The Conversation

We already know that climate change makes heatwaves hotter and longer. But a new series of research papers asks whether there is also a climate fingerprint on frosty spells and bouts of wet weather. Pandora Hope, Senior research scientist, Australian Bureau of Meteorology Andrew King, Climate Extremes Research Fellow, University of Melbourne Eun-Pa Lim, Senior research scientist, Australian Bureau of Meteorology Michael Grose, Climate Projections Scientist, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The 2016 bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef was the worst on record. Now a new analysis points the finger squarely at human-induced warming, and warns that the entire reef's future is at stake. Sophie Lewis, Research fellow, Australian National University Jennie Mallela, Research Fellow in Coral Reef Monitoring and Reef Health Appraisal, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A review of the Emissions Reduction Fund has found it's performing well – but new research raises serious credibility issues. Tim Baxter, Researcher - Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Lucky Bay on WA's south coast has been scientifically declared to have the whitest sand in Australia. But if you think your local beach can take the title, we want to hear from you. Noel Schoknecht, Senior research associate, Murdoch University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The new Tasmanian tiger genome reveals some fascinating facts about this extinct marsupial, including why they were so similar to dogs, and how they were growing more vulnerable to genetic disease. Andrew Pask, Associate Professor, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Bitcoin has been viewed as a liberating path out of the corporate monetary system. But the process of 'mining' the cryptocurrency is a massive energy drain - and potential environmental disaster. John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The ocean floor off Australia's east coast bears the scars of numerous subsea landslides, which have potentially triggered tsunamis over the past several millennia. Samantha Clarke, Associate Lecturer in Education Innovation, University of Sydney Hannah Power, Lecturer in Coastal Science, University of Newcastle Kaya Wilson, University of Newcastle Tom Hubble, Associate professor, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australians love canned tuna. Here's our handy guide to finding the most sustainable options for you (and your cat). Candice Visser, PhD Candidate, University of Wollongong Quentin Hanich, Associate Professor, University of Wollongong Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Low flows in the Murray River in recent years have harmed tiny marine plants called phytoplankton, with consequences for local marine species and management. Hannah Auricht, PhD candidate, University of Adelaide Kenneth Clarke, Researcher, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The new foreign donations laws announced this week will potentially stifle the work of foreign funded charities and environment groups working in Australia. Samantha Hepburn, Director of the Centre for Energy and Natural Resources Law, Deakin Law School, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Chinese investment is driving an unprecedented investment boom in global infrastructure. But despite its claims to be pursuing green development, China's building bonanza is harming the planet. Bill Laurance, Distinguished Research Professor and Australian Laureate, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

You should never try to drive through floodwater, because you never know what's beneath the surface. And new research shows some roads are more treacherous than others. Andrew Gissing, Director Resilience, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Last week in SA the "world's largest" lithium ion battery was launched. Will its storage capacity and versatility be a game-changer for Australia's energy market? Dylan McConnell, Researcher at the Australian German Climate and Energy College, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

’Tis the season for online shopping – which means a month of shipping. Here's how to reduce your delivery footprint. David M. Herold, Sustainable Logistics Researcher, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Proposed national standards for chicken farming argue that battery cages are not a significant detriment to hens' health. Clive Phillips, Professor of Animal Welfare, Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

SA Premier Jay Weatherill has announced a Royal Commission into breaches of the Murray Darling Basin agreement. But will it solve the long running problems with river management? Jamie Pittock, Director, International Programs, UNESCO Chair in Water Economics and Transboundary Water Governance, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Penguins in New Zealand, Australia and elsewhere face an uncertain future as a new review documents the number accidentally ensnared in fishing nets. Ursula Ellenberg, Honorary Lecturer, La Trobe University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Three decades since the GREENHOUSE 87 conference, credited as kickstarting public awareness of climate change in Australia, how far have we come, and how far do we have left to go in appreciating the risks? Marc Hudson, PhD Candidate, Sustainable Consumption Institute, University of Manchester Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New Zealand's plan to create the world’s first humanitarian visa for climate refugees has to consider ways people from Pacific island nations actually want to be assisted. Nina Hall, Assistant Professor of International Relations, Johns Hopkins University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A new study identifies dozens of individual reefs on the Great Barrier Reef that are especially important for coral larvae dispersal and which could help the entire ecosystem bounce back. Peter J Mumby, Chair professor, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.