The Conversation

The El Niño is a reminder that bushfires are part of Australian life. But whether or not this fire season is a bad one, Australia must find a better way to manage bushfires. Kevin Tolhurst AM, Hon. Assoc. Prof., Fire Ecology and Management, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

South-west Australia relies on groundwater for three-quarters of its water use. But a new study of the region’s caves has found a drying climate is having a dramatic impact on this precious resource. Stacey Priestley, Research Scientist, Environment Business Unit, CSIRO Andy Baker, Professor, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney Pauline Treble, Research Scientist, Environment Research Group, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In the late 1980s, well diggers in Mali struck a rich source of naturally-created hydrogen. Now prospectors are scouring South Australia, looking for natural hydrogen. Linda Stalker, Senior principal research scientist, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Turtles could spell trouble for Western Sydney Airport, which is being built in a wetland. But it’s not too late to include turtle-friendly infrastructure such as underpasses and fences. Ricky Spencer, Associate Professor of Ecology, Western Sydney University Deborah Bower, Associate Professor in Zoology and Ecology, University of New England James Van Dyke, Associate Professor in Biomedical Sciences, La Trobe University Michael B. Thompson, Emeritus Professor in Zoology, University of Sydney Richard Thomas, Senior lecturer, Western Sydney University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A new study estimates a reduction in emissions of only 35-45% of pre-COVID levels by 2050. Lighter vehicles and faster uptake of electric vehicles can dramatically improve progress towards net zero. Robin Smit, Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

After almost half a century, the United Nations has waded back into the murky world of water policy. But one of the ideas following this year’s international meeting has been shot down. Sarah Ann Wheeler, Professor in Water Economics, University of Adelaide Claudia Ringler, Deputy Director, Environment and Production Technology Division, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Hungry for development and industry investment, the Northern Territory government is putting one of the world’s last intact tropical ecosystems at risk. Scientists are calling for better protections. Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Brett Murphy, Professor, Charles Darwin University John Woinarski, Professor of Conservation Biology, Charles Darwin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The two pest ant species have huge impacts on the areas they invade. The fire ants can even kill people. Unfortunately, these ants will be hard to eliminate. Brian Heterick, Adjunct Research Associate, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Nearly 400 new mines could open by 2035 to meet demand for the minerals used in global electrification. Better recycling can help with supply, but mining’s impacts will have to be better managed. Rusty Langdon, Senior Research Consultant, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Elsa Dominish, Research Principal, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia wants to allow export of CO₂ for the purpose of “sequestration”, or storage under the sea. Fossil fuel companies, or research organisations, would need to first apply for an export permit. Samantha Hepburn, Professor, Deakin Law School, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Rising sea levels threaten the low-lying island nation with the world’s third-largest shipping register. That’s why it’s leading efforts to cut shipping emissions in an equitable way. Christiaan De Beukelaer, Senior Lecturer in Culture & Climate, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia’s beloved billabongs are filling up with eroded soil from farms, leaving little room for the aquatic animals that depend on these vital drought refuges. John Tibby, Associate Professor in Environmental Change, University of Adelaide Jonathan Marshall, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow in the Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Most technologies for CO₂ removal are expensive. But New Zealand could be doing this cheaper than other countries, taking advantage of existing geothermal and forestry industries. David Dempsey, Senior lecturer, University of Canterbury Karan Titus, PhD Student, University of Canterbury Rebecca Peer, Lecturer, University of Canterbury Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The successful quest to find a species last seen more than 50 years ago has added to the urgency of protecting the vanishing grassland habitat of a lizard that had been feared extinct. Brendan Wintle, Professor in Conservation Science, School of Ecosystem and Forest Science, The University of Melbourne 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.

More trouble in Antarctica: the extent of frozen seawater fastened to the coast (called landfast ice) hit a record low in March 2022. If this trend persists, the consequences could be catastrophic. Alexander Fraser, Senior Researcher in Antarctic Remote Sensing, University of Tasmania Christine Weldrick, Postdoctoral research fellow, University of Tasmania Laura Dalman, PhD candidate, University of Tasmania Matthew Corkill, PhD candidate, University of Tasmania Pat Wongpan, Quantitative Sea Ice Biogeochemist/Ecologist, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research exposing the surprising scale and diversity of Australia’s invertebrate pet trade online highlights the need for better regulation to protect our wildlife and manage biosecurity threats. Charlotte Lassaline, PhD Student, University of Adelaide Phill Cassey, Head, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The world’s oceans are getting hotter, quicker. And our marine species are seeking cooler waters. Keep your eyes peeled and you might spot one of these species on the move. Gretta Pecl, Professor, ARC Future Fellow & Director of the Centre for Marine Socioecology, University of Tasmania Curtis Champion, Research Scientist, Southern Cross University Zoe Doubleday, Marine Ecologist and ARC Future Fellow, University of South Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Pouring these products down the sink causes society-wide problems for the entire sewerage system and the workers who maintain it. Ian A Wright, Associate Professor in Environmental Science, Western Sydney University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The action by the Environment Protection Authority follows alarming results from testing of rainwater tanks and the blood and hair of residents living near to the mine. Ian A Wright, Associate Professor in Environmental Science, Western Sydney University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Before the colonists came, we managed the land with careful use of cool burns. To stop giant bushfires, we have to learn again how to care for country. Robbie Williams, Traditional Owner, Indigenous Knowledge Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.