The Conversation

The National Party’s position on net-zero is wrong, for so many reasons. Not least, it’s a betrayal of rural Australia. Matt McDonald, Associate Professor of International Relations, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Three things define an ice age: Earth has to be cold enough for a long time, ice grows to cover significant areas, and it lasts for millions of years. Michael Petterson, Professor of Geology, Auckland University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Fraser Island was renamed to the original Butchulla name, K'gari. Returning to original place names is a significant step in First Nations people maintaining cultural identity in Australia. Rose Barrowcliffe, Doctoral Candidate, University of the Sunshine Coast Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The world hydropower industry has public relations work to do, if its global expansion is to be realised. But stringent oversight is urgently needed. Jamie Pittock, Professor, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Some Nationals want agriculture carved out of any net-zero target. Cutting emissions from farms won’t be easy, but it’s essential. James Ha, Associate, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Scott Morrison will announce a deal, but not until the details, heavy with technology and trade offs and pay offs, are sorted with Joyce. Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Whether you’re hoping to maximise your chances of seeing one of these shy, fascinating critters or wanting to avoid them at all costs, this article is for you. Timothy N. W. Jackson, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Australian Venom Research Unit, The University of Melbourne Chris J Jolly, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Charles Sturt University Damian Lettoof, PhD Candidate, Curtin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Figures released this week suggest Australia’s koala populations have plummeted. So what’s the best way to protect these iconic animals from fires? Pablo Negret, Postdoctoral research fellow, The University of Queensland Daniel Lunney, Adjunct professor, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Local communities near lithium deposits shouldn’t become zones of sacrifice, shouldering the socio-environmental costs of supporting a renewable energy transition. Ana Estefanía Carballo, Research Fellow in Mining and Society, School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, The University of Melbourne Gillian Gregory, Research Fellow in Mining Governance, School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, The University of Melbourne Tim Werner, ARC DECRA Fellow, School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Like the lazy koala, the reason sloths go slow has a lot to do with what they eat. Shelby A. Ryan, PhD Candidate | School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle Ryan R. Witt, Postdoctoral Researcher and Honorary Lecturer | School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Many plants are really good at withstanding bushfires, but the combination of drought, heatwaves and pest insects under climate change may push them to the brink. Rachael Helene Nolan, Postdoctoral research fellow, Western Sydney University Andrea Leigh, Associate Professor, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney Mark Ooi, Senior Research Fellow, UNSW Ross Bradstock, Emeritus professor, University of Wollongong Tim Curran, Associate Professor of Ecology, Lincoln University, New Zealand Tom Fairman, Future Fire Risk Analyst, The University of Melbourne Víctor Resco de Dios, Profesor de Incendios y Cambio Global en PVCF-Agrotecnio, Universitat de Lleida Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

If the world is to adapt to sea level rise with minimal cost, we must address the uncertainty surrounding Antarctica’s melting ice sheet. This requires significant investment in scientific capacity. Chen Zhao, Research associate, University of Tasmania Rupert Gladstone, Adjunct professor, University of Lapland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The submarine announcement is sure to trigger a new round of debate on whether nuclear energy is right for Australia. But let’s be clear: the technology makes no sense for Australia. Ian Lowe, Emeritus Professor, School of Science, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The internet exploded after a musk duck was recorded saying “you bloody fool” , and a lyrebird cried like a human baby. So what’s the fuss all about? Anastasia Dalziell, Postdoctoral research fellow, University of Wollongong Justin A. Welbergen, President of the Australasian Bat Society | Associate Professor in Animal Ecology, Western Sydney University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The industry says the deterrent is necessary, but evidence suggests the devices pose a significant threat to some marine life, including maiming and killing seals. Benjamin J. Richardson, Professor of Environmental Law, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Under a new code, rural landholders in NSW will be allowed to clear up to 25 metres of land outside their property boundary. This will be devastating for the wildlife that live or migrate there. Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Ben Moore, Senior Lecturer in Ecology, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University Jen Martin, Leader, Science Communication Teaching Program, The University of Melbourne Mark Hall, Postdoctoral research fellow, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University Megan C Evans, Lecturer and ARC DECRA Fellow, UNSW Ross Crates, Postdoctoral fellow, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

This enormous, unprecedented algal bloom could have profound implications for carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and for the marine ecosystem. Christina Schallenberg, Research Fellow, University of Tasmania Jakob Weis, Ph.D. student, University of Tasmania Joan Llort, Oceanógrafo , Barcelona Supercomputing Center-Centro Nacional de Supercomputación (BSC-CNS) Peter Strutton, Professor, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania Weiyi Tang, Postdoc in Biogeochemistry, Princeton University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The researchers found tooth shape varied, depending on the types of food a carnivore regularly bites into – in much the same way we choose a kitchen knife depending on what we’re cutting up. Tahlia Pollock, PhD candidate, Monash University Alistair Evans, Associate Professor, Monash University David Hocking, Adjunct Research Associate, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Litter hotspots were associated with socioeconomic factors such as a concentration of built infrastructure, less national wealth and the level of lighting at night. Lauren Roman, Postdoctoral Researcher, Oceans and Atmosphere, CSIRO Britta Denise Hardesty, Senior Principal Research Scientist, Oceans and Atmosphere, CSIRO Chris Wilcox, Senior Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The way we use fossil fuels is wasteful and inefficient. A world based on renewable energy would need half as much as we produce now. Robert McLachlan, Professor in Applied Mathematics, Massey University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.