The Conversation

Christmas can be a particularly hard time of year, and dogs are a vital support for many of the most vulnerable in our society. Emma Power, Senior Research Fellow, Geography and Urban Studies, Western Sydney University Mark Westman, Veterinarian, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We need balanced media reporting about bat-borne diseases to help avoid vilification of Australia's under-appreciated creatures of the night. Justin Welbergen, President of the Australasian Bat Society | Senior Lecturer in Animal Ecology, Western Sydney University Kyle Armstrong, Past president of the Australasian Bat Society | South Australian Museum, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Wildfires are expected to increase in a warming world, but there is another way humans are changing the patterns and intensity of fires: by introducing flammable plants to new environments. Tim Curran, Senior Lecturer in Ecology, Lincoln University, New Zealand George Perry, Professor, School of Environment, University of Auckland Sarah Wyse, Early Career Research Fellow, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Research Fellow, School of Environment, University of Auckland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

At the end of 2017, Australia is starting to (slowly) address our energy problems. But it's also clear the federal government has abdicated leadership and responsibility. Alan Pears, Senior Industry Fellow, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The federal government's keenly awaited review of Australia's climate policies continues a longstanding bipartisan traditional of weak policy development in this area. Rebecca Pearse, Lecturer, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Politicians are always being told to trust what climate scientists are telling them. But can you have too much of a good thing? What happens when the exchange of ideas becomes too cosy? Rebecca Colvin, Knowledge Exchange Specialist, Australian National University Christopher Cvitanovic, Research Fellow, University of Tasmania Justine Lacey, Senior Social Scientist, CSIRO Mark Howden, Director, Climate Change Institute, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A Senate committee has recommended an end to sharks culls and nets. According to surveys, the public is on board with the idea of ending policies that are lethal to sharks. Christopher Neff, Lecturer in Public Policy, University of Sydney Thomas Wynter, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Electoral Integrity Project, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australian government environmental funding has decreased by a third since 2013. At the same time, Australia is experiencing massive species loss as funding for the sector dries up. Don Driscoll, Professor in Terrestrial Ecology, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia's national obsession with prescribed burning won't be enough to manage the growing risk of devastating bushfires. James Furlaud, PhD Student in Fire Ecology, University of Tasmania David Bowman, Professor, Environmental Change Biology, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The government's handshake deal with gas suppliers may have stopped the market plunging off a cliff, but it's not doing much more. David Blowers, Energy Fellow, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Every December Australia's air travel peaks, as we travel to family and friends (or flee on holiday). Many buy carbon offsets for these flights – but what do they actually do to our carbon emissions? Susanne Becken, Professor of Sustainable Tourism and Director, Griffith Institute for Tourism, Griffith University Brendan Mackey, Director of the Griffith Climate Change Response Program, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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.