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Our Sunburnt Country
Anika Molesworth fell in love with her family's farm, a sheep station near Broken Hill, at an early age. She formed a bond with the land as though it were a member of her family. When the Millennium Drought hit, though, bringing with it heatwaves and duststorms, the future she'd always imagined for herself began to seem impossible.
As she learned more about the causes of - and the solutions to - the extreme weather that was killing her land and her livelihood, Anika became fired up and determined to speak out. Talking to farmers and food producers all around the world, she soon realised that there was a way forward that could be both practical and sustainable - if only we can build up the courage to take it.
Beautifully written and full of hope, Our Sunburnt Country shows that there is a way to protect our land, our food and our future, and it is within our grasp.
Praise for Our Sunburnt Country:
'In Australia our climate debate can be depressing. In the hands of Anika Molesworth it is uplifting and full of hope.' - Craig Reucassel
'Anika Molesworth invites us to imagine a better future. Read this book and be inspired.' - Michael E. Mann
'In a hope-filled, personal tale framed by her family farm in a sun-baked landscape, Anika Molesworth weaves philosophy, science and a poet's eye into a heartwarming tale of how to help heal the planet.' - Matthew Evans
'This is an important, accessible and evocative book written by a farmer and scientist in that most vital of spaces: the future of our Earth. This book can be part of the solution.' - Charles Massy
'A personal journey spurred by climate change in the west of NSW, learning what can be done and why it is worth doing.' - Ross Garnaut
As she learned more about the causes of - and the solutions to - the extreme weather that was killing her land and her livelihood, Anika became fired up and determined to speak out. Talking to farmers and food producers all around the world, she soon realised that there was a way forward that could be both practical and sustainable - if only we can build up the courage to take it.
Beautifully written and full of hope, Our Sunburnt Country shows that there is a way to protect our land, our food and our future, and it is within our grasp.
Praise for Our Sunburnt Country:
'In Australia our climate debate can be depressing. In the hands of Anika Molesworth it is uplifting and full of hope.' - Craig Reucassel
'Anika Molesworth invites us to imagine a better future. Read this book and be inspired.' - Michael E. Mann
'In a hope-filled, personal tale framed by her family farm in a sun-baked landscape, Anika Molesworth weaves philosophy, science and a poet's eye into a heartwarming tale of how to help heal the planet.' - Matthew Evans
'This is an important, accessible and evocative book written by a farmer and scientist in that most vital of spaces: the future of our Earth. This book can be part of the solution.' - Charles Massy
'A personal journey spurred by climate change in the west of NSW, learning what can be done and why it is worth doing.' - Ross Garnaut
- GenresNonfictionBiography
304 pages, Paperback
Published August 31, 2021
17 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 25, 2023
A fantastic voice, and wide ranging interviews, are let down by heavy doses of liberal belief in market forces, especially in the final chapters. Deep incongruence between the scientist outlining the severity of the climate challenges facing us, especially in our over taxed food systems, and the kinds of actions being advocated. It's too late to talk about changing light bulbs.
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August 29, 2021Anika Molesworth is a farmer, scientist and storyteller. Her new book, Our Sunburnt Country, describes her journey towards understanding, hope and action as climate change effects the food system ie how food is produced, distributed and consumed around the world. Her story is permeated with a deep love of her own land in dry outback Australia, the perspectives from farmers and food producers she has met and worked with on almost all continents, and her deep scientific knowledge of agriculture and ecology. She describes the collective actions needed to save the food system, from the biggest producers to each individual in their own home.
With lyrical language, clear descriptions of complex concepts, and practical solutions, Anika leads us towards the courage, vision and responsibility required to heal our planet and heal ourselves.
This is a must read, and a surprisingly easy read about something which touches us all - what we put in our mouths each day, and how it got there.
With lyrical language, clear descriptions of complex concepts, and practical solutions, Anika leads us towards the courage, vision and responsibility required to heal our planet and heal ourselves.
