The Conversation

Young sharks are gathering at a popular beach. Here’s why we should skip our fear response and go for wonder – and protection Olaf Meynecke, Research Fellow in Marine Science and Manager Whales & Climate Program, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

With submissions about to close on the government’s proposed fast-track consenting legislation, its possible impact on New Zealand’s diminished and delicate ecosystems demands proper scrutiny. Margaret Stanley, Professor of Ecology, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research shows climate change can drive sudden ocean cooling too. This can have devastating effects on marine life such as bull sharks and manta rays. Nicolas Benjamin Lubitz, Researcher in marine ecology, James Cook University David Schoeman, Professor of Global-Change Ecology, University of the Sunshine Coast Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

For two years, Australia had a carbon price. Now we have a shadow price which won’t be paid by any emitter. John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

If a new declaration based on customary concepts of tikanga and mana is recognised by the courts, it could potentially give interest groups the legal standing to sue on behalf of whales. Rachael Evans, Lecturer, Kaupeka Ture | Faculty of Law, University of Canterbury Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Intense heat and no rain in southwest Western Australia are causing widespread tree and shrub die-offs. Joe Fontaine, Lecturer, Environmental and Conservation Science, Murdoch University George Matusick, Director, Center for Natural Resources Management on Military Lands, Auburn University Jatin Kala, Senior Lecturer and ARC DECRA felllow, Murdoch University Kerryn Hawke, Lecturer in Atmospheric Science, Murdoch University Nate Anderson, PhD candidate, The University of Western Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia is expanding trade and investment with Southeast Asia to improve regional prosperity and global climate security. Here’s what to expect at the April 15-16 green economy summit in Vietnam. Trang Nguyen, Southeast Asia Lead, Climateworks Centre Anna Skarbek, CEO, Climateworks Centre Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Weather forecasting is improving at a great rate, even though climate change could be making it tougher. Andrew King, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, The University of Melbourne Kimberley Reid, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Atmospheric Sciences, Monash University Michael Barnes, Research Fellow, Monash University Nick Earl-Jones, Climate Research Fellow with the Climate Futures Programme, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Proper biodiversity conservation requires long-term commitments to protect areas of land and water, as laid down in international guidelines. James Fitzsimons, Adjunct Professor in Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

What harm can a road do? Plenty. Once built, illegal roads let loggers, miners, poachers and landgrabbers into the jungle, and the felling begins. Bill Laurance, Distinguished Research Professor and Australian Laureate, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Heat is surging in the world’s oceans. Climate change and El Niño explain part of it – but not all. Alex Sen Gupta, Senior Lecturer, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney Kathryn Smith, Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Marine Biological Association Matthew England, Scientia Professor and Deputy Director of the ARC Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science (ACEAS), UNSW Sydney Neil Holbrook, Professor, University of Tasmania Thomas Wernberg, Professor, The University of Western Australia Zhi Li, Postdoctoral researcher, Centre for Marine Science & Innovation, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

South Australia stands out as having the weakest tree-protection laws, but cities around the nation are losing tree cover at a time when climate change makes them more important than ever. Stefan Caddy-Retalic, Ecologist, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide Kate Delaporte, Senior Lecturer, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide Kiri Marker, Science Communications Coordinator, Universität Wien Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In 1898, a pioneering Antarctic expedition was stuck in sea ice for over a year. In 2024, that area is open water. Edward Doddridge, Senior Research Associate in Physical Oceanography, University of Tasmania Annie Foppert, Research Associate, University of Tasmania Stuart Corney, Senior lecturer, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Recent flash droughts in parts of NSW and Victoria appeared quickly and can be followed by intense flooding rains. It’s part of a global trend driven by global warming. Milton Speer, Visiting Fellow, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Lance M Leslie, Professor, School of Mathematical And Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

El Niño can direct more warm water to the base of West Antarctic ice shelves, accelerating melting and increasing global sea level. Maurice Huguenin, Postdoctoral research associate in Physical Oceanography, UNSW Sydney Matthew England, Scientia Professor and Deputy Director of the ARC Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science (ACEAS), UNSW Sydney Paul Spence, Associate professor of oceanography, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Ocean warming seems the main driver of Antarctica’s sea-ice loss. But as satellites show, the change is not universal and sea ice persists in East Antarctica and the Weddell Sea. Craig Stevens, Professor in Ocean Physics, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research suggests if we can’t eradicate cane toads, we can teach wildlife not to eat them. Georgia Ward-Fear, Post doctoral fellow and Conservation Ecologist , Macquarie University Rick Shine, Professor in Evolutionary Biology, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

When the soil ‘ceiling’ collapses, you end up with a hole exposing a cavity previously hidden underground. Francois Guillard, Senior Lecturer in Geotechnical Engineering, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A lack of human activity in the Southern Ocean is just one reason why the air is so clean. Clouds and rain play a vital role in scrubbing the atmosphere, removing natural airborne particles too. Tahereh Alinejadtabrizi, PhD student, Monash University Steven Siems, Professor in Cloud Microphysics, Monash University Yi Huang, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

You might be wondering: what is a ‘Black Nor'easter’, what’s causing all this rain and does it have anything to do with climate change? Here’s what you need to know. Kimberley Reid, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Atmospheric Sciences, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.