The Conversation

Current environment laws are manifestly failing Australian animals. Don Driscoll, Professor in Terrestrial Ecology, Deakin University Desley Whisson, Lecturer in Wildlife and Conservation Biology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Euan Ritchie, Associate Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Mike Weston, Associate Professor, Deakin University Raylene Cooke, Associate Professor, Deakin University Tim Doherty, Alfred Deakin Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia’s international reputation depends on rejecting the use of Kyoto carry-over. More importantly, so does our climate. Alan Pears, Senior Industry Fellow, RMIT University Tim Baxter, Fellow - Melbourne Law School; Associate - Australian-German Climate and Energy College, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Invasive species are the biggest single threat to Australian plants and animals. Andy Sheppard, Research Director CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, CSIRO Linda Broadhurst, Director, Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

It's hard to say exactly how many koalas are in the wild, but there's no doubt they're in serious trouble. Christine Adams-Hosking, Honorary Research Fellow, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

There's a big difference between rehoming and abandonment. Bronwyn Orr, Veterinarian and PhD scholar, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Leaves fall off trees when they aren’t doing their job any more. If there isn’t enough water, the leaf can be damaged and stop working. Matilda Brown, PhD, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New Zealand's government has released a bill that sets targets to bring long-lived greenhouse gases to net zero by 2050 and reduce emissions of the shorter-lived methane by 10% within a decade. Robert McLachlan, Professor in Applied Mathematics, Massey University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Tackling the extinction crisis is not just about protecting each species. It's also about preserving their home. Stuart Collard, Research Fellow, The Centre for Global Food and Resources, University of Adelaide Patrick O'Connor, Associate Professor Thomas Prowse, Postdoctoral research fellow, School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Cats are wreaking havoc on Australia's ecosystems and non-lethal methods aren't enough. John Read, Associate Lecturer, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Adelaide Katherine Moseby, Research fellow, UNSW Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia relies on Indigenous people to meet our conservation goals, but they're short-changed by federal funding. Noel D Preece, Adjunct Asssociate Professor, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Water crystals help drought-proof plants. But these tiny polymers are leaving gardeners concerned. Michelle Ryan, Lecturer - Environmental Health and Management, Western Sydney University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A small finch has stalled the multi-million-dollar Carmichael mine. Samantha Hepburn, Director of the Centre for Energy and Natural Resources Law, Deakin Law School, Deakin University April Reside, Researcher, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Horses can stand on three legs and rest the other leg. They can change the leg they rest so that all of their legs get a chance to have a break. Susan Hazel, Senior Lecturer, School of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The success of the rehabilitation of the Ranger uranium mine will be judged by criteria created by the mining company. Rebecca Lawrence, Affiliate, Sydney Environment Institute; Honorary Associate, Macquarie University, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Different councils and different rescue organisations can have different rules about how long they can keep animals. Melissa Starling, Postdoctoral researcher, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The Global Assessment of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services has some sobering news. Michelle Lim, Lecturer in environmental and sustainability law, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

El Niño events can affect millions of people around the world, causing drought in Australia and floods in the Americas. Mandy Freund, PhD Researcher, University of Melbourne Ben Henley, Research Fellow in Climate and Water Resources, University of Melbourne David Karoly, Leader, NESP Earth Systems and Climate Change Hub, CSIRO Helen McGregor, ARC Future Fellow, University of Wollongong Nerilie Abram, ARC Future Fellow, Research School of Earth Sciences; Chief Investigator for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Just in case you needed another reason to love dogs. Julia Mynott, Research Officer, Centre for Freshwater Ecosystems, La Trobe University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Tasting like a smoky sundried tomato, the desert raisin has been a staple for Australian desert communities for thousands of years. Dr Angela Pattison, Research scientist at Plant Breeding Institute, University of Sydney, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Labor's policies have to get a lot more ambitious if they want to see real reductions in emissions. Mark Diesendorf, Honorary Associate Professor, UNSW Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.