This is a must read, and a surprisingly easy read about something which touches us all - what we put in our mouths each day, and how it got there.
August 26, 2021
“This beautiful book grabbed my heart and my brain from the opening pages. With gorgeous lyric text, heartwarming stories, and science that packs a punch, Anika Molesworth weaves a compelling tale about how we are collectively shooting ourselves in the foot – or stomach -- when it comes to our food systems. Many books about climate change are simply depressing, but what makes this a standout work is how full of hope it is. Anika makes it feel possible to make a difference, no matter who we are. She inspires climate courage. I highly recommend this book.”
August 29, 2021
My 11 year old daughter is reading this at the moment and is really enjoying the book, she is learning things while she is reading and always talks about all the information and quotes in the book. The book is very well written highly recommend to anyone of all ages.
August 29, 2021
Anika finds strength in allowing herself to be vulnerable and by exploring her own story. Her heartfelt and raw, yet carefully considered words transport you into her world to share the intimate story of those who live off the land. A gutsy and brave story of self-reflection where the author puts herself out there in the hope that people will listen, feel empowered and most importantly demand action from our decision makers.
August 28, 2021
Our Sunburnt Country is a book that brings the journey of the food we eat, the science of our environment and everyday stories from people around the world together in one place.
Anika Molesworth writes her heartfelt story that takes us on a journey. It is a story of love, of food, our connection to indigenous country from the dry Australian outback, to the mountains of South America and the snows of Northern Canada.
Her passion and emotions for climate change shine through as she applies the scientific facts to her authentic contexts. She tells the sorrowful story of our loss of species and reduction of biodiversity, weaving in her lived experiences with those of others who toil our lands to bring us food.
Anika brings her heart and soul to the table. She describes climate and food-system problems as a collective cultural challenge that only a collaborative and inclusive dialogue can solve. She reminds us that we are all leaders and we mustn’t wait to be told what to do. She encourages us to grasp opportunities and become the leaders we have been waiting for.
She ends the book with a range of practical actions we can carry out both in the short and longer term and ends with a call to arms ‘no one can do everything but everyone can do something’. It would be impossible not to be inspired by this wonderful book.
Anika Molesworth writes her heartfelt story that takes us on a journey. It is a story of love, of food, our connection to indigenous country from the dry Australian outback, to the mountains of South America and the snows of Northern Canada.
Her passion and emotions for climate change shine through as she applies the scientific facts to her authentic contexts. She tells the sorrowful story of our loss of species and reduction of biodiversity, weaving in her lived experiences with those of others who toil our lands to bring us food.
Anika brings her heart and soul to the table. She describes climate and food-system problems as a collective cultural challenge that only a collaborative and inclusive dialogue can solve. She reminds us that we are all leaders and we mustn’t wait to be told what to do. She encourages us to grasp opportunities and become the leaders we have been waiting for.
She ends the book with a range of practical actions we can carry out both in the short and longer term and ends with a call to arms ‘no one can do everything but everyone can do something’. It would be impossible not to be inspired by this wonderful book.
Currently reading
September 4, 2021Dr Molesorth is worth listening to because she is a farmer, has a PhD and gets off her backside and makes things happen. It’s rare to hear from someone with all three of these qualities. It would be very hard to find a more qualified person in Australia to speak on the topic of food sustainability. Dr Molesworth’s book will take you on a journey and may teach you things you find uncomfortable. But we need change and that doesn’t come without discomfort. Highly recommend.
August 28, 2021
A beautifully written, inspiring read. Perfect for anyone concerned about the global challenges we face with future food systems and climate change. Highly recommended. Five stars!
August 29, 2021
A captivating book about real issues. Fantastically written and meaning portrayed through the authors eyes. This book allows the readers to believe in hope and change for the future.
August 30, 2021
Anika’s talent for creating evocative and mesmerising stories puts the confronting reality of our food in the climate crisis. But rather than leave us with despair her legacy is to build our collective ‘climate courage’ and step up.
