The Conversation

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.

If you’re interested in the history, traits and skills of these amazing dogs – and perhaps have wondered about owning one yourself – here’s what you need to know. Melissa Starling, Postdoctoral researcher, University of Sydney Claire Wade, Professor, Chair of Computational Biology and Animal Genetics, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Southern Tasmania’s cool climate was thought to be a climate refuge for tall forests. But that may no longer be true. Tim Wardlaw, Research Associate, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

As authorities grapple with the best way to respond to the tragedy, it’s worth remembering all shark mitigation measures come with both merits and drawbacks – and none is a silver bullet. Daryl McPhee, Associate Professor of Environmental Science, Bond University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Eraring is the latest in a string of announcements for early coal plant closures. The fundamental reason is the brutal impact of renewables on coal’s profitability. Chris Briggs, Research Director, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Environmental footprint calculators may promise to help consumers lead a greener life. But they may in fact encourage choices that don’t benefit – or even harm – the environment. Aaron Simmons, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, University of New England Annette Cowie, Adjunct Professor, University of New England Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Global plastics production is set to double by 2040. The upcoming UN meeting is a chance for New Zealand to stake a stronger position on a proposed treaty to reign in plastic pollution. Trisia Farrelly, Associate Professor, Massey University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Such a dramatic rise in extreme heat days is not inevitable. If global warming is limited to 1.5℃ this century, Western Sydney will have fewer than 17 days of 35℃ per year. Hannah Melville-Rea, Research Fellow, New York University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Substituting one food for another – no matter the reason – may not result in a healthier choice. Brad Ridoutt, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Agriculture, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Indigenous fire management holds the key to a safer, more sustainable future on our flammable continent. Michela Mariani, Assistant Professor in Physical Geography, University of Nottingham Michael-Shawn Fletcher, Associate Professor in Biogeography, The University of Melbourne Simon Connor, Fellow in Natural History, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Artificial habitats are becoming more advanced, but they’re not a silver bullet. Darcy Watchorn, PhD Candidate, Deakin University Mitchell Cowan, PhD Candidate, Charles Sturt University Tim Doherty, ARC DECRA Fellow, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We took a closer look at the government data, and found at worst, the number of jobs foregone is around 10 times fewer than the minister claims. Alison Reeve, Deputy Program Director, Energy and Climate Change, Grattan Institute Tony Wood, Program Director, Energy, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Disaster-affected communities form the backbone of any disaster response. But survivors are often underutilised in shaping plans for their community’s longer-term recovery and preparedness efforts. Lara Werbeloff, Program Director, Fire to Flourish, Monash University David Johnston, Professor of Health Economics, Monash University Jane Fisher, Finkel Professor of Global Health, Monash University Rebecca Wickes, Associate Professor in Criminology and Director of the Monash Migration and Inclusion Centre, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Tiny seashells draw carbon to the ocean floor when they die. This is the most significant geological process of carbon storage today, and it might increase in a warmer world, as it did in the past. Rupert Sutherland, Professor of tectonics and geophysics, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Laia Alegret, Professor in Paleontology, Universidad de Zaragoza Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The painful bites of female march flies can ruin your day at the beach. When we’re not there, they bite wallabies, birds, and even reptiles. David Yeates, Director of the Australian National Insect Collection, CSIRO Keith M. Bayless, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Researchers have surveyed an Antarctic under-ice river for the first time directly, and their observations support the idea that such sub-glacial rivers form estuaries as they flow into the ocean. Huw Joseph Horgan, Associate Professor of Geophysical Glaciology, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Craig Stevens, Professor in Ocean Physics, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Threatened species don’t just live in national parks. Almost half of their distributions are on private land. Stephen Kearney, PhD student, The University of Queensland April Reside, Lecturer, The University of Queensland James Watson, Professor, The University of Queensland Rebecca Louise Nelson, Associate Professor in Law, The University of Melbourne Rebecca Spindler, Adjunct Professor, UNSW Sydney Vanessa Adams, Senior Lecturer, Discipline of Geography and Spatial Sciences, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Conservation efforts can result in conflict between different interest groups, but outcomes could improve if we allowed a greater degree of public participation, beyond mere consultation. Giles Dodson, Senior Lecturer, Humanities and Social Sciences, Massey University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

It’s hard to play cricket in sweltering conditions or amid bushfire smoke. Is it time for Cricket Australia to cut ties with fossil fuel sponsors? Brett Hutchins, Professor of Media and Communications, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

For over 40 years, a coal mine on the outskirts of the Blue Mountains World Heritage area dumped poorly treated wastewater into the Wollangambe River. Finally, it’s on the road to recovery. Ian Wright, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Science, Western Sydney University Jason Reynolds, Senior Lecturer, Western Sydney University Leo Robba, Lecturer, Visual Communications / Social Design, Western Sydney University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.