The Conversation

Our cities are full of obstacles and hazards for native wildlife but also contain many valuable patches of habitat. Creating green spaces to connect these patches improves their lives and ours. Thami Croeser, Research Officer, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University Holly Kirk, Research Fellow, Interdisciplinary Conservation Science Research Group (ICON Science), RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Koalas in trouble, land clearing at speed – nature in New South Wales is not well. Now the government is proposing significant changes to its ineffective biodiversity laws. Hugh Possingham, Professor of Conservation Biology, The University of Queensland Carolyn Hogg, Deputy Director, Sydney Environment Institute; Co-Lead Australasian Wildlife Genomics Group, University of Sydney Jaana Dielenberg, University Fellow in Biodiversity, Charles Darwin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australian consumers deserve a legal right to repair beyond the warranty. If we fail to keep up with the UK and EU, we risk becoming a dumping ground for cheap and nasty appliances. Leanne Wiseman, Professor of Law, Griffith University, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The tangle of greenery along railway lines, flowers growing on vacant lots, or unmown grassy patches under power lines, it turns out people in cities engage with nature in all these spaces. Hugh Stanford, Researcher Associate, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University Holly Kirk, Research Fellow, Interdisciplinary Conservation Science Research Group (ICON Science), RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Billions have been spent making the Seine swimmable for the first time in a century. It might not be enough. Ian A. Wright, Associate Professor in Environmental Science, Western Sydney University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We all know the Barrier Reef – but Australia also has three other World Heritage reefs, Ningaloo and Shark Bay in Western Australia and Lord Howe Island off the New South Wales coast. Kate Marie Quigley, DECRA Research Fellow in molecular ecology, James Cook University Andrew Hamilton Baird, Professorial fellow in coral reef ecology, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The last thing we want to do is take the pleasure away from eating. But bite-sized changes add up to significant environmental benefits. Michalis Hadjikakou, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Sustainability, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering & Built Environment, Deakin University Carla Archibald, Research Fellow, Conservation Science, Deakin University Özge Geyik, Visitor, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Pankti Shah, PhD student, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Invasive alien species become much harder and more expensive to manage as they establish and spread through the landscape. So preventing their arrival is vital. Arman Pili, Research affiliate, Monash University David Chapple, Professor in Evolutionary and Conservation Ecology, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia’s ancient Wet Tropics are enormously rich in species. But these tight-knit ecosystems might be at risk from cascading extinctions Seamus Doherty, PhD student, Flinders University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The only way to make nuclear power work in Australia is to unplug cheap renewables. Stop exporting electricity from rooftop solar system. Forget feed-in tarrifs. Everyone use baseload nuclear first. Bill Grace, Adjunct Professor, Australian Urban Design Research Centre, The University of Western Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The water levels of saline lakes depend on a delicate balance between water inputs and outputs. This means they can provide an early warning of disruptions to our water resources. Babak Zolghadr-Asli, QUEX Joint PhD Candidate, Centre for Water Systems, University of Exeter, and Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland Ahmad Ferdowsi, Adjunct Lecturer, University of Applied Science and Technology, and Research Assistant, Department of Water Engineering and Hydraulic Structures, Semnan University Kaveh Madani, Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), United Nations University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Recent sightings of Bladerunner the humpback and Split Fin the killer whale provide an opportunity to remind everyone to keep their distance and avoid collisions with majestic marine mammals. Vanessa Pirotta, Postdoctoral Researcher and Wildlife Scientist, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The term stroad is portmanteau of street and road. Stroads try to be both a thoroughfare for vehicles, and a place for people. Typically they fail at both, and the result is unpleasant for everyone. Liam Davies, Lecturer in Sustainability and Urban Planning, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

When it comes to climate change in Australia, the fires of Knowledge are burning bright. This NAIDOC Week, it’s time Indigenous Knowledges are heard. Nina Lansbury, Associate Professor in Public Health, The University of Queensland Bradley J. Moggridge, Professor of Science and Associate Dean (Indigenous Leadership and Engagement), University of Technology Sydney Geoff Evans, Researcher, The University of Queensland Lillian Ireland, Researcher, The University of Queensland Tom Munro-Harrison, Artist, writer and academic, Indigenous Knowledge Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The first thing to remember is that all smoke is harmful. Typically, if you can smell smoke, it’s at a level where it’s impacting your health. Gabriel da Silva, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Whale strandings are undoubtedly sad events. But with the help of science, the body can be disposed of in a way that doesn’t harm nature or people. Olaf Meynecke, Research Fellow in Marine Science and Manager Whales & Climate Program, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

I’ve studied stress in marsupials. Here’s why banning koala cuddles is a good idea – backed by the scientific evidence on koala handling and stress. Edward Narayan, Senior Lecturer in Animal Science, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

On the day of a blackout, a trial of vehicle-to-grid technology proved both the capacity of electric vehicles to support grid stability and the importance of exactly when vehicles are charged. Bjorn Sturmberg, Senior Research Fellow, Battery Storage & Grid Integration Program, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Contrary to popular belief, new research shows the abrupt, often gale force wind changes known as “southerly busters” are becoming more frequent, but less severe, as the climate changes. Milton Speer, Visiting Fellow, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Lance M Leslie, Professor, School of Mathematical And Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

By the end of the century, half the world’s deep ocean could be acidic – with serious consequences for some marine animals. Mark John Costello, Professor in Marine Biology, Nord University Peter Townsend Harris, Adjunct Professor in Marine Geology, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.