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Ecosystems across Australia are collapsing under climate change

Thu, 2018-07-05 06:09
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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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As power prices soar, we need a concerted effort to tackle energy poverty

Wed, 2018-07-04 06:08
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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Higher energy prices are here to stay – here's what we can do about it

Mon, 2018-07-02 10:42
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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Sorry, baristas: instant coffee has the smallest carbon footprint (but don't overfill the kettle)

Mon, 2018-07-02 06:09
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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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There are some single-use plastics we truly need. The rest we can live without

Fri, 2018-06-29 05:56
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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Plastic-free campaigns don't have to shock or shame. Shoppers are already on board

Thu, 2018-06-28 05:56
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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Tandem virus cocktail kills pest rabbits more effectively

Wed, 2018-06-27 13:53
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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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New coal doesn't stack up – just look at Queensland's renewable energy numbers

Wed, 2018-06-27 05:48
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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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A hidden toll: Australia's cats kill almost 650 million reptiles a year

Tue, 2018-06-26 05:56
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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Insects that look like sticks, behave like fruit, and move like seeds

Mon, 2018-06-25 14:36
Stick insects may be using birds to disperse their eggs, just as plant do. James O'Hanlon, Postdoctoral research fellow, University of New England Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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If you need a PhD to read your power bill, buying wisely is all but impossible

Mon, 2018-06-25 05:51
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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Feeding frenzy: public accuse the media of deliberately fuelling shark fear

Fri, 2018-06-22 15:36
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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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South-East Queensland is droughtier and floodier than we thought

Fri, 2018-06-22 04:48
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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Lowy Institute Poll shows Australians' support for climate action at its highest level in a decade

Thu, 2018-06-21 13:03
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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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New river council will give traditional owners in the Kimberley a unified voice

Thu, 2018-06-21 06:06
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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Scientists create new building material out of fungus, rice and glass

Wed, 2018-06-20 11:33
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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Curious Kids: Do cats and dogs lose baby teeth like people do?

Wed, 2018-06-20 09:51
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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Proposed NSW logging laws value timber over environmental protection

Tue, 2018-06-19 15:49
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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Australia must embrace transformation for a sustainable future

Tue, 2018-06-19 06:10
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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Bees get stressed at work too (and it might be causing colony collapse)

Mon, 2018-06-18 16:00
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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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