The Conversation

Spotlight on Australia’s ‘nature positive’ environmental reforms: last chance for this parliament to get serious about halting the decline of nature. Peter Burnett, Honorary Associate Professor, ANU College of Law, Australian National University Brendan Wintle, Professor in Conservation Science, School of Ecosystem and Forest Science, The University of Melbourne Jaana Dielenberg, University Fellow in Biodiversity, Charles Darwin University Martine Maron, Professor of Environmental Management, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

By listening to the “heartbeat” or soundscape of soil, we can learn more about its condition. Think of poor soil as a lifeless party. Healthy soil is where you’ll find the good vibes and chatter. Jake M Robinson, Ecologist and Researcher, Flinders University Martin Breed, Associate Professor in Biology, Flinders University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Shared e-scooters have safety features that private e-scooters lack, but accident data don’t distinguish between them, nor tell us about the economic and environmental harms of other transport modes. Mark Stevenson, Professor of Urban Transport and Public Health, The University of Melbourne Ferdinand Balfoort, PhD Candidate in Law, Charles Darwin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

This small coastal town’s efforts to reclaim the night skies for people and nature is truly inspirational. Here’s how you can help reduce light pollution and claim your own Dark Sky Place title. Sharolyn Anderson, Research scientist and Adjunct Associate Professor, University of South Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Rewilding is helping to save species from the brink of extinction. But reintroducing species to islands or fenced havens have limitations. What if we could use flat topped mesas as well? Patrick Finnerty, Postdoctoral research fellow in conservation, University of Sydney Thomas Newsome, Senior lecturer in ecology, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The scale of the challenge of hitting Australia’s renewable energy target points to the need for a more standardised and inclusive approach to sharing the benefits than we have seen so far. Simon Wright, Senior Research Fellow, Energy & Circularity, Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The rise of ‘pyrokaryotes’ could reduce the availability of fish humans eat, and hamper the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon emissions. Ryan Heneghan, Lecturer in Environmental Modelling, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

For millennia, we’ve selectively bred our crop species to make the plants stronger and better yielding. But we’ll need a different approach to help our food plants weather the changes to come. Rajeev Varshney, Professor, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University Vanika Garg, Senior Lecturer in Crop and Food Innovation, Murdoch University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In the crystal-clear streams of the Northern Territory lives a large turtle with a snout like a pig. This unique animal is one of the latest additions to the threatened species list. Deborah Bower, Associate Professor in Zoology and Ecology, University of New England Carla Eisemberg, Senior Lecturer in STEM Pathways, Charles Darwin University Ricky Spencer, Associate Professor of Ecology, Western Sydney University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New Zealand’s natural gas supply is forecast to drop by half within six years. The flow-on effects of scarcity will include rising costs, but this could shift demand to other energy sources. David Dempsey, Associate professor, University of Canterbury Jannik Haas, Senior Lecturer of Sustainable Systems, University of Canterbury Rebecca Peer, Senior lecturer, University of Canterbury Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Our new research shows a few simple steps can dramatically improve the energy performance of a home, and ensure occupants don’t shiver through winter unnecessarily. Michael Ambrose, Research Team Leader, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia cannot risk any further declines in its biodiversity resulting from harvesting native forests, or actions that bring further risks to its emissions-reduction goal. David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Brendan Mackey, Director, Griffith Climate Action Beacon, Griffith University Heather Keith, Senior Research Fellow in Ecology, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A new report reveals Australia’s fossil fuel exports threaten the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C Bill Hare, Adjunct Professor of Energy, Murdoch University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research underscores the need to counter the effects of urban growth on drought by ensuring cities have enough green spaces to keep them liveable. Ian A. Wright, Associate Professor in Environmental Science, Western Sydney University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The recommendations of the senate inquiry into Australia’s disaster resilience mainly focus on volunteers involved in the immediate disaster response. This will not make Australians more resilient. Monica Taylor, PhD Candidate in climate justice, Queensland University of Technology Fiona Crawford, Adjunct Lecturer at the Centre for Justice, Queensland University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia’s emissions-reduction efforts must continue in haste, at large scale. Real change is possible. Luke Brown, Head of Policy and Engagement, Climateworks Centre Anna Malos, Climateworks Centre - Country Lead, Australia, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

It feels harmless to share a photo of a rare species. But social media can drive great damage to nature, from poaching to baiting to trampling. Robert Davis, Senior Lecturer in Wildlife Ecology, Edith Cowan University Bill Bateman, Associate Professor, Behavioural Ecology, Curtin University Claire Greenwell, Adjunct Associate in Ornithology and Marine Ecology, Murdoch University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In the book Living Hot, Clive Hamilton and George Wilkenfeld argue humanity should stop trying so hard to reduce emissions, and adapt instead. But we must do both. Blanche Verlie, Horizon Research Fellow and Lecturer, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia’s largest oil and gas company wants to drill for gas under a pristine coral reef. Samantha Hepburn, Professor, Deakin Law School, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A partnership that combines Western science and Traditional Owners’ ecological knowledge is restoring the seagrass meadows of Gathaagudu/Shark Bay. Elizabeth Sinclair, Senior Research Fellow, School of Biological Sciences and Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia Gary Kendrick, Winthrop Professor, Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia Martin Breed, Associate Professor in Biology, Flinders University Patricia Oakley, Malgana Elder, Indigenous Knowledge Sean McNeair, Offshore Operations Manager, Indigenous Knowledge Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.