The Conversation

Perth's bushfires have destroyed 81 homes. It provides important lessons as we face a future of worsening climate. Joe Fontaine, Lecturer, Environmental and Conservation Science, Murdoch University Lewis Walden, Research associate, Curtin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Instead of telling people to buy more of the right type of insurance, we should be asking how insurance can work better for people. Kate Isabel Booth, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography and Planning, University of Tasmania Chloe Lucas, Research Fellow, Geography, Planning and Spatial Sciences, University of Tasmania Christine Eriksen, Senior Researcher, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A net-zero goal will provide clarity, ambition and focus. But Morrison must back the rhetoric with investment and policy commensurate with the task. Anna Malos, Australia - Country Lead, ClimateWorks Australia Anna Skarbek, CEO at ClimateWorks Australia, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

As ecologists, we've seen first hand how Australia's nature laws have permitted environmental degradation and destruction to the point of extinction. Don Driscoll, Professor in Terrestrial Ecology, Deakin University April Reside, Researcher, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland Brendan Wintle, Professor in Conservation Ecology, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Martine Maron, ARC Future Fellow and Professor of Environmental Management, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Emissions from road transport in New Zealand have doubled since 1990, and the Climate Change Commission recommends sweeping changes to switch to electric transport options. Robert McLachlan, Professor in Applied Mathematics, Massey University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

World-first research finds human disturbances, on average, restrict an animal's movements by 37%, or increases it by 70%. That’s like needing to travel an extra 11 km to get to work each day. Tim Doherty, ARC DECRA Fellow, University of Sydney Don Driscoll, Professor in Terrestrial Ecology, Deakin University Graeme Hays, Professor of Marine Science, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

There's a growing push among businesses, including the finance sector, to protect the climate and nature. Megan C Evans, Lecturer and ARC DECRA Fellow, UNSW Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The climate is changing and extreme weather disasters are becoming increasingly frequent and severe. It's more important than ever to examine who is bearing the brunt of this change. Dale Dominey-Howes, Professor of Hazards and Disaster Risk Sciences, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The Climate Change Commission releases New Zealand's first comprehensive plan to cut emissions, calling on the government to "pick up the pace". James Renwick, Professor, Physical Geography (climate science), Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

You could hardly imagine a worse report on the state of Australia's environment, and the law's capacity to protect it, than that released on Thursday. Peter Burnett, Honorary Associate Professor, ANU College of Law, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Fitzgibbon's right wing parliamentary colleagues seemed to accept his public undermining of Mark Butler. It will be interesting to see if they permit the same treatment of Bowen. Mark Kenny, Professor, Australian Studies Institute, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We know heatwaves and drought can turn bushfires into infernos, but the reasons why were poorly understood in science. Jyoteeshkumar Reddy Papari, PhD Candidate, UNSW Jason Sharples, Professor of Bushfire Dynamics, School of Science, UNSW Canberra, UNSW Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, ARC Future Fellow, UNSW Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

More than 300 dogs in WA and the NT have tested positive to canine ehrlichiosis, a potentially fatal disease transmitted by ticks. Peter Irwin, Emeritus professor, Murdoch University Amanda Barbosa, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Murdoch University Charlotte Oskam, Senior lecturer, Murdoch University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

While you may have seen a lot of bees around lately, there’s no reason to be afraid. Some don't sting, and others might actually be flies. Caitlyn Forster, PhD Candidate, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney Tanya Latty, Associate professor, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

You might be surprised to find yourself in the company of Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos in the world's richest 1%. This has big implications for planetary survival. Alex Baumann, Casual Academic, School of Social Sciences & Psychology, Western Sydney University Samuel Alexander, Research fellow, Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

As you swelter during this heatwave, it may not be all bad news for our urban and natural environments. Sometimes, positive outcomes arise when and where we least expect them. Gregory Moore, Doctor of Botany, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We interviewed 22 low-income Australians aged 65 or older. They present a heartbreaking picture of energy poverty and the loneliness that comes with it. Sara Wilkinson, Professor, School of the Built Environment, University of Technology Sydney Alan Morris, Professor, Institute of Public Policy and Governance, University of Technology Sydney Caroline Porto Valente, PhD Candidate Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

If we want a liveable future for our grandchildren is it ethical to reduce the number of people being born into that world? Michael P. Cameron, Associate Professor in Economics, University of Waikato Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Engaging two-year-old horses in the intensive training to prepare for competitive racing is a bit like asking a 13-year-old child to perform at the peak of their athletic potential. Rachel Hogg, Lecturer in Psychology, Charles Sturt University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Wetlands bear the brunt of much storm damage to the coast. But over the past 300 years, 85% of the world's wetland area has been destroyed. Obadiah Mulder, PhD Candidate in Computational Biology, University of Southern California Ida Kubiszewski, Associate Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.