The Conversation

Newly revealed documents show the Commonwealth government approved a controversial tourism plan for Tasmania's World Heritage wilderness without assessing it against federal conservation legislation. Brendan Gogarty, Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Tasmania Nick Fitzgerald, PhD candidate, University of Tasmania Phillipa C. McCormack, Lecturer, Faculty of Law, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Malaria can be transmitted from humans to gorillas, with devastating effects. Marissa Parrott, Reproductive Biologist, Wildlife Conservation & Science, Zoos Victoria, and Honorary Research Associate, BioSciences, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

By embracing natural gas made from renewable sources, we can still use gas for heating, cooking and industry, while slashing greenhouse emissions and even keeping much of the same infrastructure. Bernadette McCabe, Associate Professor and Principal Scientist, University of Southern Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Nearly half the eggs sold in Australia are free-range, but only 5% of pork comes from pigs raised outdoors. Amelia Cornish, PhD student, University of Sydney Paul McGreevy, Professor of Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare Science, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The federal government has signalled its intent to prolong the Emissions Reduction Fund. But surveys of business leaders reveal widespread cynicism about a scheme perceived as politicised and bureaucratic. Jayanthi Kumarasiri, Lecturer in Accounting, RMIT University Abeyratna Gunasekarage, Senior Lecturer, Monash University Christine Jubb, Professor of Accounting, Associate Director Centre for Transformative Innovation, Swinburne University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Dog skin is exactly the same as yours and mine! It changes colour depending on how much light it's exposed to. Aaron Herndon, Senior Lecturer – Small Animal Internal Medicine, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Scientists are racing against the clock to figure out how to propagate the rare leek orchid before it goes extinct. Marc Freestone, PhD Candidate, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A decade ago, only a third of farmers accepted the science of climate change. But surveys show attitudes have shifted in recent years as the farming community begins to confront what the future holds. Sarah Ann Wheeler, Professor in Water Economics, University of Adelaide Céline Nauges, Research Director, INRA Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The latest UN climate report makes it clear that the task of limiting climate change is urgent and huge. We must start to transform our economy today, but it will bring rewards as well as challenges. Alan Finkel, Australia’s Chief Scientist, Office of the Chief Scientist Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Alex Turnbull said in his video the IPCC report “frankly was terrifying … and it's seemingly insane to me that we could not be doing something about this and soon”. Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Adapting to climate change means improving soil health, so it can hold more water (even during droughts). Nanthi Bolan, Professor of Enviornmental Science, University of Newcastle Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

On the outskirts of Bangalore, families must piece together drinking water from communal supplies, intermittently available tap water, and "water ATMs". Georgina Drew, Lecturer, University of Adelaide Amalendu Jyotishi, Deepika M G, Associate professor Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

After the warmest month on record, it looks like Australia will have an El Niño event – which means the drought is likely to continue. Skie Tobin, Climatologist, Australian Bureau of Meteorology Catherine Ganter, Senior Climatologist, Australian Bureau of Meteorology Robyn Duell, Senior Climatologist, Australian Bureau of Meteorology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Limiting global warming to 1.5C is a tough challenge but still within reach, according to a landmark report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change commissioned after the 2015 Paris summit. Mark Howden, Director, Climate Change Institute, Australian National University Rebecca Colvin, Knowledge Exchange Specialist, Climate Change Institute, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The world needs to be carbon-neutral by mid-century to give ourselves a chance of holding global warming to 1.5C. With around 1% of the global carbon budget, Australia needs to rapidly do its share. Iain Stewart, Analyst, ClimateWorks Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Here are the essential facts from the UN's special report on climate change. Michael Hopkin, Section Editor: Energy + Environment, The Conversation Emil Jeyaratnam, Multimedia Editor, The Conversation Madeleine De Gabriele, Deputy Editor: Energy + Environment Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia must come to terms with some fundamental shifts in our weather patterns. This month, Andrew Watkins from the BOM and climate scientist Joelle Gergis explore what's in store. Madeleine De Gabriele, Deputy Editor: Energy + Environment Wes Mountain, Deputy Multimedia Editor Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Black wattle is part of Australia's iconic acacia family, but it's largely regarded as a pest overseas. But this fast-growing plant is a boon to gardeners, improving soil and sheltering other plants. Gregory Moore, Doctor of Botany, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

How far will we go to protect high-risk beachfront property? New research suggests local councils are too willing to spend public money to protect private landowners from coastal climate change. Tayanah O'Donnell, Honorary senior lecturer, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Renovations can create more waste than new constructions – but they don't have to. Deepika Mathur, Researcher in sustainable architecture, Charles Darwin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.