A must read for those eager to learn and those wanting to do more.
A must read for those eager to learn and those wanting to do more.
August 26, 2021
An incredible book by an incredible young woman! Anika's writing instantly pulls you in, I couldn't put this book down. I would highly recommend everyone read this book!
September 12, 2021
Inspiring and motivational
This book is an extremely timely one, on the momentous time we live on. Although the challenge we have with climate breakdown is humongous, Anika provides practical ideas of what can be do adapt and mitigate risk.
Beautifully written, Anika share her own personal experiences and invite the reader to get familiar with an area most of us have disconnected from: where does our food comes from?
I really enjoyed the tone of outrage against the errors we have made, however, the author remains optimistic about our capacity to bring positive change.
How can you maintain a positive attitude without shying away from reality? Anika does a wonderful work showing how
This book is an extremely timely one, on the momentous time we live on. Although the challenge we have with climate breakdown is humongous, Anika provides practical ideas of what can be do adapt and mitigate risk.
Beautifully written, Anika share her own personal experiences and invite the reader to get familiar with an area most of us have disconnected from: where does our food comes from?
I really enjoyed the tone of outrage against the errors we have made, however, the author remains optimistic about our capacity to bring positive change.
How can you maintain a positive attitude without shying away from reality? Anika does a wonderful work showing how
July 28, 2021
An important book, laying bare the realities of climate change for so many. Best of all, it provides a reason to hope for positive change. Recommended!
July 29, 2021
I can't tell you how moved I was after reading this book. The storytelling was profound and really allowed me into the Author's world and provided so much hope!
August 9, 2022
‘My parents buy a farm from a man with a smile like a picket fence in a state of disrepair, who, somewhat impressively, fills one toothless gap with rolled tobacco and whistles “You Are My Sunshine” from another.’ This, a childhood recollection by Anika Molesworth, who is an Australian agroecologist with high-level tertiary agricultural training, balanced with a deeply grounded upbringing on a sheep station near Broken Hill. She is also a compelling writer with an insightful understanding about the big picture around climate change, how humanity is causing it, and what we can and must do right now to address it.
Molesworth comes at the problem from the perspective that food is life; that sustainable farming, informed by science to be undertaken in harmony with natural ecosystems, can play a fundamental role in our human response to global warming. She explains how, for too long, our species has chosen to modify and extract from our environment rather than work with and be a positive part of it. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
In two thirds of the book Molesworth, along with insights from a host of other specialists, explores various aspects of climate change. Its unfairness: ‘The richest 10 per cent of the global population is responsible for half the carbon emissions, while the poorest half is responsible for only 10 per cent. And perversely, the largest part of emissions from rich countries are ‘luxury emissions’ (overly big cars, houses, meals, …).
The GDP myth: ‘The increasing consumption of resources – which requires the accelerated degradation of the natural world – is reported by business and political leaders as a booming economy, a sign of success, while any reduction in resource use is considered a failure.’
The shamefulness of waste: ‘Today, it is estimated that one third of all the food produced in the world never gets eaten. That’s equal to about 1.3 billion tons […] that either never leaves the farm, gets lost or spoiled during distribution, or thrown away […]. Enough food is lost and wasted every year to feed around three billion people.’
Denial: ‘Scientists enjoy academic scrutiny and peer review to evaluate validity – that’s part of scientist’s jive – but to have irrefutable evidence offhandedly dismissed without proof is somewhat demeaning and can be terribly dangerous.’
Molesworth eloquently describes what I have unconsciously sensed for many years and come to consciously understand more recently: ‘Climate change represents a monumental failure of modern politics. The ideological fetish for growth at all costs, the obsession with commerce over humanity, has caused, is causing and will cause untold suffering. […] The perversity in our political institutions and our own psychological dispositions regarding status, self-interest and short-termism have sent us down a self-destructive path. That has been propelled by an undesirable mix of greed, materialism and alientation from nature. Deliberate pseudo-science and manufactured doubt have stalled public concern and blocked policy solutions. […] ‘I could sit around the dinner table and talk about climate change and express my horror at what was going on and then just leave and carry on as normal.’ She talks about a disconnect between being aware of what is happening and actually doing something about it. ‘I used to think, well, what can one individual do anyway? It’s not my problem.’
