The Conversation

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.

The urgency of tackling climate change is even higher for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and other First Nation peoples across the globe. They need to be part of the solution. Janine Mohamed, Distinguished Fellow and CEO, The Lowitja Institute Pat Anderson, Chairperson, The Lowitja Institute Veronica Matthews, Senior Research Fellow, The University Centre for Rural Health, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

This network of vegetation reserves and corridors along Australian roads must be properly valued and better protected. But they’re vulnerable to vandals, lopping and car collisions. Gregory Moore, Doctor of Botany, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Before the pandemic, New Zealand’s emissions from domestic flights were 4.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, up by 43% since 2014 and the sixth highest in the world per capita. Robert McLachlan, Professor in Applied Mathematics, Massey University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The direction a beach faces, relative to wind direction, largely determines how many bluebottles are pushed to shore. Amandine Schaeffer, Senior lecturer, UNSW Sydney Jasmin C Lawes, Adjunct associate, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Laboratory studies suggest sunscreen chemicals are dangerous to coral reefs. But in real world conditions, that’s not true. Bleaching must have another cause. Nial Wheate, Associate Professor of the Sydney Pharmacy School, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

As climate change pressures intensify, ecosystems may lose their ability to bounce back from disasters. Caitlin Moore, Research Fellow, The University of Western Australia David Campbell, Associate Professor, University of Waikato Helen Cleugh, Honorary Professor, Australian National University Jamie Cleverly, Snr research fellow in environmental sciences, James Cook University Jason Beringer, Professor, The University of Western Australia Lindsay Hutley, Professor of Environmental Science, Charles Darwin University Mark Grant, Science Communication and Engagement Manager; Program Coordinator, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

It is impossible to label nuclear power as sustainable without taking into account the entire life cycle of a nuclear reactor and the industry’s exposure to environmental and geopolitical risks. Karly Burch, Research Fellow, University of Otago Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Tasmania’s drying climate is seeing more bushfires ignited by lightning strikes. To protect the state’s World Heritage wilderness, we must use sustainable fire management practices. David Bowman, Professor of Pyrogeography and Fire Science, University of Tasmania Jenny Styger, Associate at The Fire Centre,, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

On-street parking is an increasingly scarce resource as we take to our cars post-lockdowns. Here’s how to make the most of it. Benjy Marks, Lecturer in Geomechanics, University of Sydney Emily Moylan, Lecturer, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The conflict highlights the folly of nations exiting nuclear power while continuing to use coal, gas and oil. John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The 1878, the body of Sergeant Michael Kennedy lay in the bush in Victoria’s Wombat Ranges. He’d been shot by the notorious Ned Kelly gang – but the bush would add its own gruesome ending. David Eric Peacock, Adjunct Fellow, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Coral in the Great Barrier Reef is once again bleaching, with water temperatures up to 3℃ higher than normal in some places. Paul Hardisty, CEO, Australian Institute of Marine Science David Mead, Executive Director of Strategic Development at Australian Institute of Marine Science, Australian Institute of Marine Science Rob Vertessy, Enterprise Professor in the School of Engineering, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.