities with ‘Our Patch’ group in the Torrens River Catchment

• Main Author: Tajuddin, Nor Azlin
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English; English; English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: GN Anthropology; HM1 Sociology (General and theoretical)
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/35386/1/icw_latest_without_women.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/35386/4/ICW_Thanks_letters_-_Nor_Azlin_Tajuddin.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/35386/5/proceeding_ICW.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/35386/

Based on an ethnographic study about the Torrens River catchment in South Australia, this paper examines people’s perceptions and responses to river pollution. While the study does not directly deal with the issue of climate change, it is always there in some form. The paper begins, therefore, with an exploration on how freshwater resources worldwide are projected to be impacted by climate change as reported in selected scientific studies. Followed by an overview of a few well-known ‘green goddesses’ in history, specifically on how they have changed environmental thinking and practice both locally and globally. Finally, drawing from ethnographic data, three stories of women volunteers in the Torrens River catchment are presented highlighting their unique knowledge and expertise in river restoration works in which they are so passionately engaged.