The Conversation

A long-awaited NZ$700 million package to clean up New Zealand's rivers and lakes has disappointed some of the government's expert advisers – especially a delay on setting clear pollution limits. 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.

The bushfire royal commission will look at incorporating Aboriginal knowledge into mainstream fire management. But in practice, what does that mean? David Bowman, Professor of Pyrogeography and Fire Science, University of Tasmania Greg Lehman, Pro Vice Chancellor, Aboriginal Leadership Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

It's a devastating loss, but the destruction of a culturally significant Aboriginal site is not an isolated incident. Rio Tinto was acting within the law. Samantha Hepburn, Director of the Centre for Energy and Natural Resources Law, Deakin Law School, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Every few years, the idea of using gas to transition to a zero-emissions economy seems to re-emerge. Woodside's Burrup Hub proposal shows why it's still a bad move. Bill Hare, Director, Climate Analytics, Adjunct Professor, Murdoch University (Perth), Visiting scientist, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research Ursula Fuentes, Murdoch University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Countries account for emissions based on all activities that happen within their territory, which means countries that export more than they import will likely have higher per capita emissions. Sarah McLaren, Professor of Life Cycle Management, Massey University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A gardening supply shortage during the pandemic showed our ill-preparedness to grow our own food. Permanent backyard veggie gardens can help us survive the next crisis, and provide everyday benefits. Andrea Gaynor, Associate Professor of History, University of Western Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Researchers have discovered an alarming new threat to one of the most incredible wildlife migrations on Earth. Eduardo Gallo-Cajiao, PhD Candidate, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Bullet trains are back on the agenda. But a new analysis shows that rather than helping cut emissions, such a project would drive them up for at least 24 years. Greg Moran, Senior Associate, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The long-awaited paper sets a positive tone. But it's not clear if the government grasps the sheer scale or urgency of the emissions reduction task. Jake Whitehead, Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellow & Tritum E-Mobility Fellow, The University of Queensland Chris Greig, Professor Simon Smart, Associate professor, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Thirty years since Australia’s water reform project began, it's clear our efforts have largely failed. We must find another way. Quentin Grafton, Director of the Centre for Water Economics, Environment and Policy, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Matthew Colloff, Honorary Senior Lecturer, Australian National University Paul Wyrwoll, Research fellow, Australian National University Virginia Marshall, Inaugural Indigenous Postdoctoral Fellow, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Snowy 2.0 has been a lightning rod for controversy. From cost-blowouts to climate impacts and threats to native fish, experts say there are many reasons why it should be put on hold. Bruce Mountain, Director, Victoria Energy Policy Centre, Victoria University Mark Lintermans, Associate professor, University of Canberra Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Roaming pet cats kill 390 million animals per year in Australia. But keeping cats inside (or contained outside) 24/7 can actually be in their best interest. Andrea Harvey, Veterinary Specialist, PhD scholar (wild horse ecology & welfare), University of Technology Sydney Richard Malik, Veterinary Internist (Specialist), University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

How fast can an animal run? How intense was the fire? Picking which species to help after a bushfire tragedy is no easy task. John Woinarski, Professor (conservation biology), Charles Darwin University Dale Nimmo, Associate Professor in Ecology, Charles Sturt University Rachael Gallagher, Senior Lecturer/ARC DECRA Fellow, Macquarie University Sarah Legge, Professor, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Changes to Australia's emissions reduction policies may do little more than channel taxpayer money to industry. Frank Jotzo, Director, Centre for Climate and Energy Policy, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research reveals which sectors of the global economy fuelled the emissions decline during COVID-19. We have a narrow window of time to make the change permanent. Pep Canadell, Chief research scientist, CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere; and Executive Director, Global Carbon Project, CSIRO Corinne Le Quéré, Royal Society Research Professor, University of East Anglia Felix Creutzig, Chair Sustainability Economics of Human Settlements, Mercator Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change Glen Peters, Research Director, Center for International Climate and Environment Research - Oslo Matthew William Jones, Senior Research Associate, University of East Anglia Pierre Friedlingstein, Chair, Mathematical Modelling of Climate, University of Exeter Rob Jackson, Chair, Department of Earth System Science, and Chair of the Global Carbon Project, globalcarbonproject.org, Stanford University Yuli Shan, Research Fellow, University of Groningen Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

It is easy for people in the industrialised world to blame population growth elsewhere for environmental damage. But increased consumption is just as important – if more confronting. Glenn Banks, Professor of Geography and Head of School, School of People, Environment and Planning, Massey University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Our environmental laws work in the favour of mining interests – even when the industry itself claims otherwise. Chris McGrath, Associate Professor in Environmental and Planning Regulation and Policy, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Climate change is changing Antarctic krill habitat. The repercussions for the Southern Ocean food web are huge. Devi Veytia, PhD student , University of Tasmania Stuart Corney, Senior lecturer, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Queensland's new human rights act has opened the door for a flood of climate change litigation. Justine Bell-James, Associate professor, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The new values are a worrying outcome that no one wants, but one we must still grapple with. Michael Grose, Climate Projections Scientist, CSIRO Julie Arblaster, Associate Professor, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.