The Conversation

It’s time for a national grid that serves the public and meets the challenges of a warming world. A new government-owned and operated body should take control of Australia’s electricity system. John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Paying coal-fired power stations to stay open means consumers will be picking up the cost when they ultimately fail. Tim Nelson, Associate Professor of Economics, Griffith University Joel Gilmore, Associate Professor, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Since 1995, worldwide agricultural and food trade has more than doubled. It’s never been clearer that eating local produce is a powerful way to take action on climate change. Arunima Malik, Senior Lecturer in Sustainability, University of Sydney Mengyu Li, Postdoc Research Fellow, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Migaloo, where are you? How searching for the iconic white humpback whale connects us all with the ocean. Vanessa Pirotta, Postdoctoral Researcher and Wildlife Scientist, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia has only scratched the surface of what’s possible when it comes to better managing energy demand. Anna Malos, Australia - Country Lead, Climateworks Centre Emi Minghui Gui, Climateworks Energy System Lead, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia needs an honest reckoning with the fossil fuel industry’s decades-long hold over Australian politics. Without that, we cannot shift to a principled stand against ceaseless expansion. Fergus Green, Lecturer in Political Theory and Public Policy, UCL Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The He Waka Eke Noa partnership will require farmers to embrace strategies and technologies to reduce emissions. But there are a lot of unanswered questions about how it will work in practice. Ralph Sims, Emeritus Professor, Energy and Climate Mitigation, Massey University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Since 1995, worldwide agricultural and food trade has more than doubled. It’s never been clearer that eating local produce is a powerful way to take action on climate change. Arunima Malik, Senior Lecturer in Sustainability, University of Sydney Mengyu Li, Postdoc Research Fellow, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

What is the electricity grid and how does it work? How are energy supply and prices determined? An expert breaks down a few of the terms and ideas underpinning Australia’s energy crisis. Katja Ignatieva, Associate Professor, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Climate change is changing wave patterns and strength. Bigger waves combined with sea level rise will hit coasts hard – but only in some countries. Thomas Mortlock, Senior Analyst at Aon Reinsurance Solutions and Adjunct Fellow, Macquarie University Adrean Webb, Associate Professor, Tokyo Institute of Technology Itxaso Odériz, Posdoctoral researcher, Universidad de Cantabria Nobuhito Mori, Professor, Kyoto University Rodolfo Silva, Professor, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) Tomoya Shimura, Associate professor Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The findings underscore the importance of acting immediately to protect threatened species from predators in the wake of catastrophic natural events. Louis Lignereux, Researcher, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Almost 8 million Aussie homes lack sufficient insulation, use sub-par heating and cooling equipment, or are badly designed. These homes account for 18% of Australia’s emissions. Nimish Biloria, Associate Professor of Architecture, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The energy crisis is hitting the east coast hard. But Western Australia is sailing through – because of government intervention in the market. Tina Soliman Hunter, Professor of Energy and Natural Resources Law, Macquarie University Madeline Taylor, Senior Lecturer, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

With the greyhound racing season upon us, let’s take a closer look at how governments support the industry. Alexandra McEwan, Lecturer: Law, CQUniversity Australia Jayanath Ananda, Senior Lecturer in Economics Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia’s energy market operator has suspended the National Electricity Market, due to a perfect storm of coal plants going offline and a spike in fossil fuel prices. Joel Gilmore, Associate Professor, Griffith University Tim Nelson, Associate Professor of Economics, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

It’s been unusually cold, and energy prices are soaring. That spells trouble for the quarter of Australians who have very cold homes. Cynthia Faye Isley, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Australian Centre for Housing Research, University of Adelaide Emma Baker, Professor of Housing Research, University of Adelaide Lyrian Daniel, Senior lecturer, University of Adelaide Trivess Moore, Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In the first major study of its kind, the authors travelled to where renewable energy is expanding in NSW to ask communities how they feel about the changes. Rebecca Pearse, Lecturer, Australian National University Daniel J Cass, Research Affiliate, University of Sydney Linda Connor, Professor of Anthropology, University of Sydney Riikka Heikkinen, PhD Candidate, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Lismore’s residents and businesses on the floodplain need to look at relocation, not rebuilding. Jerry Vanclay, Professor, Southern Cross University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Exposure to hot and dry conditions can damage the DNA of nestling birds in their first few days of life – meaning they age earlier and produce less offspring. Justin Eastwood, Postdoctoral research fellow in ecology, Monash University Anne Peters, Professor in Behaviour, Ecology and Conservation, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Thousands of sick and dead frogs are turning up around Australia, bizarrely lying out in the open. If you see one, let these scientists know. Jodi Rowley, Curator, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Biology, Australian Museum, UNSW Sydney Karrie Rose, Australian Registry of Wildlife Health - Taronga Conservation Society Australia, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.