The Conversation

Each year, enough fishing line to circle the Earth 18 times is lost at sea. This not only harms marine life, but also the livelihoods of fishers worldwide. Britta Denise Hardesty, Senior Principal Research Scientist, Oceans and Atmosphere, CSIRO Chris Wilcox, Senior Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Joanna Vince, Associate professor, University of Tasmania Kelsey Richardson, PhD Candidate, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The United States Geological Survey has a vast collection of satellite images capturing breathtaking geological features of our planet. As a geologist, I’ve picked eight of the most fascinating. Emily Finch, Research Affiliate, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

One of the world’s largest solar farms was meant to lift poor communities up. But instead it produced winners and losers. Gareth Bryant, Senior Lecturer in Political Economy, University of Sydney Devleena Ghosh, Associate Professor, Social Inquiry Program, University of Technology Sydney Jake Morcom, University of Technology Sydney Priya P Pillai, Researcher, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia has a vast network of undersea cables and pipelines. Bolstering their security must be a priority. Claudio Bozzi, Lecturer in Law, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia’s richest man recently took on the world’s richest man over the shape of our green future. But it’s not either batteries or green hydrogen – we need both. John Mathews, Professor Emeritus, Macquarie Business School, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We must heed lessons from past storms and plan ahead, as climate change will only exacerbate future coastal disasters. Javier Leon, Senior lecturer, University of the Sunshine Coast Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Tackling this global problem requires an international effort – particularly by rich nations where the demand for exotic pets is increasing. Freyja Watters, PhD candidate, University of Adelaide Phill Cassey, Assoc Prof in Invasion Biogeography and Biosecurity, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

On Australia’s rainiest days, more than 30 trillion litres can fall from the skies. Andrew King, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research shows Australia experienced a number of megadroughts in the last 1,000 years, We may be underestimating the severity of drought in Australia’s future. Kathryn Allen, ARC Future Fellow, University of Tasmania Alison O'Donnell, Adjunct Research Fellow, The University of Western Australia Benjamin I. Cook, Climate Scientist, Columbia University Jonathan Palmer, Research Fellow, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences., UNSW Sydney Pauline Grierson, Director, West Australian Biogeochemistry Centre; Professor School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Yes, the new threatened species plan is better. But it’s nowhere near enough to actually prevent Australian species from dying out Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Megan C Evans, Senior Lecturer and ARC DECRA Fellow, UNSW Sydney Yung En Chee, Senior Research Fellow, Environmental Science, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Remember hearing about COP26 in Glasgow last year? There’s a lot at stake in this year’s climate summit, so here’s your essential guide to prepare. Matt McDonald, Associate Professor of International Relations, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Pumped hydro offers us large scale energy storage. If we do it carefully, we can make sure these dams don’t cause the damage of the past. Jamie Pittock, Professor, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The rules around climate-related financial disclosures are now being written. But the narrow definition of their target audience is a missed opportunity that can still be rectified. Ilan Noy, Chair in the Economics of Disasters and Climate Change, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Samuel Becher, Professor of Law, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Lake Eyre Basin contains one of the few pristine river systems left in the world. But new research shows oil and gas activity is extending its tentacles into these fragile environments. Richard Kingsford, Professor, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Populations of Fleay’s barred frog in Australia’s ancient rainforests were decimated by the chytrid fungus. Now, the frogs have developed a natural resistance. Matthijs Hollanders, PhD candidate, Southern Cross University David Newell, Senior Lecturer, School of Environment, Science & Engineering, Southern Cross University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Loy Yang A power station burns brown coal – an inefficient source of electricity that doesn’t stand a chance competing against renewables. Tim Nelson, Associate Professor of Economics, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Our oceans have absorbed almost all the extra heat we’ve trapped with our emissions. Now we know how this heat moves in ocean currents. Moninya Roughan, Professor in Oceanography, UNSW Sydney Junde Li, Postdoctoral research associate Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Lillipillies are one of Australia’s great gifts to the natural world. But the story of these homegrown heroes may be taking a grim turn. Darren Crayn, Professor and Director, Australian Tropical Herbarium, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The answer? By closing a highly polluting power station - and ramping up renewables. Tony Wood, Program Director, Energy, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Historical accounts show the upokororo was once common in rivers across the country. It’s now officially extinct, but is there a chance survivors could still be found in remote waterways? Lachie Scarsbrook, DPhil Student, University of Oxford Kieren Mitchell, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Zoology, University of Otago Nic Rawlence, Senior Lecturer in Ancient DNA, University of Otago Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.