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Getting people out of their cars is possible with the right plans and policies – case study

Fri, 2024-12-20 05:10
Encouraging walking, cycling and public transport use requires a cohesive, collaborative approach by all involved. The latest University of Canterbury travel survey shows how effective it can be. Simon Kingham, Professor of Human Geography, University of Canterbury Matt Morris, Sustainability Manager, University of Canterbury Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
Categories: Around The Web

Heatwaves and bushfires can be a dangerous mix for the electricity grid. Here’s how to shore up your supplies this summer

Fri, 2024-12-20 05:08
Increasing temperatures puts a strain on electricity supplies, while bushfire smoke can limit the electricity produced by solar panels. So, what can we do about it? Shukla Poddar, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Photovoltaics and Renewable Energy Engineering, UNSW Sydney Merlinde Kay, Associate professor, School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Climate anger can lead to action – or curdle into despair. We found out why

Fri, 2024-12-20 05:08
Almost half of us are now angry about climate change. But who we’re angry at can change whether we turn anger into action – or despair Samantha Stanley, Research Fellow in Social Psychology, UNSW Sydney Iain Walker, Professor of Psychology, The University of Melbourne Teaghan Hogg, PhD Candidate in Clinical Psychology, University of Canberra Zoe Leviston, Research Fellow in Social Psychology, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
Categories: Around The Web

NZ’s dairy industry faces an uncertain future – its fate now lies in its ability to adapt

Thu, 2024-12-19 08:30
Fewer cows on the farm and a broader range of farming practices, including involvement in the emerging alternative proteins industry, could help New Zealand’s dairy sector remain viable. Milena Bojovic, PhD Candidate, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Could NZ’s two kākā subspecies actually be remnants of a more diverse species? Here’s why we need to know

Thu, 2024-12-19 05:09
Genome analysis of New Zealand’s forest parrot kākā has so far found no genetic differences between its two subspecies. This could allow for more relocations of birds between populations. Michael Knapp, Associate Professor in Biological Anthropology, University of Otago Denise Martini, Postdoctoral Researcher in Bioinformatics, University of Verona Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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More than 1,300 Hajj pilgrims died this year when humidity and heat pushed past survivable limits. It’s just the start

Thu, 2024-12-19 05:08
Our bodies have hard limits as to how much heat and humidity we can tolerate. Lethal humid heat is a growing threat Emma Ramsay, Research Affiliate in Climate Adaptation, Monash University Shanta Barley, Adjunct Lecturer in Ecology, The University of Western Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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A push to cool Australian cities may inadvertently increase our skin cancer risk, unless we act

Wed, 2024-12-18 05:09
Light-coloured footpaths, roads and other surfaces are increasingly used to reflect the sun’s rays and cool our cities. But they also reflect cancer-causing UV radiation. Hugh Stanford, Researcher Associate, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University Joe Hurley, Professor, Sustainability and Urban Planning, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Cars in Australian cities are emitting less – but in the regions exhaust emissions are growing

Tue, 2024-12-17 14:01
Emissions from city drivers have largely fallen, while emissions from rural and regional drivers have risen. Kai Li Lim, St Baker Fellow in Electric Mobility, The University of Queensland Anthony Kimpton, Lecturer, Urban Planning, University of Southern Queensland Jonathan Corcoran, Professor of Human Geography, The University of Queensland Neil G Sipe, Honorary Professor of Planning, The University of Queensland Renee Zahnow, Associate Professor, Social Science, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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5 things to know before boarding your dog or cat this summer

Tue, 2024-12-17 05:08
Boarding facilities during peak periods can stressful environments for dogs and cats. Some may not be suited to it at all. Melissa Starling, Postdoctoral Researcher in Veterinary Science, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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NZ’s government may ask the public to underwrite the risk of fossil fuel exploration – this could be unlawful

Tue, 2024-12-17 05:07
Subsidising fossil fuel exploration seems contrary to New Zealand’s international commitment to phase out incentives for the industry. It also erodes human rights to a healthy environment. Nathan Cooper, Associate Professor of Law, University of Waikato Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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More coal and gas, less renewables: what a nuclear power plan for Australia would really mean

