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Updated: 27 min 5 sec ago

Backyard gardeners around the world are helping to save Australia's deeply ancient Wollemi pine

Wed, 2020-06-03 16:01
Did you read about 'dinosaur trees' saved in a secret firefighting mission over summer? Well, these mysterious trees are turning up in backyards in 27 different countries. Heidi Zimmer, Research associate, Southern Cross University Catherine Offord, Senior Principal Research Scientist, The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Matt Canavan says Australia doesn't subsidise the fossil fuel industry, an expert says it does

Wed, 2020-06-03 06:04
Contrary to the Morrison government's claims, it does prop up the fossil fuel industry. But the money doesn't create many jobs or much profit. Jeremy Moss, Professor of Political Philosophy, UNSW Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Climate explained: could the world stop using fossil fuels today?

Wed, 2020-06-03 06:03
While it's impossible to stop all extraction of fossil fuels now, renewable sources are already generating 25% of global electricity demand now and their contribution continues to grow. Ralph Sims, Professor, School of Engineering and Advanced Technology, Massey University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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The next global health pandemic could easily erupt in your backyard

Tue, 2020-06-02 14:47
Australia has been identified as a hotspot for emerging diseases, which occurs when human activities collide with a richness of animal species. Penny van Oosterzee, Adjunct Associate Professor James Cook University and University Fellow Charles Darwin University, James Cook University Bill Laurance, Distinguished Research Professor and Australian Laureate, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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The Leadbeater's possum finally had its day in court. It may change the future of logging in Australia

Tue, 2020-06-02 05:28
It's a stunning win for a small community group that relied on crowd funding to cover legal costs. Julia Dehm, Lecturer, La Trobe University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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What Australian birds can teach us about choosing a partner and making it last

Mon, 2020-06-01 12:22
From choosing a compatible personality to sharing childcare equally, many Australian birds have mastered the art of successful relationships. Gisela Kaplan, Emeritus Professor in Animal Behaviour, University of New England Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Turn off the porch light: 6 easy ways to stop light pollution from harming our wildlife

Mon, 2020-06-01 05:51
We have transformed the night-time environment in a very short time, relative to evolutionary timescales. Most wildlife hasn't had time to adjust. Emily Fobert, Research Associate, Flinders University Katherine Dafforn, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University Mariana Mayer-Pinto, Senior Research Associate in marine ecology, UNSW Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Really Australia, it's not that hard: 10 reasons why renewable energy is the future

Fri, 2020-05-29 16:15
Renewables technology already exists, it's getting cheaper and we will never go to war over sunshine. If you need to be convinced of the potential of wind and solar, read this. Andrew Blakers, Professor of Engineering, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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A fire extinguisher, a suit and 14 million plastic particles: after a storm, microplastic pollution surged in the Cooks River

Fri, 2020-05-29 06:01
To inner west Sydneysiders, the Cooks River is known to be particularly polluted. But after a storm, microplastic particles increased more than 40 fold. James Hitchcock, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, University of Canberra Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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New Zealand government ignores expert advice in its plan to improve water quality in rivers and lakes

Thu, 2020-05-28 16:03
A long-awaited NZ$700 million package to clean up New Zealand's rivers and lakes has disappointed some of the government's expert advisers – especially a delay on setting clear pollution limits. Michael (Mike) Joy, Senior Researcher; Institute for Governance and Policy Studies, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Australia, you have unfinished business. It's time to let our 'fire people' care for this land

Thu, 2020-05-28 06:09
The bushfire royal commission will look at incorporating Aboriginal knowledge into mainstream fire management. But in practice, what does that mean? David Bowman, Professor of Pyrogeography and Fire Science, University of Tasmania Greg Lehman, Pro Vice Chancellor, Aboriginal Leadership Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Rio Tinto just blasted away an ancient Aboriginal site. Here’s why that was allowed

Wed, 2020-05-27 18:58
It's a devastating loss, but the destruction of a culturally significant Aboriginal site is not an isolated incident. Rio Tinto was acting within the law. Samantha Hepburn, Director of the Centre for Energy and Natural Resources Law, Deakin Law School, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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A single mega-project exposes the Morrison government's gas plan as staggering folly

Wed, 2020-05-27 06:15
Every few years, the idea of using gas to transition to a zero-emissions economy seems to re-emerge. Woodside's Burrup Hub proposal shows why it's still a bad move. Bill Hare, Director, Climate Analytics, Adjunct Professor, Murdoch University (Perth), Visiting scientist, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research Ursula Fuentes, Murdoch University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Climate explained: why countries don't count emissions from goods they import

Wed, 2020-05-27 06:08
Countries account for emissions based on all activities that happen within their territory, which means countries that export more than they import will likely have higher per capita emissions. Sarah McLaren, Professor of Life Cycle Management, Massey University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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If you took to growing veggies in the coronavirus pandemic, then keep it up when lockdown ends

Tue, 2020-05-26 06:09
A gardening supply shortage during the pandemic showed our ill-preparedness to grow our own food. Permanent backyard veggie gardens can help us survive the next crisis, and provide everyday benefits. Andrea Gaynor, Associate Professor of History, University of Western Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Be still, my beating wings: hunters kill migrating birds on their 10,000km journey to Australia

Mon, 2020-05-25 11:20
Researchers have discovered an alarming new threat to one of the most incredible wildlife migrations on Earth. Eduardo Gallo-Cajiao, PhD Candidate, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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High-speed rail on Australia's east coast would increase emissions for up to 36 years

Mon, 2020-05-25 06:05
Bullet trains are back on the agenda. But a new analysis shows that rather than helping cut emissions, such a project would drive them up for at least 24 years. Greg Moran, Senior Associate, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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A pretty good start but room for improvement: 3 experts rate Australia's emissions technology plan

Fri, 2020-05-22 13:24
The long-awaited paper sets a positive tone. But it's not clear if the government grasps the sheer scale or urgency of the emissions reduction task. Jake Whitehead, Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellow & Tritum E-Mobility Fellow, The University of Queensland Chris Greig, Professor Simon Smart, Associate professor, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Australia, it's time to talk about our water emergency

Fri, 2020-05-22 06:01
Thirty years since Australia’s water reform project began, it's clear our efforts have largely failed. We must find another way. Quentin Grafton, Director of the Centre for Water Economics, Environment and Policy, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Matthew Colloff, Honorary Senior Lecturer, Australian National University Paul Wyrwoll, Research fellow, Australian National University Virginia Marshall, Inaugural Indigenous Postdoctoral Fellow, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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NSW has approved Snowy 2.0. Here are six reasons why that's a bad move

Thu, 2020-05-21 14:54
Snowy 2.0 has been a lightning rod for controversy. From cost-blowouts to climate impacts and threats to native fish, experts say there are many reasons why it should be put on hold. Bruce Mountain, Director, Victoria Energy Policy Centre, Victoria University Mark Lintermans, Associate professor, University of Canberra Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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