The Conversation

When a big old tree dies or is cut down, even if we plant a new one we might have to wait hundreds of years before it provides a good possum house. Kylie Soanes, Postdoctoral Fellow, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

I look at fragments of the Earth's mantle under a microscope to learn how fast molten rock moves from deep in the Earth to the surface. This can help us prepare for future volcanic eruptions. Heather Handley, Honorary Associate Professor in Volcanology and Geochemistry, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia's abundant wind and solar resources mean we're well placed to produce the hydrogen a green steel industry needs. But there are technical and economic challenges ahead. Jessica Allen, Senior Lecturer and DECRA Fellow, University of Newcastle Tom Honeyands, Director, Centre for Ironmaking Materials Research, University of Newcastle Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

After more than 300 years of effort, scientists have documented fewer than one-third of Australia's species. The remaining 70% are unknown, and essentially invisible, to science. Kevin Thiele, Adjunct Assoc. Professor, The University of Western Australia Jane Melville, Senior Curator, Terrestrial Vertebrates, Museums Victoria Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The Arctic region is warming much faster than the rest of the planet. The rapid loss of ice affects the polar jet stream, which influences weather patterns across the northern hemisphere. Steve Turton, Adjunct Professor of Environmental Geography, CQUniversity Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

For temperature-sensitive animals, the dense, leafy canopy of willow trees may make them the lesser of two evils in a warming climate. Paul McInerney, Research scientist, CSIRO Tanya Doody, Principle Research Scientist, CSIRO, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In 2019, 44 bushwalkers had to be rescued in Tasmania. New research identified who tends to take the most risks, and how to be better prepared for your next hike. Vanessa Adams, Senior Lecturer, Discipline of Geography and Spatial Sciences, University of Tasmania Jason Byrne, Professor of Human Geography and Planning, University of Tasmania Noelle Nemeth, Master's Research Student, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Recent flooding may have reduced the remaining coral population by 90%. Combined with damage from fishing, boating and coastal development, the species may be gone in a decade. Meryl Larkin, PhD Candidate, Southern Cross University David Harasti, Adjunct assistant professor, Southern Cross University Steve Smith, Professor of Marine Science, National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University Tom R Davis, Research Scientist - Marine Climate Change, Hunter New England Local Health District Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

To date, courts have often been reluctant to interfere in what is viewed as an issue best left to policymakers. These recent judgements, and others, suggest things are changing. Jacqueline Peel, Professor of Environmental and Climate Law, The University of Melbourne Ben Neville, Senior Lecturer and Program Director of the Master of Commerce, The University of Melbourne Rebekkah Markey-Towler, Research fellow, Melbourne Climate Futures, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Conditional commitments are promises to raise emissions reduction efforts, depending on what others do. It could be a big incentive for Australia. Katie Steele, Associate Professor in Philosophy, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

There is no doubt we need to stop emitting fossil carbon. But if we fixate on replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy and don’t also reduce consumption and energy waste, we risk failure. Michael (Mike) Joy, Senior Researcher; Institute for Governance and Policy Studies, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Seabirds journey vast distances across the Earth’s seascapes to find food and to breed. This means their biology, particularly their breeding success, can reveal what's happening in our oceans. David Schoeman, Professor of Global-Change Ecology, University of the Sunshine Coast Brian Allan Hoover, Postdoctoral Fellow, Chapman University William Sydeman, Adjunct associate, University of California San Diego Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The court described climate change as 'the greatest inter-generational injustice ever inflicted by one generation of humans upon the next'. Laura Schuijers, Research Fellow in Environmental Law, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The arguments in favour of radical emissions reduction action, including the personal financial risks, grow more compelling by the day. Liam Phelan, Senior Lecturer, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle Jacquie Svenson, Clinical Teacher/Solicitor, University of Newcastle Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Electric cars are being touted as the best way to reduce emissions from transport. But a climate policy that relies on individuals paying for new technology runs the risk of aggravating inequities. Alistair Woodward, Professor, School of Population Health, University of Auckland Kirsty Wild, Senior Research Fellow, Public Health, University of Auckland Rhys Jones, Senior Lecturer in Māori Health, University of Auckland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Saving our threatened species shouldn't be seen as a cost, but rather a very savvy investment to ensure the support systems sustaining life on Earth remain intact. Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Ayesha Tulloch, DECRA Research Fellow, University of Sydney Don Driscoll, Professor in Terrestrial Ecology, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Some Australian states have committed to 100% renewable energy targets, or even 200% renewable energy targets. But this doesn’t mean their electricity is, or will be, emissions free. James Ha, Associate, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

These hefty dinosaur birds stand as tall as humans, enough to dissuade most from getting too close. But how would they fare against each other in a fight? A wildlife expert places her bet. Julia Ryeland, PhD Candidate, Western Sydney University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

None of Australia's highest-emitting energy firms are fully or even closely aligned with global climate goals. Just one goes even partway, and five appeared to be taking no action at all. Anna Malos, Australia - Country Lead, ClimateWorks Australia Coral Bravo, Senior Analyst, ClimateWorks Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The opportunity won’t last forever. Countries that move first will gain an advantage in new industries, technologies and export markets. Those that wait may never catch up. Christian Downie, Associate professor, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.