The Conversation

A suite of proposed changes to energy efficiency section of the National Construction Code are a good step forward. However, a lot more can be done. Trivess Moore, Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University Alan Pears, Senior Industry Fellow, RMIT University Erika Bartak, PhD Candidate (& ESD Consultant), Melbourne School of Design, The University of Melbourne Nicola Willand, Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Aboriginal people view so-called wilderness as sick, neglected land. This runs counter to the view of wilderness as pristine and healthy, which underpins non-Indigenous conservation efforts. Michael-Shawn Fletcher, Associate Professor in Biogeography, The University of Melbourne Lisa Palmer, Associate Professor, School of Geography, The University of Melbourne Rebecca Hamilton, Postdoctoral Fellow, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History Wolfram Dressler, Senior Fellow, Development Geography, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The oceans around New Zealand are warming faster in winter than in summer. During the winter of 2021, most coastal areas were warmer than usual, and this is likely to bring more storms during summer. João Marcos Azevedo Correia de Souza, MetOcean Solutions Science Manager of the Research and Development Team. Moana Project Science Lead, MetService — Te Ratonga Tirorangi Amandine Schaeffer, UNSW Jonathan Gardner, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Robert Smith, University of Otago Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Recovering historical genetic data has been severely impeded by the methods used to preserve specimens, from dried butterfly wings to platypus bills floating in alcohol. Erin Hahn, Postdoc, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The federal government has proposed changes to threatened species protection which would lead to weaker legal protections. Conservationists are alarmed, but in reality, it’s no great loss. Stephen Garnett, Professor of Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Wasting food feeds climate change but relatively small changes can make a big difference. Here are 6 to try. Mark Boulet, Research Fellow, BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The National Party’s position on net-zero is wrong, for so many reasons. Not least, it’s a betrayal of rural Australia. Matt McDonald, Associate Professor of International Relations, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Three things define an ice age: Earth has to be cold enough for a long time, ice grows to cover significant areas, and it lasts for millions of years. Michael Petterson, Professor of Geology, Auckland University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Fraser Island was renamed to the original Butchulla name, K'gari. Returning to original place names is a significant step in First Nations people maintaining cultural identity in Australia. Rose Barrowcliffe, Doctoral Candidate, University of the Sunshine Coast Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The world hydropower industry has public relations work to do, if its global expansion is to be realised. But stringent oversight is urgently needed. Jamie Pittock, Professor, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Some Nationals want agriculture carved out of any net-zero target. Cutting emissions from farms won’t be easy, but it’s essential. James Ha, Associate, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Scott Morrison will announce a deal, but not until the details, heavy with technology and trade offs and pay offs, are sorted with Joyce. Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Whether you’re hoping to maximise your chances of seeing one of these shy, fascinating critters or wanting to avoid them at all costs, this article is for you. Timothy N. W. Jackson, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Australian Venom Research Unit, The University of Melbourne Chris J Jolly, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Charles Sturt University Damian Lettoof, PhD Candidate, Curtin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Figures released this week suggest Australia’s koala populations have plummeted. So what’s the best way to protect these iconic animals from fires? Pablo Negret, Postdoctoral research fellow, The University of Queensland Daniel Lunney, Adjunct professor, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Local communities near lithium deposits shouldn’t become zones of sacrifice, shouldering the socio-environmental costs of supporting a renewable energy transition. Ana Estefanía Carballo, Research Fellow in Mining and Society, School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, The University of Melbourne Gillian Gregory, Research Fellow in Mining Governance, School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, The University of Melbourne Tim Werner, ARC DECRA Fellow, School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Like the lazy koala, the reason sloths go slow has a lot to do with what they eat. Shelby A. Ryan, PhD Candidate | School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle Ryan R. Witt, Postdoctoral Researcher and Honorary Lecturer | School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Many plants are really good at withstanding bushfires, but the combination of drought, heatwaves and pest insects under climate change may push them to the brink. Rachael Helene Nolan, Postdoctoral research fellow, Western Sydney University Andrea Leigh, Associate Professor, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney Mark Ooi, Senior Research Fellow, UNSW Ross Bradstock, Emeritus professor, University of Wollongong Tim Curran, Associate Professor of Ecology, Lincoln University, New Zealand Tom Fairman, Future Fire Risk Analyst, The University of Melbourne Víctor Resco de Dios, Profesor de Incendios y Cambio Global en PVCF-Agrotecnio, Universitat de Lleida Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

If the world is to adapt to sea level rise with minimal cost, we must address the uncertainty surrounding Antarctica’s melting ice sheet. This requires significant investment in scientific capacity. Chen Zhao, Research associate, University of Tasmania Rupert Gladstone, Adjunct professor, University of Lapland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The submarine announcement is sure to trigger a new round of debate on whether nuclear energy is right for Australia. But let’s be clear: the technology makes no sense for Australia. Ian Lowe, Emeritus Professor, School of Science, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The internet exploded after a musk duck was recorded saying “you bloody fool” , and a lyrebird cried like a human baby. So what’s the fuss all about? Anastasia Dalziell, Postdoctoral research fellow, University of Wollongong Justin A. Welbergen, President of the Australasian Bat Society | Associate Professor in Animal Ecology, Western Sydney University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.