The Conversation

Stringent measures are needed to prevent plastic pollution. But concerns about carbon leaching from plastic waste would be better aimed at emissions from producing more plastic in the first place. Karin Kvale, Senior Scientist, Carbon Cycle Modeller, GNS Science Andrew Weaver, Professor, School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of Victoria Natalia Gurgacz, Graduate Student, University of Victoria Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

To build drought resilence, Sydney must invest in rainfall-independent water supplies. Stuart Khan, Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Taxing electric vehicles was always a bad idea. But the High Court’s ruling against Victoria’s law could make state-based road user charges impossible. John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Nature’s ultimate coral predator could benefit from climate change by surviving heatwaves and lie in wait for the right moment to feast on the reef. Matt Clements, PhD Student, University of Sydney Maria Byrne, Professor of Developmental & Marine Biology, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Of all Australia’s climate policies, the Renewable Energy Target has been the most effective. Why have Australian governments moved away from it, and how can they revive it? Tim Nelson, Associate Professor of Economics, Griffith University Joel Gilmore, Associate Professor, Griffith University Tahlia Nolan, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Ecological overshoot is driven by human consumption and a belief in endless economic growth. Could the marketing and media industries that feed those habits also help change them? Mike Joy, Senior Researcher; Institute for Governance and Policy Studies, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Phoebe Barnard, Affiliate Full Professor, University of Washington; Research Associate, African Climate & Development Initiative and FitzPatrick Institute, University of Cape Town; Founding CEO, Stable Planet Alliance, University of Washington Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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.