The Conversation

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Removing engine idling would be like removing up to 1.6 million cars from the road. Robin Smit, Adjunct associate professor, University of Technology Sydney Clare Walter, PhD Candidate, Honorary Research Fellow, Advocacy Consultant., The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The federal government has shown during the pandemic that it is prepared to impose great financial burdens for the sake of our health. We need them to do the same for another crisis: climate change. Judith Brett, Emeritus Professor of Politics, La Trobe University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia has failed to ratify an international treaty to reduce harmful mercury emissions. Mercury exposure can cause kidney damage and brain impairment, especially in children. Larissa Schneider, DECRA fellow, Australian National University Cameron Holley, Professor, UNSW Darren Sinclair, Professor, University of Canberra Simon Haberle, Professor, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The number of visitors to the restored wetlands is increasing each year, as is the wildlife. Max Finlayson, Adjunct Professor, Charles Sturt University Lance Lloyd, Honorary Research Fellow, Federation University Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Renewable energy projects are often in direct competition with fossil fuels for the hearts and minds of communities. There's a way to win people over though, with ongoing local employment. Tom Morton, Associate Professor, Journalism, Stream Leader, Climate Justice Research Centre, University of Technology Sydney James Goodman, Professor in Political Sociology, University of Technology Sydney Jonathan Paul Marshall, Future Fellow, University of Technology Sydney Katja Müller, Postdoctoral Researcher in Anthropology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg Riikka Heikkinen, PhD Candidate, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

As the bushfire royal commission examines whether to expand the use of indigenous fire techniques, overseas countries are already on board. Sam Johnston, Senior Fellow, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In my 24 years of research, including visiting most sites, I've yet to see a successful rehabilitation case study of Australia's uranium mines. Gavin Mudd, Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The rules governing Australia's electricity market are more than 20 years old and no longer serve consumers, or climate action. But big energy companies are using COVID-19 to delay reform. Daniel J Cass, Research Affiliate, Sydney Business School, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.