Mon, 2024-12-16 14:18
Nuclear is far from a reality in Australia. In the interim, Dutton’s plan would prop up coal and gas John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Shrinking wings, bigger beaks: birds are reshaping themselves in a warming world

Mon, 2024-12-16 05:16
Beak sizes increase, and body sizes decrease - but why? How we are slowly unravelling the mystery behind changing body shapes in Australian birds. Sara Ryding, Postdoctoral research fellow, Deakin University Alexandra McQueen, PhD Candidate in Behavioural Ecology, Monash University Matthew Symonds, Associate professor in Evolutionary Ecology, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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The Coalition reveals the cost of its nuclear power plan – but the devil is in the missing detail

Fri, 2024-12-13 16:44
A successful transition to clean energy is vital to Australia’s prosperity. But the Coalition’s latest nuclear salvo leaves many unanswered questions. Thomas Longden, Senior Researcher, Urban Transformations Research Centre, Western Sydney University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Decorating your Christmas tree? Try these crafts inspired by Aussie plants and animals

Fri, 2024-12-13 04:46
Let’s cast the holly, snowmen and reindeer aside to decorate our homes with Aussie Christmas crafts instead. How about Christmas beetle baubles, paper parrots and ornamental echidnas? Caitlyn Forster, Associate Lecturer, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Laura Nicole Driessen, Postdoctoral researcher in radio astronomy, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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These 3 simple actions can save you money and help make the most of your rooftop solar

Thu, 2024-12-12 05:13
Even small actions, such as choosing the right rooftop solar set-up or changing when we use energy, can make a big difference. Dani Alexander, CEO, UNSW Energy Institute, UNSW Sydney Baran Yildiz, Senior lecturer in Renewable Energy Engineering, UNSW Sydney Michelle Vaqueiro-Contreras, Senior Research Fellow, School of Photovoltaics and Renewable Energy Engineering, UNSW Sydney Mike Roberts, Senior Research Fellow in the Collaboration on Energy and Environmental Markets, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Surging global tourism emissions are driven by just 20 countries – major new study

Wed, 2024-12-11 03:50
Tourism emissions have been increasing at twice the rate of the global economy. That will double over the next 20 years, far outpacing technological solutions. New tourism policies will be needed. James Higham, Professor of Tourism, Griffith University Ya-Yen Sun, Associate Professor, School of Business, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Fully fenced dog parks alongside nature reserves could help protect wildlife

Tue, 2024-12-10 15:22
Interviews with dog walkers reveals fresh insights into why people choose to keep their dog on lead, or not. Changing that behaviour depends on meeting the needs of both pet owners and their dogs. Jasmin Packer, Research Fellow in Wildlife Conservation, University of Adelaide Anna Chur-Hansen, Professor of Psychology, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Ravaged jungle: just 25% of the world’s surviving tropical rainforests are in good condition

Tue, 2024-12-10 06:59
A rainforest might look intact in satellite images – but the reality is often different. Degraded tropical rainforests are now the norm, threatening the species within. Rajeev Pillay, Postdoctoral Fellow in Ecology, University of Northern British Columbia James Watson, Professor in Conservation Science, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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‘Unseen world’: researchers capture fascinating footage of the world’s smallest penguins in a bid to save them

Tue, 2024-12-10 05:11
On an island off South Australia, a colony of little penguins is fighting to survive. Footage gathered by scientists reveals what the birds get up to when humans aren’t watching. Diane Colombelli-Négrel, Senior Lecturer, Animal Behaviour, Flinders University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Australians’ cars are typically larger, heavier and less efficient than in Europe – here’s why

Tue, 2024-12-10 05:10
Ever wondered how the Australian passenger car fleet compares with the European fleet and what this means for the future? New research examined the differences in detail and how it might change. Robin Smit, Adjunct Professor, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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