The Conversation

Solar power generation varies greatly depending on the weather. A new study suggests in some parts of Australia, solar has a bright future. Shukla Poddar, Senior Research Fellow, School of Photovoltaics and Renewable Energy Engineering, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The first comprehensive assessment of trends in Southern Ocean ecosystems reveals an urgent need to address climate change. The summary for policymakers can guide decision-makers. Andrew J Constable, Adviser, Antarctica and Marine Systems, Science & Policy, University of Tasmania Jess Melbourne-Thomas, Transdisciplinary Researcher & Knowledge Broker, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In every Australian city, you’re likely to come across a warbling magpie. How do they cope with the onslaught of noise? It turns out, the smarter ones cope better. Grace Blackburn, PhD Candidate, The University of Western Australia Amanda Ridley, Associate professor, behavioural ecology, The University of Western Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

After decades of absence, crocodiles are now being seen off Bali, Lombok and Java. That’s good for the species – but what about us? Brandon Michael Sideleau, PhD student studying human-saltwater crocodile conflict, Charles Darwin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australian is experimenting with marine cloud brightening to cool and shade the Great Barrier Reef. Here’s how it works. Daniel Patrick Harrison, Senior Lecturer, Southern Cross University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The rapid changes in the Southern Ocean and Antarctica highlight the urgency of better direct observations and measurements, beyond satellite monitoring and modelling. Craig Stevens, Professor in Ocean Physics, University of Auckland Natalie Robinson, Marine Physicist, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Scalloped hammerheads pose no risk to us – but we pose enormous risk to them. Our discovery of a large new aggregation gives us an opportunity to protect these animals. Naima Andrea López, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, The University of Western Australia Jessica Meeuwig, Wen Family Chair in Conservation, The University of Western Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Slime gets a bad name in popular culture, but it’s food for invertebrates who become food for many other creatures. Paul McInerney, Senior Research Scientist, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The transition to net zero emissions is under grave threat if governments do not do more to address the potential unfairness of some climate policies. Tracey Dodd, Director, Research Development, Adelaide Business School, University of Adelaide Will Harvey, Professor of Leadership and Inaugural Director of the Social Purpose Centre, Melbourne Business School Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Here are 12 questions worth considering before you sign a residential tenancy agreement. Rebecca Bentley, Professor of Social Epidemiology and Director of the Centre of Research Excellence in Healthy Housing at the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne Tim Law, Adjunct lecturer, Victoria University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A household survey has revealed three distinct patterns of consumer behaviour around food waste. Trang Nguyen, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Adelaide Patrick O'Connor, Associate Professor, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

On New South Wales’ southern coast, First Nations groups and European whalers hunted alongside orcas. But what happened to this unusual group? Isabella Reeves, PhD Candidate, Flinders University Steven Holmes, Traditional knowledge holder, Indigenous Knowledge Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Rather than paying ageing power stations to stay open in the transition to renewable energy, demand flexibility is cheaper and cleaner way to ensure the system has enough capacity. Chris Briggs, Research Director, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Mangroves do a surprising amount for us. But we’re often not looking after them. Here’s how we can protect these forests of the sea edge better. Alvise Dabalà, Research associate, The University of Queensland Anthony Richardson, Professor, The University of Queensland Daniel Dunn, A/Prof of Marine Conservation Science & Director of the Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science (CBCS), The University of Queensland Jason Everett, Senior research fellow, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia’s move towards net zero emissoions by 2020 is in danger of stalling. If it is not to fail, the nation urgently needs a government plan, aligned with industry and with public support. Tony Wood, Program Director, Energy, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A climate overshoot that creates warmer oceans with lower oxygen levels will reduce the suitable habitat for many marine species long after CO₂ levels have peaked and declined. Tilo Ziehn, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Andrew Lenton, Director Permanent Carbon Locking Future Science Platform (CarbonLock), CSIRO Environment, CSIRO Yeray Santana-Falcón, Postdoctoral research fellow, CNRM, Météo-France (Toulouse, France) Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

It’s spring, but many street trees look stressed and sick. Heat and insect attack are arriving early. But our cities are also steadily losing canopy cover. Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Most of us see only the dry treeless plain and spectacular sea cliffs. But beneath the surface there’s a precious world of caves and unique species that could be lost without better protection. Jess Marsh, Research Fellow, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University Clare Buswell, Adjunct Lecturer, History, Archaeology, Indigenous Studies and Geography, Flinders University Liz Reed, Senior Lecturer, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide Susan White, Adjunct Research Fellow, Environment, La Trobe University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

While the Great Barrier Reed needs nutrients to support the ecosystem, it is possible to have too much of a good thing. Douglas Tait, Senior Researcher, Southern Cross University Damien Maher, Professor, Southern Cross University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Policies and funds to decarbonise high-emitting industries and electrify transport are already delivering emissions cuts. But they are at risk of being disestablished or weakened. Robert McLachlan, Professor in Applied Mathematics, Massey University Ian Mason, Adjunct Senior Fellow in Renewable Energy Systems Engineering, University of Canterbury Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.