The Conversation

Māori treasure kiwi feathers for weaving cloaks for high-ranking people. But the bird's first description by European scientists is quite recent, based on a specimen that arrived in London in 1812. Paul Scofield, Adjunct professor, University of Canterbury Vanesa De Pietri, Fellow, University of Canterbury Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Yes, some of this is normal seasonal transition. But at least a portion of it is due to a particularly vigorous cold front that swept across southeast Australia over the weekend. Sarah Scully, Senior Meteorologist, Australian Bureau of Meteorology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In flood-ravaged Dili, COVID-19 restrictions were abandoned as the disaster unfolded. But it means an already escalating pandemic situation may spiral out of control. Mark Quigley, Associate Professor of Earthquake Science, The University of Melbourne Andrew King, ARC DECRA fellow, The University of Melbourne Brendan Duffy, Fellow in Structural Geology and Tectonics, The University of Melbourne Claire Vincent, Lecturer in Atmospheric Science, The University of Melbourne Ian Rutherfurd, Professor in Geography, The University of Melbourne Januka Attanayake, Research Fellow, The University of Melbourne Lisa Palmer, Associate Professor, School of Geography, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A new report from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute says the federal government has overlooked the national security threats of climate change. Cheryl Durrant, Adjunct Associate Professor, UNSW Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Climate change is likely to mean disasters such as Cyclone Seroja will become more intense, and be seen further south in Australia more often. Jonathan Nott, Professor of Physical Geography, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Electricity emissions can be cut to net-zero while keeping the lights on and prices down. But achieving that quickly means keeping gas around, for now. James Ha, Associate, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Scientists are learning trees can emit methane, which could be a big problem for global warming. But a world-first discovery of methane-eating bacteria in paperbark can help moderate this. Luke Jeffrey, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Southern Cross University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The thinking behind the idea of a dump near Whyalla goes back 60 years. Katherine Aigner, PhD candidate Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Climate change has already made tropical oceans too hot for some marine species to survive. As they flee towards the poles, the implications for ecosystems and human livelihoods will be profound. Anthony Richardson, Professor, The University of Queensland Chhaya Chaudhary, University of Auckland David Schoeman, Professor of Global-Change Ecology, University of the Sunshine Coast Mark John Costello, Professor, University of Auckland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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.