The Conversation

Unless mining is done differently, rushing to bring copper mines into production could unleash unacceptable, catastrophic impacts. Deanna Kemp, Professor and Director, Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, The University of Queensland Eleonore Lebre, Research Fellow, Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, The University of Queensland John Owen, Professorial Research Fellow, 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.

Among modern Liberals it's patently heresy to ask how rushing to green light 11 proposed coal mines in the Hunter Valley helps the struggling coal industry. Richard Denniss, Adjunct Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

History shows how the states and territories can step into a policy breach when the federal government fails. It's time they band together on electric vehicles. Rupert Posner, Systems Lead - Sustainable Economies, ClimateWorks Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New Zealand is replacing its once groundbreaking environmental legislation with new laws, one of which focuses on climate change adaptation and will include a fund to enable managed retreat. Catherine Iorns, Professor of Law, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The Earth should be safe (and habitable) for a few billions of years, but we still need to worry about the impact now of just a few degrees of global warming. Laura Revell, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Physics, University of Canterbury Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The grisly discovery of a disembodied foot on a NSW beach was a tragic twist in the mystery of missing woman Melissa Caddick. Such tragedies can also reveal hidden currents connecting the planet. Shane Keating, Senior Lecturer in Mathematics and Oceanography, UNSW Moninya Roughan, Professor in Oceanography, UNSW Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Scientists previously underestimated aquatic methane emissions. We must use this new information to stop methane derailing our attempts to stabilise the Earth’s temperature. Judith Rosentreter, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Yale University Alberto Borges, Research Director FRS-FNRS, Associate Professor at ULiège, Université de Liège Ben Poulter, Research scientist, NASA Bradley Eyre, Professor of Biogeochemistry, Director of the Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry, Southern Cross University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Floodplains are among the most productive ecosystems on the planet – they are biodiversity hotspots. That's in large part due to periodic flooding between different parts of a river-floodplain system. Melissa Parsons, Senior Lecturer, Geography and Planning, University of New England Martin Thoms, Professor of Physical Geography, University of New England Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

This Easter, read about this remarkable species of resurrection fern — plants that appear dead and dry, but under the right conditions rapidly spring to life. Gregory Moore, Doctor of Botany, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia is considering removing humpback whales from the threatened species list after their numbers rebounded in recent decades. But the mammals face new threats. Olaf Meynecke, Research Fellow in Marine Science, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

This is not an imaginary future dystopia. It's a scientific projection of Australia under 3℃ of global warming – a future we must both strenuously try to avoid, but also prepare for. Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Professor, University of Queensland, The University of Queensland Lesley Hughes, Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research shows nature started its long road to recovery in 2020 – especially in NSW and Victoria. But overall conditions across large swathes of the country remain poor. Albert Van Dijk, Professor, Water and Landscape Dynamics, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University Marta Yebra, Associate Professor in Environment and Engineering, Australian National University Shoshana Rapley, Research assistant, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Standard economic theory suggests solar exports shouldn't be taxed at all. Bruce Mountain, Director, Victoria Energy Policy Centre, Victoria University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

As bushfires become larger under climate change, the area exposed to intense and severe fires is likely to increase. Ross Bradstock, Emeritus professor, University of Wollongong Hamish Clarke, Research Fellow, University of Wollongong Luke Collins, Research scientist, La Trobe University Michael Clarke, Emeritus professor, La Trobe University Rachael Helene Nolan, Postdoctoral research fellow, Western Sydney University Trent Penman, Professor, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Our report draws on data from more than 1,000 participants who told us of their experiences through community meetings, repeated surveys years after the fires or in-depth interviews. Lisa Gibbs, Academic, Population Health, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

If Australia pushes ahead with producing fossil fuels, we may lock in a new high-emissions energy system, or one that's uncompetitive. Clearly, green hydrogen is the best way forward. Thomas Longden, Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Fiona J Beck, Senior research fellow, Australian National University Frank Jotzo, Director, Centre for Climate and Energy Policy, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

This autumn, embrace puddles. Even tiny pools of water can be essential for birds, trees and pets — from washing away chemicals on leaves to forcing worms to emerge. Gregory Moore, Doctor of Botany, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

With more people composting due to environmental concerns or council programs, they need to know how to do it right. Cheryl Desha, Associate Professor, School of Engineering and Built Environment, and Director, Engagement (Industry), Griffith University Kimberley Reis, Lecturer, School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Griffith University Savindi Caldera, Research Fellow, Cities Research Institute, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The environmental, cultural and scientific sensitivity of some sites, and rarity of some fossils, means amateur fossil collecting comes with huge risks. Kailah Thorn, EdCC Earth Science Museum Curator, University of Western Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We were supposed to have a 'climate election' in 2019. New research looked at attitudes to climate change in Australia, and may explain why that didn't pan out. Rebecca Colvin, Senior lecturer, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Frank Jotzo, Director, Centre for Climate and Energy Policy, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.