The Conversation

Opposition leader Peter Dutton says a Coalition government would push for approval of the huge project, which would release billions of tonnes of greenhouse gases. Melissa Haswell, Professor of Practice (Environmental Wellbeing), Indigenous Strategy and Services, Honorary Professor (Geosciences) at University of Sydney & Professor of Health, Safety and Environment, Queensland University of Technology, University of Sydney David Shearman, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Protecting remaining strongholds and minimising human impacts on food sources will be crucial to avoiding further population decline of this remarkable creature. Nic Rawlence, Associate Professor in Ancient DNA, University of Otago Mark de Bruyn, Senior Lecturer in Molecular Ecology, Griffith University Michael Knapp, Associate Professor in Biological Anthropology, University of Otago Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Favourable short-term conditions kept Australia’s environmental scorecard high in 2024 – but long-term problems are worsening. Albert Van Dijk, Professor, Water and Landscape Dynamics, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University Shoshana Rapley, Research Assistant, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University Tayla Lawrie, Project Manager, Threatened Species Index, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The atmosphere now has the highest carbon dioxide levels in the last 800,000 years – and global heat records have toppled yet again. Coincidence? Of course not Andrew King, Associate Professor in Climate Science, ARC Centre of Excellence for 21st Century Weather, The University of Melbourne Linden Ashcroft, Lecturer in climate science and science communication, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Sea foam is a health hazard. These bacterial smoothies can contain more harmful pathogens than a sewage treatment plant – and you wouldn’t go swimming in sewage. Ipek Kurtböke, Associate Professor in Microbiology, University of the Sunshine Coast Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Solar and wind farms make power very cheaply. But power bills are still climbing because we underestimated other costs, from transmission to storage. Tony Wood, Program Director, Energy, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Research reveals most of the sites the Coalition has earmarked for nuclear power plants would be suitable for pumped hydropower plants. Timothy Weber, Research Officer for School of Engineering, Australian National University Andrew Blakers, Professor of Engineering, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Genetic diversity matters for wildlife – and for the livestock on which we depend. Yet breed after breed is disappearing into extinction. Catie Gressier, Adjunct Research Fellow in Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Next time you’re outside, say a silent thanks for the many unsung insect pollinators helping to keep our ecosystems healthy. Tanya Latty, Associate Professor, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

‘Momma’s right here and she’s pissed’: influencers can show wildlife to their audience without traumatising baby wombats Julie Old, Associate Professor in Biology, Zoology and Animal Science, Western Sydney University Dale Nimmo, Professor in Ecology, Charles Sturt University Hayley Stannard, Senior Lecturer in Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Charles Sturt University Robert Davis, Associate Professor in Wildlife Conservation, Edith Cowan University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Without swift and effective action, composting may become an environmental crisis, rather than a solution. Shima Ziajahromi, Advance Queensland Research Fellow, Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University Frederic Leusch, Professor of Environmental Science, Griffith University Hsuan-Cheng Lu, Senior Research Assistant, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

For many dairy farmers, the solution to their rodent problem isn’t poison – it’s working cats. But at present, there are no tax deductions for their care. Jacquie Rand, Emeritus Professor of Companion Animal Health, The University of Queensland Caitlin Crawford, Industry Fellow in Animal Welfare, The University of Queensland Pauleen Bennett, Professor and Head of Department, Psychology and Counselling, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University Rebekah Scotney, Clinical Academic, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland Vanessa Rohlf, Research Fellow in Psychology, La Trobe University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

While many opt for deluxe alternatives to a backpack and tent, they can also stop independent hikers with smaller budgets from accessing national parks. Pascal Scherrer, Associate Professor, Southern Cross University Isabelle Wolf, Vice Chancellor Senior Research Fellow, University of Wollongong Jen Smart, PhD student, University of Wollongong Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

“Farming” behaviour is very unusual in the non-human world. As lyrebirds forage, they cultivate the soil and shore up their own food sources. Alex Maisey, Postdoctoral research fellow, Research Centre for Future Landscapes, La Trobe University Andrew Bennett, Emeritus Professor in Ecology, La Trobe University Angie Haslem, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, landscape and fire ecology, La Trobe University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Huge volumes of sand have been swept offshore by Cyclone Alfred’s waves, leaving beaches and dunes looking very different. Javier Leon, Associate Professor in Physical Geography, University of the Sunshine Coast Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The damage from ex-Cyclone Alfred could have been so much worse – and we may not be so lucky next time. As the clean up begins, let’s build back better. Cheryl Desha, Visiting Professor, School of Engineering and Built Environment, Sciences Group, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

These storms are very slow moving and getting ready to dump a lot of rain. Steve Turton, Adjunct Professor of Environmental Geography, CQUniversity Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Snow and ice loss warms the land surface and air, setting off a feedback loop of further ice loss. This destabilises the landscape, with potentially hazardous impacts. Shaun Eaves, Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Andrew Lorrey, Principal Scientist & Programme Leader of Southern Hemisphere Climates and Environments, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) Brian Anderson, Senior Research Fellow, Antarctic Research Centre, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Heather Purdie, Associate Professor in Glaciology, University of Canterbury Lauren Vargo, Research Fellow, Antarctic Research Centre, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Brisbane is a subtropical city of more than 2.5 million people, situated on a flood-prone river. That’s why residents mustn’t get complacent after Cyclone Alfred. Margaret Cook, Research Fellow, Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In short: the danger is not over. Residents in affected areas should remain cautious and heed official advice, to keep themselves safe. Steve Turton, Adjunct Professor of Environmental Geography, CQUniversity Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.