Where the Leaves Fall, Issue 3

Exploring humankind’s interaction with nature.

In this issue:

The issue opens with photographer Kazi Md. Jahirul Islam’s extraordinary picture essay on the floods in Bangladesh and the damage that they wreak on everyday life in Chittagong. Aaron Davies looks at efforts to save the world’s wild coffee species, many of which are at risk of extinction. And Anna Souter explores how plants, surviving the worst manmade disasters, can offer an alternative model for living in the face of the environmental crisis.

Victor Steffenson’s words and Peter McConchie’s photographs create a powerful message for our cover story, which looks at how Indigenous fire management methods could help save Australia and improve the environment. We also hear how conservationists in the UK are using a creative approach to engage people with nature. And our picture story from the Choithram Netralaya eye hospital in Indore reveals how free cataract operations can help India’s poorest regain their sight and their lives.

We examine how community groups and retailers are changing the way we access and engage with food and with each other, from a movement to promote simple plant-based recipes in working class areas of Brazil to the Kitchen Social in north London, UK, which brings the local community together around food and activities. We also talk to designer and author Julia Watson about how traditional Indigenous technologies could be adapted to improve modern cities.

Climate activist Ayisha Siddiqa describes how her personal history led her to the climate movement, writer Jonny Keen looks at wildlife on a brownfield site, and journalist Paul F Cockburn explores how we need darkness in our lives.