The Conversation

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.

As part of its 100-day priority plan, New Zealand's new government has pledged to set a target of carbon neutrality by 2050, which means phasing out fossil fuels and products that burn them. Robert McLachlan, Professor in Applied Mathematics, Massey University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Much of Australia's energy debate is centred around 'models' of various policies. But how do they work? And what can they really tell us? Hugh Saddler, Honorary Associate Professor, Centre for Climate Economics and Policy, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New "dual-pol" weather radars promise to spot large hailstones forming inside thunderstorms, giving people a heads-up when it's about to hail. Joshua Soderholm, Research scientist, The University of Queensland Alain Protat, Principal Research Scientist, Australian Bureau of Meteorology Hamish McGowan, Professor, The University of Queensland Matthew Mason, Lecturer in Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Young people are taking to bins to protest food waste. Chamila Perera, Lecturer, Swinburne University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New modelling suggests that Australia could use renewable energy to hit its 2030 emissions reduction targets, without it costing any more overall than maintaining the status quo. Andrew Blakers, Professor of Engineering, Australian National University Bin Lu, PhD Candidate, Australian National University Matthew Stocks, Research Fellow, ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Reconstruction progress in Nepal has been painfully slow. Building code compliance and better urban planning are a must – but inequitable access to resources undermines recovery. Jason von Meding, Senior Lecturer in Disaster Risk Reduction, University of Newcastle Hari Darshan Shrestha, Associate professor Disaster Management and structural Engineering Humayun Kabir, Professor, DRR expert, University of Dhaka Iftekhar Ahmed, Senior Lecturer, University of Newcastle Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

As federal and state energy ministers gather to discuss the Turnbull government's proposed National Energy Guarantee, many of the finer details of the modelling are not yet available. David Blowers, Energy Fellow, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We can make up 70% of Australia's projected gas shortfall simply by improving energy efficiency and sensible use of gas alternatives. Amandine Denis, Head of Research, ClimateWorks Australia, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Improper use of antibiotics is one reason for the rise in antibiotic resistance, but new research shows that ingredients in common weed killers can also cause bacteria to become less susceptible. Jack Heinemann, Professor of Molecular Biology and Genetics, University of Canterbury Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In the upcoming Queensland election all major parties are talking up public investment in energy generation. But are these policies paying heed to climate science? John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

One of the biggest issues in this Saturday's Queensland election is the controversial Carmichael coal mine. Our infographic breaks down what it means for Queensland, Australia and the world. Michael Hopkin, Section Editor: Energy + Environment, The Conversation Madeleine De Gabriele, Deputy Editor: Energy + Environment Wes Mountain, Deputy Multimedia Editor Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Ferns came along more than 200 million years before the dinosaurs walked the Earth. They were food for plant-eating dinosaurs and they're really great survivors. Heather, age 8, wants to know more. Gregory Moore, Doctor of Botany, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A recent report claims that Australia's energy can reliably come from 50% renewable sources by 2030. But arguing over renewable levels distracts from a paucity of policy. David Blowers, Energy Fellow, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Tonnes of plastic end up in the ocean each year, but a switch away from petroleum-based products to bio-derived and degradable composites could lessen marine pollution. Kim Pickering, Professor of materials science and engineering, University of Waikato Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

India's capital New Delhi has been plunged into smog, a year after suffering a similar crisis. Without an end to crop burning, the problems with smog will only continue. Vijay Koul, Honorary fellow, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The failed attempt to reinstate land clearing regulations in Queensland has prompted 'panic clearing', pushing Australia into the global top-ten deforesters. Noel D Preece, Adjunct Principal Research Fellow at Charles Darwin and, James Cook University Penny van Oosterzee, Principal Research Adjunct James Cook University and University Fellow Charles Darwin University, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

To many people, island nations such as Tuvalu, Kiribati and the Marshall Islands are synonymous with climate catastrophe. But prophesies of doom aren't all that helpful. Jon Barnett, Professor, School of Geography, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.