The Conversation
Getting people out of their cars is possible with the right plans and policies – case study
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
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.
Categories: Around The Web
Climate anger can lead to action – or curdle into despair. We found out why
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
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.
Categories: Around The Web
Could NZ’s two kākā subspecies actually be remnants of a more diverse species? Here’s why we need to know
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.
Categories: Around The Web
More than 1,300 Hajj pilgrims died this year when humidity and heat pushed past survivable limits. It’s just the start
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.
Categories: Around The Web
A push to cool Australian cities may inadvertently increase our skin cancer risk, unless we act
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.
Categories: Around The Web
Cars in Australian cities are emitting less – but in the regions exhaust emissions are growing
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.
Categories: Around The Web
5 things to know before boarding your dog or cat this summer
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.
Categories: Around The Web
NZ’s government may ask the public to underwrite the risk of fossil fuel exploration – this could be unlawful
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.
Categories: Around The Web
More coal and gas, less renewables: what a nuclear power plan for Australia would really mean
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.
Categories: Around The Web
Shrinking wings, bigger beaks: birds are reshaping themselves in a warming world
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.
Categories: Around The Web
The Coalition reveals the cost of its nuclear power plan – but the devil is in the missing detail
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.
Categories: Around The Web
Decorating your Christmas tree? Try these crafts inspired by Aussie plants and animals
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.
Categories: Around The Web
These 3 simple actions can save you money and help make the most of your rooftop solar
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.
Categories: Around The Web
Surging global tourism emissions are driven by just 20 countries – major new study
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.
Categories: Around The Web
Fully fenced dog parks alongside nature reserves could help protect wildlife
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.
Categories: Around The Web
Ravaged jungle: just 25% of the world’s surviving tropical rainforests are in good condition
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.
Categories: Around The Web
‘Unseen world’: researchers capture fascinating footage of the world’s smallest penguins in a bid to save them
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.
Categories: Around The Web
Australians’ cars are typically larger, heavier and less efficient than in Europe – here’s why
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.
Categories: Around The Web