The Conversation

Record-breaking winter warmth has been felt across large parts of Australia, with more to come in coming days. A climate scientist explains what’s going on. Andrew King, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Humanity risks losing the beautiful, complex reefs that have existed on Earth for millennia. Governments and officials have now acknowledged this devastating fact. Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Professor, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Engaging and scientifically accurate children’s books on Australian animals are sorely lacking. Fostering more collaboration between authors and scientists can enrich children’s literature. Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Kate Umbers, Senior Lecturer in Zoology, Western Sydney University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We studied 230 fisheries around the world, and found populations of many overfished species are in far worse condition than has been reported. Graham Edgar, Senior Marine Ecologist, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Upgrading Sydney’s bus stops would greatly improve access, equity, comfort and dignity for public transport users – at much less cost than the new rail project. Kurt Iveson, Professor of Urban Geography, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research shows how marine debris from continents across the southern hemisphere threatens Antarctica’s remote coastline and unique marine ecosystems. Foreign organisms might be hitching a ride. Hannah Dawson, Postdoctoral Research Associate in oceanography, University of Tasmania Adele Morrison, Senior Lecturer in Climate and Fluid Physics, Australian National University Ceridwen Fraser, Professor in marine science, University of Otago Matthew England, Scientia Professor and Deputy Director of the ARC Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Japan is splashing cash for Australian gas to keep fossil fuels flowing under its net zero plan for South East Asia . But this undercuts Australia’s green export vision Wesley Morgan, Research Associate, Climate Risk and Response, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Even the type of street trees planted in a city can make a huge difference. Jua Cilliers, Head of School of Built Environment, Professor of Urban Planning, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The proposed Middle Arm industrial hub opens the door to serious environmental damage, and suffering for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people alike. 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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Three years ago, Australia pledged to end deforestation by decade’s end. But land clearing continues due to legal exemptions and a lack of enforcement Hannah Thomas, PhD student in ecology, The University of Queensland Martine Maron, Professor of Environmental Management, The University of Queensland Martin Taylor, Adjunct senior lecturer, The University of Queensland Michelle Ward, Lecturer, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Governments around the world are intervening in the market to boost green industries. Picking winners like this comes with a chance of failure – but it’s not a reason to stop Llewelyn Hughes, Professor of Public Policy, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Energy Minister Simeon Brown wants to explore importing gas to prop up electricity generation – but subsidising the expansion of rooftop solar would be quicker, cheaper and more popular. Stephen Poletti, Associate Professor Energy Economics, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Bruce Mountain, Professor and Director, Victoria Energy Policy Centre, Victoria University Geoff Bertram, Visiting Scholar, School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Nature can provide solutions to problems such as biodiversity loss and climate change. But the best nature-based solutions are resilient to disturbance such as fire or drought and future change. Rachel Standish, Associate Professor, School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University Tina Parkhurst, Research Fellow, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Cities have a large and mostly untapped power source: the rooftops of commercial buildings. Bruce Mountain, Professor and Director, Victoria Energy Policy Centre, Victoria University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Brisbane is aiming to be the first Olympic Games host to make carbon savings greater than the emissions the event produces. That’s easier said than done, so what’s the plan to achieve this goal? Ali Cheshmehzangi, Head of School, School of Architecture, Design and Planning, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Spotlight on Australia’s ‘nature positive’ environmental reforms: last chance for this parliament to get serious about halting the decline of nature. Peter Burnett, Honorary Associate Professor, ANU College of Law, Australian National University Brendan Wintle, Professor in Conservation Science, School of Ecosystem and Forest Science, The University of Melbourne Jaana Dielenberg, University Fellow in Biodiversity, Charles Darwin University Martine Maron, Professor of Environmental Management, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

By listening to the “heartbeat” or soundscape of soil, we can learn more about its condition. Think of poor soil as a lifeless party. Healthy soil is where you’ll find the good vibes and chatter. Jake M Robinson, Ecologist and Researcher, Flinders University Martin Breed, Associate Professor in Biology, Flinders University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Shared e-scooters have safety features that private e-scooters lack, but accident data don’t distinguish between them, nor tell us about the economic and environmental harms of other transport modes. Mark Stevenson, Professor of Urban Transport and Public Health, The University of Melbourne Ferdinand Balfoort, PhD Candidate in Law, Charles Darwin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

This small coastal town’s efforts to reclaim the night skies for people and nature is truly inspirational. Here’s how you can help reduce light pollution and claim your own Dark Sky Place title. Sharolyn Anderson, Research scientist and Adjunct Associate Professor, University of South Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Rewilding is helping to save species from the brink of extinction. But reintroducing species to islands or fenced havens have limitations. What if we could use flat topped mesas as well? Patrick Finnerty, Postdoctoral research fellow in conservation, University of Sydney Thomas Newsome, Senior lecturer in ecology, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.