The Conversation
Backyard gardeners around the world are helping to save Australia's deeply ancient Wollemi pine
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
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Matt Canavan says Australia doesn't subsidise the fossil fuel industry, an expert says it does
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
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Climate explained: could the world stop using fossil fuels today?
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
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The next global health pandemic could easily erupt in your backyard
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
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The Leadbeater's possum finally had its day in court. It may change the future of logging in Australia
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
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What Australian birds can teach us about choosing a partner and making it last
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
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Turn off the porch light: 6 easy ways to stop light pollution from harming our wildlife
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
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Really Australia, it's not that hard: 10 reasons why renewable energy is the future
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
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A fire extinguisher, a suit and 14 million plastic particles: after a storm, microplastic pollution surged in the Cooks River
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
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New Zealand government ignores expert advice in its plan to improve water quality in rivers and lakes
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
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Australia, you have unfinished business. It's time to let our 'fire people' care for this land
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
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Rio Tinto just blasted away an ancient Aboriginal site. Here’s why that was allowed
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
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A single mega-project exposes the Morrison government's gas plan as staggering folly
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
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Climate explained: why countries don't count emissions from goods they import
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
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If you took to growing veggies in the coronavirus pandemic, then keep it up when lockdown ends
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
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Be still, my beating wings: hunters kill migrating birds on their 10,000km journey to Australia
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
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High-speed rail on Australia's east coast would increase emissions for up to 36 years
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
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A pretty good start but room for improvement: 3 experts rate Australia's emissions technology plan
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
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Australia, it's time to talk about our water emergency
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
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NSW has approved Snowy 2.0. Here are six reasons why that's a bad move
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
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