The Conversation

Sri Lanka is still grappling with the consequences of the cargo ship fire, which dumped tonnes of plastic and hazardous chemicals into the ocean. Claudio Bozzi, Lecturer in Law, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Sacred trees are a cornerstone of our national identity. They transcend simple economics and sit at the centre of the sacred — sentinels in ceremony, birthing and burials. Rob N. Williams, Archaeologist & PhD Candidate, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Advocacy groups play a crucial and neglected role in revealing systemic animal mistreatment. We need to make their actions unnecessary by with better transparency in the industries. Serrin Rutledge-Prior, PhD Candidate; Sessional Academic, Australian National University Tara Ward, Lecturer, UNSW Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Alarmingly for the Morrison government, the public has well and truly registered its lack of action on climate change. Vlad Demsar, Lecturer of Marketing, Swinburne University of Technology Jason Pallant, Senior Lecturer of Marketing, Swinburne University of Technology Melissa A. Wheeler, Senior Lecturer, Department of Management and Marketing, Swinburne University of Technology Samuel Wilson, Associate Professor of Leadership, Swinburne University of Technology Sylvia T. Gray, Research Assistant and Casual Academic, Swinburne University of Technology Timothy Colin Bednall, Senior Lecturer in Management, Swinburne University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Despite their good intentions, cities rarely have the full set of skills and capabilities to turn their plans into a reality. Our research looks at what needs to change. Thami Croeser, Research Officer, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Consider Ireland. Like New Zealand, it has high agricultural emissions and a poor climate track record so far, but it has adopted much stronger targets to cut emissions by 51% between 2018 and 2030. Robert McLachlan, Professor in Applied Mathematics, Massey University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research found power stations in the Latrobe Valley emit around 10 times more mercury than power stations in the Hunter Valley. The stark difference has a lot to do with regulations. Larissa Schneider, DECRA fellow, Australian National University Anna Lintern, Lecturer, Monash University Cameron Holley, Professor, UNSW Darren Sinclair, Professor, University of Canberra Neil Rose, Professor of Environmental Pollution and Palaeolimnology, UCL Ruoyu Sun, Associate Professor Simon Haberle, Professor, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Egg production standards are about more than just a happy compromise. Hens are sentient, intelligent beings. Like us, they deserve a good life. Christine Parker, Professor of Law, The University of Melbourne Lev Bromberg, PhD Candidate, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

For Indigenous people, Country is more than a landscape. But climate change, and the natural disasters it produces, present a clear and present threat to Country, culture and heritage. Bhiamie Williamson, Research Associate & PhD Candidate, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The federal budget included $32 million to promote schemes in which farmers who adopt sustainable practices earn money on private markets. Evidence suggests the approach is plagued with problems. Philippa England, Senior Lecturer, Griffith Law School, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Researchers found 16% of coral species have not been seen for many years. This finding is alarming, because local extinctions suggest global extinctions may be looming. Zoe Richards, Senior Research Fellow, Curtin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Federal environment minister Sussan Ley wrote an opinion article saying the reef didn't deserve to be the poster child for climate change perils. We disagree. Terry Hughes, Distinguished Professor, James Cook University Jon C. Day, PSM, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Professor, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Given the scale of the problem, five years was never enough time to turn things around. Clearly, we must reflect honestly on our successes and failures so far. Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Ayesha Tulloch, DECRA Research Fellow, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The broad-toothed rat rarely, if ever, gets its own story, so I want to introduce you properly to this fascinating, unique and beautiful species. It really needs our help. Chris Wacker, Postdoctoral Research Fellow - School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Venom, size, and speed: these are the factors that determine which ambush predator will emerge victorious. So let's look at the strengths of each arachnid. Samantha Nixon, Research officer, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The IPCC's review process is among the most exhaustive for any scientific process. Each report generates thousands of comments from hundreds of reviewers across a range of scientific perspectives. Rebecca Harris, Senior Lecturer in Climatology, Director, Climate Futures Program, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The remaining populations are threatened by a lack of genetic diversity, which makes them less likely to bounce back from new pressures such as climate change. Emily Roycroft, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Determining the age of fish has been historically difficult, primarily involving lethal methods. A new DNA test solves this problem. Benjamin Mayne, Molecular biologist and bioinformatician, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

GM proponents say the technology leads to better crop yields and may solve food shortages and reduce pests. Opponents say GM is a threat to the environment and humans. So where does the truth lie? Daniel Tan, Professor of Agronomy (Agriculture), University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

If problems in such schemes are not addressed, the credibility of soil carbon trading will be undermined. Ultimately the climate - and the planet - will be the loser. Aaron Simmons, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, University of New England Annette Cowie, Adjunct Professor, University of New England Brian Wilson, Associate Professor, University of New England Mark Farrell, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Matthew Tom Harrison, Associate Professor of Sustainable Agriculture, University of Tasmania Peter Grace, Professor of Global Change, Queensland University of Technology Richard Eckard, Professor & Director, Primary Industries Climate Challenges Centre, The University of Melbourne Vanessa Wong, Associate Professor, Monash University Warwick Badgery, Research Leader Pastures an Rangelands, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.