The Conversation

A proposal that all imported vegetable seeds be treated with fungicide has drawn outrage from Australia's organic producers, who fear losing their certification. Karen Barry, Senior Lecturer, Plant Pathology, University of Tasmania Alistair Gracie, Associate Professor in Horticultural Science, University of Tasmania Jason Scott, Senior Lecturer, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Proposed changes to the government's climate change policies may stall, or even close down, the market for 'carbon farmers' to profit from reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Andrew Hopkins, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Solar photovoltaics and wind power are on track to supplant fossil-fuel-based electricity generation by the 2030s. The only thing holding back the renewable revolution is politics. Andrew Blakers, Professor of Engineering, Australian National University Matthew Stocks, Research Fellow, ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In the aftermath of fires or logging, conservation needs to focus on recovering the health of the remaining vegetation, not just the size of the forest or woodland. Ayesha Tulloch, DECRA Research Fellow, University of Sydney David Lindenmayer, Professor, The Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Hugh Possingham, Professor, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

It's understandable to want to shield children from the impacts of disasters. But research suggests that they should be given a voice in disaster planning and a role in reducing the risks. Christine Eriksen, Senior Research Fellow, Australian Centre for Cultural Environmental Research, University of Wollongong Avianto Amri, PhD Candidate, Macquarie University Briony Towers, Research Fellow, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University Emma Calgaro, Sydney Research Fellow in Sustainability Science, University of Sydney John Richardson, Honorary Fellow, Beyond Bushfires Research Team, University of Melbourne Katharine Haynes, Snr Research Fellow, Department of Geography and Planning, Macquarie University Scott McKinnon, Vice-Chancellor's Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Wollongong Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The new pro-coal ‘Monash Forum’ follows in a rich political tradition of think tanks and pressure groups, all with names calculated to lend themselves maximum gravitas and a large dose of obfuscation. Marc Hudson, PhD Candidate, Sustainable Consumption Institute, University of Manchester Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

When the First Fleet sailed into Sydney Cove in 1788, they entered an ancient and unforgiving landscape. A new book charts Australians' relationship with one of the world's most volatile climates. Joelle Gergis, ARC DECRA Climate Research Fellow, School of Earth Sciences, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Eggs are tiny wonders, but even wonders can go wonky sometimes. We look at everything from double-yolkers to eggs with no shell at all. Maggie J. Watson, Lecturer in Ornithology, Ecology, Conservation and Parasitology, Charles Sturt University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The Bureau of Meteorology's climate outlook for April to June is 'neutral', but that doesn't mean we're flying blind, weather-wise. Andrew B. Watkins, Manager of Long-range Forecast Services, Australian Bureau of Meteorology Felicity Gamble, Senior climatologist, Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Australian Bureau of Meteorology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Chocolate is proof the universe loves us and wants us to be happy. Here's how to hunt up the best, most-sustainable and ethically-tasty chocolate eggs this Easter. Robert Edis, Soil Scientist, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research Kanika Singh, Research Fellow, University of Sydney Richard Markham, Research Program Manager for Horticulture, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A new international report makes for bleak reading on the state of the world's soils. It predicts that land degradation will displace up to 700 million people worldwide by mid-century. Abbas El-Zein, Professor of Environmental Engineering, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Africa's famous animal migrations are increasingly blocked by fences, erected by farmers to keep their livestock safe from disease. But a new approach aims to deliver healthy beef and healthy wildlife. Penny van Oosterzee, Adjunct Associate Professor James Cook University and University Fellow Charles Darwin University, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Environmental and health groups have called for the creation of a non-political federal agency with the power to rule on pollution levels - much like the Reserve Bank does for interest rates. David Shearman, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Scientific problems require evidence-led solutions. A new proposal to create a federal environmental decision-making body would take some of the politics out of climate policy. Peter C. Doherty, Laureate Professor, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Artificial islands that are now mushrooming across the ocean are regarded as 'engineering marvels'. But, little attention is paid to how these human-made structures affect sea life. Katherine Dafforn, Senior Research Associate in Marine Ecology, UNSW Ana Bugnot, Research Associate, UNSW Eliza Heery, Research Fellow in Marine Ecology, National University of Singapore Mariana Mayer-Pinto, Senior Research Associate in marine ecology, UNSW Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A new report has found that Tasmanians, Queenslanders and New South Welshmen are paying $100-$400 a year for unnecessary infrastructure. Kate Griffiths, Senior Associate, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The seahorse dads carry the babies in a pouch. Camilla Whittington, Research Fellow / Lecturer, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

'Social licence to operate' is a term describing how much community support a project or company has. As the Northern Rivers CSG experience shows, failing to get it can have costly impacts for firms. Hanabeth Luke, Lecturer, Southern Cross University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Agreements between the Commonwealth and state governments that protect native forests are based on hopelessly out-of-date information. It's a huge mistake to renew them without assessment. David Lindenmayer, Professor, The Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The most sustainable phone is the one you already own. But if you're in the market for a new handset, consider choosing one with replaceable parts to avoid having to replace the whole thing again. Miles Park, Senior Lecturer, Industrial Design, UNSW Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.