The Conversation

As Australia’s south-east states reel from intense winds, many of us wonder if the trees near us are safe. Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Earth’s climate has become dangerously unstable, and it’s only a matter of time before somewhere in Australia erupts in uncontrollable fire. David Bowman, Professor of Pyrogeography and Fire Science, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Shifting transport from air and road to sea and rail has untapped potential to slash emissions. Robin Smit, Adjunct Professor, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Repurposing fossil fuel infrastructures to supply clean fuels might make more immediate economic and environmental sense than mass electrification of transport and industry. Richard Meade, Senior Research Fellow in Economics and Social Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, and Adjunct Associate Professor, Centre for Applied Energy Economics and Policy Research, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

When Australian leaders go to the main Pacific nations meeting, there’s a fossil fuel elephant in the room. Liam Moore, Lecturer in International Politics and Policy, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The researchers hope the findings will help dog owners make more informed decisions when selecting their next furry friend. Mia Cobb, Research Fellow, Animal Welfare Science Centre, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Increased investment in electricity generation, transmission and storage has led to a more positive outlook for the reliability of the system – if these projects are delivered on time. Alison Reeve, Deputy Program Director, Energy and Climate Change, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Construction activity will use up almost half of the world’s remaining carbon budget to keep global warming under 1.5°C unless we totally rethink our approach. Philip Oldfield, Head of School and Professor of Architecture, UNSW Built Environment, UNSW Sydney Gerard Reinmuth, Professor of Practice, University of Technology Sydney William Craft, Associate Lecturer and Researcher, School of Built Environment, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Springtime in Australia and New Zealand means one thing: it’s swooping season. Meg Edwards, Lecturer in Wildlife Science, University of Southern Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

As the ocean warms, toxic algal blooms are on the rise in the waters off New Zealand, causing the highest number of shellfish harvest closures in a decade. Anne Rolton Vignier, Scientist in Shellfish and Algal Biology, Cawthron Institute Kirsty Smith, Scientist in Algal Ecology, Cawthron Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research examines how citizen science data contributes to decisions by governments and conservation organisations about which species are at risk of extinction, and how they can be conserved. Erin Roger, Sector Lead, Atlas of Living Australia, CSIRO Jasmin G Packer, Research Fellow in Wildlife Conservation, University of Adelaide Jodi Rowley, Curator, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Biology, Australian Museum, UNSW Sydney Rachael Gallagher, Associate Professor, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University Thomas Mesaglio, PhD candidate, Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The good news is that New Zealand is on track to meet electricity demand with renewable generation by 2030. The less good news is that winter price spikes are still likely. Alan Brent, Professor and Chair in Sustainable Energy Systems, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research reveals how water containing the antidepressant Prozac affects male guppies, raising concerns about the health of aquatic ecosystems exposed to pharmaceutical pollution. Upama Aich, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the School of Biological Sciences, Monash University Bob Wong, Professor of Behavioural and Evolutionary Ecology, Monash University Giovanni Polverino, Assistant Professor in behavioural ecology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

For decades, Victoria relied on its offshore gas riches. But the wells are running dry – and there’s no plans for more supply in Australia’s largest gas consuming state. Tony Wood, Program Director, Energy, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Research shows wasps are active and useful predators of caterpillars on crop plants, but we need to know more about their full biocontrol potential. Jennifer Jandt, Senior Lecturer in Ecology, University of Otago Amy Toth, Professor & Chair, Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Iowa State University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The benefits of leafy mistletoes for wintering arthropods include shelter from extreme weather and hungry birds as well as a more humid microclimate to avoid desiccation. Janice Lord, Associate Professor in Botany, University of Otago James Crofts-Bennett, PhD candidate in Botany, University of Otago Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

For decades it seemed as if nothing could change the trajectory of population growth. But a huge change is looming. Andrew Taylor, Associate Professor in Demography, Northern Institute, Charles Darwin University Supriya Mathew, Postdoctoral researcher in climate change and health, Charles Darwin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The researchers found most emissions reduction relied on a mix of policies, rather than a single solution. John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

With no land mammals to eat and disperse them, New Zealand’s truffle-like fungi mimic fallen fruit to attract birds. But with so many of those birds now extinct, can ecosystems adapt? Jamie Wood, Senior Lecturer in Ecology and Evolution, University of Adelaide Amy Martin, Post-Doctoral Researcher in Evolutionary Ecology, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Anne Gaskett, Associate Professor of Biology, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Between them, the Queensland and ACT trials of almost free and free public transport could change how fares are set in Australia. David Levinson, Professor of Transport, University of Sydney Andres Fielbaum, Lecturer in Transport, University of Sydney Emily Moylan, Senior Lecturer in Transport, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.