The Conversation

Despite the ongoing pandemic, the agenda for 2022 includes key developments to tackle the connected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Nathan Cooper, Associate Professor of Law, University of Waikato Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Rather than sitting in the back seat, Indigenous Australians must be up front in managing the recovery of Australia’s unique and precious environment. Teagan Goolmeer, PhD Candidate, The University of Melbourne Assoc Prof Bradley J. Moggridge, Associate Professor in Indigenous Water Science, University of Canberra Professor Stephen van Leeuwen, BHP / Curtin Indigenous Chair of Biodiversity & Environmental Science, Curtin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Quenda are one of few remaining digging mammals in Australian urban bushlands, and fungi is their favourite food. Anna Hopkins, Senior Lecturer in Molecular Ecology, Edith Cowan University Natasha Tay, PhD Candidate, Murdoch University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Climate change doesn’t just affect the atmosphere and the oceans, it affects the Earth’s crust as well. Jane Cunneen, Adjunct Research Fellow, Curtin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Maidenhair trees, Ginkgo biloba, can live for over 1,000 years and grow 35m tall. While they’re beautiful to look at, they’re also notorious for their vomit-smelling seeds. Gregory Moore, Doctor of Botany, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

2021 was the sixth hottest year on record, despite the cooling effect of back-to-back La Niñas. Let’s reflect on the year that was, and what we can expect for this year and beyond. Andrew King, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The Doomsday Clock has never before been as close to midnight as it is now. There is scant hope of it winding back on its 75th anniversary. Jack Heinemann, Professor of Molecular Biology and Genetics, University of Canterbury Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

People living in sustainable dwellings may use less energy and water which leads to lower bills. But older people may suffer cognitive decline and struggle to use sustainable technology devices. Xin Hu, Lecturer, School of Architecture and Built Environment, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Leaf oysters can form reefs, produce mauve pearls, and reach the size of a dinner plate. They’ve been ignored for far too long. Kirsten Benkendorff, Associate Professor in Marine Biology, Southern Cross University Chamara Bethotage, PhD candidate, Southern Cross University Victoria Cole, Adjuct, Southern Cross University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia has one of the highest rooftop solar installation rates in the world, which is great news for our efforts to reduce emissions. But can the grid keep up? Christina Nikitopoulos, Associate professor, Finance Discipline Group, University of Technology Sydney Alan Rai, Adjunct professor, University of Technology Sydney Muthe Mwampashi, PhD Candidate, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Companies may be using the positive impacts of sport to divert attention from their roles in furthering climate change. Robin Canniford, Department of Management & Marketing, The University of Melbourne Tim Hill, Lecturer in Marketing, University of Bath Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Sponges are ancient marine animals and have already shown robustness against stresses from climate change. New research now shows they can also tolerate low-oxygen conditions. James Bell, Professor of Marine Biology, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Rob McAllen, Professor of Marine Conservation, University College Cork Valerio Micaroni, PhD Candidate in Coastal and Marine Biology and Ecology, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australians tend to be fairly relaxed about the tsunami risk. But warnings from authorities to stay away from foreshore areas should not be ignored. Hannah Power, Associate Professor in Coastal and Marine Science, University of Newcastle Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

There’s a lot of buzz around green hydrogen. But we need to get the groundwork right - and pick the best spots to produce it Steven Percy, Senior Research Fellow, Victorian Hydrogen Hub, Swinburne University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Extreme heat over 50℃ is likely to become more common, giving us yet another reason for Australia to act fast on climate change. Andrew King, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In this era of mega-fires, diverse strategies are urgently needed so we can safely live with fire. Rachael Helene Nolan, Senior research fellow, Western Sydney University Grant Williamson, Research Fellow in Environmental Science, University of Tasmania Katharine Haynes, Honorary Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Environmental Risk Management of Bushfires, University of Wollongong Mark Ooi, Senior Research Fellow, UNSW Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

After 150 years of selective breeding in captivity, the domestic budgie would now be almost unrecognisable to its wild cousin. So who would win in the unlikely event of a fight? Penny Olsen, Honorary Professor in the Division of Ecology and Evolution, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Addressing urgent and complex problems such as climate change involves research across the full spectrum of society – and that includes Australia’s young people. Philippa Collin, Associate Professor, Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University Brendan Churchill, ARC Research Fellow and Lecturer in Sociology, The University of Melbourne Faith Gordon, Associate Professor in Law, Australian National University Judith Bessant, Professor in School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University Michelle Catanzaro, Senior Lecturer in Design / Senior Research Fellow (YRRC), Western Sydney University Rob Watts, Professor of Social Policy, RMIT University Stewart Jackson, Senior Lecturer, Department of Government and International Relations, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

These iconic honeyeaters once ruled the flowering gum trees in massive numbers. But habitat loss means they’re on the edge of extinction. Rob Heinsohn, Professor of Evolutionary and Conservation Biology, Australian National University Dejan Stojanovic, Postdoctoral Fellow, Australian National University Ross Crates, Postdoctoral fellow, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Freshwater mussels are one of the most endangered groups of animals on the planet. Their demise will have dramatic consequences for freshwater environments worldwide. Alan Lymbery, Professor, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.