The Conversation

Cities are starting to restore natural systems such as waterways, wetlands and bushland. But restoration on the scale these systems need to function properly calls for a rethink of urban planning. Louise Wright, Practice Professor of Architecture, Monash University Catherine Murphy, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning and Design, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle has left a significant scar on the land in Northland, the Coromandel and Hawkes Bay. But instead of replanting pine, we should return the land to native bush. David Norton, Emeritus professor, University of Canterbury Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Building on floodplains was never a good idea and climate change makes matters worse. But in Queensland, Voluntary Home Buybacks are working for Ipswich, a year on from the devastating floods. Margaret Cook, Research Fellow, Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The steady stream of stories in the media about unsafe cookware might make you wary. But your pots and pans are almost certainly safe. Oliver A.H. Jones, Professor, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The beach community at Muriwai has experienced deadly landslide in the past, but houses were nevertheless allowed to be built on the debris of former slips. Martin Brook, Associate Professor of Applied Geology, University of Auckland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

One-third of local councils have rules to stop pet cats roaming because of their major impacts on wildlife. More councils want to get on board but many are hampered by state laws. Sarah Legge, Professor of Wildlife Ecology, Australian National University Georgia Garrard, Senior Lecturer, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Jaana Dielenberg, University Fellow, Charles Darwin University John Woinarski, Professor of Conservation Biology, Charles Darwin University Tida Nou, Project Officer, School of Earth and Environmental Science, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Offering ‘carrots’ like biodiversity credits to landholders won’t stop natural collapse. Banning land clearing and stronger environmental laws are much more likely to work. Yung En Chee, Senior Research Fellow, Environmental Science, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Rewilding is risky but we can learn from past attempts to use it as an effective tool for conservation Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australians are in New Zealand to help out in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle. After multiple big floods in Australia, our neighbours have learned a lot about resilience in the face of disaster. Iftekhar Ahmed, Associate Professor, University of Newcastle Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Flood and cyclone damage shows why turning Auckland and other urban parts of New Zealand into ‘sponge cities’ is the right idea. But overseas experience from China and beyond shows it won’t be cheap. Alex Lo, Senior Lecturer in Climate Change, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Faith Chan, Associate Professor of Environmental Sciences, University of Nottingham Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Most of Iran is wild and beautiful, but development threatens to degrade highly-prized ecosystems. Now new research is honing in on the hotspots, to preserve biodiversity in expanded protected areas. April Reside, Lecturer, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Radiata pine was originally a solution to land erosion – but this Number-8 wire fix is past its due date and the forestry industry will likely wear the cost of change. Mark Bloomberg, Adjunct Senior Fellow Te Kura Ngahere – New Zealand School of Forestry, University of Canterbury Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The vaping craze sweeping the globe is leaving a legacy of contaiminated e-waste in landfill while waste management authorities scramble to set up recycling schemes. Michael Odei Erdiaw-Kwasie, Lecturer in Sustainability| Lead, Circular Economy Research Group, Charles Darwin University Matthew Abunyewah, Research Fellow, The Australasian Centre for Resilience Implementation for Sustainable Communities, Charles Darwin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

From pine trees to camphor laurel and even the Cootamundra wattle, trees can be weeds too. Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Underground power lines are safer, more resilient and less of an eyesore. The higher upfront cost will pay off in long-term benefits. Timothy Welch, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning, University of Auckland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Yes, there are forever chemicals in biosolids we use on farms. Here’s why we don’t need to panic … yet Ravi Naidu, Laureate Professor, University of Newcastle Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A 4-year study of households has shown how the increasing focus on our homes as sites of work, rest and play can increase energy use despite soaring prices. Kari Dahlgren, Research Fellow Emerging Technologies Research Lab, Monash University Yolande Strengers, Professor, Emerging Technologies Research Lab, Monash University, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Shall I order the chicken, or the salmon? What does the science say about reducing pressure on the environment? When you take a big-picture view, the results can be surprising. Caitie Kuempel, Lecturer, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A growing source of global emissions is the ships that carry most of the goods we consume. A 21st-century generation of cargo ships propelled by the wind can reverse this unsustainable trend. Christiaan De Beukelaer, Senior Lecturer in Culture & Climate, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

National electricity grids are vulnerable to extreme weather events and can leave entire regions without power. Microgrids can deliver better energy security in a warming world. Soheil Mohseni, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Sustainable Energy Systems, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Alan Brent, Professor and Chair in Sustainable Energy Systems, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.