The Conversation

Effective biosecurity involves more than just what happens at the airport. And it doesn’t come cheap. Susan Hester, Associate Professor, University of New England Aaron Dodd, Research Fellow - Biosecurity, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Property buybacks and managed retreat from high-risk areas were once seen as far-off options as the planet warms. Now this ‘last resort’ adaptation to climate change is an urgent priority worldwide. Tayanah O'Donnell, Honorary Associate Professor, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Seen from above, parts of our cities now have very little green space, and we’re losing the green corridors that enable wildlife to move between the remaining urban habitats. Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research looked at similar laws in Victoria and around the world. The Albanese government must learn from their successes and failures. Anita Foerster, Associate professor, Monash University Alice Bleby, PhD Candidate, UNSW Sydney Anne Kallies, Senior Lecturer, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

This fictitious project approval helps us better understand how environmental governance in Australia has gone badly wrong. David Lindenmayer, Professor, The Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Indigenous fire management reduces the risk of bushfires, supports habitat and improves Indigenous wellbeing. Yet, the State of the Environment report this week found it’s underused. David Bowman, Professor of Pyrogeography and Fire Science, University of Tasmania Christopher I. Roos, Professor, Southern Methodist University Fay Johnston, Professor, Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

After years of neglect, Australia’s environmental crises can wait no longer. Here’s what our new government can do quickly to begin turning things around. James Watson, Professor, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

It’s all based on their diet and how they capture their food. But did you know some whales do have teeth? Vanessa Pirotta, Postdoctoral Researcher and Wildlife Scientist, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia’s big cities have grown rapidly and strains are showing. Yet the state of the urban environment has been rated good and stable due to local and state responses to these challenges. Gabriela Quintana Vigiola, Senior Lecturer in Planning, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We can no longer pretend we’re separate to nature. If ecosystems collapse, our society will be threatened too. Liz Hanna, Honorary Associate Professor, Australian National University Mark Howden, Director, ANU Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Having so many threatened species live among us in our towns and cities reflects the impacts of urban development but is also an opportunity for us all to pitch in and ensure their survival. Kylie Soanes, Postdoctoral Fellow, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Summer heat may be far from people’s minds here in Australia. But Europe’s ordeal is yet another sign changes in Earth’s climate have already reached dangerous levels. Andrew King, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek acknowledges “it’s time to change” after the State of the Environment report revealed a bleak picture of Australia’s natural places. In a speech on Tuesday… Laura Schuijers, Deputy Director, Australian Centre for Climate and Environmental Law and Lecturer in Law, University of Sydney Thomas Newsome, Academic Fellow, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Environment groups are pushing the Greens to accept Labor’s emissions target. What do these tensions mean for climate action? Rebecca Pearse, Lecturer, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Three chief authors of the State of the Environment Report provide its key findings. While it’s a sobering read, there are a few bright spots. Emma Johnston, Professor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), University of Sydney Ian Cresswell, Adjunct professor, UNSW Sydney Terri Janke, Honorary Associate Professor, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The findings are staggering in their representation of loss and environmental degradation across Australia. While I am disappointed, I am unfortunately not surprised. Ayesha Tulloch, ARC Future Fellow, Queensland University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

There’s been very little media or political discussion of what Australia should be aiming for in 2035. This is baffling. Adam Simpson, Senior Lecturer, International Studies, University of South Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Vegetarian and vegan diets are the best for the planet. But most omivores simply won’t switch to them. It’s realistic to promote the Mediterranean diet instead. Nicole Allenden, PhD Candidate, School of Psychology, University of New England Amy Lykins, Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology, University of New England Annette Cowie, Principal Research Scientist, Climate Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

For Pacific Islands, climate change trumps all other threats to their security. While they welcome Australia’s new emission targets, this is an issue of survival that demands greater ambition. Wesley Morgan, Research Fellow, Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Vale Tricia: the beloved Asian elephant called Perth Zoo home since 1963. Her death has led to an outpouring of grief in Perth, especially among zookeepers and her fellow elephants. Jessica Turner, PhD Candidate, University of Adelaide Alexandra Whittaker, Senior Lecturer, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.