After more than two decades gracing Australia’s TV screens, award winning science broadcaster and one time veterinarian Dr Jonica Newby is best known as the vivacious former presenter on the popular long running ABC TV science program Catalyst.
Known for presenting stories with a rare honesty and intimacy, in 2021 Jonica released her most personal story yet: Beyond Climate Grief: a journey of love, snow, fire and an enchanted beer can, which asks the soul searching question; how do we find courage when climate change overwhelms? In this magical often funny, and deeply moving memoir, she charts her own struggles navigating the emotional turmoil of climate change.
After researching what global warming will do to the snow she loves, Newby plummeted into a profound state of climate grief. And if she was struggling, she wondered, how was everyone else coping? What should parents tell their anxious kids? How might we all live our best lives under the weight of this fearsome knowledge?
It was a life turning point, and the beginning of a two year epic quest featuring illuminating conversations with singer-songwriter Missy Higgins, comedians Charlie Pickering and Craig Reucassel, the wisdom of business leader Mike Cannon-Brooks, practical advice from psychological and scientific experts, and incredible accounts from every day heroes, plus inspiring stories from the climate strike kids; ultimately providing guidance and emotional sustenance to help us all face the uncertainties ahead.
Beyond Climate Grief reminds us of the love, beauty and wonder in the world, even amidst disaster. And how we all have a touch of the epic hero inside.
Jonica has twice won Australia’s most prestigious science journalism award, the Eureka Prize, has been a regular contributor to radio, print and News 24, and is author of the ABC book The Animal Attraction, about how the domestication of animals created human civilisation.