The final third of Our Sunburnt Country describes clearly what can be done, at every level – as individuals, families, communities, businesses, governments and nations – to improve the current situation and step away from catastrophe.
‘We need to ensure a just transition, and that no fossil fuel worker or community gets left behind.’
‘Frustration and optimism can be a strenuous and dissonant combination of mindsets. It’s tough to front up to the denial, hostility and, above all, indifference that is sometimes encountered. It can also be challenging to face the fear and sadness of seeing how our world is suffering. But striving to improve the world does not negate our ability to enjoy it.’
With regards to carbon neutral farming: ‘We have amazing biodiversity gains here. We started with 47 species of birds, we now have 159, so there are a lot of good reasons to do it beyond carbon neutrality.’
‘Dealing with climate change is no longer an issue of know-how or technology. We know what to do. We’ve got the skills and equipment to do it. Now it’s just a matter of people getting their act together. And that’s what gives me hope, that this is a people problem.’
And there it is – a people problem. That’s why I recommend everyone to read Our Sunburnt Country.
Look no further for a cohesive, comprehensive, easily understood and compelling account of what is happening, why, and what humanity can and must do to positively and effectively address it.
Molesworth comes at the problem from the perspective that food is life; that sustainable farming, informed by science to be undertaken in harmony with natural ecosystems, can play a fundamental role in our human response to global warming. She explains how, for too long, our species has chosen to modify and extract from our environment rather than work with and be a positive part of it. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
In two thirds of the book Molesworth, along with insights from a host of other specialists, explores various aspects of climate change. Its unfairness: ‘The richest 10 per cent of the global population is responsible for half the carbon emissions, while the poorest half is responsible for only 10 per cent. And perversely, the largest part of emissions from rich countries are ‘luxury emissions’ (overly big cars, houses, meals, …).
The GDP myth: ‘The increasing consumption of resources – which requires the accelerated degradation of the natural world – is reported by business and political leaders as a booming economy, a sign of success, while any reduction in resource use is considered a failure.’
The shamefulness of waste: ‘Today, it is estimated that one third of all the food produced in the world never gets eaten. That’s equal to about 1.3 billion tons […] that either never leaves the farm, gets lost or spoiled during distribution, or thrown away […]. Enough food is lost and wasted every year to feed around three billion people.’
Denial: ‘Scientists enjoy academic scrutiny and peer review to evaluate validity – that’s part of scientist’s jive – but to have irrefutable evidence offhandedly dismissed without proof is somewhat demeaning and can be terribly dangerous.’
Molesworth eloquently describes what I have unconsciously sensed for many years and come to consciously understand more recently: ‘Climate change represents a monumental failure of modern politics. The ideological fetish for growth at all costs, the obsession with commerce over humanity, has caused, is causing and will cause untold suffering. […] The perversity in our political institutions and our own psychological dispositions regarding status, self-interest and short-termism have sent us down a self-destructive path. That has been propelled by an undesirable mix of greed, materialism and alientation from nature. Deliberate pseudo-science and manufactured doubt have stalled public concern and blocked policy solutions. […] ‘I could sit around the dinner table and talk about climate change and express my horror at what was going on and then just leave and carry on as normal.’ She talks about a disconnect between being aware of what is happening and actually doing something about it. ‘I used to think, well, what can one individual do anyway? It’s not my problem.’
The final third of Our Sunburnt Country describes clearly what can be done, at every level – as individuals, families, communities, businesses, governments and nations – to improve the current situation and step away from catastrophe.
‘We need to ensure a just transition, and that no fossil fuel worker or community gets left behind.’
