The Conversation
Scientists still don’t know how far melting in Antarctica will go – or the sea level rise it will unleash
If the world is to adapt to sea level rise with minimal cost, we must address the uncertainty surrounding Antarctica’s melting ice sheet. This requires significant investment in scientific capacity.
Chen Zhao, Research associate, University of Tasmania
Rupert Gladstone, Adjunct professor, University of Lapland
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Yes, Australia is buying a fleet of nuclear submarines. But nuclear-powered electricity must not come next
The submarine announcement is sure to trigger a new round of debate on whether nuclear energy is right for Australia. But let’s be clear: the technology makes no sense for Australia.
Ian Lowe, Emeritus Professor, School of Science, Griffith University
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'Bloody fool!': why Ripper the musk duck, and many other talkative Aussie birds, are exciting biologists
The internet exploded after a musk duck was recorded saying “you bloody fool” , and a lyrebird cried like a human baby. So what’s the fuss all about?
Anastasia Dalziell, Postdoctoral research fellow, University of Wollongong
Justin A. Welbergen, President of the Australasian Bat Society | Associate Professor in Animal Ecology, Western Sydney University
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Tasmania's salmon industry detonates underwater bombs to scare away seals – but at what cost?
The industry says the deterrent is necessary, but evidence suggests the devices pose a significant threat to some marine life, including maiming and killing seals.
Benjamin J. Richardson, Professor of Environmental Law, University of Tasmania
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Destroying vegetation along fences and roads could worsen our extinction crisis — yet the NSW government just allowed it
Under a new code, rural landholders in NSW will be allowed to clear up to 25 metres of land outside their property boundary. This will be devastating for the wildlife that live or migrate there.
Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University
Ben Moore, Senior Lecturer in Ecology, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University
Jen Martin, Leader, Science Communication Teaching Program, The University of Melbourne
Mark Hall, Postdoctoral research fellow, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University
Megan C Evans, Lecturer and ARC DECRA Fellow, UNSW
Ross Crates, Postdoctoral fellow, Australian National University
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Smoke from the Black Summer fires created an algal bloom bigger than Australia in the Southern Ocean
This enormous, unprecedented algal bloom could have profound implications for carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and for the marine ecosystem.
Christina Schallenberg, Research Fellow, University of Tasmania
Jakob Weis, Ph.D. student, University of Tasmania
Joan Llort, Oceanógrafo , Barcelona Supercomputing Center-Centro Nacional de Supercomputación (BSC-CNS)
Peter Strutton, Professor, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania
Weiyi Tang, Postdoc in Biogeochemistry, Princeton University
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Jaws of death: how the canine teeth of carnivorous mammals evolved to make them super-killers
The researchers found tooth shape varied, depending on the types of food a carnivore regularly bites into – in much the same way we choose a kitchen knife depending on what we’re cutting up.
Tahlia Pollock, PhD candidate, Monash University
Alistair Evans, Associate Professor, Monash University
David Hocking, Adjunct Research Associate, Monash University
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We analysed data from 29,798 clean-ups around the world to uncover some of the worst litter hotspots
Litter hotspots were associated with socioeconomic factors such as a concentration of built infrastructure, less national wealth and the level of lighting at night.
Lauren Roman, Postdoctoral Researcher, Oceans and Atmosphere, CSIRO
Britta Denise Hardesty, Senior Principal Research Scientist, Oceans and Atmosphere, CSIRO
Chris Wilcox, Senior Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO
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Climate explained: how much of the world's energy comes from fossil fuels and could we replace it all with renewables?
The way we use fossil fuels is wasteful and inefficient. A world based on renewable energy would need half as much as we produce now.
Robert McLachlan, Professor in Applied Mathematics, Massey University
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'The pigs can smell man': how decimation of Borneo's ancient rainforests threatens hunters and the hunted
The changing dynamic between Borneo’s pigs and Indigenous people is a powerful reminder of the fragility of the human-nature connection.
Matthew Luskin, Lecturer in Conservation Science, The University of Queensland
David Kurz, Postdoctoral fellow in Environmental Science, Trinity College
Fiffy Hanisdah Saikim, Senior lecturer, Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Indigenous Knowledge
Matthew D. Potts, Professor, S.J. Hall Chair in Forest Economics, University of California, Berkeley
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Climate change is coming for your snacks: why repeated drought threatens dried fruits and veggies
Dried foods are a staple in many Aussie diets, but the industry is under threat as recurring drought makes fruit and vegetables harder to process.
Charith Rathnayaka, Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast
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Research reveals why pet owners keep their cats indoors – and it's not to protect wildlife
Roaming pet cats can kill more than 180 animals each year. But most people who keep cats inside do so for the welfare of their pet.
Lily van Eeden, Postdoctoral research fellow, Monash University
Emily McLeod, PhD Candidate, Queensland University of Technology
Fern Hames, Director, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research
Zoe Squires, Policy Officer, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research
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The daily dance of flowers tracking the sun is more fascinating than most of us realise
The phenomenon is called heliotropism, and sunflowers are most famous for it. But why do they track the sun? And how?
Gregory Moore, Doctor of Botany, The University of Melbourne
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How urban soundscapes affect humans and wildlife — and what may have changed in the hush of lockdown
Soundscapes impact the well-being of human and non-human urban inhabitants. Here’s how noise can change animal behaviour, both in and out of lockdown.
Kurt Iveson, Associate Professor of Urban Geography and Research Lead, Sydney Policy Lab, University of Sydney
Dieter Hochuli, Professor, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney
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A promising new dawn is ours for the taking – so let’s stop counting the coal Australia must leave in the ground
The world is moving away fossil fuels, and there’s nothing Australia can do about it. Racing to dig up and sell whatever fossil fuels we can before the timer stops is not a future-proof strategy.
Frank Jotzo, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy and Head of Energy, Institute for Climate Energy and Disaster Solutions, Australian National University
Mark Howden, Director, Climate Change Institute, Australian National University
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Yes, it is entirely possible for Australia to phase out thermal coal within a decade
Major research found Australia must keep 95% of coal in the ground to limit global warming. With a little political will, this would be easy to do.
John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland
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Want to act on climate change but not sure how? Tweaking these 3 parts of your life will make the biggest difference
Last month’s dire report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change may have left you feeling overwhelmed. But small changes at the household level really can make a world of difference.
Andreas Chai, Associate Professor, Griffith University
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New research reveals animals are changing their body shapes to cope with climate change
‘Shape shifting’ animals are evolving to deal with heat – by changing the size of their ears, tails, bills and other appendages.
Sara Ryding, PhD Candidate, Deakin University
Matthew Symonds, Associate professor, Deakin University
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Photos from the field: why losing these tiny, loyal fish to climate change spells disaster for coral
Goby fish and coral rely on each other to survive. But new research found gobies are declining under climate change, dealing a double blow to Australia’s reefs.
Catheline Y.M. Froehlich, PhD Fellow, University of Wollongong
Marian Wong, Senior Lecturer, University of Wollongong
O. Selma Klanten, Research Scientist, University of Technology Sydney
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Australia's first offshore wind farm bill was a long time coming, but here are 4 reasons it's not up to scratch yet
From its inadequate safety provisions to vague wording around Native Title rights and interests, the bill leaves us wanting.
Madeline Taylor, Senior Lecturer, Macquarie University
Tina Soliman Hunter, Professor of Energy and Natural Resources Law, Macquarie University
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