The Conversation

The Earth has experienced five periods of mass extinction. Scientists can't quite be certain yet, but they're fairly sure we're now well into the sixth. Frédérik Saltré, Research Fellow in Ecology, Flinders University Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Matthew Flinders Fellow in Global Ecology and Models Theme Leader for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Flinders University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Discussions about climate change often skirt around the issue of population growth, but it is the main driver of rising carbon dioxide levels and many other environmental changes on a planetary scale. Michael Petterson, Professor of Geology, Auckland University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Fire officials warn that this week's catastrophic fire conditions are "where people die". Climate change has arrived, and politicians should drop the meaningless rhetoric. Janet Stanley, Associate professor/Principal Research Fellow, Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Pressure is mounting on Australia's dairy farmers, from farm gate prices to animal welfare concerns, and technology that could produce milk without cows. Andrew Fisher, Professor of Cattle & Sheep Production Medicine, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

They escaped to the coast for the quiet life, but now sea-changers are in the path of monster fires. Ross Bradstock, Professor, Centre for Environmental Risk Management of Bushfires, University of Wollongong Rachael Helene Nolan, Postdoctoral research fellow, Western Sydney University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

An inconclusive COAG meeting comes after years of inquiries, announcements, initiatives, investigations and reviews. Australia is no closer to actually tackling our waste problems. Trevor Thornton, Lecturer, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We can use renewable energy to turn raw ore into higher-value processed metals, and that's good for jobs and exports. Michael Lord, Zero Carbon Researcher, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Antarctica is no longer the sleeping giant of sea level rise. New research delved into the past and found when the Earth warms, its ice sheets can melt extremely quickly. Fiona Hibbert, Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Australian National University Eelco Rohling, Professor of Ocean and Climate Change, Australian National University Katharine Grant, ARC DECRA Postdoctoral Research fellow, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Eminent economist Ross Garnaut says if climate action fails, he fears the consequences 'would be beyond contemporary Australia'. But zero-emissions iron and aluminium could be the way forward. Ross Garnaut, Professorial Research Fellow in Economics, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

What if the nightly news had regular updates on forest clearing, ocean temperatures and fossil fuel consumption? These indicators sit alongside temperatures as signs of climate change. Thomas Newsome, Lecturer, University of Sydney William Ripple, Distinguished Professor and Director, Trophic Cascades Program, Oregon State University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The atmosphere of Mars is more than 96% carbon dioxide, but the planet is cold because its atmosphere is extremely thin, very dry and further away from the Sun. Paulo de Souza, Professor, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research confirms that what the world pumps into the atmosphere today has grave long-term consequences. Governments - especially Australia's - must urgently ramp up efforts to reduce emissions. Bill Hare, Director, Climate Analytics, Adjunct Professor, Murdoch University (Perth), Visiting scientist, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A new business is skipping recycling in favour of returning, washing and reusing sturdy containers for common groceries. Rachael Wakefield-Rann, Research Consultant, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Jenni Downes, Research Fellow, BehaviourWorks Australia (Monash Sustainable Development Institute), Monash University Nick Florin, Research Director, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The government has the activist group Market Forces squarely in its sights as it considers ways to stop environmental organisations persuading financial and other businesses to boycott companies in the… Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Fish may not have eyelids to close, but they sleep – and perhaps even dream. Culum Brown, Professor, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Scientists are uncovering the secrets of a giant undersea rock shelf, parts of which lie four kilometres below the ocean's surface. James Dell, Post Doctoral Fellow, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

There is a myth that dingoes are extinct and wild dogs are all that remain in Australia. Our results show dingoes in New South Wales persist despite some mixing with domestic dogs. Kylie M Cairns, Research fellow, UNSW Brad Nesbitt, Adjunct Research Fellow, University of New England Mathew Crowther, Associate professor, University of Sydney Mike Letnic, Professor, Centre for Ecosystem Science, UNSW Shawn Laffan, Associate professor, UNSW Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Drought has both natural and human causes, but deep cuts in our greenhouse gas emissions are urgently needed, regardless. Ben Henley, Research Fellow in Climate and Water Resources, University of Melbourne Andrew King, ARC DECRA fellow, University of Melbourne Anna Ukkola, Research Fellow, Australian National University Murray Peel, Senior lecturer, University of Melbourne Q J Wang, Professor, University of Melbourne Rory Nathan, Associate Professor Hydrology and Water Resources, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The New Zealand government's decision to partner the farming sector to encourage voluntary reductions in farm emissions failed to acknowledge that agricultural emissions also affect water quality. Michael (Mike) Joy, Senior Researcher; Institute for Governance and Policy Studies, Victoria University of Wellington Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

On the issue of a retreat from coal, Albanese is trying to walk both sides of the highway by wandering down the middle. Peter Christoff, Associate Professor, School of Geography, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.