The Conversation
Ecosystems across Australia are collapsing under climate change
Australia has seen an unprecedented number of widespread, catastrophic transformations in response to extreme weather events.
Rebecca Harris, Climate Research Fellow, University of Tasmania
David Bowman, Professor, Environmental Change Biology, University of Tasmania
Linda Beaumont, Senior Lecturer, Macquarie University
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As power prices soar, we need a concerted effort to tackle energy poverty
Energy justice is a social issue, and by leaving it up to vulnerable people to sort it out for themselves, we as a society risk making it even worse.
Nicola Willand, Research Consultant, Sustainable Building Innovation Laboratory, RMIT University
Ralph Horne, Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor, Research & Innovation; Director of UNGC Cities Programme; Professor, RMIT University
Trivess Moore, Lecturer, RMIT University
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Higher energy prices are here to stay – here's what we can do about it
A Grattan Institute report has found renewable energy investment could offer a path to lower rates, but they won't drop below 2015 prices.
Lucy Percival, Associate, Grattan Institute
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Sorry, baristas: instant coffee has the smallest carbon footprint (but don't overfill the kettle)
How you prepare your coffee at home (and wash up the mugs) can have a big impact on its carbon footprint. So fill that kettle carefully, and only brew what you know you'll drink.
Maartje Sevenster, Research Scientist Climate Smart Agriculture, CSIRO
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There are some single-use plastics we truly need. The rest we can live without
We can safely say goodbye to most single-use plastics. But they do have essential uses in some areas, such as for medical or scientific samples, or storing food for humanitarian aid.
Paul Harvey, Researcher of Environmental Science, Macquarie University
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Plastic-free campaigns don't have to shock or shame. Shoppers are already on board
Plastic bags will soon be gone from major supermarkets and many other shops too. Campaigns to reduce plastic even more should focus on positive advice, rather than shaming shoppers for their plastic use.
Louise Moana Kolff, Lecturer, UNSW
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Tandem virus cocktail kills pest rabbits more effectively
Feral rabbits previously exposed to myxoma virus are more likely to be killed by rabbit haemorrhagic diease, meaning that these two biocontrol agents can become even more powerful when used in tandem.
Corey Bradshaw, Matthew Flinders Fellow in Global Ecology, Flinders University
Louise Barnett, Adjunct researcher, Flinders University
Thomas Prowse, Postdoctoral research fellow, School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Adelaide
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New coal doesn't stack up – just look at Queensland's renewable energy numbers
There are calls from the backbench and elsewhere for the federal government to safeguard the future of coal. But do those calls make economic sense? A look at Queensland's energy landscape suggests not.
Matthew Stocks, Research Fellow, ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science, Australian National University
Andrew Blakers, Professor of Engineering, Australian National University
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A hidden toll: Australia's cats kill almost 650 million reptiles a year
The average Australian feral cat kills 225 reptiles a year, which adds up to 596 million in total, according to a new estimate. Pet cats, meanwhile, kill a further 53 million.
John Woinarski, Professor (conservation biology), Charles Darwin University
Brett Murphy, Senior Research Fellow, Charles Darwin University
Chris Dickman, Professor in Terrestrial Ecology, University of Sydney
Sarah Legge, Associate Professor, Australian National University
Tim Doherty, Research Fellow, Deakin University
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Insects that look like sticks, behave like fruit, and move like seeds
Stick insects may be using birds to disperse their eggs, just as plant do.
James O'Hanlon, Postdoctoral research fellow, University of New England
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If you need a PhD to read your power bill, buying wisely is all but impossible
With electricity bills becoming more complicated, it's increasingly difficult for customers to know if they are getting a good deal.
Bruce Mountain, Director, Victoria Energy Policy Centre, Victoria University
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Feeding frenzy: public accuse the media of deliberately fuelling shark fear
The news media routinely 'beats up' shark stories in search of clicks and profits, according to focus groups and surveys of social media posts.
Peter Simmons, Associate Professor, Communication, Charles Sturt University
Michael Mehmet, Lecturer in Marketing, Charles Sturt University
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South-East Queensland is droughtier and floodier than we thought
We rely on climate data to help us make important decisions for our future, such as building infrastructure. But what if a region's climate has long been more volatile than we realised?
Jack Coates-Marnane, Post-doctoral research fellow, Griffith University
Joanne Burton, Adjunct Research Fellow, Griffith University
John Tibby, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Change, University of Adelaide
Jon Olley, Professor of Water Science, Griffith University
Joseph M. McMahon, PhD candidate, Griffith University
Justine Kemp, Senior Research Fellow in Geomorphology, Griffith University
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Lowy Institute Poll shows Australians' support for climate action at its highest level in a decade
The latest annual survey from the Lowy Institute shows that 59% of Australians support strong climate action, and 84% want the government to embrace renewable energy even if it's more expensive.
Matt McDonald, Associate Professor of International Relations, The University of Queensland
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New river council will give traditional owners in the Kimberley a unified voice
The new Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council aims to overcome a management problem faced by many traditional owners: the fact that major rivers flow through lands home to many different groups and languages.
Sue Jackson, Professor, ARC Future Fellow, Griffith University
Sarah Laborde, Postdoctoral Researcher, Griffith University
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Scientists create new building material out of fungus, rice and glass
Waste byproducts from rice and glass combined with fungus can create a construction material with the potential to save lives and the planet.
Tien Huynh, Senior Lecturer in the School of Sciences, RMIT University
Mitchell Jones, PhD Student, RMIT University
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Curious Kids: Do cats and dogs lose baby teeth like people do?
Puppies and kittens are born without teeth, but by around two months of age they have a full set of baby teeth.
Anne Fawcett, Lecturer, University of Sydney
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Proposed NSW logging laws value timber over environmental protection
More logging will occur in NSW if conservation areas are rezoned by the state government.
Oisín Sweeney, Senior Ecologist at the National Parks Association of NSW, Research Fellow, University of Sydney
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Australia must embrace transformation for a sustainable future
Australia's business-as-usual plan will not be enough to achieve our 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Shirin Malekpour, Research Leader in Strategic Planning and Futures Studies, Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University
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Bees get stressed at work too (and it might be causing colony collapse)
The work honey bees do is critical for our ecosystems, but it comes at a high personal cost.
Amélie Cabirol, Postdoctoral fellow, University of Trento
Andrew Barron, Associate Professor, Macquarie University
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