The Conversation

How does this compare to Australia’s previous floods? And can we expect more frequent floods at this scale under climate change? The answers aren’t straightforward. Andrew King, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, The University of Melbourne Linden Ashcroft, Lecturer in climate science and science communication, The University of Melbourne Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, Chief Investigator on the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes; ARC Future Fellow, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Globally, about a billion people living in coastal cities are at risk of climate hazards. The impacts go well beyond the coast and could affect us all, with disruptions to supply chains and trade. Bruce Glavovic, Professor, Massey University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We are no longer in typical conditions. Climate change is already damaging human and natural systems we hold dear in Australia. Brendan Mackey, Director of the Griffith Climate Change Response Program, Griffith University Francis Chiew, Senior Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Gretta Pecl, Professor, ARC Future Fellow & Editor in Chief (Reviews in Fish Biology & Fisheries), University of Tasmania Kevin Hennessy, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, CSIRO Lauren Rickards, Professor, RMIT University Mark Howden, Director, ANU Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions, Australian National University Nigel Tapper, Professor, Monash University Nina Lansbury, Senior Lecturer, School of Public Health, The University of Queensland Uday Nidumolu, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

As the impacts and costs of climate change increase over time, New Zealand’s financial systems could become less stable and the government less able to support those affected. Judy Lawrence, Senior Research Fellow, New Zealand Climate Change Research Institute, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Alistair Woodward, Professor, School of Population Health, University of Auckland Anita Wreford, Professor, Lincoln University, New Zealand Mark John Costello, Professor, University of Auckland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The IPCC is the global authority on climate change. Their new report paints a worrying picture of climate impacts already affecting billions of people, economies and the environment. Mark Howden, Director, ANU Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions, Australian National University Joy Pereira, Professor, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (National University of Malaysia) Roberto Sánchez, Professor, Colegio de la Frontera Norte Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A weather system called ‘atmospheric rivers’ is causing this inundation. In March last year, an atmospheric river brought 800kg of water vapour over Sydney every second. Kimberley Reid, PhD Researcher in Atmospheric Science, The University of Melbourne Andrew King, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

If estimates are grossly inaccurate, Australia’s emission reduction targets will not be grounded in a credible assessment of greenhouse gas outputs. Samantha Hepburn, Director of the Centre for Energy and Natural Resources Law, Deakin Law School, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Russia supplies much of Europe’s gas. Will their invasion of Ukraine lead to a renewed push for energy independence? Ellie Martus, Lecturer in Public Policy, School of Government and International Relations, Griffith University Susan Harris Rimmer, Professor and Director of the Policy Innovation Hub, Griffith Business School, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

That there’s legacy waste in Antarctica may come as a surprise to some, as we often think of Antarctica as a pristine wilderness. These photos show why cleaning up is long overdue Darren Koppel, Research fellow, Curtin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Fusion seems nearer than ever - but it won’t be the silver bullet to stop climate change. Ian Lowe, Emeritus Professor, School of Science, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The plan would address failures in the National Electricity Market, and would see a more orderly transformation process from coal to clean energy. Daniel J Cass, Research Affiliate, The University of Sydney Business School, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research finds 74% of land managers who reported releasing a powerful biocontrol release it during the peak rabbit breeding period. This can lead to rabbit populations actually increasing. Pat Taggart, Adjunct Fellow, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Dry regions will get drier and wet regions wetter as the climate changes. How quickly? Quicker than we thought, unfortunately. Taimoor Sohail, Postdoctoral research associate, UNSW Sydney Jan Zika, Associate Professor, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The tertiary sector’s air miles may be dominated by a small number of hyper-mobile senior academics, but studies show virtual conferences can improve diversity, career development and emissions. Sal Lampkin, PhD, Sustainability Transformation Manager, Massey University Robert McLachlan, Professor in Applied Mathematics, Massey University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Compassionate conservationists believe all animals have a right to be here, even introduced species like wild horses. Their vocal critics are avoiding vital ethical questions around conservation. Simon Coghlan, Senior Lecturer in Digital Ethics, Centre for AI and Digital Ethics, School of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne Adam Cardilini, Lecturer, Environmental Science, School of Life and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

It was the first time a bird has removed a tracking device, and the second time a bird species showed cooperative ‘rescue’ behaviour. Dominique Potvin, Senior Lecturer in Animal Ecology, University of the Sunshine Coast Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

AGL’s board has knocked back a billionaire-led bid to shut its coal generators. Serious negotiations will now begin – and Mike Cannon-Brookes has form on transforming Australian power generation. Bruce Mountain, Director, Victoria Energy Policy Centre, Victoria University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Urban gardens, parks and green walls are crucial ways to tackle flash floods and city heat. But new global research finds its effectiveness varies from city to city. Mark O. Cuthbert, Principal Research Fellow & Reader, Cardiff University Denis O'Carroll, Professor & Managing Director, UNSW Water Research Laboratory, UNSW Sydney Gabriel C Rau, Assistant Professor, Institute of Applied Geosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Quirks of our geology made Australia unusually abundant in coal. But as the world goes green, we can switch to vital clean mineral resources so coalminers aren’t left behind. Melanie Finch, Lecturer in Structural Geology and Metamorphism, James Cook University Emily Finch, Beamline Scientist at ANSTO, and Research Affiliate, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

These are poignant cries of a disappearing landscape – the creaking calls of gang-gangs, buzzing bowerbirds and the mournful cry of the far eastern curlew. Stephen Garnett, Professor of Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University Anthony Albrecht, PhD Candidate, Charles Darwin University | Co-founder, The Bowerbird Collective, Charles Darwin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.