The Conversation

There are hopes AI may be the silver bullet we need to save the environment – but it comes with downsides. Ehsan Noroozinejad, Senior Researcher, Urban Transformations Research Centre, Western Sydney University Seyedali Mirjalili, Professor of Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Business and Hospitality, Torrens University Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We all say we like recycling. But contamination rates are high. Victoria’s government hopes a new bin for glass and recycling soft plastic can help. Bhavna Middha, ARC DECRA and Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University Ralph Horne, Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research & Innovation, College of Design & Social Context, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Shifting from native forest logging to sustainable plantations will help protect these essential forests and the many threatened species that depend on them. Michelle Ward, Lecturer, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University James Watson, Professor in Conservation Science, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Two legal experts explore the arrest and potential extradition of Sea Shepherd Founder and anti-whaling activist Paul Watson on a Japanese warrant from 2010. Tamsin Phillipa Paige, Senior Lecturer, Deakin University Danielle Ireland-Piper, Associate Professor, ANU National Security College, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A new study quantifies the benefits of surfing, to the Australian economy as well as health and wellbeing, as Aussie surfers rule the waves in the 2024 Olympic Games. Let’s protect our surf breaks. Ana Manero, Research Fellow, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Hydrogen is expected to play an important role in New Zealand’s energy strategy. But the government and industry need to focus on its best uses for decarbonisation. Ian Mason, Adjunct Senior Fellow in Renewable Energy Systems Engineering, University of Canterbury Robert McLachlan, Professor in Applied Mathematics, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Many Indigenous people want to help protect their traditional lands. That requires deciding which species and habitat matter most to them. Teagan Goolmeer, PhD Candidate, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The surge in online purchases is increasing parcel delivery traffic and emissions. One solution is to take advantage of the trips people are already making to get parcels to their destinations. Lynette Cheah, Professor and Chair of Sustainable Transport, University of the Sunshine Coast Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

As mums, it’s been frustrating to see so many of our kids’ sport matches cancelled due to waterlogged grounds. Research shows how we can tackle this through smarter design and green infrastructure. Jua Cilliers, Head of School of Built Environment, Professor of Urban Planning, University of Technology Sydney Mehrafarin Takin, PhD student in the School of Built Environment, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Efforts by First Nations groups to thin dense forest regrowth have come under fire in Victoria. The solution isn’t to restore “wilderness” – it’s to manage Country. Jack Pascoe, Research fellow in ecology and land management, The University of Melbourne Patrick Baker, ARC Future Fellow and Professor of Silviculture and Forest Ecology, The University of Melbourne Tom Fairman, Future Fire Risk Analyst, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

From the Arctic to the Himalayas, New Zealand and even Mexico, glaciers worldwide are retreating. But what happens when the ice is gone? Levan Tielidze, Research Fellow in glacial geomorphology, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Any heater that burns fuel without adequate ventilation is dangerous in a home – and none are as safe or efficient as a reverse-cycle air conditioner. Christine Cowie, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Air Quality and Health Research and Evaluation, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney; Senior Research Fellow, South West Sydney Clinical School, UNSW Sydney Bill Dodd, Knowledge Broker, Centre for Safe Air (NHMRC CRE), and Adjunct Researcher, Media School, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The scientific and broader community must join together to advance Southern Ocean science and protect this vital natural asset. Luke Bennetts, Lecturer in applied mathematics, University of Adelaide Callum Shakespeare, Senior Lecturer in Climate and Fluid Physics, Australian National University Catherine Vreugdenhil, ARC DECRA Research Fellow in Fluid Dynamics, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A new report from the Climate Council identifies ways to cut methane greenhouse emissions, almost two years after Australia signed a global pledge to reduce them. Lesley Hughes, Professor Emerita, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Fluctuations in the path of storms over the Australian continent can influence the conditions delivered by an El Niño or La Niña. Carly Tozer, Senior Research Scientist, CSIRO James Risbey, Researcher, Oceans and Atmosphere, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Why do governments still give billions to encourage fossil fuel production? The answer is often to shore up energy supplies. Bernard Njindan Iyke, Lecturer in Finance, La Trobe University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Coral restoration is, at best, a feel-good measure – and at worst, a dangerous distraction from climate action. Robert Paul Streit, Research Fellow in Just Ocean Governance, The University of Melbourne David Roy Bellwood, Professor, James Cook University Tiffany Morrison, Professorial Research Fellow, James Cook University and Professor, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia’s live export trade is controversial. Have you ever wondered how it perpetuates? New research shows it comes down to corporate power dynamics. Similar forces operate in Brazil and the US. Katherine Sievert, Research Fellow in Food Systems, Deakin University Christine Parker, Professor of Law, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Disasters are never entirely natural. They can be far worse if they hit unprepared cities, as Manila has just found out. Emily Nabong, PhD Researcher in Civil Engineering, University of Sydney Aaron Opdyke, Senior Lecturer in Humanitarian Engineering, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The only way to reduce soaring transport emissions is to shift as much travel as possible to the lowest-emission option. Robin Smit, Adjunct Professor, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.