The Conversation

The government’s priorities are shifting towards adaptation to protect communities, jobs and industries. But the longer we wait to cut emissions, the more the costs of climate change will compound. Nathan Cooper, Associate Professor of Law, University of Waikato Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Taking more carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere by stashing it in the ocean seems like a good idea, but it could backfire if tiny marine animals called zooplankton get extra hungry. Tyler Rohr, Lecturer in Southern Ocean Biogeochemical Modelling, IMAS, University of Tasmania Ali Mashayek, Professor, University of Cambridge Sophie Meyjes, PhD Candidate, University of Cambridge Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Two states have banned native forest logging, but it’s still happening in the others. Kate Dooley, Research Fellow, School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Howling winds take sea salt from the Southern Ocean and lay it down in Antarctica as snow, then ice. Hidden in these ice cores is a warning about Australian fire seasons. Danielle Udy, Research associate in Climatology, University of Tasmania Anthony Kiem, Associate Professor – Hydroclimatology, University of Newcastle Neil Holbrook, Professor of Ocean and Climate Dynamics, University of Tasmania Nerilie Abram, Professor in Climate Change and Paleoclimatology, Australian National University Tessa Vance, Palaeoclimatologist, Australian Antarctic Program Partnership, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Costing new sources of electricity sounds simple. But it’s enormously complicated – and CSIRO’s GenCost report promises certainty it cannot deliver Bruce Mountain, Director, Victoria Energy Policy Centre, Victoria University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Even the big oil companies are predicting global demand will decline within decades. With investment in oil exploration projected to decline too, New Zealand should be putting its energy elsewhere. Jen Purdie, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Sustainability, University of Otago Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Researchers found blood-lead levels in sparrows were a predictable indicator of blood-lead levels in children – showing how humans and nature are inextricably linked. Max M Gillings, PhD Candidate, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University Mark Patrick Taylor, Chief Environmental Scientist, EPA Victoria; Honorary Professor, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University Simon Griffith, Professor of Avian Behavioural Ecology, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Without Japanese public funding, Australia’s LNG boom would have slowed Wesley Morgan, Research Fellow, Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Here’s how to reduce heat-related health risks during major sporting events, from the Summer Olympics to test cricket. Athletes, officials, spectators and volunteers all need to take responsibility. Hannah Mason, Research assistant in Public Health, Medical, and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University Amy Peden, NHMRC Research Fellow, School of Population Health & co-founder UNSW Beach Safety Research Group, UNSW Sydney Anthony Leicht, Professor in Exercise Science, James Cook University Jemma King, Lecturer, Public Health, James Cook University Richard Franklin, Professor of Public Health, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Significant diplomatic and economic repercussions would result from Australia watering down our 2030 targets. Matt McDonald, Professor of International Relations, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Around the world, coral reefs are suffering. But scientists in high-income nations are developing new ways to build coral resilience. We have a duty to share our skills and build capacity elsewhere. Mark Gibbs, Lead - Pilot Deployments Program (AIMS); Professor (Queensland University of Technology; Adjunct), Australian Institute of Marine Science Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Earth’s climate system is connected across hemispheres. When the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation weakens and Europe cools, warming in New Zealand and southern mid-latitudes accelerates. Shaun Eaves, Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Andrew Mackintosh, Professor & Head, School of Earth Atmosphere and Environment; expert on glaciers and ice sheets, Monash University Helen Bostock, Associate Professor , The University of Queensland Joel Pedro, Honorary Research Fellow, Antarctic Climate & Ecosystems CRC, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The need to restore native vegetation is clear, but we can’t properly repair nature without good, diverse supplies of native seeds. Samantha Ellen Andres, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University Joe Atkinson, Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Biology, Aarhus University Rachael Gallagher, Associate Professor, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Rapidly reaching net-zero is vital to avoiding the worst ravages of climate change. But doing so in a way that damages nature is self-defeating. Brendan Wintle, Professor in Conservation Science, School of Ecosystem and Forest Science, The University of Melbourne Andrew Rogers, Biodiversity lead analyst, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, The University of Melbourne James Watson, Professor in Conservation Science, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland Michelle Ward, Postdoctoral research fellow, The University of Queensland Sarah Bekessy, Professor in Sustainability and Urban Planning, Leader, Interdisciplinary Conservation Science Research Group (ICON Science), RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Victoria is leading the way in ensuring poor-quality rental housing is upgraded to be safe, comfortable and energy-efficient. Trivess Moore, Associate Professor, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University Emma Baker, Professor of Housing Research, University of Adelaide Lyrian Daniel, Associate Professor in Architecture, University of South Australia Nicola Willand, Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia is likely to have a new environmental data agency. Here’s what it’s for – and why we need it. Hugh Possingham, Professor of Conservation Biology, The University of Queensland Jaana Dielenberg, University Fellow in Biodiversity, Charles Darwin University Michelle Ward, Lecturer, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University Peter Burnett, Honorary Associate Professor, ANU College of Law, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Trees are supposed to grow faster as a result of increased CO₂ in the atmosphere - but this research suggests there are many exceptions to the rule. Kristine Crous, Senior Lecturer, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, 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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Environmentalists have long been sceptical of carbon capture and storage, which began in the oil and gas industry. But there’s nothing else like it for storing emissions from industry. Tianyi Ma, Distinguished Professor in Chemistry and Renewable Energy, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The major benefit of agrivoltaics is that solar panels shelter crops and animals from the heat, while providing more warmth at night. Soils also retain more moisture and some crops grow better. Alan Brent, Professor and Chair in Sustainable Energy Systems, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Catherine Iorns, Professor of Law, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Oil and gas company Santos has been fined millions for breaches of record-keeping. Here’s why Samantha Hepburn, Professor, Deakin Law School, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.