The Conversation

You might look at the task ahead of weaning ourselves off fossil fuels and despair. But we’ve changed energy sources many times before – and it’s never a straightforward process. Liz Conor, ARC Future Fellow, La Trobe University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Volunteers have been collecting and sorting washed-up rubbish on the beach for years. Thanks to their efforts, we have data on whether container deposit schemes help the issue. Kay Critchell, Lecturer in Oceanography, Deakin University Michael Traurig, PhD Researcher, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Antarctic sea ice is now nearly 9% below norma. But the dramatic decline is not universal around the continent, which makes it difficult to predict the overall impact of climate change. Inga Smith, Associate Professor in Physics, University of Otago Andrew Pauling, Research Fellow in Physics, University of Otago Greg Leonard, Senior Lecturer in Surveying, University of Otago Maren Elisabeth Richter, Assistant Research Fellow, University of Otago Max Thomas, Senior Research Fellow, University of Otago Pat Langhorne, Professor Emerita in Physics, University of Otago Wolfgang Rack, Associate Professor for Remote Sensing and Glaciology, University of Canterbury Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research reveals how trees respond to extreme heat. Most trees lose more water than models predict. Some species cope better than others. Access to water will be critical for the hot summer ahead. Renée M Prokopavicius, Postdoctoral Researcher in Plant Ecophysiology, Western Sydney University Belinda Medlyn, Distinguished Professor, Ecosystem Function and Integration, Western Sydney University David S Ellsworth, Professor of Plant Eco-physiology, Western Sydney University Mark G Tjoelker, Professor and Associate Director, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Global efforts to cut emissions fall well short of what’s needed to avoid dangerous warming. It’s becoming essential to develop carbon-removal strategies to get to net zero. Christian Turney, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Research, University of Technology Sydney Lennart Bach, Associate Professor, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania Philip Boyd, Professor of Marine Science, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Nature positive is the new rallying cry to reverse environmental decline. But it could easily become greenwash – if we’re not careful. Martine Maron, Professor of Environmental Management, The University of Queensland Megan C Evans, Senior Lecturer, Public Sector Management, UNSW Sydney Sophus zu Ermgassen, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Oxford Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The Varroa mite is here to stay. This will have wide-ranging impacts on beekeeping and the crops that rely on honey bee pollination in Australia. Cooper Schouten, Project Manager - Bees for Sustainable Livelihoods, Southern Cross University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We’ve wasted a lot of time delaying climate action. As the damage becomes ever clearer, it’s time to accelerate the transition. Mark Howden, Director, ANU Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions, Australian National University Frank Jotzo, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy and Head of Energy, Institute for Climate Energy and Disaster Solutions, Australian National University Ken Baldwin, Inaugural Director, ANU Grand Challenge, Zero-Carbon Energy for the Asia Pacific, Australian National University Kylie Catchpole, Associate Professor of Solar Engineering, Australian National University Kylie Walker, Visiting Fellow, Australian National University Lachlan Blackhall, Entrepreneurial Fellow and Head, Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

After a chance discovery in the lab, this team used IVF to make hundreds of coral babies for restoration projects in New South Wales. So far the IVF babies are doing well in the wild. Meryl Larkin, PhD Candidate, Southern Cross University David Harasti, Adjunct assistant professor, Southern Cross University Kirsten Benkendorff, Professor, Southern Cross University Stephen D. A. Smith, Professor of Marine Science, National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University Tom R Davis, Research Scientist - Marine Climate Change, Hunter New England Local Health District Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Despite its importance, water management has been largely absent from the election campaign. But using trading markets to improve freshwater quality in smaller catchments deserves wider debate. Julia Talbot-Jones, Senior lecturer in Environmental Economy, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Yigit Saglam, Senior Lecturer in Economics, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Newcomers in Australia found and took rich pastures made by Aboriginal fire. Without fire, pastures would revert to forest or scrub. Bill Gammage, Emeritus Professor, Humanities Research Centre, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We’ve become so good at using the Earth’s resources we’re endangering the systems we rely on. Katherine Richardson, Professor in Biological Oceanography, University of Copenhagen Xuemei Bai, Distinguished Professor, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Our research shows the world is not on track to achieve any of the Sustainable Development Goals. But with decisive action, we can still achieve a fairer, more sustainable and prosperous future. Cameron Allen, Research Fellow, Monash University Shirin Malekpour, Senior Lecturer and Research Lead, Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The northern summer was marked by intense fires and heat. Now it’s our turn to face the heat. Celeste Young, Collaborative Research Fellow, Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities (ISILC), Victoria University Nima Izadyar, Lecturer, Victoria University Roger Jones, Professorial Research Fellow, Victoria University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A new report explores options for managing the period after global warming exceeds 1.5℃. This is called ‘climate overshoot’, because we’re pushing past the safe zone into dangerous climate change. Jonathan Symons, Senior Lecturer, Macquarie School of Social Sciences, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Reports of electric vehicle fires might lead some people to fear the growing numbers of these vehicles will increase fire risk. In fact, replacing petrol and diesel vehicles is likely to reduce it. Hussein Dia, Professor of Future Urban Mobility, Swinburne University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We used satellite data to create global maps of where and how fires are burning. Fire season lasts two weeks longer than it used to and fires are more intense. But there are regional differences. Luke Kelly, Associate Professor in Quantitative Ecology, The University of Melbourne David Bowman, Professor of Pyrogeography and Fire Science, University of Tasmania Ella Plumanns Pouton, PhD candidate, The University of Melbourne Grant Williamson, Research Fellow in Environmental Science, University of Tasmania Michael-Shawn Fletcher, Professor in Biogeography, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

What makes a great climate leader and why are we not seeing more of them? I’ve been searching for good examples of climate leaders. This is the subject of our new documentary, Climate Changers. Tim Flannery, Honorary fellow, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Many researchers are exploring high-tech ways to help reefs survive the climate crisis. But low-tech solutions like manually pulling out seaweed have a place too. Hillary Smith, Senior Research Officer, James Cook University David Bourne, Professor of Marine Biology, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Chlamydia is devastating for koalas, but the vaccine to prevent infection requires a booster shot. Recapturing the animals for their booster shot is costly and stresses them, but there’s a solution. Kenneth W Beagley, Professor of Immunology, Queensland University of Technology Tim Dargaville, Professor of Polymer Chemistry, Queensland University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.