The Conversation

During a solar eclipse in a forest in Italy’s Dolomites region, scientists seized the chance to explore a fascinating question. Monica Gagliano, Research Associate Professor in Evolutionary Biology, Southern Cross University Prudence Gibson, Lecturer and Researcher in Plant Humanities, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Energy is one of the sharpest political divides in Australia’s federal election. But different generations prefer quite different ways to produce electricity. Magnus Söderberg, Professor & Director, Centre for Applied Energy Economics and Policy Research, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Use electric fans as your first cooling strategy, and only turn on the aircon when the indoor temperature exceeds 27°C. Federico Tartarini, Senior Lecturer, School of Architecture Design and Planning, University of Sydney Angie Bone, Associate Professor of Practice in Planetary Health, Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University Ollie Jay, Professor of Heat & Health; Director of Heat & Health Research Incubator; Director of Thermal Ergonomics Laboratory, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New Zealand needs a legal arrangement that allows carbon capture and storage technologies to evolve without being a mere offshoot of the oil and gas industry. Barry Barton, Professor of Law, University of Waikato Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

On a hot summer’s day in Melbourne, the artificial turf hit a top temperature of 72°C. This is sufficient to cause irreversible skin burns in just ten seconds. Pui Kwan Cheung, Research Fellow in Urban Microclimates, The University of Melbourne Stephen Livesley, Professor in Urban Horticulture, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia’s plan to build strategic reserves of critical minerals makes sense as the US and China vie for control of the minerals which will shape the future Mohan Yellishetty, Professor, Co-Founder, Critical Minerals Consortium, and Australia-India Critical Minerals Research Hub, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We still know very little about the ecology of mesophotic ecosystems, but they support long-lived protected species that form an essential part of the food web. James J Bell, Professor of Marine Biology, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Old EV batteries have huge potential. But it’s not going to be easy to realise this. Daryoush Habibi, Professor and Head, Centre for Green and Smart Energy Systems, Edith Cowan University Yasir Arafat, Senior Research Associate (Electric Vehicle Batteries and Batteries Recycling), Edith Cowan University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia is running out of affordable, safe places to live – and climate change is getting worse. It makes sense to deal with both crises together. Ehsan Noroozinejad, Senior Researcher and Sustainable Future Lead, Urban Transformations Research Centre, Western Sydney University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Ending Labor’s EV tax break would make it much harder to cut surging emissions in Australia’s transport sector. Anna Mortimore, Lecturer, Griffith Business School, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The culling of 700 starving koalas in Victoria has triggered outrage. There has to be a better way to respond after bushfire. Liz Hicks, Lecturer in Law, The University of Melbourne Ashleigh Best, Barrister, Victorian Bar and Honorary Fellow, Melbourne Law School, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Adaptive planning doesn’t mean people have to abandon coastal towns. It is about having a roadmap with multiple options to adjust as climate conditions evolve. Tom Logan, Senior Lecturer Above the Bar of Civil Systems Engineering, University of Canterbury Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Most Australians are still able to be convinced on climate change. As climate action drops off the radar, that’s good news Kelly Kirkland, Research Fellow in Psychology, The University of Queensland Abby Robinson, PhD candidate in Social Psychology, The University of Melbourne Amy S G Lee, PhD Candidate in Social Psychology, The University of Melbourne Samantha Stanley, Research Fellow in Social Psychology, UNSW Sydney Zoe Leviston, Research Fellow in Social Psychology, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Two experts describe how climate misinformation has infiltrated the election campaign – and how Australians can protect themselves as they head to the polls. Alfie Chadwick, PhD Candidate, Monash Climate Change Communication Research Hub, Monash University Libby Lester, Professor (Research) and Director, Monash Climate Change Communication Hub, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The US has obstructed climate action for decades – largely due to damaging actions by the powerful fossil fuel industry. But Australia has a chance now to lead. Naomi Oreskes, Professor of the History of Science, Harvard University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Exhaustion. Sleep deprivation. Feeling depressed and guilty. Lingering doubts and regret. If you’ve had a puppy, this may all sound grimly familiar. Susan Hazel, Associate Professor, School of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Adelaide Ana Goncalves Costa, Researcher, Animal Behaviour, Welfare and Anthrozoology Lab, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A survey shows people with healthy eating habits tend to waste less food than those who focus on choosing ethical and environmentally friendly products. Trang Nguyen, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Centre for Global Food and Resources, University of Adelaide Jack Hetherington, Grant-funded Researcher, University of Adelaide Patrick O'Connor, Professor in Natural Resource Economics, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Many of us form highly meaningful connections with our leafy companions – including mourning a plant when it dies. Brianna Le Busque, Lecturer in Environmental Science, University of South Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research found regrowth in Queensland provided valuable habitat after 15 years, on average, with some species benefiting from trees as young as 3 years of age. Hannah Thomas, PhD candidate in Environmental Policy, The University of Queensland Martine Maron, Professor of Environmental Management, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The first confirmed footage of a juvenile colossal squid in its natural habitat shows a delicate and graceful animal – far from the “monster” narrative we see all too often. Kat Bolstad, Associate professor, Auckland University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.