Get ready to meet the trailblazers driving the human change behind our clean energy future.
This episode's trailblazer is former Young Farmer of the Year and founding member of Farmers for Climate Action, Anika Molesworth. Anika lives and works in the arid-dry heartland of Australia. Living through a ten-year drought on the family farm ignited Anika’s concern about climate change and passion for food security and clean energy.
Anika says farmers are some of the most resourceful, innovative people on the planet but they need help to drive change in the face of the heightened climate threat. We’re here to fuel a new energy conversation and it starts with you.
“The biggest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it. Climate change is a people problem and people problems can be solved."
ANIKA MOLESWORTH
Trailblazer 08:
DR. ANIKA MOLESWORTH
Farmer, Scientist,
Storyteller
Dr. Anika Molesworth is a passionate farmer, scientist, and storyteller. She is raising awareness of the environmental effects of climate change and injecting a strong new voice of hope for the farming and agricultural communities. Her national and international presentations have included stages at science research conferences and the UN Paris COP21 climate meeting. She encourages her audiences to look past the status quo, to have critical and creative perspectives, and hopes to inspire others to seek excellence in environmental and agricultural work.
From her home property in New South Wales, Anika brings real stories, heartfelt warmth, authenticity, and optimism to bear on complex global challenges. In an age of overwhelm, particularly for younger generations, Anika's power lies in shifting the narrative to highlight the immense opportunity we have to work together towards a sustainable energy future. Speaking openly about biodiversity loss, waste and overconsumption, and mental health in rural communities, Anika argues we each play a crucial role in fostering a thriving future food system, agricultural sector, and healthy environment, whether we know it or not. Anika has undertaken a PhD in agricultural and environmental science enabling her a well-founded understanding of science-backed eco-agricultural systems design.
Anika is a founding member of Farmers for Climate Action, connecting land managers to researchers through her platform Climate Wise Agriculture to help build resilience into farming communities. She’s won numerous awards, such as the 2015 NSW Farmer of the Year, and in 2017 was the state’s finalist for Young Australian of the Year. In 2018, Anika was awarded the Green Globe Awards Young Sustainability Champion, the NSW/ACT Regional Achievement and Community Award for Agricultural Innovation, and the 350.org Heroes of a Low-Carbon Economy Youth Champion. In 2019, she was recognised as a Future Shaper by InStyle and Audi, and a Women of Influence by the Australian Financial Review. In 2020, she was awarded the Emily Hensley Award for self-discipline, integrity, compassion, and contribution to the wider community.