The Conversation

Potatoes are profitable and in demand. But wet weather and hard-to-control diseases have caused havoc for our growers. Ronika Thapa, PhD Student, University of Tasmania Calum Wilson, Professor, University of Tasmania Robert Tegg, Research Fellow, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

There’s a lot of enthusiasm for wildflower fields and bug hotels. But before introducing these insect-saving measures, we need to better understand when they help – and when they don’t. Rob Cruickshank, Lecturer – Teaching & Administration, University of Canterbury Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The environmental impacts of electric vehicle batteries range from mining, and energy and water use to the hazards of discarded batteries. These issues can be resolved, but there’s no time to waste. Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology Alex Stojcevski, Dean of School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology Saad Mekhilef, Distinguished Professor in Electrical Renewable Energy, Swinburne University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The enhanced partnership could accelerate Australia’s transition from fossil fuel exporter to clean energy powerhouse. But success is far from assured. Wesley Morgan, Research Fellow, Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Budget 2023’s investment in public transport will have far-reaching benefits for the climate and for overall wellbeing. But our study shows young people want much more. Kate Prendergast, Post-Doctoral Fellow in Political Science, University of Canterbury Bronwyn Hayward, Professor of Politics, University of Canterbury Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The optimal trade-off between restoring habitat and crop production hinges on pollinators. A new study shows giving pollinators more natural habitat on the farm leads to big increases in production. Sofía López-Cubillos, Postdoctoral research fellow, The University of Melbourne Rebecca K. Runting, Senior Lecturer in Spatial Sciences and ARC DECRA Fellow, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Domestic use of natural gas is a minimal contributor to overall greenhouse emissions. There should be no rush to ban it before better, cheaper options are in place. John Tookey, Professor of Construction Management, Auckland University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Victoria’s native forests will be free from logging by the end of the year. That’s big news for our threatened species and fragmented forests 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.

Acoustic technology allows us to listen to the sounds produced by the creatures in forest soils. A new study shows it’s a reliable way to monitor the biodiversity and health of the soil and forest. Jake M Robinson, Ecologist and Researcher, Flinders University Carlos Abrahams, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Biology - Director of Bioacoustics, Nottingham Trent University Martin Breed, Associate Professor in Biology, Flinders University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

By generating new high-resolution maps, researchers found cocoa plantations were causing far worse forest destruction in West Africa than previously thought. Wilma Hart, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Humans prospered in a stable climate. But conditions are changing. Research out today shows 2 billion people will be pushed out of the habitable zone by 2.7C warming. Why? What does this mean for us? Annabelle Workman, Research Fellow, Melbourne Climate Futures and Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne Kathryn Bowen, Professor - Environment, Climate and Global Health at Melbourne Climate Futures and Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Mangroves and salt marshes pump out methane – but soak up carbon dioxide. Overall, the world’s coasts are a net greenhouse sink – and we must preserve them Judith Rosentreter, Senior research fellow, Southern Cross University Bradley Eyre, Professor of Biogeochemistry, Director of the Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry, Southern Cross University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

It can be hard and costly to collect data on the threats to species at specific locations. Wildlife emergency response services have long-running records for hundreds of species that suffered harm. Elodie Camprasse, Research fellow in spider crab ecology, Deakin University Adam Cardilini, Lecturer, Environmental Science, School of Life and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Knowing where a weed has come from can improve its management, but this quest can be challenging. CSIRO detective work revealed an unusual pathway for the introduction of South African bitou bush. Bruce Webber, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO John Scott, Honorary Fellow, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Human civilisation is headed for collapse. Collectively, we are pushing planet Earth beyond the limits of endurance. There has to be a better way. Now a new book makes the case for systemic change. Mark Diesendorf, Honorary Associate Professor, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The research help us understand how El Niño and La Niña will change as the world warms in the future. Wenju Cai, Chief Research Scientist, Oceans and Atmosphere, CSIRO, CSIRO Agus Santoso, Senior Research Associate, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The Conversation’s climate podcast Fear & Wonder delves into the lives and work of the world’s leading climate experts. Benjamin Clark, Executive Producer, Fear and Wonder, The Conversation Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Fear and Wonder is a new climate podcast, brought to you by The Conversation and the Climate Council. In this final episode, we discuss how poorer nations are at greater risk to a changing climate. Joelle Gergis, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, Australian National University Michael Green, Host + Producer, The Conversation Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Yes, we need better flood warnings. But most of us don’t or can’t evacuate from floods. Safety means focusing on community resilience as well as warnings Mel Taylor, Associate Professor, Macquarie University Fiona Miller, Associate professor, Macquarie University Kat Haynes, Hononary Fellow, University of Wollongong Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

There’s a 98% chance of a record hot year by 2028, and a 66% chance of exceeding the 1.5°C threshold for at least that year, according to the latest World Meteorological Organization update. Andrew King, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.