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Back to the fuel guzzlers? Coalition plans to end EV tax breaks would hobble the clean transport transition

Thu, 2025-04-24 15:49
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.
Categories: Around The Web

Sniping koalas from helicopters: here’s what’s wrong with Victoria’s unprecedented cull

Wed, 2025-04-23 16:00
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.
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Rather than short-term fixes, communities need flexible plans to prepare for a range of likely climate impacts

Wed, 2025-04-23 14:28
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.
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What would change your mind about climate change? We asked 5,000 Australians – here’s what they told us

Wed, 2025-04-23 09:16
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.
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These 3 climate misinformation campaigns are operating during the election run-up. Here’s how to spot them

Wed, 2025-04-23 06:07
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.
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Fossil fuel companies ‘poisoned the well’ of public debate with climate disinformation. Here’s how Australia can break free

Tue, 2025-04-22 06:05
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.
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‘Puppy blues’: how to cope with the exhaustion and stress of raising a puppy

Mon, 2025-04-21 06:07
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.
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Why healthy eating may be the best way to reduce food waste

Thu, 2025-04-17 15:09
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.
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‘They are like my children’: research reveals 4 types of indoor plant owners. Which one are you?

Thu, 2025-04-17 06:07
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.
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Allowing forests to regrow and regenerate is a great way to restore habitat

Wed, 2025-04-16 06:05
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.
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A century after its discovery, scientists capture first confirmed footage of a colossal squid in the deep

Wed, 2025-04-16 06:04
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.
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Australian honeybees are under attack by mites and beetles. Here’s how to keep your backyard hive safe

Tue, 2025-04-15 06:10
Varroa mites and small hive beetles are threatening Australian honey producers. Here’s how backyard beekeepers, and everyday honey lovers, can help. Cornelia Sattler, Research Fellow in Ecology & Videographer, Macquarie University Théotime Colin, Post-doctoral Researcher in Bee Ecology, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Most bike lanes in inner Melbourne have less than 40% tree cover – that’ll get worse, new maps show

Mon, 2025-04-14 06:08
Hot sunny days can make footpaths, bike lanes and city streets unbearable. If we want people to ditch the car, we’re going to need more trees, research shows. Judy Bush, Senior DECRA Research Fellow, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Coalition plan to dump fuel efficiency penalties would make Australia a global outlier

Fri, 2025-04-11 15:54
Penalties are crucial. Without them, automakers have no incentive to supply fuel-efficient, low-CO₂ emitting vehicles to the Australian market. Anna Mortimore, Lecturer, Griffith Business School, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Peter Dutton’s climate policy backslide threatens Australia’s clout in the Pacific – right when we need it most

Fri, 2025-04-11 15:13
As China seeks to expand its influence in our region, Pacific leaders have questioned Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s climate action stance. Wesley Morgan, Research Associate, Institute for Climate Risk and Response, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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As more communities have to consider relocation, we explore what happens to the land after people leave

Fri, 2025-04-11 06:05
Managed retreat can be traumatic and hard. But with good planning, the land left behind can serve new purposes, and make public what was once private. Christina Hanna, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Planning, University of Waikato Iain White, Professor of Environmental Planning, University of Waikato Pip Wallace, Senior lecturer in Environmental Planning, University of Waikato Raven Cretney, Senior lecturer in Environmental Policy, Lincoln University, New Zealand Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Extinctions of Australian mammals have long been blamed on foxes and cats – but where’s the evidence?

Fri, 2025-04-11 06:05
Dozens of Australian mammal species have declined and gone extinct since European colonisation – and introduced predators are often blamed. But evidence is lacking. Arian Wallach, Future Fellow in Ecology, Queensland University of Technology Erick Lundgren, Postdoctoral Fellow in Ecology, University of Alberta Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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The Coalition prepares to soften Australia’s 2030 climate target, while reaffirming its commitment to the Paris Agreement

Thu, 2025-04-10 21:51
The Coalition reveals plans to review Australia’s 2030 emissions reduction target if they win government at the next federal election. Tony Wood, Program Director, Energy, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Good boy or bad dog? Our 1 billion pet dogs do real environmental damage

Thu, 2025-04-10 09:26
We don’t want to admit it, but our beloved pet dogs do a lot of environmental damage, from killing or terrifying wildlife to emissions from pet food. Bill Bateman, Associate Professor, Behavioural Ecology, Curtin University Lauren Gilson, Research Associate, Behavioural Ecology, Curtin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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The Coalition’s domestic gas plan would lower prices – just not very much

Wed, 2025-04-09 16:13
Reserving gas for domestic use on Australia’s east coast as the Coalition proposes is a good idea, though surprisingly left-leaning. But why is the benefit so small? Samantha Hepburn, Professor, Deakin Law School, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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