The Conversation
The world endured 2 extra heatwave days per decade since 1950 – but the worst is yet to come
Heatwaves have become longer, hotter and more frequent. This trend is accelerating from climate change.
Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, ARC Future Fellow, UNSW
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45,000 renewables jobs are Australia’s for the taking – but how many will go to coal workers?
Some coal workers have the right skills and work in the right location to get a job in renewables. But many, such as semi-skilled machine operators, cannot.
Chris Briggs, Research Principal, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney
Elsa Dominish, Senior Research Consultant, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney
Jay Rutovitz, Research Director, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney
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We know how to save NSW's koalas from extinction – but the government must commit
The Berejiklian government must step up to the challenge of saving koalas in NSW from their predicted fate: extinction in the wild by 2050.
Dr Christine Hosking, Conservation Planner/Researcher, The University of Queensland
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Today, the Kyoto climate deal ends and Australia's Paris cop-out begins. That's nothing to be proud of, Mr Taylor
Australia abandoned its moral obligations under Kyoto. By carrying our mistakes into the Paris deal, we risk firming our status as a global climate pariah.
Penny van Oosterzee, Adjunct Associate Professor James Cook University and University Fellow Charles Darwin University, James Cook University
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What an ocean hidden under Antarctic ice reveals about our planet's future climate
Latest research explores how a warming ocean circulates underneath Antarctica's floating ice shelves and how this contributes to future sea level rise.
Craig Stevens, Associate Professor in Ocean Physics, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research
Christina Hulbe, Professor and Dean of the School of Surveying (glaciology specialisation), University of Otago
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Our laws failed these endangered flying-foxes at every turn. On Saturday, Cairns council will put another nail in the coffin
Up to 8,000 spectacled flying-foxes, around 12% of the species' population, will be forced to leave their home in central Cairns.
Justin A. Welbergen, President of the Australasian Bat Society | Associate Professor of Animal Ecology, Western Sydney University
Noel D Preece, Adjunct Asssociate Professor, James Cook University
Penny van Oosterzee, Adjunct Associate Professor James Cook University and University Fellow Charles Darwin University, James Cook University
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Climate explained: will the COVID-19 lockdown slow the effects of climate change?
The drop in traffic during COVID-19 lockdowns reduced global emissions. If we keep encouraging cycling and working from home beyond the pandemic, our climate goals may become more achievable.
Simon Kingham, Professor, University of Canterbury
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Their fate isn’t sealed: Pacific nations can survive climate change – if locals take the lead
Pacific communities have always been resilient, surviving on islands in the middle of oceans for more than 3,000 years. But climate change is an unprecedented challenge.
Rachel Clissold, Researcher, The University of Queensland
Annah Piggott-McKellar, Postdoctoral research fellow, University of Melbourne
Karen E McNamara, Associate professor, The University of Queensland
Patrick D. Nunn, Professor of Geography, School of Social Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast
Roselyn Kumar, University of the Sunshine Coast
Ross Westoby, Research Fellow, Griffith University
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Unless we improve the law, history shows rushing shovel-ready projects comes with real risk
A law to fast-track development consents is being fast-tracked itself. Before it's too late, politicians should insist on greater protection against long-term environmental damage.
Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato
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New research shows the South Pole is warming faster than the rest of the world
Over the past 30 years, the South Pole has been one of the fastest changing places on Earth, warming more than three times quicker than the rest of the world.
Kyle Clem, Research Fellow in Climate Science, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
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Anger is all the rage on Twitter when it's cold outside (and on Mondays)
The study examined patterns of Twitter rage in hot and cold weather. Given anger spreads through online communities faster than any other emotions, the findings are important.
Heather R. Stevens, Doctoral student in Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University
Ivan Charles Hanigan, Data Scientist (Epidemiology), University of Sydney
Paul Beggs, Associate Professor and Environmental Health Scientist, Macquarie University
Petra Graham, Senior Research Fellow, Macquarie Business School, Macquarie University
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Let there be no doubt: blame for our failing environment laws lies squarely at the feet of government
As a former environment official, I've been involved with the EPBC Act for more than 20 years. But I was still shocked by the scathing report card.
Peter Burnett, Honorary Associate Professor, ANU College of Law, Australian National University
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Renovation rescue: 6 ways to ensure HomeBuilder helps consumers, the climate and the economy
The controversial HomeBuilder scheme could come with a big upside: making old homes more energy efficient.
Peter M Graham, Associate Professor - Architectural Performance, Monash University
John Thwaites, Chair, Monash Sustainable Development Institute & ClimateWorks Australia, Monash University
Michael Li, Senior Project Manager (Cities & Policy), ClimateWorks Australia, Monash University
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Illegal hunters are a bigger problem on farms than animal activists – so why aren't we talking about that?
Illegal hunters are damaging farm property, shooting at buildings and killing livestock. So why do farm trespass laws target animal activists?
Kyle J.D. Mulrooney, Lecturer in Criminology, Co-director of the Centre for Rural Criminology, University of New England
Alistair Harkness, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Centre for Rural Criminology, University of New England
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How drought-breaking rains transformed these critically endangered woodlands into a flower-filled vista
Box gum grassy woodlands are critically endangered. What's left often grows on farms, and farmers are helping to conserve them.
Jacqui Stol, Senior Experimental Scientist, Ecologist, CSIRO Land and Water, CSIRO
Annie Kelly, Senior Ecologist, Queensland Herbarium
Suzanne Prober, Senior Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO
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Avoiding single-use plastic was becoming normal, until coronavirus. Here's how we can return to good habits
Just because we’re in a period of change, doesn’t mean we have to lose momentum.
Kim Borg, Research Fellow at BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University
Jim Curtis, Research Fellow in Behaviour Change, Monash University
Jo Lindsay, Professor of sociology, Monash University
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Climate Explained: what Earth would be like if we hadn't pumped greenhouse gases into the atmosphere
If we had not altered the composition of the atmosphere at all through emitting greenhouse gases, particulate matter and ozone-destroying chemicals, the average temperature would have remained stable.
Laura Revell, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Physics, University of Canterbury
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Why long-term environmental observations are crucial for New Zealand's water security challenges
Auckland's extreme drought and the rapid retreat of glaciers in the Southern Alps both highlight how important long-term observations are for water management policy and planning.
Andrew Lorrey, Principal Scientist & Programme Leader of Climate Observations and Processes, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research
Ben Noll, Meteorologist/forecaster, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research
Lauren Vargo, Research Fellow in the Antarctic Research Centre, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
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Australia has failed miserably on energy efficiency – and government figures hide the truth
Better energy efficiency lowers electricity bills, manages energy demand and helps the climate. Unfortunately, Australia is going nowhere on this cheap, simple measure.
Hugh Saddler, Honorary Associate Professor, Centre for Climate Economics and Policy, Australian National University
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If we could design JobKeeper within weeks, we can exit coal by 2030. Here's how to do it
It'd be a matter of switching 20-25,000 jobs. During coronavirus, we shut down three million, and dealt with the consequences impressively.
John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland
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