The Conversation
States' dummy-spit over the Murray-Darling Basin Plan clouds the real facts
New South Wales has pledged to walk away from the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, while Victoria's water minister has declared the plan 'over'.
Quentin Grafton, Director of the Centre for Water Economics, Environment and Policy, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
John Williams, Adjunct Professor Environment and Natural Resources, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
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Semitransparent solar cells: a window to the future?
Solar windows would need to trap enough light to generate power, while letting through enough to keep buildings light. Thankfully, newly developed semitransparent cells offer to do just that.
Matthew Wright, Postdoctoral Researcher in Photovoltaic Engineering, UNSW
Mushfika Baishakhi Upama, PhD student [Photovoltaics & Renewable Energy Engineering], UNSW
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Latest twist in the Adani saga reveals shortcomings in environmental approvals
The federal government considered prosecuting Adani's potential environmental negligence over the history of its Australian CEO.
Samantha Hepburn, Director of the Centre for Energy and Natural Resources Law, Deakin Law School, Deakin University
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Is Perth really running out of water? Well, yes and no
Perth, unlike Cape Town, faces no prospect of its tapwater running out. But other problems lurk beneath the surface, as the city's drying climate puts increasing pressure on irrigation and wetlands.
Don McFarlane, Adjunct professor, University of Western Australia
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'Epic Duck Challenge' shows drones can outdo people at surveying wildlife
A few thousand fake ducks, a group of experienced wildlife spotters and a drone have proven the usefulness and accuracy of drones for wildlife monitoring.
Jarrod Hodgson, PhD Candidate, University of Adelaide
Aleks Terauds, Senior Research Scientist / Section Head, Australian Antarctic Division
Lian Pin Koh, Associate Professor, University of Adelaide
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Fixing cities' water crises could send our climate targets down the gurgler
Cities all over the world are facing growing challenges to provide clean, reliable water. And many of the fixes, such as desalination plants, have a huge carbon footprint.
Peter Fisher, Adjunct Professor, Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University
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Governments can't be trusted to deliver welfare standards for chickens
The current review of standards for egg and poultry farming does little do assuage fears that the industry wields too much influence. Only an independent regulator can restore public confidence.
Elizabeth Ellis, Honorary Senior Fellow, School of Law, Faculty of Law, Humanities & the Arts, University of Wollongong
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Hidden depths: why groundwater is our most important water source
Groundwater is out of sight, but it shouldn't be out of mind. As cities struggle to cope with drought, we should remember that our largest stocks of water are hidden deep underground.
Emma Kathryn White, PhD Candidate, Infrastructure Engineering, University of Melbourne
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Sustainable shopping: your guilt-free guide to flowers this Valentine's Day
Australians import millions of flowers for Valentine's Day. Let's consider some ways to be eco-friendly.
Jennifer Lavers, Research Scientist, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania
Fiona Kerslake, Research Fellow in viticulture and fermentation, University of Tasmania
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World-first genetic analysis reveals Aussie white shark numbers
New research has used genetic analysis in a world-first effort to accurately estimate Australian and New Zealand white shark numbers.
Rich Hillary, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO
Russ Bradford, Project leader and researcher, CSIRO
Toby Patterson, Senior research scientist, CSIRO
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How to use critical thinking to spot false climate claims
Most of us lack the expertise to evaluate climate science, but there are ways anyone can spot a badly reasoned argument.
Peter Ellerton, Lecturer in Critical Thinking, Director of the UQ Critical Thinking Project, The University of Queensland
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Curious Kids: why does rain only come from grey clouds?
To answer this question from Fiona, age 6, we need to know some things about clouds and light.
Justin Peter, Senior Climatologist, Australian Bureau of Meteorology
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Pesticide bans might give us a buzz, but they won't necessarily save the bees
Australian bees have so far avoided the 'colony collapse' devastating hives around the world, but there's growing pressure for a ban on certain insecticides blamed for bee deaths.
Caroline Hauxwell, Associate Professor, Queensland University of Technology
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The Murray Darling Basin Plan is not delivering – there's no more time to waste
A dozen leading researchers have issued an urgent call to action for the Murray-Darling Basin, arguing that the billions spent on water-efficient irrigation have done little for the rivers' health.
Quentin Grafton, Director of the Centre for Water Economics, Environment and Policy, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
Darla Hatton MacDonald, Associate Professor, University of Tasmania
David Paton, Associate Professor, University of Adelaide
Graham Harris, Professorial Fellow, University of Wollongong
Henning Bjornlund, Professor, University of South Australia
Jeffery D Connor, Professor in Water Economics, University of South Australia
John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland
John Williams, Adjunct Professor Environment and Natural Resources, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
Lin Crase, Professor of Economics and Head of School, University of South Australia
Richard Kingsford, Professor, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW
Sarah Ann Wheeler, Professor in Water Economics, University of Adelaide
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Curious Kids: Do animals sleep like people? Do snails sleep in their shells?
Pond snails use things like rocks or the side of their aquarium as their bed, attaching themselves while they sleep. This might not seem very relaxing but their shells do hang away from their body.
John Lesku, PhD, Senior Lecturer in Sleep Ecophysiology, La Trobe University
Anne Aulsebrook, PhD candidate, University of Melbourne
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Sustainable shopping: take the 'litter' out of glitter
Every festival in Australia sends countless bits of glitter down the drain (and into the ocean). But you can still shine on – in bio-glitter.
Jennifer Lavers, Research Scientist, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania
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Going to ground: how used coffee beans can help your garden and your health
Plenty of cafes these days will let you take home some used coffee grounds, to put on your garden. It's a versatile material with loads of potential uses - as long as you treat it properly first.
Tien Huynh, Senior Lecturer in the School of Sciences, RMIT University
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Explainer: power station 'trips' are normal, but blackouts are not
February is the riskiest time of the year for blackouts, as the nation returns to work and school and soaring temperatures put pressure on the system.
Hugh Saddler, Honorary Associate Professor, Centre for Climate Economics and Policy, Australian National University
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Trust Me I'm An Expert: Why February is the real danger month for power blackouts
Today, we're asking why some of the most disadvantaged parts of our cities cop the worst of a heatwave and how you -- yes, you! -- can do your bit to reduce the risk of a summer time blackout.
Sunanda Creagh, Head of Digital Storytelling
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Biomining the elements of the future
Fill a tank with water, sugar, and old mobile phones. Add bacteria and stir. Result? Rare earth metals. This is biomining, and it's the way of the future.
Marcos Voutsinos, PhD Candidate, Geomicrobiology, University of Melbourne
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