The Conversation

Most modern offices contain a surprising amount of harsh chemicals. If you're heading back to work, check out our list of the best plants to clean the air (and reduce stress). Danica-Lea Larcombe, PhD Candidate in Biodiversity and Human Health, Edith Cowan University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Trying to keep cool this summer while not blowing the power bill? A new mobile game aims to encourage energy efficiency - and research shows it can be more effective than simple advertising campaigns. Rebekah Russell-Bennett, Social Marketing Professor, School of Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations, Queensland University of Technology Rory Mulcahy, Lecturer of Marketing, University of the Sunshine Coast Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Migratory animals are often blamed for the global spread of disease. However, recent research indicates they may not be the primary culprit. Alice Risely, PhD candidate in Ecology, Deakin University Bethany J Hoye, Lecturer in Animal Ecology, University of Wollongong Marcel Klaassen, Alfred Deakin Professor and Chair in Ecology, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The Long Read: Most Australians' power bills have been rising for a decade. There are many reasons why, but the common thread is a lack of government willingness to get to grips with crucial policy problems. David Blowers, Energy Fellow, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Paul Keating's government, faced with the prospect of international action on climate change, took steps to preserve the coal industry - a tactic that has been rebooted many times since. Marc Hudson, PhD Candidate, Sustainable Consumption Institute, University of Manchester Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

2017 brought wild, wacky and even deadly weather. Australia was hit by heatwaves and torrential rains, plus some surprisingly cool spells. Hurricanes hit America, and a killer monsoon lashed Asia. Andrew King, Climate Extremes Research Fellow, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

From mistletoebirds, to bush turkeys, to the festively plumaged eclectus parrot, Australian birds can more than hold their own when it comes to embracing the Christmas spirit. Heather Neilly, PhD Candidate, Centre for Tropical Biodiversity and Climate Change Navigation, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

It's the season to be jolly – but don't share that jollity with your pets. Alcohol, whether in a wine glass, egg-nog or a boozy pudding, is seriously bad for our animal friends. Wendy Brown, Senior Lecturer, University of New England Joanne Righetti, Adjunct Lecturer, University of New England Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Christmas can be a particularly hard time of year, and dogs are a vital support for many of the most vulnerable in our society. Emma Power, Senior Research Fellow, Geography and Urban Studies, Western Sydney University Mark Westman, Veterinarian, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We need balanced media reporting about bat-borne diseases to help avoid vilification of Australia's under-appreciated creatures of the night. Justin Welbergen, President of the Australasian Bat Society | Senior Lecturer in Animal Ecology, Western Sydney University Kyle Armstrong, Past president of the Australasian Bat Society | South Australian Museum, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Wildfires are expected to increase in a warming world, but there is another way humans are changing the patterns and intensity of fires: by introducing flammable plants to new environments. Tim Curran, Senior Lecturer in Ecology, Lincoln University, New Zealand George Perry, Professor, School of Environment, University of Auckland Sarah Wyse, Early Career Research Fellow, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Research Fellow, School of Environment, University of Auckland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

At the end of 2017, Australia is starting to (slowly) address our energy problems. But it's also clear the federal government has abdicated leadership and responsibility. Alan Pears, Senior Industry Fellow, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The federal government's keenly awaited review of Australia's climate policies continues a longstanding bipartisan traditional of weak policy development in this area. Rebecca Pearse, Lecturer, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Politicians are always being told to trust what climate scientists are telling them. But can you have too much of a good thing? What happens when the exchange of ideas becomes too cosy? Rebecca Colvin, Knowledge Exchange Specialist, Australian National University Christopher Cvitanovic, Research Fellow, University of Tasmania Justine Lacey, Senior Social Scientist, CSIRO Mark Howden, Director, Climate Change Institute, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A Senate committee has recommended an end to sharks culls and nets. According to surveys, the public is on board with the idea of ending policies that are lethal to sharks. Christopher Neff, Lecturer in Public Policy, University of Sydney Thomas Wynter, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Electoral Integrity Project, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australian government environmental funding has decreased by a third since 2013. At the same time, Australia is experiencing massive species loss as funding for the sector dries up. Don Driscoll, Professor in Terrestrial Ecology, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia's national obsession with prescribed burning won't be enough to manage the growing risk of devastating bushfires. James Furlaud, PhD Student in Fire Ecology, University of Tasmania David Bowman, Professor, Environmental Change Biology, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The government's handshake deal with gas suppliers may have stopped the market plunging off a cliff, but it's not doing much more. David Blowers, Energy Fellow, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Every December Australia's air travel peaks, as we travel to family and friends (or flee on holiday). Many buy carbon offsets for these flights – but what do they actually do to our carbon emissions? Susanne Becken, Professor of Sustainable Tourism and Director, Griffith Institute for Tourism, Griffith University Brendan Mackey, Director of the Griffith Climate Change Response Program, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We already know that climate change makes heatwaves hotter and longer. But a new series of research papers asks whether there is also a climate fingerprint on frosty spells and bouts of wet weather. Pandora Hope, Senior research scientist, Australian Bureau of Meteorology Andrew King, Climate Extremes Research Fellow, University of Melbourne Eun-Pa Lim, Senior research scientist, Australian Bureau of Meteorology Michael Grose, Climate Projections Scientist, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.