The Conversation

Oysters aren't just good for a feed. They also give a vital boost to coastal ecosystems, which is why efforts are underway to restore Australia's once-abundant oyster reefs to their former glory. Dominic McAfee, Postdoctoral researcher, marine ecology, University of Adelaide Ian McLeod, Senior Research Scientist - Coastal Restoration, James Cook University Maria Vozzo, PhD in Marine Ecology, Macquarie University Vivian Cumbo, Postdoctoral Research, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Two decades ago, the then SA premier, John Olsen, defied a campaign promise and announced plans to privatise the state's electricity industry. It's been a high-voltage issue ever since. Marc Hudson, PhD Candidate, Sustainable Consumption Institute, University of Manchester Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A surprising study published in Science found that as fuel emissions drop, consumer products are playing a larger role in air pollution. Jenny Fisher, Senior Lecturer in Atmospheric Chemistry, University of Wollongong Kathryn Emmerson, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New South Wales has pledged to walk away from the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, while Victoria's water minister has declared the plan 'over'. Quentin Grafton, Director of the Centre for Water Economics, Environment and Policy, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University John Williams, Adjunct Professor Environment and Natural Resources, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Solar windows would need to trap enough light to generate power, while letting through enough to keep buildings light. Thankfully, newly developed semitransparent cells offer to do just that. Matthew Wright, Postdoctoral Researcher in Photovoltaic Engineering, UNSW Mushfika Baishakhi Upama, PhD student [Photovoltaics & Renewable Energy Engineering], UNSW Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The federal government considered prosecuting Adani's potential environmental negligence over the history of its Australian CEO. Samantha Hepburn, Director of the Centre for Energy and Natural Resources Law, Deakin Law School, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Perth, unlike Cape Town, faces no prospect of its tapwater running out. But other problems lurk beneath the surface, as the city's drying climate puts increasing pressure on irrigation and wetlands. Don McFarlane, Adjunct professor, University of Western Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A few thousand fake ducks, a group of experienced wildlife spotters and a drone have proven the usefulness and accuracy of drones for wildlife monitoring. Jarrod Hodgson, PhD Candidate, University of Adelaide Aleks Terauds, Senior Research Scientist / Section Head, Australian Antarctic Division Lian Pin Koh, Associate Professor, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Cities all over the world are facing growing challenges to provide clean, reliable water. And many of the fixes, such as desalination plants, have a huge carbon footprint. Peter Fisher, Adjunct Professor, Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The current review of standards for egg and poultry farming does little do assuage fears that the industry wields too much influence. Only an independent regulator can restore public confidence. Elizabeth Ellis, Honorary Senior Fellow, School of Law, Faculty of Law, Humanities & the Arts, University of Wollongong Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Groundwater is out of sight, but it shouldn't be out of mind. As cities struggle to cope with drought, we should remember that our largest stocks of water are hidden deep underground. Emma Kathryn White, PhD Candidate, Infrastructure Engineering, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australians import millions of flowers for Valentine's Day. Let's consider some ways to be eco-friendly. Jennifer Lavers, Research Scientist, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania Fiona Kerslake, Research Fellow in viticulture and fermentation, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research has used genetic analysis in a world-first effort to accurately estimate Australian and New Zealand white shark numbers. Rich Hillary, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Russ Bradford, Project leader and researcher, CSIRO Toby Patterson, Senior research scientist, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Most of us lack the expertise to evaluate climate science, but there are ways anyone can spot a badly reasoned argument. Peter Ellerton, Lecturer in Critical Thinking, Director of the UQ Critical Thinking Project, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

To answer this question from Fiona, age 6, we need to know some things about clouds and light. Justin Peter, Senior Climatologist, Australian Bureau of Meteorology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australian bees have so far avoided the 'colony collapse' devastating hives around the world, but there's growing pressure for a ban on certain insecticides blamed for bee deaths. Caroline Hauxwell, Associate Professor, Queensland University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A dozen leading researchers have issued an urgent call to action for the Murray-Darling Basin, arguing that the billions spent on water-efficient irrigation have done little for the rivers' health. Quentin Grafton, Director of the Centre for Water Economics, Environment and Policy, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Darla Hatton MacDonald, Associate Professor, University of Tasmania David Paton, Associate Professor, University of Adelaide Graham Harris, Professorial Fellow, University of Wollongong Henning Bjornlund, Professor, University of South Australia Jeffery D Connor, Professor in Water Economics, University of South Australia John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland John Williams, Adjunct Professor Environment and Natural Resources, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Lin Crase, Professor of Economics and Head of School, University of South Australia Richard Kingsford, Professor, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sarah Ann Wheeler, Professor in Water Economics, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Pond snails use things like rocks or the side of their aquarium as their bed, attaching themselves while they sleep. This might not seem very relaxing but their shells do hang away from their body. John Lesku, PhD, Senior Lecturer in Sleep Ecophysiology, La Trobe University Anne Aulsebrook, PhD candidate, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Every festival in Australia sends countless bits of glitter down the drain (and into the ocean). But you can still shine on – in bio-glitter. Jennifer Lavers, Research Scientist, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Plenty of cafes these days will let you take home some used coffee grounds, to put on your garden. It's a versatile material with loads of potential uses - as long as you treat it properly first. Tien Huynh, Senior Lecturer in the School of Sciences, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.