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Updated: 2 hours 37 min ago

There’s a buzz about ‘sustainable’ fuels – but they won’t solve aviation's colossal climate woes

Wed, 2023-05-17 14:04
Even if the industry could make the shift, there’s not enough land or renewable energy potential on Earth to produce all the sustainable fuels airlines need. Susanne Becken, Professor of Sustainable Tourism, Griffith Institute for Tourism, Griffith University Brendan Mackey, Director, Griffith Climate Action Beacon, Griffith University David Simon Lee, Professor of atmospheric science, Aviation and Climate Research Group Leader, Manchester Metropolitan University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Climate change believers are more likely to cooperate with strangers, new research finds

Wed, 2023-05-17 10:01
Belief in climate change seems to be linked to willingness to cooperate for the common good. This suggests there may be ways to bridge ideological divides to combat complex problems. Ananish Chaudhuri, Professor of Behavioural and Experimental Economics, University of Auckland Quentin Douglas Atkinson, Professor of Psychology, University of Auckland Scott Claessens, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Auckland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Feeling frozen? 4 out of 5 homes in southern Australia are colder than is healthy

Wed, 2023-05-17 06:10
Throughout last winter, 81% of homes in a new study were colder than the recommended minimum – the coldest fell to a minimum hourly average of 5 degrees. Cold homes can have deadly consequences. Cynthia Faye Barlow, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Australian Centre for Housing Research, University of Adelaide Emma Baker, Professor of Housing Research, University of Adelaide Lyrian Daniel, Associate Professor in Architecture, University of South Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Community batteries are popular – but we have to make sure they actually help share power

Wed, 2023-05-17 06:10
Community batteries are popular. But that doesn’t mean they’re always the right tool for the job. We have to make sure they do what we want them to do Bjorn Sturmberg, Senior Research Fellow, Battery Storage & Grid Integration Program, Australian National University Alice Wendy Russell, Research fellow, Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program, Australian National University Hedda Ransan-Cooper, Senior Research Fellow, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Australian National University Louise Bardwell, Research Assistant, Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program, Australian National University Marnie Shaw, Associate professor, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Murujuga's rock art is being destroyed – where is the outrage?

Tue, 2023-05-16 15:09
Archaeologists speak out against the removal of three rock art panels to pave the way for the construction of a new fertiliser factory in Western Australia. Benjamin Smith, Professor of Archaeology (World Rock Art), School of Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia Joakim Goldhahn, Rock Art Australia Ian Potter Kimberley Chair, The University of Western Australia Paul S.C.Taçon, Chair in Rock Art Research and Director of the Place, Evolution and Rock Art Heritage Unit (PERAHU), Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Breaking the mould: why rental properties are more likely to be mouldy and what's needed to stop people getting sick

Tue, 2023-05-16 06:06
Mould is a health hazard and renters are most at risk. Here experts in health, law, building and construction examine the problem of mould in homes and offer guidance for both renters and landlords. 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 Nicola Willand, Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University Tim Law, Guest lecturer and Practice Lead — Building Sciences, at Restoration Industry Consultants Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Yes, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek approved a coal mine. But save the angst for decisions that matter more

Mon, 2023-05-15 18:16
We shouldn’t let controversy over the approval of one small, short-lived mine distract from more consequential decisions looming on coal. John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Program to plant 20 million trees prioritised cost-saving over gains for nature, research finds

Mon, 2023-05-15 06:08
Funding decisions under the federal program were largely driven by simplistic considerations, such as the cost of each tree, rather than benefits to threatened species. Jayden Engert, PhD Candidate, James Cook University Susan Laurance, Professor, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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A new source of fire records, hidden in the sands, gives us a bigger picture of the risks

Fri, 2023-05-12 16:05
Until now, a limitation of records of past fires is that these have come from sediments laid down in lakes and bogs. Records for dryland regions have been lacking, but dune deposits can fill the gap. Nicholas R Patton, Postdoctoral Researcher, Integrated Terrain Analysis Program, Desert Research Institute James Shulmeister, Adjunct Professor, University of Queensland, and Professor and Head of School of Earth and Environment, University of Canterbury Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Despairing about climate change? These 4 charts on the unstoppable growth of solar may change your mind

