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How far to the next electric vehicle charging station – and will I be able to use it? Here's how to create a reliable network

Fri, 2023-07-14 06:05
There is already a blueprint for a reliable network of charging stations. The industry can learn a lot from the petrol station giants – plus its chargers can harness the powers of digital technology. Kai Li Lim, St Baker Fellow in E-Mobility, The University of Queensland Scott Hardman, Professional Researcher, Electric Vehicle Research Center, University of California, Davis Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
Categories: Around The Web

Consumers want NZ farmers to comply with regulations -- better monitoring and transparency would help to build trust

Thu, 2023-07-13 13:17
Consumers’ main concerns regarding farm monitoring are food safety, animal welfare and water quality. Many would like to see Māori values and land practices incorporated. Pavel Castka, Professor in Operations Management and Sustainability, University of Canterbury Corey Ruha, Researcher and Project Manager, University of Waikato John Reid, Senior Research Fellow, University of Canterbury Xiaoli Zhao, Lecturer in Strategic Management, Lincoln University, New Zealand Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
Categories: Around The Web

Why does my cat pee on the rug? Are they trying to tell me something?

Thu, 2023-07-13 11:11
Unfortunately, a rhetoric has developed within public discourse that cats are manipulative, vengeful, uncaring or even psychotic. But it’s unlikely they’ve deliberately peed on your rug to annoy you. Susan Hazel, Associate Professor, School of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Adelaide Julia Henning, PhD Candidate, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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'Humanity's signature': study finds plastic pollution in the world's lakes can be worse than in oceans

Thu, 2023-07-13 06:04
Researchers even found textile fibres in very remote lakes with limited human presence. David Hamilton, Professor, Griffith University Justin Brookes, Director, Water Research Centre, University of Adelaide Mohammad Hassan Ranjbar, Research Fellow, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Another assault on Country and its precious species has begun at Binybara/Lee Point

Thu, 2023-07-13 06:04
The Darwin woodland is home to endangered species and important for the Larrakia people. The development approval requires habitat offsets – yet the minister herself has publicly doubted offsets work. John Woinarski, Professor of Conservation Biology, Charles Darwin University Lorraine Williams, Larrakia Traditional Owner, Indigenous Knowledge Martine Maron, Professor of Environmental Management, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Plastic pollution in some NZ lakes is comparable to northern hemisphere lakes in highly populated areas, global study finds

Thu, 2023-07-13 06:03
Microplastic pollution in lakes could affect the food web, all the way to people fishing and harvesting mussels, as well as sources of drinking water. Deniz Ozkundakci, Associate Professor of Lake and Freshwater Science, University of Waikato Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Dutton wants Australia to join the "nuclear renaissance" – but this dream has failed before

Wed, 2023-07-12 15:58
20 years ago, solar and wind were expensive enough to make nuclear seem like an option for Australia. With cheap renewables a reality, there’s simply no point to domestic nuclear. John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Turning the housing crisis around: how a circular economy can give us affordable, sustainable homes

Wed, 2023-07-12 06:06
A new report outlines a comprehensive strategy for Australia to reduce the carbon footprint of our homes while making them more comfortable and affordable. Ralph Horne, Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research & Innovation, College of Design & Social Context, RMIT University Julie Lawson, Adjunct Professor, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University Louise Dorignon, Vice-Chancellor Postdoctoral Research Fellow, RMIT University Trivess Moore, Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Climate change threatens to cause 'synchronised harvest failures' across the globe, with implications for Australia's food security

Wed, 2023-07-12 06:04
Disturbing news about the potential for widespread crop failure as the climate changes should send shockwaves through governments around the world. Time to rethink global trade and food security. Douglas Bardsley, Associate professor, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Global temperature rises in steps -- here's why we can expect a steep climb this year and next

Wed, 2023-07-12 05:06
Climate change is relentless and largely predictable, but it is influenced by natural variability. This means the largest temperature rise usually comes at the end of an El Niño event. Kevin Trenberth, Distinguished Scholar, NCAR; Affiliate Faculty, University of Auckland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Indonesia is suppressing environmental research it doesn't like. That poses real risks

Tue, 2023-07-11 15:39
In recent years, Indonesia has slashed the rate of deforestation. That’s why this new crackdown on researchers is so surprising. Bill Laurance, Distinguished Research Professor and Australian Laureate, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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New Australian laws for ‘engineering’ the ocean must balance environment protection and responsible research

Tue, 2023-07-11 06:08
Can we engineer oceans to store more carbon dioxide in the fight against climate change? A new bill before parliament seeks to regulate such activity, but holds back on research incentives. Kerryn Brent, Senior Lecturer, Adelaide Law School, University of Adelaide Jan McDonald, Professor of Environmental Law, University of Tasmania Manon Simon, Research Fellow, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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New transmission lines are controversial for nearby communities. But batteries and virtual lines could cut how many we need

Tue, 2023-07-11 06:08
We’ll need some new transmission lines to make Australia’s grid ready for the green energy shift. But there are clever ways of making more use out of our existing network. Lasantha Meegahapola, Associate Professor, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Developers aren't paying enough to offset impacts on koalas and other endangered species

Mon, 2023-07-10 15:04
Offsets are meant to restore land elsewhere to make up for lost habitat. Developers can make payments to the state to cover the costs of this work, but a new study finds there’s usually a shortfall. Jonathan Rhodes, Professor of Ecology, The University of Queensland Shantala Brisbane, PhD Candidate, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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10 reasons humans kill animals – and why we can't avoid it

Mon, 2023-07-10 12:24
Humans must kill animals in many cases, but they can still modify their behaviours to improve the welfare of animals while they are alive. Benjamin Allen, Wildlife ecologist, University of Southern Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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China is pumping out carbon emissions as if COVID never happened. That's bad news for the climate crisis

Mon, 2023-07-10 06:05
Many hoped the economic recovery from COVID would steer global development towards a greener footing. But CO₂ emissions from China, the world’s biggest emitter, are worse than before the pandemic. David Stern, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Khalid Ahmed, Visiting Fellow, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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The ancient practice of livestock guardian dogs is highly successful on Australian farms today

Fri, 2023-07-07 10:41
Farmers have been using dogs to protect their livestock from predators for thousands of years – and it’s still one of the best methods around. Christopher Johnson, Professor of Wildlife Conservation, University of Tasmania Linda van Bommel, Ecologist, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Why are so many climate records breaking all at once?

Thu, 2023-07-06 14:06
From the hottest global average day, to the highest average sea surface temperature and the lowest Antarctic sea ice extent - here’s why so many climate records are breaking, all at once. Kimberley Reid, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Atmospheric Sciences, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Here's why climate change isn't always to blame for extreme rainfall

Thu, 2023-07-06 14:06
Some were quick to point the finger at climate change when floods hit eastern Australia in February and March 2022, in the lead up to the federal election. But it’s not that simple, scientists say. Andrew King, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, The University of Melbourne Kate R Saunders, Lecturer, Monash University Kimberley Reid, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Atmospheric Sciences, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
Categories: Around The Web

Why Indonesia wants Australia's help to supply the world with electric vehicles and batteries

Thu, 2023-07-06 10:22
The Indonesian president’s visit to Australia could lead to closer co-operation on the energy transition, with Australia supplying lithium for Indonesia’s electric vehicle and battery production. Arianto Patunru, Fellow, The Arndt-Corden Department of Economics, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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