The Conversation

A unique design-science collaboration turns ecological data into an immersive digital portrait of a precious wetland. Mitchell Whitelaw, Professor of Design, School of Art and Design, Australian National University Skye Wassens, Associate Professor in Ecology, Charles Sturt University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

2021 was NZ’s hottest year on record, and the current summer heatwave is a reminder that our biodiversity is already being affected. Cate Macinnis-Ng, Associate Professor, University of Auckland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

important decisions must be made today for urban greening programs to succeed in a warmer world. Renée M. Prokopavicius, Postdoctoral Researcher in Plant Ecophysiology, Western Sydney University David S. Ellsworth, Professor, Western Sydney University Sebastian Pfautsch, Research Theme Fellow - Environment and Sustainability, Western Sydney University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

What should climate scientists do in the face of ever rising emissions? They could continue providing more evidence, join climate activists – or stop work in protest against government inaction. Bruce Glavovic, Professor, Massey University Iain White, Professor of Environmental Planning, University of Waikato Tim Smith, Professor and ARC Future Fellow, University of the Sunshine Coast Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Surfing’s benefits to well-being aren’t often studied in economics terms. This is a major gap in our knowledge we’re now trying to fill. Ana Manero, Research Fellow, Australian National University Alaya Spencer-Cotton, Research assistant, The University of Western Australia Javier Leon, Senior lecturer, University of the Sunshine Coast Neil Lazarow, Senior Research Consultant, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

These fascinating spiders only live for about a year and have particularly interesting family arrangements. Jess Marsh, Research fellow at the Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Animals are surprisingly good at avoiding fire - but can they survive the unprecedented megafires we now face? Chris J Jolly, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Charles Sturt University Dale Nimmo, Associate Professor in Ecology, Charles Sturt University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A draft plan for Sydney’s water supplies includes expanding desalination and potentially adding highly treated sewage to drinking water. All options must be on the table as the climate warms. Ian Wright, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Science, Western Sydney University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Trace metal exposure can lead to concerning neurocognitive effects in people of all ages. Cynthia Faye Isley, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Environmental Science, Macquarie University Kara Fry, Academic Casual, Macquarie University Mark Patrick Taylor, Chief Environmental Scientist, EPA Victoria; Honorary Professor, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Building a culture of cycling is essential, especially where bike use is low. A global movement of community bike workshops, also known as bike kitchens, can help. Simon Batterbury, Associate Professor, The University of Melbourne Alejandro Manga, PhD candidate, Drexel University Matthias Kowasch, Professor of Didactics in Geography, Pädagogische Hochschule Steiermark Ruth Lane, Associate Professor in Human Geography, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Once the larvae turn into adult moths, they never eat again. Ying Luo, PhD Candidate at the Research School of Biology, Australian National University Andreas Zwick, Molecular Systematist, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

What if we could help threatened marsupials evolve to survive foxes and feral cats? Katherine Moseby, Associate Professor, UNSW Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Unfortunately, it’s likely you brought them home yourself. Most pantry moth infestations probably start when we inadvertently bring home eggs and caterpillars in our dried foods. Tanya Latty, Associate professor, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

For a long time the roof has been an afterthought in urban design, but the future is definitely looking up. Katie Pickles, Professor of History, University of Canterbury Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Continents colliding, mountains rising and falling, and remarkable strength. The story of Australia’s most iconic mountain is truly magical. Melanie Finch, Lecturer in Structural Geology and Metamorphism, Monash University Andrew Giles, Assistant lecturer, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Dogs can only sweat on their paw pads, which is not a lot of use when it comes to shedding body heat. Melissa Starling, Postdoctoral researcher, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Maggots are misunderstood, and we should see past the “yuck” factor and appreciate what these unique organisms can do for us. Michelle Harvey, Associate Professor, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Most people continue using their car because it’s convenient, but few consider the full cost of depreciation and maintenance. Carbon dioxide emissions rarely factor in people’s choice of transport. Ralph Sims, Emeritus Professor, Energy and Climate Mitigation, Massey University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia has thousands of beaches which differ greatly, from huge tides to high energy to recurring sinkholes. Hannah Power, Associate Professor in Coastal and Marine Science, University of Newcastle Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

No country has a higher diversity of sharks than Australia. That means we have a special responsibility to protect them. Peter Kyne, Senior Research Fellow in conservation biology, Charles Darwin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.