The Conversation

Ocean acidification poses an increasing threat to the sediments that form the framework of coral reefs - within around 30 years, these carbonate sands may no longer be able to form. Bradley Eyre, Professor of Biogeochemistry, Director of the Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry, Southern Cross University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

From the oil that makes your petrol, to car parts, to the groceries and other things in your weekly shop, retail consumerism is driving a boom in the amount of noise in the world's oceans. Andrew J. Wright, Marine Mammal Researcher, Fisheries and Oceans Canada Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Should Australia join the majority of the world and provide legal recognition of the human right to a healthy environment? Dr Meg Good, Adjunct Lecturer, Faculty of Law, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Birds can usually sense when they are not feeling well and like many other creatures, seem to seek out-of-the-way places to be alone. Grainne Cleary, Researcher, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Much of the world's ocean is teeming with 'cryptic' fish species, which are small and hard to spot. But a new technique shines a light on these fish, which may in turn help to keep our seas healthy. Maarten De Brauwer, PhD-candidate in Marine Ecology, Curtin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Drink containers end up in the ocean at a truly alarming rate. Simply paying people a small amount to return them cuts that rate by nearly half. Qamar Schuyler, Research Scientist, Oceans and Atmospheres, CSIRO Britta Denise Hardesty, Principal Research Scientist, Oceans and Atmosphere Flagship, CSIRO Chris Wilcox, Senior Research Scientist, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Our energy system puts consumers more or less at the mercy of business and regulators. What if the future of energy meant putting the power back in the hands of households? Hedda Ransan-Cooper, Research fellow, Australian National University Archie Chapman, Research Fellow in Smart Grids, University of Sydney Paul Scott, Research fellow, Australian National University Veryan Anastasia Joan Hann, PhD Candidate - Energy Policy Innovation, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Magnets, air blowers, centrifuges, crushers: your recyclables go through a lot before they get turned into something else. Trevor Thornton, Lecturer, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Oysters aren't just good for a feed. They also give a vital boost to coastal ecosystems, which is why efforts are underway to restore Australia's once-abundant oyster reefs to their former glory. Dominic McAfee, Postdoctoral researcher, marine ecology, University of Adelaide Ian McLeod, Senior Research Scientist - Coastal Restoration, James Cook University Maria Vozzo, PhD in Marine Ecology, Macquarie University Vivian Cumbo, Postdoctoral Research, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Two decades ago, the then SA premier, John Olsen, defied a campaign promise and announced plans to privatise the state's electricity industry. It's been a high-voltage issue ever since. Marc Hudson, PhD Candidate, Sustainable Consumption Institute, University of Manchester Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A surprising study published in Science found that as fuel emissions drop, consumer products are playing a larger role in air pollution. Jenny Fisher, Senior Lecturer in Atmospheric Chemistry, University of Wollongong Kathryn Emmerson, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.