The Conversation

Already critically endangered, the southern bent-wing bat is still declining in a drying climate. If we don’t step in, it will likely be extinct within three generations of bat. Emmi van Harten, Lecturer in Ecology, La Trobe University Lindy Lumsden, Principal Research Scientist, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Thomas Prowse, Postdoctoral research fellow, School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Renewed interest in nuclear energy will go nowhere unless we talk about carbon pricing. As energy minister Chris Bowen points out, nuclear is extremely expensive. John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Really, how productive is the average home vegetable garden – and will it leave you hungry? It largely depends on space, soil and gardening skills. Isobel Violet Hume, PhD Candidate , University of Adelaide Matthias Salomon, Postdoctoral research fellow, University of Adelaide Timothy Cavagnaro, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

None will address prices immediately. For now, the best option to keep warm this winter without breaking the bank is to shop around for the best electricity deals. Tim Nelson, Associate Professor of Economics, Griffith University Joel Gilmore, Associate Professor, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Here’s some good environmental news – local governments and local actions have slashed the plastic on our beaches. Incentives, awareness and access are the key. Britta Denise Hardesty, Senior Principal Research Scientist, Oceans and Atmosphere, CSIRO Chris Wilcox, Senior Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Joanna Vince, Senior lecturer, University of Tasmania Kathryn Willis, Marine Socioecologist, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The environmental movement is now tightly woven into communities across Australia and its demands are clear. Politicians ignore it at their peril. Robyn Gulliver, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia’s Traditional Owners have survived climate shifts before. Bringing traditional ecological knowledge in contact with western climate scientists could help First Nations survive this one. Karin Gerhardt, PhD student, James Cook University Jon C. Day, PSM, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University Larissa Hale, Yuku Baja Muliku Traditional Owner Scott F. Heron, Associate Professor in Physics, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The collapse of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation would profoundly alter the anatomy of the world’s oceans. New research explores the consequences. Matthew England, Scientia Professor and Deputy Director of the ARC Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science (ACEAS), UNSW Sydney Andréa S. Taschetto, Associate Professor, UNSW Sydney Bryam Orihuela-Pinto, PhD Candidate, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

For the first time, we calculated Australia’s share of planetary environmental boundaries and found we’ve shot past three already. Romy Zyngier, Senior Research Manager, Climateworks Centre Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Can one department adequately tackle climate change, energy, the environment and water? It’s unlikely. Peter Burnett, Honorary Associate Professor, ANU College of Law, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

When Melbourne had to isolate during COVID lockdowns, Greg Moore and his family discovered the pleasure of a very fine fungi-spotting season. Gregory Moore, Doctor of Botany, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We calculate that this project will add about 41 megatonnes per year to Australia’s national emissions from around 2030. Bill Hare, Adjunct Professor, Murdoch University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Electricity is an essential service. Acting quickly is crucial to avoid households falling into hardship, and businesses closing their doors. Tim Nelson, Associate Professor of Economics, Griffith University Joel Gilmore, Associate Professor, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Our coal-fired generators are failing, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has made the gas that fires the generators that are replacing them expensive, and it’s suddenly got cold. Tony Wood, Program Director, Energy, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia exports most of its coal and gas, and prices have skyrocketed. We could be facing a winter of pain for gas users. Samantha Hepburn, Professor, Deakin Law School, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The Nationals have long promoted coal for regional development and politics. But new leader David Littleproud could seize the moment and refocus the regional party. Geoff Cockfield, Honorary Professor in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development, University of Southern Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We cannot allow climate change mitigation and adaptation to become another colonial process of dispossession and disempowerment. Bhiamie Williamson, Research Associate & PhD Candidate, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

These temperatures are well below average, even for the middle of winter. Andrew King, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The rise of teals and Greens challenges Labor to take more ambitious climate action, but room to move is constrained by pre-election commitments. John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Island states are often dependent on expensive imported fossil fuels for their power. Ocean thermal energy conversion plants could provide constant power – if technical issues can be overcome. Rosalind Archer, Professor, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.