The Conversation

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.

The changing dynamic between Borneo’s pigs and Indigenous people is a powerful reminder of the fragility of the human-nature connection. Matthew Luskin, Lecturer in Conservation Science, The University of Queensland David Kurz, Postdoctoral fellow in Environmental Science, Trinity College Fiffy Hanisdah Saikim, Senior lecturer, Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Indigenous Knowledge Matthew D. Potts, Professor, S.J. Hall Chair in Forest Economics, University of California, Berkeley Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Dried foods are a staple in many Aussie diets, but the industry is under threat as recurring drought makes fruit and vegetables harder to process. Charith Rathnayaka, Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Roaming pet cats can kill more than 180 animals each year. But most people who keep cats inside do so for the welfare of their pet. Lily van Eeden, Postdoctoral research fellow, Monash University Emily McLeod, PhD Candidate, Queensland University of Technology Fern Hames, Director, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Zoe Squires, Policy Officer, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The phenomenon is called heliotropism, and sunflowers are most famous for it. But why do they track the sun? And how? Gregory Moore, Doctor of Botany, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Soundscapes impact the well-being of human and non-human urban inhabitants. Here’s how noise can change animal behaviour, both in and out of lockdown. Kurt Iveson, Associate Professor of Urban Geography and Research Lead, Sydney Policy Lab, University of Sydney Dieter Hochuli, Professor, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The world is moving away fossil fuels, and there’s nothing Australia can do about it. Racing to dig up and sell whatever fossil fuels we can before the timer stops is not a future-proof strategy. Frank Jotzo, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy and Head of Energy, Institute for Climate Energy and Disaster Solutions, Australian National University Mark Howden, Director, Climate Change Institute, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Major research found Australia must keep 95% of coal in the ground to limit global warming. With a little political will, this would be easy to do. John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.