The Conversation

A study commissioned by the ACT government finds zero-interest loans and free registration help – but the price of the car and petrol prices matter most of all. Yogi Vidyattama, Associate Professor, National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling, University of Canberra Darren Sinclair, Professor, University of Canberra Jacki Schirmer, Associate Professor, University of Canberra Robert Tanton, Professor, Institute for Governance & Policy Analysis, University of Canberra Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

It is unreasonable to expect people to cope with all disasters – but it is reasonable to expect people to manage a certain level of risk. Celeste Young, Collaborative Research Fellow, Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities (ISILC), Victoria University Roger Jones, Professorial Research Fellow, Victoria University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

With the world on track to blow the carbon budget for 1.5℃ before the end of this decade, we must use offsetting carefully. It can no longer be a substitute for deep emissions cuts. David Hall, Senior Lecturer in Social Sciences and Public Policy, Auckland University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Many animals have evolved very entertaining – if not impolite – strategies for evolutionary success. Romane H. Cristescu, Posdoc in Ecology, University of the Sunshine Coast Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In 2022, Australia is facing an election in which both major parties have little to offer on emissions reductions and moving away from fossil fuels. John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Increasing revegetation from 1% to 10% of the landscape doubled the number of woodland bird species. The collective efforts of landowners can make a real difference for native wildlife. Andrew Bennett, Professor of Ecology, La Trobe University Angie Haslem, Research Fellow, La Trobe University Greg Holland, Associate Research Fellow, La Trobe University Jim Radford, Principal Research Fellow, Research Centre for Future Landscapes, La Trobe University Rohan Clarke, Director, Monash Drone Discovery Platform, and Senior Lecturer in Ecology, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Biodegradable plastics have great potential to replace problematic plastics that don’t break down. But we, and the environment, need greater clarity on how to dispose of them. Bronwyn Laycock, Professor of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland Paul Lant, Professor of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland Steven Pratt, Associate Professor, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Technology and regulation have solved some issues with bycatch. To reduce damage to marine life further, we can harness the skills of our best fishers. Leslie Roberson, Postdoctoral research fellow, The University of Queensland Chris Wilcox, Senior Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The current estimate is that Earth would warm by 1.5℃ to 4.5℃ if emissions were to double on pre-industrial levels. The range has remained stubbornly wide, despite improved climate modelling. Olaf Morgenstern, Principal Scientist -- Atmosphere and Climate, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The outlook for potential emissions reduction is far better than in earlier assessments, thanks to the plunging costs of clean energy technologies. Frank Jotzo, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy and Head of Energy, Institute for Climate Energy and Disaster Solutions, Australian National University Annette Cowie, Adjunct Professor, University of New England Jake Whitehead, E-Mobility Research Fellow, The University of Queensland Peter Newman, Professor of Sustainability, Curtin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Humanity is off track to keeping global warming to 1.5℃. But if we pull out all stops, we’ve still got a chance. Thomas Wiedmann, Professor of Sustainability Research, UNSW Sydney Arunima Malik, Senior Lecturer in Sustainability, University of Sydney Glen Peters, Research Director, Center for International Climate and Environment Research - Oslo Jacqueline Peel, Director, Melbourne Climate Futures, The University of Melbourne Xuemei Bai, Distinguished Professor, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research finds Japan has 14 times more solar and offshore wind energy potential than needed to supply all its current electricity demand. It doesn’t need Australia. Andrew Blakers, Professor of Engineering, Australian National University Cheng, Research Officer, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Supporting new fossil fuel projects is completely inconsistent with the broader goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050 - and will not improve energy security. Samantha Hepburn, Director of the Centre for Energy and Natural Resources Law, Deakin Law School, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Flood clusters are not unknown - but what’s new about the floods hitting Lismore is the unprecented height. Margaret Cook, Lecturer in History, University of the Sunshine Coast Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

It is deeply regretful that the budget and forward estimates don’t specifically recognise the ongoing scale and the fiscal impact of climate disasters. Tony Wood, Program Director, Energy, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia’s environment law needs a comprehensive overhaul – not the politically motivated tinkering delivered on Tuesday night. Peter Burnett, Honorary Associate Professor, ANU College of Law, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Bitcoin’s annual electricity consumption is more than three times New Zealand’s – those hidden environmental costs must be part of any future regulation. Nathan Cooper, Associate Professor of Law, University of Waikato Michael Dizon, Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Waikato Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Water rights are beginning to be allocated to Indigenous Australians – but there’s a long way to go to reverse the legal fiction of aqua nullius. Melissa Kennedy, Research Fellow - Participatory research and engagement, The University of Melbourne Brendan Kennedy, Enterprise Principle Fellow in Cultural Economies and Sustainability, The University of Melbourne Sangeetha Chandrashekeran, Senior Research Fellow, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Coral reefs that suffer widespread bleaching can still recover if conditions improve, but it’s estimated to take up to 12 years. And that’s if no more bleaching events occur. Adam Smith, Adjunct Associate Professor, James Cook University Nathan Cook, Marine Scientist, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The Federal Court has essentially said it can’t act. But the decision certainly doesn’t mean the government can’t act. In fact, that’s exactly who the judges indicated must. Laura Schuijers, Deputy Director, Australian Centre for Climate and Environmental Law and Lecturer in Law, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.