The Conversation

After one La Niña, the Pacific sometimes retains cool water which enables a second La Niña to form. Andréa S. Taschetto, Associate Professor, UNSW Agus Santoso, Senior Research Associate, UNSW Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The old ways of keeping giant clam species healthy won’t work with climate change. We need new techniques - and fast. Sue-Ann Watson, Senior Research Fellow and Senior Curator (Queensland Museum), James Cook University Mei Lin Neo, Senior Research Fellow, National University of Singapore Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A new report predicts an incredibly rapid closure of coal-fired power stations. Continuing to deny this is simply not in the interest of coal workers and their communities. Tim Nelson, Associate Professor of Economics, Griffith University Joel Gilmore, Associate Professor, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Senate Inquiry report “A way forward” recommended Aboriginal heritage protection be co-designed with Aboriginal people. However WA’s new Aboriginal Heritage Act seems to prioritise mining interests. Hannah McGlade, Associate professor, Curtin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In several countries, court rulings have forced governments to make stronger cuts to emissions. But New Zealand courts have so far stayed clear of imposing legal steps, calling for regulation instead. Nathan Cooper, Associate Professor of Law, University of Waikato Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Almost one in three Australian homes now have solar panels – but as even more solar systems are installed, we face a growing challenge of managing temporary solar shutdowns. Sophie Adams, Research Fellow, School of Humanities and Languages, UNSW Baran Yildiz, Senior Research Associate, UNSW Naomi Stringer, Research Associate, UNSW Shanil Samarakoon, Lecturer, Centre for Social Impact, UNSW Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The paradise parrot was rediscovered by Cyril Jerrard, a Queensland grazier, in December 1921. But its return was fleeting. Russell McGregor, Adjunct Professor of History, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The answer isn’t as clear cut as you might think and depends on a number of factors, including the terrain and whether it’s pack vs pack. Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Specialist reporters are important, but climate coverage can no longer be left to them. Here’s what New Zealand journalists say about why climate should be part of every newsroom and every beat. Áine Kelly-Costello, University of Gothenburg Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Climate change threatens the crucial storage of carbon in Aussie forests. Victoria’s national parks alone store almost 1 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. Tom Fairman, Future Fire Risk Analyst, The University of Melbourne Craig Nitschke, Associate Professor - Forest and Landscape Dynamics, The University of Melbourne Lauren Bennett, Associate Professor - Ecosystem Sciences and Forest Carbon, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

There’s enormous value in citizen science projects that encourage urban-dwellers to learn about what is often, quite literally, on their doorsteps. Erin Roger, Citizen Science Program Lead, CSIRO Alice Motion, Associate professor, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Critics say investing in carbon capture and storage means betting on technology that’s not yet proven to work at scale. Using liquid marbles could make a huge difference. Charith Rathnayaka, Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast Emilie Sauret, Professor, Queensland University of Technology Nam-Trung Nguyen, Professor and Director of Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University Yuantong Gu, Professor, Mechanical Systems and Asset Management, Queensland University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Greg Hunt is best known as Australia’s health minister. But before that he spent years thinking about mechanisms to get emissions down – and if elected, Labor plans to road test the one he introduced. Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Western Australia’s Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Bill 2021 is set to become law. But the new legislation states one elected official will decide whether heritage sites are destroyed for development. Joe Dortch, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, The University of Western Australia Anne Poelina, Adjunct Professor and Senior Research Fellow, University of Notre Dame Australia Jo Thomson, PhD student, The University of Western Australia Kado Muir, Chair of National Native Title Council and Ngalia Cultural Leader, Indigenous Knowledge Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The average amount of meat a person ate each year worldwide increased from 29.5kg in 2000 to 34kg in 2019. But there are some surprising differences between nations, including Australia and NZ. Diana Bogueva, Team Manager/ Adjunct Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Sydney Clare Whitton, Curtin University Clive Phillips, Former Foundation Professor of Animal Welfare, University of Queensland, Curtin University Dora Marinova, Professor of Sustainability, Curtin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Fires in arid Australia are extensive, largely unmanaged, often destructive and significantly under-reported. Rohan Fisher, Information Technology for Development Researcher, Charles Darwin University Neil Burrows, Adjunct professor, The University of Western Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In Australia alone, it’s estimated up to 8.9 billion butts are littered each year. A new report finds a mandatory product stewardship scheme can cut this by around half. Kylie Morphett, Research Fellow, School of Public Health, The University of Queensland Coral Gartner, Director, NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence on Achieving the Tobacco Endgame, The University of Queensland William Clarke, Professor of waste management, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Dingoes have evolved under Australian conditions. That’s just one step in the path the iconic dog has taken to become native. Peter Banks, Professor of Conservation Biology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Labor’s 2030 emission reduction target of 43% is more ambitious than the Coalition, but still falls well below what the science says is needed. Wesley Morgan, Research Fellow, Griffith Asia Institute and Climate Council researcher, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australians are ready to embrace electric vehicles - but an emissions ceiling would speed up the transition dramatically. Ingrid Burfurd, Senior Associate, Transport and Cities Program, Grattan Institute, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.