The Conversation

Almost 4,000 Australian plant species have never been photographed in the field, particularly in remote corners of the country. Without a proper record, they could die out without us even knowing. Thomas Mesaglio, PhD candidate, UNSW Sydney Hervé Sauquet, Senior Research Scientist, Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney and Adjunct Associate Professor, UNSW Sydney Will Cornwell, Associate Professor in Ecology and Evolution, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Growing meat in vats could help us prepare for climate change - and curb the environmental damage done by traditional meat. But only if we can scale it up. Bianca Le, Honorary Fellow, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research shows that if captive breeding stopped tomorrow, orange-bellied parrots would soon become extinct. So we’re locked into breeding programs until we can solve the underlying problems. Dejan Stojanovic, Postdoctoral Fellow, Australian National University Carolyn Hogg, Senior Research Manager, University of Sydney Rob Heinsohn, Professor of Evolutionary and Conservation Biology, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Speed limits are coming down to improve road safety. Expanding the policy to target high-carbon emission vehicles would be a simple and effective climate strategy. Len Gillman, Professor of Biogeography, Auckland University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A big reason the idea is gaining momentum globally is that the benefits for the health of individuals, communities and the environment are clear and almost immediate. Christopher Patterson, Senior Lecturer, School of Nursing, University of Wollongong Lance Barrie, Research Fellow, ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, University of Wollongong Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Almost all the growth in global squid fishing has happened in unregulated waters, meaning fishing crews aren’t subject to conservation or marine management programs. Quentin Hanich, Professor, University of Wollongong Katherine Seto, Research Fellow, University of Wollongong Osvaldo Urrutia, Associate professor, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Seaweed is in the spotlight for so many reasons. It all sounds too good to be true. So can this wonder weed live up to expectations and fulfill its promise to save us from ourselves? Catriona Macleod, Associate professor, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Labor must resist the false promise of carbon offsets in its safeguard mechanism. The only thing that matters is actually cutting emissions Wesley Morgan, Research Fellow, Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Macquarie Island isn’t just a windswept rock halfway to Antarctica. It’s a globally unique home to dozens of bird and marine mammal species, hence the government’s plans to give it greater protection. Ian Cresswell, Adjunct professor, UNSW Sydney Andrew John Constable, Leader, Southern Ocean Ecosystem Research, University of Tasmania Keith Reid, Honorary Research Associate Nic Bax, Director, NERP Marine Biodiversity Hub, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Over 30 years ago, the world banned CFC chemicals to save the ozone layer. But now, climate-fuelled bushfire smoke is putting it at renewed risk Ian Rae, Honorary Professorial Fellow, School of Chemistry, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Labor has ruled out banning new fossil fuel developments. Even so, there are many climate deals the government and the Greens could strike Rebecca Pearse, Lecturer, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Up to now we have had fine-sounding but ultimately ineffectual words. New National Environmental Standards hold the key to finally delivering effective protection for the environment. Peter Burnett, Honorary Associate Professor, ANU College of Law, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

How has the national electricity market responded to one of the biggest reforms in years, the introduction of five-minute settlement? Analysis reveals more than a few surprises. Christina Nikitopoulos, Associate professor, Finance Discipline Group, University of Technology Sydney Muthe Mwampashi, PhD Candidate, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The very people most in need of the cost savings from installing solar panels are missing out. Better policies are needed to make home solar systems accessible to all Australians. Martina Linnenluecke, Professor of Environmental Finance at UTS Business School, University of Technology Sydney Mauricio Marrone, Associate Professor, Department of Actuarial Studies and Business Analytics, Macquarie University Rohan Best, Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

It took almost 20 years. but the world has finally agreed on the so-called High Seas Treaty to better protect marine life in unregulated waters Sarah Lothian, Lecturer and Academic Barrister, Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security, University of Wollongong, University of Wollongong Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The ‘stickering’ of houses under section 124 of the Building Act, and decisions about when it’s safe to return, need to be informed by science. Affected communities should be involved at every stage. Martin Brook, Associate Professor of Applied Geology, University of Auckland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Voters in the region have long been seen as caring more about their finances than green issues. But living through extreme heat, rain and floods has them focused on living with climate change. Declan Kuch, Vice Chancellor's Research Fellow, Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University Malini Sur, Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University Stephen Healy, Associate Professor, Human Geography and Urban Studies School of Social Sciences/ Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University Sukhmani Khorana, Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Victoria’s critically endangered Leadbeater’s possum is just hanging on, despite new plans and reserves aimed at protection. Plans to log some of its remaining habitat will not help David Lindenmayer, Professor, The Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Chris Taylor, Research Fellow, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

An independent assessment of Japan’s plan to release treated radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean, nearly 12 years after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, finds it safe and reasonable. Nigel Marks, Associate Professor of Physics, Curtin University Brendan Kennedy, Professor of Chemistry, University of Sydney Tony Irwin, Honorary Associate Professor, Nuclear Reactors and Nuclear Fuel Cycle, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The recovery rate from construction and demolition waste has been rising steadily in Australia. However, the use of recycled materials is still not the norm across the construction industry. Salman Shooshtarian, Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University Tayyab Maqsood, Associate Dean and Head of of Project Management, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.