The Conversation

Apartments have lower waste recycling rates than houses, which means the growing numbers of apartment dwellers could add to Australia’s waste management crisis. But there are solutions to the problem. Bhavna Middha, Research Fellow, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University Ralph Horne, Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor, Research & Innovation, College of Design & Social Context, RMIT University, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The common timber treatment CCA is made up of heavy metals copper, chromium and arsenic. They don’t decompose and leach into soil and water. Why does New Zealand still allow its use? Clemens Altaner, Associate Professor in Wood Science, University of Canterbury Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research provides insights into the evolution and ecology of Australian bees. The capricious masked bee employs female nest guards in a cooperative social structure. Meanwhile, fussy feeders abound. James B. Dorey, Adjunct Associate Professor, Flinders University Lucas Hearn, Researcher, Flinders University Mike Lee, Professor in Evolutionary Biology (jointly appointed with South Australian Museum), Flinders University Patricia S. Slattery, Postgraduate Student, Flinders University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

First Nations people should have a real say in decisions affecting them and their Country. Here, we look at how two current policy-making efforts measure up. Rowan Foley, CEO of Aboriginal Carbon Foundation, Indigenous Knowledge Lily O'Neill, Senior Research Fellow, Melbourne Climate Futures, The University of Melbourne Lisa McMurray, Atlantic Fellow, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Not all El Niño events lead to drought in Australia. Other factors are involved and it will take some time for drought to develop now catchments are wet and most dams are full. Abraham Gibson, Research Fellow, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University Danielle Verdon-Kidd, Associate Professor, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Dozens of threatened Australian species are back from the brink. But many are reliant on fenced-off safe havens and could not survive the feral predators of the wild. True safety is harder Katherine Moseby, Associate Professor, UNSW Sydney John Read, Associate Lecturer, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Horticulture underpins the local economy in areas devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle. Climate change may mean some parts of the region will become less suitable for crop production during this century. Anita Wreford, Professor Applied Economics, Lincoln University, New Zealand Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Superbugs like it hot and wet, so climate change presents a major challenge for healthcare and agriculture, says a new report from CSIRO and the ATSE. Branwen Morgan, Research Director and Minimising AMR Mission Lead, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The first comprehensive population assessment of the raptor affectionately known as The Red reveals a species in trouble. Australia’s rarest bird of prey needs our help. Christopher MacColl, PhD Candidate, The University of Queensland James Watson, Professor, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Conservation is a government job, right? Not any more. Here’s why the enormous growth in land managed by conservation NGOs is a boon to our environment Hugh Possingham, Professor, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Developing countries suffer the most in the conflict between large carnivores and humans. We need better financial incentives for these communities to make sure these iconic predators are protected. Alexander Richard Braczkowski, Research Fellow at the Centre for Planetary Health and Resilient Conservation Group, Griffith University Christopher J. O'Bryan, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland Duan Biggs, Professor and Chair, Southwestern Environmental Science and Policy, Northern Arizona University Sophie Gilbert, University of Idaho Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Will the return of buybacks in the Murray-Darling Basin trigger more water fights? Let’s hope not. Buybacks are the most efficient way to recover water for the environment and deliver the Basin Plan. Sarah Ann Wheeler, Professor in Water Economics, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Experimenting with low waste living shows it’s not easy being green. But householders can help policymakers design better waste management systems. Rob Raven, Professor and Deputy Director (Research), Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University David O. Reynolds, Postdoctoral Fellow, Waste and Households, National University of Singapore Jo Lindsay, Professor of sociology, Monash University Ruth Lane, Associate Professor in Human Geography, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The mountain ash dominates as the tallest species of tree, but they did not win tree with the biggest girth. David Lindenmayer, Professor, The Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Are blackouts really looming by the middle of this decade? An AEMO report warns they might be – but there are plenty of projects on the drawing board that will help ease the squeeze on the grid. Dylan McConnell, Senior Research Associate, Renewable Energy & Energy Systems Analyst, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Cities are starting to restore natural systems such as waterways, wetlands and bushland. But restoration on the scale these systems need to function properly calls for a rethink of urban planning. Louise Wright, Practice Professor of Architecture, Monash University Catherine Murphy, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning and Design, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle has left a significant scar on the land in Northland, the Coromandel and Hawkes Bay. But instead of replanting pine, we should return the land to native bush. David Norton, Emeritus professor, University of Canterbury Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Building on floodplains was never a good idea and climate change makes matters worse. But in Queensland, Voluntary Home Buybacks are working for Ipswich, a year on from the devastating floods. Margaret Cook, Research Fellow, Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The steady stream of stories in the media about unsafe cookware might make you wary. But your pots and pans are almost certainly safe. Oliver A.H. Jones, Professor, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The beach community at Muriwai has experienced deadly landslide in the past, but houses were nevertheless allowed to be built on the debris of former slips. Martin Brook, Associate Professor of Applied Geology, University of Auckland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.