Fri, 2023-05-12 06:08
Solar power is growing at 20% a year. That simple fact could change the world for the better in under a decade Andrew Blakers, Professor of Engineering, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Tiny aquatic athletes: how baby Nemo can ‘just keeping swimming’ from the open ocean to the reef

Fri, 2023-05-12 06:08
New research reveals baby clownfish like Nemo are incredible athletes, able to swim 10-50 body lengths per second. Their athletic traits support their journey from the open ocean back to the reef. Adam T. Downie, Marine Biologist, James Cook University Jodie L. Rummer, Professor of Marine Biology, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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To get to net zero, policymakers need to listen to communities. Here's what they can learn from places like Geelong

Thu, 2023-05-11 12:44
When people are involved in planning for climate transition that takes account of their other daily concerns, such as housing and jobs, they become more positive about transformative change. Amanda Tattersall, Research Lead Sydney Policy Lab, Postdoctoral Fellow Geography, Host of ChangeMakers Podcast, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Smoke from the Black Summer fires could have made the triple La Niña more likely

Thu, 2023-05-11 06:01
Where there’s fire, there’s smoke – could plumes from the Black Summer of fire have cooled regions of the Pacific and triggered a La Niña? New research suggests it’s possible. Martin Jucker, Lecturer in Atmospheric Dynamics, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Fear and Wonder podcast: the solutions needed to address climate change already exist

Thu, 2023-05-11 06:01
Fear and Wonder is a new climate podcast, brought to you by The Conversation, and sponsored by the Climate Council. In this episode, we discuss possible solutions to the climate crisis. Joelle Gergis, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, Australian National University Michael Green, Host + Producer, The Conversation Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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If the budget ditched the Stage 3 tax cuts, Australia could save every threatened species – and lots more

Wed, 2023-05-10 15:41
It’s time we question our national priorities, and start funding the nature that sustains us. Sarah Bekessy, Professor in Sustainability and Urban Planning, Leader, Interdisciplinary Conservation Science Research Group (ICON Science), RMIT University Brendan Wintle, Professor in Conservation Science, School of Ecosystem and Forest Science, The University of Melbourne Rachel Morgain, Senior Research Fellow, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Budget's energy bill relief and home retrofit funding is a good start, but dwarfed by the scale of the task

Wed, 2023-05-10 14:15
Most of our 10.8 billion existing homes are in need of a retrofit to improve their performance and cut household energy use and emissions. The $1.6 billion for energy upgrades covers 170,000 homes. Trivess Moore, Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University Ralph Horne, Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research & Innovation, College of Design & Social Context, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Green hydrogen funding is a step forward – but a step doesn't win the race

Wed, 2023-05-10 13:50
Two billion to subsidise green hydrogen sounds like a lot. But the world is racing ahead and we’re still at the starting line. Kondo-Francois Aguey-Zinsou, Professor of Chemistry, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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HECS for farmers? Nature repair loans could help biodiversity recover – and boost farm productivity

Tue, 2023-05-09 16:23
Reparing farm dams helps farmers – and nature. What if farmers could access loans for nature repair work – and only repay them when revenue is high? Bruce Chapman, Director, Policy Impact, College of Business and Economics, Australian National University David Lindenmayer, Professor, The Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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'Regenerative agriculture' is all the rage - but it's not going to fix our food system

Tue, 2023-05-09 15:05
We know industrial farming needs to change. But regenerative agriculture may not be the transformation our global food system needs. Anja Bless, PhD Candidate, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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How Alone Australia can help us understand and appreciate our place in nature

Tue, 2023-05-09 14:12
The contestants’ relationships with nature clearly shape their actions. As armchair experts, each of us may reflect on our own relationship with nature and how we would act in the same situation. Lily van Eeden, Research fellow, Monash University Christina Renowden, PhD candidate, Monash University Fern Hames, Director, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Kate Lee, Program Coordinator, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Melissa Hatty, Research Fellow, BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University 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.
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