The Conversation

The rhythmic expansion and contraction of Antarctic sea ice is like a heartbeat. But there’s been a skip in the beat. Deeply concerned scientists have released a diagnosis for policy-makers. Edward Doddridge, Research Associate in Physical Oceanography, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Extreme weather events are complex – and working out exactly how much damage climate change caused is a tricky task. Andrew King, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, The University of Melbourne Joyce Kimutai, Climate Scientist, University of Cape Town Luke Harrington, Senior Lecturer in Climate Change, University of Waikato Michael Grose, Climate projections scientist, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Companies like it when your phone breaks and you have to buy another. But we’d all save a lot of money if we could actually repair the things we purchased. Leanne Wiseman, Professor of Law, Griffith University, Griffith University John Gertsakis, Adjunct Professor (Industry), University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Promoting small actions, such as reducing plastic use, can be a useful entry point for other actions around climate change. It’s an example of ‘positive spillover behaviour’. Yolanda Lee Waters, PhD Candidate and Research Assistant, The University of Queensland Angela Dean, Lecturer, School of Agriculture and Food Science & Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Researchers focused on a site in the Illawarra region of NSW, which holds a unique record into the past. Alan N Williams, Associate Investigator, ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, UNSW Sydney Mark Constantine IV, Researcher, UNSW Sydney Scott Mooney, Associate professor, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The housing crisis coupled with climate change could see more people living in the kinds of shanty towns and tent cities seen around the time of the Great Depression. Kate Booth, Associate Professor of Human Geography, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The 10-week pilot program Totemic Species in Schools shows how Indigenous science can be woven into the existing curriculum. Students, teachers and parents provided positive feedback. Natasha Ward, Lead Researcher, RMIT University Bradley J. Moggridge, Associate Professor in Indigenous Water Science, University of Canberra Georgia Garrard, Senior Lecturer, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, 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.

Cyclone Ilsa has intensified off the Western Australian coast and is now classed as a category-four system. How did this happen? Jonathan Nott, Professor of Physical Geography, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Dairy farming in New Zealand has intensified by using more supplementary feed. While this boosts production, costs also rise and this ultimately cuts profits - and it adds more harm to the climate. Wanglin Ma, Associate Professor of Economics, Lincoln University, New Zealand Alan Renwick, Professor of Agricultural Economics, Lincoln University, New Zealand Kathryn Blackman Bicknell, Senior Lecturer in Economics, Lincoln University, New Zealand Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Fear and Wonder is a new climate podcast, brought to you by The Conversation, and sponsored by the Climate Council. In episode three, we discuss the latest advances in extreme weather attribution. Joelle Gergis, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, Australian National University Michael Green, Host + Producer, The Conversation Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Liddell’s closure is an historic moment in the Australian energy landscape. Now, let’s get to net-zero. Joel Gilmore, Associate Professor, Griffith University Tim Nelson, Associate Professor of Economics, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We should seize opportunities to test expert predictions – as we did, seeing how much bird experts got right about which birds would return to revegetated farmland. Andrew Bennett, Adjunct Professor in Ecology, La Trobe University Angie Haslem, Research Fellow, La Trobe University Jim Thomson, Senior Scientist, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Tracey Hollings, Associate Research Scientist, Ecological Modelling, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The issue of ‘carbon leakage’ is used to argue against domestic pricing policy that could reduce agricultural production. But New Zealand farmers could benefit if competing countries also take action. Anita Wreford, Professor Applied Economics, Lincoln University, New Zealand John Tobias Saunders, Research Officer, Lincoln University, New Zealand Meike Guenther, Research Officer, Lincoln University, New Zealand Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Solar thermal technology has the potential to provide both long-duration storage and industrial heat, yet it has been largely overlooked in the Australian context. That is about to change. Dominic Zaal, Director, Australian Solar Thermal Research Institute (ASTRI), CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia’s threatened species keep declining. But there are concrete ways to help, from wildlife friendly gardens to leashing your dog. Matthew Selinske, Senior Research Fellow, RMIT University Georgia Garrard, Senior Lecturer, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Jaana Dielenberg, University Fellow, Charles Darwin 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.

Building offshore wind farms is complex and expensive. But with plenty of wind coming in from the sea, New Zealand could harness the renewable resource as it aims to decarbonise the energy sector. Craig Stevens, Professor in Ocean Physics, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The large, iconic leaves of monstera can now be found everywhere in popular culture – from fabric prints and earrings to tattoos and mugs. What makes monstera special and how do you keep one healthy? Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

When we co-exist with predators, it’s inevitable to have dangerous encounters, especially when they’re habituated to people. Bill Bateman, Associate professor, Curtin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia’s plan to create the world’s first nature repair market is a bold move, but it could be a big part of a zero extinction Australia. So there’s every reason to give biodiversity markets a go. Hugh Possingham, Professor, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia’s environmental movement is not united. The reasons for that go deep. Rebecca Pearse, Lecturer, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.