The Conversation

The predicted range of future warming remains stubbornly wide. But trying to land on a precise number diverts effort and attention from the climate impacts we’re already seeing. Jonny Williams, Climate Scientist, University of Reading Georgia Rose Grant, Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Paleontology, GNS Science Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

How much microplastic does a city produce? To find out, we looked at Brisbane’s Moreton Bay, where microplastics build up without being washed away Elvis Okoffo, PhD candidate in Environmental Science, The University of Queensland Alistair Grinham, Honorary Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland Ben Tscharke, Research fellow, Analytical Chemistry, The University of Queensland Helen Bostock, Associate Professor in Marine Geology, The University of Queensland Kevin Thomas, Professor of Environmental Health, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Protections for the Heard and McDonald islands, one of Australia’s wildest and most remote areas, don’t go far enough Andrew J Constable, Adviser, Antarctica and Marine Systems, Science & Policy, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Damage from the loss of a New Zealand naval ship in Samoa can be limited if salvage and cleanup crews move fast. But the depth at which the ship now lies will be a challenge. Christopher Battershill, Professor in Coastal Science, University of Waikato Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

What have global efforts to protect oceans actually achieved? Our study of nearly 2,600 tropical coral reefs around the world is the first to answer that question. Joshua Cinner, Professor & ARC Laureate Fellow, Thriving Oceans Research Hub, School of Geosciences, University of Sydney Iain R. Caldwell, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

As Australia prepares to host the first Global Nature Positive Summit this week, let’s take a closer look at what ‘nature positive’ really means. Andrew Lowe, Director, Environment Institute, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Sharks easily consumed large, spiky sea urchins – sometimes in just a few gulps. See it for yourself, in our new Footage from the Field Series. Jeremy Day, PhD researcher, University of Newcastle Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A project in Melbourne’s Royal Park has proved city parks and streets can be used as sites for nature repair that help endangered ecosystems and species to survive. Katherine Horsfall, PhD Candidate, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Modern pharmaceuticals have revolutionised disease prevention and treatment. But eventually, the chemicals can end up in rivers, oceans and soils. Lauren T. May, Senior Lecturer and Group Leader, Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University Manuela Jorg, Research Fellow & Lab Head in Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Urban mining recovers valuable resources from the vast amounts of waste cities produce. Michael Odei Erdiaw-Kwasie, Lecturer in Sustainability| Business and Accounting Discipline, Charles Darwin University Matthew Abunyewah, Research Fellow, The Australasian Centre for Resilience Implementation for Sustainable Communities, Charles Darwin University Patrick Brandful Cobbinah, Associate Professor of Urban Planning, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Imagine using tailored soundscapes to restore ecosystems, simply by amplifying recordings of sonic cues that attract wildlife, stimulate plant growth and rebuild relationships between species. Jake M Robinson, Ecologist and Researcher, Flinders University Martin Breed, Associate Professor in Biology, Flinders University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Sufficiency is a new approach to solving humanity’s consumption problems. It’s about using less, ensuring wellbeing for all humans, and staying within planetary boundaries. David Angus Ness, Adjunct Professor, UniSA STEM, University of South Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

If left unchecked, artificial intelligence will harm animals. Experts in law, ethics and animal welfare call for AI to be included in the revised Australian Animal Welfare Strategy, coming soon. Lev Bromberg, PhD Candidate and Research Fellow, The University of Melbourne Christine Parker, Professor of Law, The University of Melbourne Simon Coghlan, Senior Lecturer in Digital Ethics, Centre for AI and Digital Ethics, School of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Less rain will fall in the Darling River catchment as climate change worsens. This fact must be central to decisions about how much water can be taken from the system. Milton Speer, Visiting Fellow, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Lance M Leslie, Professor, School of Mathematical And Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In Australia, people tend to think carnivores lead the clean-up crew after an animal dies. But brushtail possums – thought to be plant-eaters – also eat carcasses. Patrick Finnerty, Postdoctoral research fellow in conservation, University of Sydney Thomas Newsome, Associate Professor in Global Ecology, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Signs of this potential La Niña are emerging fairly late. But new research may help make predictions earlier. Mandy Freund, Lecturer, Climate Science Geography, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Footprints, droppings, diggings and other signs left behind by animals reveal a lot to a skilled observer. Indigenous knowledge feeds into one of Australia’s largest wildlife monitoring endeavours. Sarah Legge, Professor of Wildlife Conservation, Australian National University Braedan Taylor, Traditional Owner; Karajarri Lands Trust Association/UWA, Indigenous Knowledge Jaana Dielenberg, University Fellow in Biodiversity, Charles Darwin University Pius Gregory, Yawuru Traditional Owner; Kimberley Biocultural Conservation Specialist at WWF-Australia's Broome office, Indigenous Knowledge Rachel Paltridge, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, ecology, The University of Western Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Māori used all parts of raupō for weaving and food, but the plant also kept lakes healthy. This connection between cultural and ecological roles means its fate is closely linked with people. Rewi Newnham, Professor in Physical Geography, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The rapid shift in our electricity system calls for a huge increase in the workforce needed to construct, operate and maintain it. Urgent action on building up this workforce is needed. Jay Rutovitz, Research Director, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Chris Briggs, Research Director, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Elianor Gerrard, Senior Research Consultant, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Many of Australia’s offshore oil and gas projects have finished. Wells need to be plugged; steel structures and pipelines removed. There’s A$60 billion worth of work to be done in coming decades. Darryn Snell, Associate professor, School of Management, RMIT University Al Rainnie, Adjunct professor, UniSA Business, University of South Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.