The Conversation

Plastic waste is a huge problem. To fix it, we need systemic change, not just a focus on picking it up or recycling plastic once it becomes rubbish. Sabrina Chakori, PhD Candidate, The University of Queensland Ammar Abdul Aziz, Lecturer, The University of Queensland Martin Calisto Friant, PhD Researcher, Utrecht University Russell Richards, Lecturer, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In an effort to save Lake Pedder from a hydro-electricity scheme, the world’s first political party with a foundation in environmental values was formed in Tasmania. Benjamin J. Richardson, Professor of Environmental Law, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia’s forests have controlled their own own flammability since Gondwana. We must respect this natural process. Philip Zylstra, Adjunct Associate Professor at Curtin University, Research Associate at University of New South Wales, Curtin University David Lindenmayer, Professor, The Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Don Bradshaw, Emeritus professor, The University of Western Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

This seemingly one-off heatwave may be a harbinger for the future under climate change. Dana M Bergstrom, Principal Research Scientist, University of Wollongong Sharon Robinson, Professor, University of Wollongong Simon Alexander, Atmospheric scientist, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The reef is suffering environmental conditions that are so extreme, scientists are struggling to simulate these scenarios in laboratories. Jodie L. Rummer, Associate Professor & Principal Research Fellow, James Cook University Scott F. Heron, Associate Professor in Physics, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia might be a long way away, but fossil fuel price spikes triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine are hitting households hard. We could have avoided this pain. Tim Nelson, Associate Professor of Economics, Griffith University Joel Gilmore, Associate Professor, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Residents and businesses are considering leaving Lismore for good. The town is now on the brink. Barbara Rugendyke, Adjunct Professor in Geography, Southern Cross University Jean S. Renouf, Lecturer in Politics and International Relations, Southern Cross University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research investigating the yabby diets found just how crucial these crayfish are to aquatic ecosystems. Paul McInerney, Research Scientist, CSIRO Gavin Rees, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New technologies will enable steel production without coal. Australia stands to benefit greatly in the shift to green steel – if we’re ready. John Pye, Associate Professor, School of Engineering, ANU, Australian National University Alireza Rahbari, Research fellow, School of Engineering, ANU, Australian National University Emma Aisbett, Fellow, Australian National University Frank Jotzo, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy and Head of Energy, Institute for Climate Energy and Disaster Solutions, Australian National University Zsuzsanna Csereklyei, Senior Lecturer in Economics, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia could use about 7,000 terawatt-hours of solar and wind generation per annum to make a sizeable contribution to cutting global emissions – about 27 times its current electricity output. Paul Burke, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Emma Aisbett, Fellow, Australian National University Ken Baldwin, Inaugural Director, ANU Grand Challenge, Zero-Carbon Energy for the Asia Pacific, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Urban renewal can bring downsides as well as benefits. A new guide helps people connect more deeply with their suburbs. Shannon Foster, D'harawal Knowledge Keeper PhD Candidate and Lecturer UTS, University of Technology Sydney Alexandra Crosby, Associate Professor, School of Design, University of Technology Sydney Ilaria Vanni, Associate Professor, International Studies and Global Societies, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

This score is a massive four points higher than the year prior. But as La Niña subsides, we’ll quickly feel the long-term warming trend again, with bushfires picking back up next season. Albert Van Dijk, Professor, Water and Landscape Dynamics, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University Shoshana Rapley, Research assistant, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The best way to experience a rainforest canopy is by crane - and researchers have made full use of Australia’s first canopy crane. Nigel Stork, Emeritus Professor in the Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University Claire Gely, Postdoctoral research fellow, James Cook University Susan Laurance, Professor, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Unfortunately, Australians should not expect EVs to suddenly become cheap and easy to get here in the next couple of years unless policy changes. Jake Whitehead, Tritum E-Mobility Fellow & Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellow, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In some regions, foxes kill at least 1,000 animals per square kilometre every year. Jaana Dielenberg, University Fellow, Charles Darwin University Alyson Stobo-Wilson, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Charles Darwin University Brett Murphy, Associate Professor / ARC Future Fellow, Charles Darwin University John Woinarski, Professor (conservation biology), Charles Darwin University Sarah Legge, Professor, Australian National University Trish Fleming, Professor, Murdoch University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Environment minister Sussan Ley successfully argued that she doesn’t have a duty of care to protect young people from climate change. Here’s why the judges unanimously ruled in her favour. Jacqueline Peel, Director, Melbourne Climate Futures, The University of Melbourne Rebekkah Markey-Towler, Research fellow, Melbourne Climate Futures, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Conflict in Eastern Europe must not cause global climate action to falter. We must ensure the renewables industry can withstand such global shocks. Vigya Sharma, Senior Research Fellow, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

While climate change poses new threats to trees, it also creates new opportunities for us to work with trees as allies. We must not work against them. Gregory Moore, Doctor of Botany, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Efforts to fast-track a review of stewardship land could result in more mining access to conservation land as the governments wants to prioritise land where mining applications have already been made. Matthew Hall, Senior Researcher, Environmental Law Initiative and Visiting Scholar, Faculty of Law, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Allan Brent, Senior Legal Advisor, Environmental Law Initiative, and Visiting Scholar, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The findings indicates natural disasters such as the current floods in southeastern Australia can influence election results. Hannah Melville-Rea, Research Fellow, Environmental Arts & Humanities, New York University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.