The Conversation

Standing 240m tall, the Statue of Unity celebrates India's development. But jarringly, it towers over a divisive and environmentally damaging dam project. Ruth Gamble, David Myers Research Fellow, La Trobe University Alexander E. Davis, New Generation Network Fellow, La Trobe University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The announcement of a new fast-charging network to link the major east coast cities will do much to encourage motorists to buy electric cars. But the power utilities need to get on board too. Iftekhar Ahmad, Associate Professor, Edith Cowan University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The federal government has floated the idea of underwriting new coal-fired electricity generation in a bid to keep power prices low. But doing so would be a defiance of economic and environmental reality. Samantha Hepburn, Director of the Centre for Energy and Natural Resources Law, Deakin Law School, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Geometric icebergs can form around Antarctica, although such a perfect rectangle is unusual. Sue Cook, Ice Shelf Glaciologist, Antarctic Climate & Ecosystems CRC, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Marine sponges are ancient organisms that have survived mass extinctions. Many are more tolerant of climate change and may dominate over corals in future reef systems. James Bell, Associate Professor of Marine Biology, Victoria University of Wellington Nicole Webster, Principal Research Scientist, Australian Institute of Marine Science Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Spinifex grass is a (slightly ugly) Aussie battler that keeps on giving. Kristian Bell, PhD candidate, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Camel beauty pageants are multi-million-dollar events on the Arabian Peninsula. Jaime Gongora, Associate Professor, Animal and Wildlife Genetics and Genomics, University of Sydney Mahmood Alamri, PhD student, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Nobel Prizewinning health researcher Peter Doherty reflects on the challenge of delivering a healthy climate for the world. From hydrogen power to wooden skyscrapers, the options are endless, but all require leadership. Peter C. Doherty, Laureate Professor, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

You could take the bus to work, or eat less meat. But how do you know if your efforts are making a difference? A new approach aims to break global environmental budgets down into digestible chunks. Peter Newman, Professor of Sustainability, Curtin University Kate Meyer, Sessional Academic, School of Design and the Built Environment, Curtin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Like reptiles, birds do not have two separate exits from the body. They have one, called the cloaca. It is quite similar to the human anus but the cloaca expels both indigestible bits and toxins. Gisela Kaplan, Emeritus Professor in Animal Behaviour, University of New England Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Beyond trucking in hay and water, drought-stricken farmers need money and advice on improving the natural features of their land. David Lindenmayer, Professor, The Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Michelle Young, Director, Sustainable Farms, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

An ancient relationship between plants and fungi could be used in sustainable agriculture. But there's still a lot we don't know, and new research suggests these fungi can sometimes do more harm than good. Adam Frew, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Charles Sturt University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Breeding dogs for certain colours can affect their health, behaviour and life-span. Paul McGreevy, Professor of Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare Science, University of Sydney Bethany Wilson, Honorary Affiliate, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Nauru is best known as a site of Australian offshore asylum detention. But everyone on the island - not just refugees - is struggling with the issue of environmental change that threatens their lives and homes. Anja Kanngieser, Vice Chancellor's Research Fellow, University of Wollongong Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

European settlers suspected Australia's high tropical forests hid native rhododendrons. Stuart Worboys, Laboratory and Technical Support Officer, Australian Tropical Herbarium, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A survey of 32,000 samples of dingo droppings and stomach contents reveal that this predator's appetite is as wide-ranging as Australia's landscapes. But medium and large mammals are top of the menu. Tim Doherty, Research Fellow, Deakin University Chris Dickman, Professor in Terrestrial Ecology, University of Sydney Dale Nimmo, Associate professor/ARC DECRA fellow, Charles Sturt University Euan Ritchie, Associate Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Thomas Newsome, Lecturer, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Delays on climate action to reduce emissions means that we may have to consider technologies that strip carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. But that will come at a cost. Paul Behrens, Assistant Professor of Energy and Environmental Change, Leiden University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Bears in Asia are trapped in bile farms, where they are kept in small cages for decades. Edward Narayan, Senior Lecturer in Animal Science; Stress and Animal Welfare Biologist, Western Sydney University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A new study reveals that the demise of the ancient city of Angkor was related to the fragmentation of critical infrastructure during a period of climatic instability. Dan Penny, Associate Professor, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Wetlands in Australia are often dry. They may look unassuming but it's a vital part of their vibrant lifecycle. Deborah Bower, Lecturer in Ecosystem Rehabilitation, University of New England Ben Vincent, Research officer, University of New England Darren Ryder, Professor of Aquatic Ecology and Restoration, University of New England John Thomas Hunter, Adjunct Associate Professor in Landscape Ecology, University of New England Lindsey Frost, Technical Officer, University of New England Manu Saunders, Research fellow, University of New England Sarah Mika, Research fellow, University of New England Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.