The Conversation

You might know expanded polystyrene as packing foam, but it's a nightmare to recycle. Why not just turn it into something useful (or beautiful) instead? Tom Lee, Lecturer, Faculty of Design and Architecture Building, University of Technology Sydney Berto Pandolfo, Senior Lecturer Product Design, University of Technology Sydney Nick Florin, Research Director, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Rachael Wakefield-Rann, Research Consultant and PhD Candidate, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Meet the 'Yeah-buts' - those who know plastic is bad for the environment, but can't get behind the bag ban because it affects their own convenience. This mindset can stall the best-laid green plans. Anne Lane, Academic and researcher, Queensland University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Managing rabbit populations isn't as simple as declaring 'open season'. Euan Ritchie, Associate Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Damien Fordham, University of Adelaide Miguel Lurgi, Postdoctoral research fellow, Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

For just ten years Antarctica was home to a nuclear power station called "Nukey Poo". Hanne E.F. Nielsen, PhD Candidate in Antarctic Representations, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

This weekend sees a major youth climate rally in Washington DC. But do young people really hold the key to overcoming climate inaction, or are we wrong to put our faith in their ability to drive change? Marc Hudson, PhD Candidate, Sustainable Consumption Institute, University of Manchester Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia needs to accelerate its transition to clean energy, and not prolong the use of high-polluting, coal-fired infrastructure. Otherwise it risks missing out on an economic windfall. Martina Linnenluecke, Professor of Environmental Finance; Director of the Centre for Corporate Sustainability and Environmental Finance, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but plastic straws are ruining the ocean. Kim Borg, Doctoral Candidate & Research Officer at BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University Denise Goodwin, Research Fellow, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Would you pay to see rhinos in Australia's savannas or forests? It's not as crazy as it sounds – and could help save collapsing rhino populations. Bill Laurance, Distinguished Research Professor and Australian Laureate, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New Zealand is home to more seabirds than any other country, and many species are already under pressure from climate change and over-fishing. Plastic pollution could push some closer to the brink. Stephanie B. Borrelle, Conservation Ecologist, Auckland University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A new map shows that more than 25% of all land outside Antarctica is held and managed by Indigenous peoples. This makes these communities vital allies in the global conservation effort. Stephen Garnett, Professor of Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University Álvaro Fernández-Llamazares, Researcher, University of Helsinki Catherine Robinson, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Erle C. Ellis, Professor of Geography and Environmental Systems, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Hayley Geyle, Research Assistant, Charles Darwin University Ian Leiper, Geospatial Scientist, Charles Darwin University James Watson, Professor, The University of Queensland John E. Fa, Professor of Biodiversity and Human Development, Manchester Metropolitan University Kerstin Zander, Senior Research Fellow, Charles Darwin University Micha Victoria Jackson, PhD candidate, The University of Queensland Pernilla Malmer, Senior Advisor, Stockholm University Tom Duncan, Charles Darwin University Zsolt Molnár, Scientific Advisor, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia's transition to low-emissions energy will rely on what we have now (lots of coal) and what we'll build in the future (lots of renewables), according to a new report. Lucy Percival, Associate, Grattan Institute Tony Wood, Program Director, Energy, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A chance discovery of some kelp that floated for 20,000km before washing up on an Antarctic beach has opened up a new chapter in our understanding of the currents that swirl around the Southern Ocean. Adele Morrison, Research Fellow, Australian National University Andy Hogg, Associate Professor, Australian National University Ceridwen Fraser, Senior lecturer, Australian National University Erik van Sebille, Associate Professor in Oceanography and Climate Change, Utrecht University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The University of Melbourne is the first institution in Australia to have its nitrogen footprint calculated – it's 139 tonnes per year, mainly because of food production, energy use and transport. Ee Ling Ng, Research fellow, University of Melbourne Deli Chen, Professor, University of Melbourne Xia Liang, PhD candidate, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Not everything humans put in the ocean is garbage. From walls of tyres to sunken sculptures, reef restoration is both a science and an art. Adam Smith, Adjunct Associate Professor, James Cook University Ian McLeod, Senior Research Scientist - Coastal Restoration, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Both male and female birds sing to impress other birds, but as well as that, they do it for pleasure! Michelle Hall, Research Fellow, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New Zealand could become the first country to put a price on greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. Robert McLachlan, Professor in Applied Mathematics, Massey University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia's consumer watchdog has concluded that rooftop solar incentives have distorted the market unfairly for those who cannot afford solar panels, and has recommended the scheme ends ten years early. Lucy Percival, Associate, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

How do you help a country get over plastic? By creating awareness and minor inconveniences and by providing lots of reminders. Kim Borg, Doctoral Candidate & Research Officer at BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

After cascading ecological catastrophes in the 90s, China spent 20 years seriously investing in sustainability. Now that effort is paying off. Brett Bryan, Professor of Global Change, Environment, and Society, Deakin University Lei Gao, Senior Research Scientist, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A new report reveals Australia is lagging behind most wealthy nations in working towards the globally agreed goals. It's performing particularly badly on climate and environmental indicators. John Thwaites, Chair, Monash Sustainable Development Institute & ClimateWorks Australia, Monash University Tahl Kestin, Sustainable Development Solutions Network Manager, Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.