The Conversation

We identify a few harmless spiders you've probably seen around the house and backyard — and a few that are best avoided. Lizzy Lowe, Postdoctoral researcher, Macquarie University Samantha Nixon, PhD, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The strange appearance of three humpback whales in a Kakadu river threw up many questions – including whether they'd come out on top in a fight with a crocodile. Vanessa Pirotta, Wildlife scientist, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A changing climate means parts of Australia will get hotter, some drier, others wetter and we can expect more extreme fire days. Michael Grose, Climate Projections Scientist, CSIRO Lynette Bettio, Senior Climatologist, Australian Bureau of Meteorology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The groundbreaking legal case has changed the game for how Australia's $3 trillion superannuation industry invests, and how members are protected from climate risk. Anita Foerster, Senior Lecturer, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Pink blood, green blood, or no blood at all – when it comes to what's inside a worm's body, the answer is more complicated – and fascinating – than you'd think. Mark Sandeman, Honorary Professor, Federation University Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

While much of the world moves towards zero-carbon economies, a NSW mega-plan for new renewables may set up the state as an energy superpower. Tim Nelson, Associate Professor of Economics, Griffith University Joel Gilmore, Associate Professor, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

At the start of the cyclone season in the Pacific, weather forecasters are changing their warnings to focus less on weather information and more on the damage expected from an impending storm. Sally Potter, Hazard and Risk Management Researcher, GNS Science Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

If all, or even most, offspring of the survivors are shy, we could be facing an introduced pest population that is incredibly difficult to remove. Kyla Johnstone, PhD candidate, University of Sydney Clare McArthur, Professor, University of Sydney Peter Banks, Professor of Conservation Biology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

People tend to interpret things through a lens of their pre-existing beliefs. But they are not immune to changing their view, if you treat them with respect and understanding. Peter Ellerton, Senior Lecturer in Critical Thinking; Curriculum Director, UQ Critical Thinking Project, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research involving CRISPR technology has furthered our understanding of corals' gene functions. Specifically, it has revealed a mechanism underpinning how corals withstand heat stress. Dimitri Perrin, Senior Lecturer, Queensland University of Technology Jacob Bradford, Queensland University of Technology Line K Bay, Principal Research Scientist and Team Leader, Australian Institute of Marine Science Phillip Cleves, Principal Investigator, Carnegie Institution for Science Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

From property to local government, economic sectors are meeting the climate change challenge head on. Now the federal government must get on board. Anna Malos, Project Manager, climate and energy policy, ClimateWorks Australia Amandine Denis-Ryan, Head of National Programs, ClimateWorks Australia, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Life-cycle assessments of food packaging often omit the impact and possible toxicity of plastics leaking into the environment. Excluding these factors gives plastics an unjustified advantage. Trisia Farrelly, Senior Lecturer, Massey University Hannah Blumhardt, Senior Associate at the Institute of Governance and Policy Studies, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Takunda Y Chitaka, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of the Western Cape Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The royal commission made welcome and necessary recommendations around helping wildlife after hazards. But it's not enough to focus only on response. Ashleigh Best, PhD Candidate and Teaching Fellow, University of Melbourne Christine Parker, Professor of Law, University of Melbourne Lee Godden, Director, Centre for Resources, Energy and Environmental Law, Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Under a Biden administration, fireside chats in the White House will come with new expectations that Australia significantly increases its ambitions under the Paris agreement. Christian Downie, Australian Research Council DECRA Fellow, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Smoke from the Black Summer fires likely caused more than 400 deaths. A national set of air quality categories is long overdue. Gabriel da Silva, Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Waste-to-energy incinerators could help Australia deal with its mounting waste crisis, but burning rubbish may come with risks to public health. Thomas Cole-Hunter, Research fellow, Queensland University of Technology Ana Porta Cubas, Knowledge and Translation Broker- Centre for Air pollution, energy and health Research (CAR), University of Sydney Christina Magill, Senior Natural Hazards Risk Scientist, GNS Science Christine Cowie, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Air Quality & Health Research and Evaluation, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney; Senior Research Fellow, South West Sydney Clinical School, UNSW Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The bushfire royal commission handed down its final report last week, but stopped short of recommending a national town planning policy. Mark Maund, Research Affiliate, School of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Newcastle Kim Maund, Discipline Head – Construction Management, School of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Newcastle SueAnne Ware, Professor and Head of School of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Newcastle Thayaparan Gajendran, Associate Professor, School of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Newcastle Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

To let others decide how our money will be used is an abrogation of responsibility. Peter Mares, Lead Moderator, Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

This year marks a decade since the Millennium Drought ended. The Murray-Darling Basin has endured a lot since, but two species are making an impressive comeback. Brenton Zampatti, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Chris Bice, Research scientist at SARDI, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

State governments, councils, researchers and entrepreneurs are slowing our slide to disaster – but they need others to step up. Tim Flannery, Professorial fellow, Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.