The Conversation

Researchers expected to find koalas killed by the fires. But they were heartbroken to find those that died afterwards from starvation, thirst or injury. Romane H. Cristescu, Posdoc in Ecology, University of the Sunshine Coast Celine Frere, Senior lecturer, University of the Sunshine Coast Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Aerial baiting has been Australia's foremost weapon against pest species for the past 74 years. But at what cost? Justine M. Philip, Doctor of Philosophy, Ecosystem Management, Museums Victoria Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research from Australia’s national science agency shows a huge amount of ocean plastic ends up on land, where it gets trapped. Britta Denise Hardesty, Principal Research Scientist, Oceans and Atmosphere Flagship, CSIRO Chris Wilcox, Senior Research Scientist, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

You’ve probably seen ants marching over your kitchen bench this summer. Should you get out the insecticide, or learn to live with them? Tanya Latty, Associate professor, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The oil deal is a side-show. Australian energy diplomacy instead must grapple with the rapid deployment of renewables. Christian Downie, Australian Research Council DECRA Fellow, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Concentrations of carbon dioxide are now 147% above pre-industrial levels, according to a definitive report by the World Meteorological Organisation released today. Blair Trewin, Climate scientist, Australian Bureau of Meteorology Pep Canadell, Chief research scientist, CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere; and Executive Director, Global Carbon Project, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The extent of this achievement is staggering, almost incomprehensible in a southern Australia context after the summer's devastating bushfires. Rohan Fisher, Information Technology for Development Researcher, Charles Darwin University Jon Altman, Emeritus professor, School of Regulation and Global Governance, ANU, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Future extremes from the Indian Ocean will be acting on top of global warming, giving a double whammy effect, like the record-breaking heat and drought we saw in 2019. Nicky Wright, Research Fellow, Australian National University Bethany Ellis, PhD Candidate, Australian National University Nerilie Abram, Professor; ARC Future Fellow; Chief Investigator for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The drought has pushed many trees to the brink, and whole stands are now dying. The ecological consequences are huge. Rachael Helene Nolan, Postdoctoral research fellow, Western Sydney University Belinda Medlyn, Professor, Western Sydney University Brendan Choat, Associate Professor, Western Sydney University Rhiannon Smith, Research Fellow, University of New England Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Fish, frogs, turtles and platypus at major risk of extinction following the bushfires. So why aren't they getting much attention? Jamie Pittock, Professor, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

People should always evacuate early to ensure their safety. But when they do decide to stay or they're told it's too late to leave, having a plan B is extremely important. Sahani Hendawitharana, PhD Scholar, Queensland University of Technology Anthony Deloge Ariyanayagam, Lecturer and Research Fellow, Queensland University of Technology Mahen Mahendran, Professor of Structural Engineering, Queensland University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In this time of natural destruction, children's books featuring Australian wildlife are critical to fostering environmental awareness in the next generation. Ayesha Tulloch, DECRA Research Fellow, University of Sydney Kirsten Parris, Professor of Urban Ecology, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Each B&B is a green sanctuary for pollinators, containing pollinating plants and shelters like beehives and nesting boxes. Judith Friedlander, Post-graduate Researcher, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Autumn may bring wetter-than-average conditions in parts of southern Australia, indicating a gradual easing of the drought in some areas. Catherine Ganter, Senior Climatologist, Australian Bureau of Meteorology Andrew B. Watkins, Head of Long-range Forecasts, Australian Bureau of Meteorology David Jones, Climate Scientist, Australian Bureau of Meteorology Skie Tobin, Climatologist, Australian Bureau of Meteorology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A new study has reported the world will lose almost half of its valuable sandy beaches by 2100 as sea levels rise. But cutting our emissions could keep some intact. John Church, Chair Professor, Climate Change Research Centre, UNSW Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

By 2030, no matter where Victorians live or visit, they'll have a consistent kerbside bin system. Jenni Downes, Research Fellow, BehaviourWorks Australia (Monash Sustainable Development Institute), Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The forestry industry wants to remove damaged logs from native forests after the bushfires. But our wildlife needs them now more than ever. David Lindenmayer, Professor, The Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Doug Robinson, Honorary Visiting Fellow, Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution, La Trobe University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

These Aussie diggers boost the health of our soils. But up until recently, we didn't know just how much soil they can turn over (hint: it's a lot). Euan Ritchie, Associate Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Amy Coetsee, Threatened Species Biologist, University of Melbourne Anthony Rendall, Associate Lecturer in Conservation Biology, Deakin University Duncan Sutherland, Deputy Director of Research, Phillip Island Nature Parks; Research Fellow, University of Melbourne Leonie Valentine, Research Associate, School of Plant Biology, University of Western Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Recent rains have not eliminated the threat of a repeat of last summer's mass fish deaths. Lee Baumgartner, Professor of Fisheries and River Management, Institute for Land, Water, and Society, Charles Sturt University Max Finlayson, Adjunct Professor, Charles Sturt University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The surprise decision is an important win for many Australians, but reform of Australia's offshore petroleum laws is urgently required to protect marine environments. Madeline Taylor, Academic Fellow, University of Sydney Tina Soliman Hunter, Professor of Petroleum and Resources Law Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.