The Conversation

Made in Australia could be set for a comeback, if federal government promises materialise. But these localisation plans must work for the regional communities hosting new projects. Madeline Taylor, Senior Lecturer, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We think of laughing kookaburras as common in Australia and their call certainly lets us know when they’re about. But several factors are driving down their numbers. Diana Kuchinke, Lecturer in Ecology, Federation University Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

An end to extinctions. An environmental cop on the beat. Labor promised a great deal on the environment. But yesterday, they backed away from the main challenge. Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Megan C Evans, Senior Lecturer, Public Sector Management, UNSW Sydney Yung En Chee, Senior Research Fellow, Environmental Science, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The first global bleaching event was in 1998 and the fourth is now under way. Until we curb the emissions driving global warming, the pressure on coral reefs will continue to increase. Britta Schaffelke, Manager International Partnerships and Co-ordinator of the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), Australian Institute of Marine Science David Wachenfeld, Research Program Director – Reef Ecology and Monitoring, Australian Institute of Marine Science Selina Stead, CEO, Australian Institute of Marine Science, and Professor of Marine Governance and Environmental Science, Newcastle University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The common triplefin is helping marine scientists understand the negative effects of ‘skyglow’ on coastal fish, which are already more exposed to microplastics, chemicals and noise pollution. Kathleen Laura Sterup, Postgraduate in Marine Biology, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Abigail M Smith, Professor of Marine Science, University of Otago Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Inconsistent laws and penalties for water theft in the Murray-Darling Basin make compliance and enforcement especially challenging. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Adam James Loch, Associate Professor, University of Adelaide David Adamson, Associate professor, Royal Agricultural University Mark Giancaspro, Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Adelaide Michael Croft, Legal Researcher, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Young sharks are gathering at a popular beach. Here’s why we should skip our fear response and go for wonder – and protection Olaf Meynecke, Research Fellow in Marine Science and Manager Whales & Climate Program, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

With submissions about to close on the government’s proposed fast-track consenting legislation, its possible impact on New Zealand’s diminished and delicate ecosystems demands proper scrutiny. Margaret Stanley, Professor of Ecology, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research shows climate change can drive sudden ocean cooling too. This can have devastating effects on marine life such as bull sharks and manta rays. Nicolas Benjamin Lubitz, Researcher in marine ecology, James Cook University David Schoeman, Professor of Global-Change Ecology, University of the Sunshine Coast Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

For two years, Australia had a carbon price. Now we have a shadow price which won’t be paid by any emitter. John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

If a new declaration based on customary concepts of tikanga and mana is recognised by the courts, it could potentially give interest groups the legal standing to sue on behalf of whales. Rachael Evans, Lecturer, Kaupeka Ture | Faculty of Law, University of Canterbury Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Intense heat and no rain in southwest Western Australia are causing widespread tree and shrub die-offs. Joe Fontaine, Lecturer, Environmental and Conservation Science, Murdoch University George Matusick, Director, Center for Natural Resources Management on Military Lands, Auburn University Jatin Kala, Senior Lecturer and ARC DECRA felllow, Murdoch University Kerryn Hawke, Lecturer in Atmospheric Science, Murdoch University Nate Anderson, PhD candidate, The University of Western Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia is expanding trade and investment with Southeast Asia to improve regional prosperity and global climate security. Here’s what to expect at the April 15-16 green economy summit in Vietnam. Trang Nguyen, Southeast Asia Lead, Climateworks Centre Anna Skarbek, CEO, Climateworks Centre Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Weather forecasting is improving at a great rate, even though climate change could be making it tougher. Andrew King, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, The University of Melbourne Kimberley Reid, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Atmospheric Sciences, Monash University Michael Barnes, Research Fellow, Monash University Nick Earl-Jones, Climate Research Fellow with the Climate Futures Programme, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Proper biodiversity conservation requires long-term commitments to protect areas of land and water, as laid down in international guidelines. James Fitzsimons, Adjunct Professor in Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

What harm can a road do? Plenty. Once built, illegal roads let loggers, miners, poachers and landgrabbers into the jungle, and the felling begins. Bill Laurance, Distinguished Research Professor and Australian Laureate, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Heat is surging in the world’s oceans. Climate change and El Niño explain part of it – but not all. Alex Sen Gupta, Senior Lecturer, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney Kathryn Smith, Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Marine Biological Association Matthew England, Scientia Professor and Deputy Director of the ARC Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science (ACEAS), UNSW Sydney Neil Holbrook, Professor, University of Tasmania Thomas Wernberg, Professor, The University of Western Australia Zhi Li, Postdoctoral researcher, Centre for Marine Science & Innovation, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

South Australia stands out as having the weakest tree-protection laws, but cities around the nation are losing tree cover at a time when climate change makes them more important than ever. Stefan Caddy-Retalic, Ecologist, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide Kate Delaporte, Senior Lecturer, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide Kiri Marker, Science Communications Coordinator, Universität Wien Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In 1898, a pioneering Antarctic expedition was stuck in sea ice for over a year. In 2024, that area is open water. Edward Doddridge, Senior Research Associate in Physical Oceanography, University of Tasmania Annie Foppert, Research Associate, University of Tasmania Stuart Corney, Senior lecturer, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Recent flash droughts in parts of NSW and Victoria appeared quickly and can be followed by intense flooding rains. It’s part of a global trend driven by global warming. 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.