The Conversation

Rocks deposited by vanishing glaciers in the Southern Alps thousands of years ago hold climate clues about the past, painting a bleak picture about the long-term survival of alpine ice in New Zealand. Andrew Lorrey, Principal Scientist & Programme Leader of Southern Hemisphere Climates and Environments, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Aaron Putnam, Associate professor, University of Maine David Barrell, Geologist and geomorphologist, GNS Science George Denton, Professor, University of Maine Joellen Russell, Professor, University of Arizona Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A scheme devised by the Morrison government to protect biodiversity and create new income for farmers may fail in its aims. Felicity Deane, Associate Professor, Queensland University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Biologists have used ancient DNA, preserved in fossil bones for millennia, to study the evolution of large species, but now they can employ it to study small animals like lizards and frogs. Nic Rawlence, Lecturer in Ancient DNA, University of Otago Lachie Scarsbrook, DPhil Student in Archaeological Science, University of Oxford Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Only three specimens of the blue-grey mouse ever existed, and two are lost. We plunged into a search for the third, in the hope we might find the species isn’t extinct at all – just missing. Tyrone Lavery, Research fellow, Australian National University Chris Dickman, Professor in Terrestrial Ecology, University of Sydney David Lindenmayer, Professor, The Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Even if all passenger vehicles sold today were electric, it would take more than ten years for the Australian road fleet to be fully electric. Robin Smit, Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Technology Sydney Hussein Dia, Professor of Future Urban Mobility, Swinburne University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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.