The Conversation

The blocks can be used to run steam turbines at power stations as a clean alternative to burning coal, and at a fraction of the price of storing energy in batteries. Erich Kisi, Professor of Engineering , University of Newcastle Alexander Post, Conjoint Lecturer, University of Newcastle Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We enjoy and appreciate animals and are disturbed by violence against them. But we also perpetrate this violence, and that needs to change. David Killoren, Research Fellow, Dianoia Institute of Philosophy, Australian Catholic University Robert Streiffer, Professor of Philosophy and Bioethics, University of Wisconsin-Madison Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

These trees are too important to be destroyed in the name of the forestry industry. This is why my husband Steve Pearce and I climb, explore and photograph them. Jennifer Sanger, Research Associate, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The government has chosen a route not backed by evidence, and which will deliver a bad deal to taxpayers and the environment. Quentin Grafton, Director of the Centre for Water Economics, Environment and Policy, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Three recent studies shed new light, as understanding how the behaviour of Australia's wildlife changes at night can help scientists better protect them. Euan Ritchie, Associate Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Courtney Marneweck, Postdoctoral Researcher in Carnivore Ecology, Clemson University Grant Linley, PhD Candidate, Charles Sturt University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Some skinks have been known to kill their babies – but one remarkable species goes to any lengths to save them. Gregory Watson, Senior Lecturer, Science, University of the Sunshine Coast Jolanta Watson, Lecturer in Science, University of the Sunshine Coast Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

With targeted conservation action, we might just save many of these species before it's too late. Hayley Geyle, Research Assistant, Charles Darwin University David Chapple, Associate Professor in Evolutionary and Conservation Ecology, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The Superb Lyrebird is famous for its song and dance, but what is less known is their extraordinary role as world-class ecosystem engineers. Alex Maisey, PhD Candidate, La Trobe University Andrew Bennett, Professor of Ecology, La Trobe University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Climate Explained is a collaboration between The Conversation, Stuff and the New Zealand Science Media Centre to answer your questions about climate change. If you have a question you’d like an expert… Robert McLachlan, Professor in Applied Mathematics, Massey University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Building renewable energy infrastructure involves mining for materials such as lithium, graphite and cobalt. If not done responsibly, that could cause huge environmental damage. Laura Sonter, Lecturer in Environmental Management, The University of Queensland James Watson, Professor, The University of Queensland Richard K Valenta, Director - WH Bryan Mining and Geology Research Centre - The Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Yesterday, the bushfire royal commission handed down interim observations. But there's a glaring omission. Robert Glasser, Visiting Fellow, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

It shouldn't have been the case that business groups only acted when the problem became undeniable and started to hurt profits. Marc Hudson, Research Associate in Social Movements, Keele University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Marking farms more water-efficient pushes up prices twice as much as buying water back. Neal Hughes, Senior Economist, Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) David Galeano, Assistant Secretary, Natural Resources, Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) Steve Hatfield-Dodds, Executive Director, Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Tesla founder Elon Musk has described hydrogen-powered cars as "mind-bogglingly stupid". So is he right? Jake Whitehead, Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellow & Tritum E-Mobility Fellow, The University of Queensland Peter Newman, Professor of Sustainability, Curtin University Thomas Bräunl, Professor of Robotics; Director, WA Electric Vehicle Trial, University of Western Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

California's bushfire disaster is eerily reminiscent of Australia's Black Summer. We share the same fiery fate, and must learn to adapt. David Bowman, Professor of Pyrogeography and Fire Science, University of Tasmania Ross Bradstock, Professor, Centre for Environmental Risk Management of Bushfires, University of Wollongong Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In a recent survey, 64% of youths said they've experienced bushfires, heatwaves and drought in the past three years. But 88% believe they're not taught to protect themselves and their communities. Annette Gough, Professor Emerita of Science and Environmental Education, RMIT University Briony Towers, Research Fellow, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

An official report on Thursday said blackouts are not expected this summer. But consumers will still have to pay through the nose to make the system more reliable. Dylan McConnell, Research Fellow at the Australian German Climate and Energy College, University of Melbourne Anne Kallies, Senior Lecturer, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Damage to septic tanks is one of the major health hazards people face when they return to their bushfire-affected homes. It was simply dumb luck a disease outbreak didn't happen last summer. Ian Lowe, Emeritus Professor, School of Science, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Researchers have collated measurements made by satellites, field sensors and people, to get a picture of the nature's recovery while we've been in lockdown. Albert Van Dijk, Professor, Water and Landscape Dynamics, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We should stop developing into high-risk areas, as the associated land clearing is too significant to our ecosystems and may still result in houses being lost. Mark Maund, Research Affiliate, School of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Newcastle Kim Maund, Discipline Head – Construction Management, School of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Newcastle SueAnne Ware, Professor and Head of School of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Newcastle Thayaparan Gajendran, Associate Professor, School of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Newcastle Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.