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Avoiding single-use plastic was becoming normal, until coronavirus. Here's how we can return to good habits

Wed, 2020-06-24 06:18
Just because we’re in a period of change, doesn’t mean we have to lose momentum. Kim Borg, Research Fellow at BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University Jim Curtis, Research Fellow in Behaviour Change, Monash University Jo Lindsay, Professor of sociology, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
Categories: Around The Web

Climate Explained: what Earth would be like if we hadn't pumped greenhouse gases into the atmosphere

Wed, 2020-06-24 06:16
If we had not altered the composition of the atmosphere at all through emitting greenhouse gases, particulate matter and ozone-destroying chemicals, the average temperature would have remained stable. Laura Revell, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Physics, University of Canterbury Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Why long-term environmental observations are crucial for New Zealand's water security challenges

Wed, 2020-06-24 06:16
Auckland's extreme drought and the rapid retreat of glaciers in the Southern Alps both highlight how important long-term observations are for water management policy and planning. Andrew Lorrey, Principal Scientist & Programme Leader of Climate Observations and Processes, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ben Noll, Meteorologist/forecaster, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Lauren Vargo, Research Fellow in the Antarctic Research Centre, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Australia has failed miserably on energy efficiency – and government figures hide the truth

Tue, 2020-06-23 05:59
Better energy efficiency lowers electricity bills, manages energy demand and helps the climate. Unfortunately, Australia is going nowhere on this cheap, simple measure. Hugh Saddler, Honorary Associate Professor, Centre for Climate Economics and Policy, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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If we could design JobKeeper within weeks, we can exit coal by 2030. Here's how to do it

Tue, 2020-06-23 05:58
It'd be a matter of switching 20-25,000 jobs. During coronavirus, we shut down three million, and dealt with the consequences impressively. John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Switch off your engine, it's not hard: how to cut your fuel bill, clear the air and reduce emissions

Mon, 2020-06-22 14:02
Removing engine idling would be like removing up to 1.6 million cars from the road. Robin Smit, Adjunct associate professor, University of Technology Sydney Clare Walter, PhD Candidate, Honorary Research Fellow, Advocacy Consultant., The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Australia's devotion to coal has come at a huge cost. We need the government to change course, urgently

Mon, 2020-06-22 06:08
The federal government has shown during the pandemic that it is prepared to impose great financial burdens for the sake of our health. We need them to do the same for another crisis: climate change. Judith Brett, Emeritus Professor of Politics, La Trobe University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Ban on toxic mercury looms in sugar cane farming, but Australia still has a way to go

Mon, 2020-06-22 06:07
Australia has failed to ratify an international treaty to reduce harmful mercury emissions. Mercury exposure can cause kidney damage and brain impairment, especially in children. Larissa Schneider, DECRA fellow, Australian National University Cameron Holley, Professor, UNSW Darren Sinclair, Professor, University of Canberra Simon Haberle, Professor, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Restoring a gem in the Murray-Darling Basin: the success story of the Winton Wetlands

Fri, 2020-06-19 16:07
The number of visitors to the restored wetlands is increasing each year, as is the wildlife. Max Finlayson, Adjunct Professor, Charles Sturt University Lance Lloyd, Honorary Research Fellow, Federation University Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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People need to see the benefits from local renewable energy projects, and that means jobs

Fri, 2020-06-19 06:05
Renewable energy projects are often in direct competition with fossil fuels for the hearts and minds of communities. There's a way to win people over though, with ongoing local employment. Tom Morton, Associate Professor, Journalism, Stream Leader, Climate Justice Research Centre, University of Technology Sydney James Goodman, Professor in Political Sociology, University of Technology Sydney Jonathan Paul Marshall, Future Fellow, University of Technology Sydney Katja Müller, Postdoctoral Researcher in Anthropology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg Riikka Heikkinen, PhD Candidate, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Fighting fire with fire: how Botswana is adopting the ancient burning of Indigenous Australians

