The Conversation
The carbon footprint of tourism revealed (it's bigger than we thought)
For the first time research has quantified the global carbon footprint of tourists. It's big – and getting bigger.
Dr Arunima Malik, Lecturer in Sustainability, University of Sydney
Dr Ya-Yen Sun, Senior Lecturer, The University of Queensland
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A crisis too big to waste: China's recycling ban calls for a long-term rethink in Australia
Both short- and long-term solutions are needed to solve Australia's recycling crisis. State and federal ministers are pursuing some promising avenues, but they need to cast the net much wider.
Monique Retamal, Research Principal, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney
Elsa Dominish, Senior Research Consultant, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney
Jenni Downes, Research Consultant, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney
Nick Florin, Research Director, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney
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Toxin linked to motor neuron disease found in Australian algal blooms
A toxic chemical produced by algae and linked to motor neuron disease has been detected in NSW rivers. Its presence - long suspected but now confirmed - could be linked to a disease hotspot in the Riverina.
Brendan Main, PhD Candidate, University of Technology Sydney
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The new 100% recyclable packaging target is no use if our waste isn't actually recycled
Under a new target, 100% of Australian packaging will be recyclable, compostable or reusable by 2025. But this is not enough - we also need to ensure that recyclable materials are actually recycled.
Atiq Zaman, Lecturer, Curtin University
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Australians will not buy electric cars without better incentives
Warnings that a tide of electric vehicles will cut Australia's tax income put the cart well before the (low-emissions) horse.
Anna Mortimore, Lecturer, Griffith Business School, Griffith University
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China-backed Sumatran dam threatens the rarest ape in the world
A US$1.6 billion dollar dam in Sumatra threatens the recently discovered and desperately imperilled Tapanuli Orangutan.
Bill Laurance, Distinguished Research Professor and Australian Laureate, James Cook University
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Rio Tinto's climate change resolution marks a significant shift in investor culture
The shareholder resolution on climate change at Rio Tinto's AGM is another indication of how much investor culture is tilting towards demanding that companies take a responsible climate stance.
Anita Foerster, Senior Research Fellow, University of Melbourne
Jacqueline Peel, Professor of Environmental and Climate Law, University of Melbourne
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$500 million for the Great Barrier Reef is welcome, but we need a sea change in tactics too
The federal government's new $500 million funding package for the Great Barrier Reef seems predominantly focused on the tactics that are already being tried, without much success.
Jon Brodie, Professorial Fellow, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
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Recent Australian droughts may be the worst in 800 years
Australia has always suffered heat and flood, but a detailed seasonal rainfall reconstruction of the last 800 years shows the extremes are intensifying.
Mandy Freund, PhD student, University of Melbourne
Ben Henley, Research Fellow in Climate and Water Resources, University of Melbourne
Kathryn Allen, Academic, Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, University of Melbourne
Patrick Baker, ARC Future Fellow and Professor of Silviculture and Forest Ecology, University of Melbourne
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Australia's reptiles may be spreading rat poison through the food chain
Rat baits are widely used to keep rodent pests at bay. But many Australian reptiles are resistant to the poison, potentially spreading these deadly compounds up the food chain.
Michael Lohr, PhD Student - Wildlife Ecology, Edith Cowan University
Robert Davis, Senior Lecturer in Vertebrate Biology, Edith Cowan University
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It will take decades, but the Murray Darling Basin Plan is delivering environmental improvements
The Murray-Darling Basin Plan has been politically fraught and mired in scandal. But environmental monitoring suggests that the health of the rivers is indeed improving - even if it will take decades.
Angus Webb, Senior Lecturer and quantitative ecologist, University of Melbourne
Darren Ryder, Professor of Aquatic Ecology and Restoration, University of New England
Fiona Dyer, Associate professor, University of Canberra
Michael Stewardson, Environmental Hydrology and Water Resources, Melbourne School of Engineering, University of Melbourne
Mike Grace, Associate Professor, Monash University
Nick Bond, Professor, La Trobe University
Paul Frazier, Adjunct Senior Lecturer, University of New England
Qifeng Ye, Principal Scientist, Inland Waters and Catchment Ecology Program
Rick Stoffels, Senior Scientist, CSIRO
Robyn J Watts, Professor of Ecology, Charles Sturt University
Samantha Capon, Research Fellow in Ecology, Griffith University
Skye Wassens, Associate Professor in Ecology, Charles Sturt University
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Rockin' the suburbs: bandicoots live among us in Melbourne
Endangered bandicoots have been found in the outskirts of Melbourne.
Euan Ritchie, Associate Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University
Sarah Maclagan, PhD candidate, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University
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Sustainable shopping: where to find a puffer jacket that doesn't warm the Earth
The puffer jacket has become an iconic staple of many people's winter wardrobe. Here are some ways to shop for yours in the most eco-friendly and ethical way.
Alice Payne, Senior lecturer in Fashion, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland University of Technology
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It's funny to name species after celebrities, but there's a serious side too
Scientists have been naming species after well-known people since the 18th century, often in a bid for publicity. But the issue deserves attention – 400,000 Australian species are yet to be described.
Kevin Thiele, Adjunct Senior Lecturer, University of Western Australia
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China's recycling 'ban' throws Australia into a very messy waste crisis
China new cleanliness standards for the recyclable materials it imports are so stringent that they are tantamount to a total ban. Australian councils are now in crisis mode as the rubbish piles up.
Jenni Downes, Research Consultant, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney
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Curious Kids: Where did trees come from?
Trees evolved many times around the world.
Greg Jordan, Associate Professor, University of Tasmania
Matilda Brown, PhD, University of Tasmania
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Fracking can cause social stress in nearby areas: new research
Research into Queensland's Darling Downs area has found social stress caused by housing pressure, population shifts and the 'two-speed economy' of coal seam gas.
Will Rifkin, Chair in Applied Regional Economics and Director, Hunter Research Foundation Centre, University of Newcastle
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Helping farmers and reducing car crashes: the surprising benefits of predators
Dingoes increase cattle yields, mountain lions reduce car crashes and vultures eat organic waste: like them or not, predators help humans.
Christopher O'Bryan, PhD Candidate, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland
Eve McDonald-Madden, Senior lecturer, The University of Queensland
James Watson, Professor, The University of Queensland
Neil Carter, Assistant Professor, College of Innovation and Design, Boise State University
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Federal government sets sights on August approval for National Energy Guarantee
The federal government is confident that states will sign up to the National Energy Guarantee, with a final decision now timetabled for August.
Michael Hopkin, Section Editor: Energy + Environment, The Conversation
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Sustainable shopping: tap water is best, but what bottle should you drink it from?
We all know that tap water is better than buying bottled water, from an environmental standpoint at least. But what should you drink it out of? A single-use bottle, used multiple times, might be best.
Trevor Thornton, Lecturer, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University
Simon Lockrey, Research Fellow, RMIT University
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