The Conversation

Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 is humanity’s only hope of achieving climate security. It’s time to think deeply about our chances of getting there. Nick Rowley, Honorary Associate Professor, The Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Accepting change in the aftermath of natural disasters is hard. But long-term survival may require embracing managed retreat rather than repeated rebuilds. Anthony Richardson, Senior Lecturer and Deputy Director, Te Puna Ako Centre for Tertiary Teaching and Learning, University of Waikato Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The Murray crayfish disappeared from large parts of its range over the past 40 years. Now a community-driven reintroduction program is bringing the iconic species back. Nick Whiterod, Science Program Manager, Goyder Institute for Water Research Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth Research Centre, University of Adelaide Sylvia Zukowski, Senior Aquatic Ecologist, Nature Glenelg Trust. Adjunct Fellow, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution do not happen in isolation, but proposed solutions too often fail to account for this. Two major reports point the way forward. Peter Bridgewater, Adjunct Professor in Conservation, University of Canberra Dirk S. Schmeller, Research Director in Conservation Biology, Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) Suraj Upadhaya, Assistant Professor in Sustainable Systems, Kentucky State University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

With the US out of the tent, the rest of the world can get on with climate action without Trump’s corrosive influence. Rebekkah Markey-Towler, PhD Candidate, Melbourne Law School, and Research fellow, Melbourne Climate Futures, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The demand for sand is soaring in places like Singapore. But extracting sand from the sea is destructive. It’s worth looking at alternatives Bioantika, PhD Candidate, Global Centre for Mineral Security, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland Hernandi Albeto Octaviano, PhD Candidate, Global Centre for Mineral Security, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Wildlife monitoring is vital to arresting Australia’s extinction crisis. But research shows we may be getting false pictures of how species are faring. David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Benjamin Scheele, Research Fellow in Ecology, Australian National University Elle Bowd, Research Fellow, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Maldwyn John Evans, Senior Research Fellow, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

As bushfire seasons grow longer and more intense, Australia needs new weapons in its firefighting arsenal. Marta Yebra, Professor of Environmental Engineering, Australian National University Iain Guilliard, Research Fellow, School of Engineering., Australian National University Nicholas Wilson, Research Fellow, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Robert Mahony, Professor of System Theory and Robotics, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The Climate Change Commission identified three major changes since 2019: other countries are doing more, impacts are becoming more severe, and delaying action shifts costs to future generations. Robert McLachlan, Professor in Applied Mathematics, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Giving aluminium smelters tax incentives to switch to clean energy is long overdue. The question now is how to accelerate the clean energy rollout Tessa Leach, Research Manager, Industry, at Climateworks Centre, Monash University Anna Malos, Climateworks Country Lead, Australia, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

While its large brilliant flowers attracted early horticultural attention, this summertime stunner’s path to being a successful urban tree has not always been easy. Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Even though 1080 is derived from native plants, not all of Australia’s native species are resistant to this lethal poison. Rachel Mason, PhD candidate in Conservation Biology, Deakin University Anthony Rendall, Lecturer in Conservation Biology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research highlights the need for a broader approach to attracting fairy-wrens and other beloved birds to our gardens. Rochelle Steven, Lecturer in Environmental Management, Murdoch University David Newsome, Assoc. Professor of Environmental Science, Murdoch University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Conservation groups can now share and compare climate adaptation tactics to support threatened species and ecosystems through a new online tool called AdaptLog. Jess Melbourne-Thomas, Transdisciplinary Researcher & Knowledge Broker, CSIRO Claire Mason, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We’ve had many public awareness campaigns, yet Australia is still nowhere near the federal-government supported goal of zero drownings. Samuel Cornell, PhD Candidate, UNSW Beach Safety Research Group + School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

When Australia faced a housing crisis 80 years ago, the government was urged to promote the building of more climate-responsive homes. So why are so many homes today still not made for our climate? Julie Collins, Research Fellow and Curator, Architecture Museum, University of South Australia Lyrian Daniel, Associate Professor in Architecture, University of South Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

It’s vital to understand how climate drivers played out before and during the LA wildfire emergency – because many Australian cities face the same climate risks. Steve Turton, Adjunct Professor of Environmental Geography, CQUniversity Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

This record-breaking heat is primarily driven by humanity’s burning of fossil fuels. The warming won’t stop until we reach net-zero emissions. Andrew King, Associate Professor in Climate Science, ARC Centre of Excellence for 21st Century Weather, The University of Melbourne David Karoly, Professor emeritus, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Understanding this migration is crucial. New developments proposed in Bass Strait, particularly offshore wind farms, may introduce challenges for migrating birds. Jessica Wei Zhou, Researcher in Ecology, Monash University Rohan Clarke, Associate Professor, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Conservation volunteers could provide a crucial defence line against bird flu outbreaks in New Zealand by ensuring early detection. Brett David Gartrell, Professor in Wildlife Health, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University Craig Brian Johnson, Professor of Veterinary Neurophysiology, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.