Thu, 2020-06-18 13:46
As the bushfire royal commission examines whether to expand the use of indigenous fire techniques, overseas countries are already on board. Sam Johnston, Senior Fellow, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Expensive, dirty and dangerous: why we must fight miners' push to fast-track uranium mines

Thu, 2020-06-18 06:05
In my 24 years of research, including visiting most sites, I've yet to see a successful rehabilitation case study of Australia's uranium mines. Gavin Mudd, Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Energy giants want to thwart reforms that would help renewables and lower power bills

Wed, 2020-06-17 14:24
The rules governing Australia's electricity market are more than 20 years old and no longer serve consumers, or climate action. But big energy companies are using COVID-19 to delay reform. Daniel J Cass, Research Affiliate, Sydney Business School, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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'Shovel-ready' projects ignore important aspects of community resilience

Wed, 2020-06-17 08:02
Research shows communities become more resilient to future crises when people have access to basic services such as supermarkets, hospitals and schools. Tom Logan, Lecturer of Civil Systems Engineering, University of Canterbury Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Mr Morrison, you can cut 'green tape' without harming nature – but it'll take money and gumption

Wed, 2020-06-17 06:03
I was a federal environment official for 13 years. Streamlining approvals for big infrastructure projects is a big environmental risk, unless it's done properly. Peter Burnett, Honorary Associate Professor, ANU College of Law, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Cats wreak havoc on native wildlife, but we’ve found one adorable species outsmarting them

Tue, 2020-06-16 14:52
If long-nosed potoroos can co-exist with one of the world's most deadly predators, then it's time we rethink our conservation strategies. Euan Ritchie, Associate Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Amy Coetsee, Threatened Species Biologist, University of Melbourne Anthony Rendall, Associate Lecturer in Conservation Biology, Deakin University Tim Doherty, ARC DECRA Fellow, University of Sydney Vivianna Miritis, PhD Candidate, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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The number of climate deniers in Australia is more than double the global average, new survey finds

Tue, 2020-06-16 09:04
Australia ranks third in the world in climate change deniers. It's a bronze medal we don't want. Caroline Fisher, Co-author of the Digital News Report: Australia 2020, Deputy Director of the News and Media Research Centre, and Assistant Professor of Journalism, University of Canberra Sora Park, Lead Author of Digital News Report: Australia 2020, Associate Dean of Research, Faculty of Arts & Design, University of Canberra Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Pass the shiraz, please: how Australia's wine industry can adapt to climate change

Tue, 2020-06-16 06:04
All of Australia's 71 wine regions will become warmer this century. That means big changes for the industry. Tasmania, for example, may become better known for shiraz than pinot noir. Gabi Mocatta, Research Fellow in Climate Change Communication, Climate Futures Programme, University of Tasmania Rebecca Harris, Senior lecturer, Manager, Climate Futures Program, University of Tasmania Tomas Remenyi, Climate Research Fellow, Climate Futures Programme, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Planting non-native trees accelerates the release of carbon back into the atmosphere

Mon, 2020-06-15 17:09
Tree planting projects that use non-native trees risk releasing more carbon back into the atmosphere, undermining efforts to fight climate change. Lauren Waller, Postdoctoral Fellow, Lincoln University, New Zealand Warwick Allen, Postdoctoral fellow, University of Canterbury Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Don't count your fish before they hatch: experts react to plans to release 2 million fish into the Murray Darling

Mon, 2020-06-15 05:57
Fish must be released into good quality water, with suitable habitat and lots of food. These conditions have been quite rare in Murray Darling rivers in recent years. Lee Baumgartner, Professor of Fisheries and River Management, Institute for Land, Water, and Society, Charles Sturt University Jamin Forbes, Freshwater Ecologist, Charles Sturt University Katie Doyle, Freshwater Ecologist, Charles Sturt University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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