‘Frustration and optimism can be a strenuous and dissonant combination of mindsets. It’s tough to front up to the denial, hostility and, above all, indifference that is sometimes encountered. It can also be challenging to face the fear and sadness of seeing how our world is suffering. But striving to improve the world does not negate our ability to enjoy it.’
With regards to carbon neutral farming: ‘We have amazing biodiversity gains here. We started with 47 species of birds, we now have 159, so there are a lot of good reasons to do it beyond carbon neutrality.’
‘Dealing with climate change is no longer an issue of know-how or technology. We know what to do. We’ve got the skills and equipment to do it. Now it’s just a matter of people getting their act together. And that’s what gives me hope, that this is a people problem.’
And there it is – a people problem. That’s why I recommend everyone to read Our Sunburnt Country.
Look no further for a cohesive, comprehensive, easily understood and compelling account of what is happening, why, and what humanity can and must do to positively and effectively address it.
November 17, 2024
I wasn’t feeling optimistic about this books review but the second half really held it up. As a 3 year old book to someone who’s been reading up on climate for a decade, a lot of the knowledge is not new. And that’s the first half of the book - laying the groundwork. Second half was more empowerment and specific actions you can take and although most of them weren’t new either that was more beneficial to me to be reminded of.
A good book for someone starting out in the climate space, wanting to focus on farming, or looking for an Aussie perspective.
A good book for someone starting out in the climate space, wanting to focus on farming, or looking for an Aussie perspective.
October 3, 2021
An easy to read book which is well written. It takes us on a journey from food production to getting it to our table, and how this is affected by climate change. This makes climate change relevant to every individual and the book tells us how we can all carry out positive actions to help reduce climate change. I did enjoy the description and vision of what we can do, and I was happy to know that much of this vision is already becoming reality.
January 6, 2022
This rating is about my hope and expectation of this book, which although engaging and well-written, I feel does not give me new information.
It wasn't at the level of specificity I was looking for - I want to know more about the global and region/ country roadmap level - ideal and actual, with ideas about local actions to lead the way.
It wasn't at the level of specificity I was looking for - I want to know more about the global and region/ country roadmap level - ideal and actual, with ideas about local actions to lead the way.
November 15, 2021
This is a very approachable book, filled with wisdom and optimism. While clearly demonstrating that climate change is real and how it impacts different groups, it also makes points that each individual can think about, act on and take ownership of.
February 3, 2022
I enjoyed this and did find it to be hopeful, but would have liked more depth on the science about farming techniques.
July 14, 2022
I like it because I think a sweet, smart person has written it, voiced her views backed by science, and inspired us. I smiled with hope even from the depth of my pessimistic foresight.
January 19, 2023
After an hour.. it just didn’t make me want to hear another 7 hours.. Even though it was very well written.. it was too scattered not a story as I had hoped.
June 18, 2023
Beautiful lament and love song for Australia and its land.
A well-written memoir and advocacy for climate change activism through the lens of scientist and farmer.
Delightful writing.
A well-written memoir and advocacy for climate change activism through the lens of scientist and farmer.
Delightful writing.
September 21, 2023
Easy to read. Optimistic call to action.
July 10, 2025
Anika has poured a lifetime of research, experience and passion into this book, which weaves science and solutions in with personal anecdotes and interviews with others relevant in the field.
November 21, 2021
Lovely writing, and a great deal of passion. I just felt there was a missed opportunity here from the author to educate us with a greater depth of information about the science and practices of regenerative farming and improved food systems, and how this will contribute in the climate challenge. Maybe she was aiming the book at people who are only just starting to learn about climate change, but I wanted more information on the how. I wanted to learn. Occasionally the author would start to delve into detail, but then it stayed at surface level only and she would move to other things. It was quite a lot of 'We need to make change happen' and 'We need to have courage', and not a lot of the practicalities. I'm not a farmer, and I wanted to learn so much more from her practical experience, her studies and her networking with food producers around the world. I was really left wanting on the detail and the education.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews