The Conversation

New "dual-pol" weather radars promise to spot large hailstones forming inside thunderstorms, giving people a heads-up when it's about to hail. Joshua Soderholm, Research scientist, The University of Queensland Alain Protat, Principal Research Scientist, Australian Bureau of Meteorology Hamish McGowan, Professor, The University of Queensland Matthew Mason, Lecturer in Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Young people are taking to bins to protest food waste. Chamila Perera, Lecturer, Swinburne University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New modelling suggests that Australia could use renewable energy to hit its 2030 emissions reduction targets, without it costing any more overall than maintaining the status quo. Andrew Blakers, Professor of Engineering, Australian National University Bin Lu, PhD Candidate, Australian National University Matthew Stocks, Research Fellow, ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Reconstruction progress in Nepal has been painfully slow. Building code compliance and better urban planning are a must – but inequitable access to resources undermines recovery. Jason von Meding, Senior Lecturer in Disaster Risk Reduction, University of Newcastle Hari Darshan Shrestha, Associate professor Disaster Management and structural Engineering Humayun Kabir, Professor, DRR expert, University of Dhaka Iftekhar Ahmed, Senior Lecturer, University of Newcastle Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

As federal and state energy ministers gather to discuss the Turnbull government's proposed National Energy Guarantee, many of the finer details of the modelling are not yet available. David Blowers, Energy Fellow, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We can make up 70% of Australia's projected gas shortfall simply by improving energy efficiency and sensible use of gas alternatives. Amandine Denis, Head of Research, ClimateWorks Australia, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Improper use of antibiotics is one reason for the rise in antibiotic resistance, but new research shows that ingredients in common weed killers can also cause bacteria to become less susceptible. Jack Heinemann, Professor of Molecular Biology and Genetics, University of Canterbury Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In the upcoming Queensland election all major parties are talking up public investment in energy generation. But are these policies paying heed to climate science? John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

One of the biggest issues in this Saturday's Queensland election is the controversial Carmichael coal mine. Our infographic breaks down what it means for Queensland, Australia and the world. Michael Hopkin, Section Editor: Energy + Environment, The Conversation Madeleine De Gabriele, Deputy Editor: Energy + Environment Wes Mountain, Deputy Multimedia Editor Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Ferns came along more than 200 million years before the dinosaurs walked the Earth. They were food for plant-eating dinosaurs and they're really great survivors. Heather, age 8, wants to know more. Gregory Moore, Doctor of Botany, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A recent report claims that Australia's energy can reliably come from 50% renewable sources by 2030. But arguing over renewable levels distracts from a paucity of policy. David Blowers, Energy Fellow, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Tonnes of plastic end up in the ocean each year, but a switch away from petroleum-based products to bio-derived and degradable composites could lessen marine pollution. Kim Pickering, Professor of materials science and engineering, University of Waikato Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

India's capital New Delhi has been plunged into smog, a year after suffering a similar crisis. Without an end to crop burning, the problems with smog will only continue. Vijay Koul, Honorary fellow, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The failed attempt to reinstate land clearing regulations in Queensland has prompted 'panic clearing', pushing Australia into the global top-ten deforesters. Noel D Preece, Adjunct Principal Research Fellow at Charles Darwin and, James Cook University Penny van Oosterzee, Principal Research Adjunct James Cook University and University Fellow Charles Darwin University, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

To many people, island nations such as Tuvalu, Kiribati and the Marshall Islands are synonymous with climate catastrophe. But prophesies of doom aren't all that helpful. Jon Barnett, Professor, School of Geography, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Every year buoyant bundles rise from a spawning coral, giving the impression of an upside-down snowstorm. Line K Bay, Senior Research Scientist and Team Leader, Australian Institute of Marine Science Andrew Heyward, Principal Research Scientist, Exploring Marine Biodiversity, Australian Institute of Marine Science Andrew Negri, Principal Research Scientist, Australian Institute of Marine Science Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Volcanologists study the formation and eruptions of volcanoes - surely one of the most interesting jobs around. However, it can also be very dangerous. Jozua van Otterloo, Assistant Lecturer in Volcanology, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In the decades ahead, our mineral supply will still need to double or triple to meet the demand for electric vehicles and other renewable energy technology. Damien Giurco, Professor of Resource Futures, University of Technology Sydney Nicholas Arndt, Professor of Geosciences, Université Grenoble Alpes Saleem H. Ali, Distinguished Professor of Energy and the Environment, University of Delaware (USA); Professorial Research Fellow, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A new book about what we consume and what it is doing to us raises lots of good points, but lacks a little on the ‘what is to be done’ question. Marc Hudson, PhD Candidate, Sustainable Consumption Institute, University of Manchester Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Cooling off this summer will be more expensive than ever, putting at risk the very young, the elderly and people with health conditions. Larissa Nicholls, Research Fellow, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University Halley McCann, Researcher at the Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University Karyn Bosomworth, Vice-Chancellor's Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University Yolande Strengers, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.