The Conversation

Managing the transition to a net-zero emissions economy must be a priority task for the next government. Our strategic and economic success depends on it. Wesley Morgan, Research Fellow, Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Invasive mammals have already removed some native bird species from our cities. It’s why urban forest restoration and predator control are crucial to support the ‘ghosts of predation past’. Elizabeth Elliot Noe, Postdoctoral Fellow, Lincoln University, New Zealand Andrew D. Barnes, Senior Lecturer in Community Ecology, University of Waikato Bruce Clarkson, Professor of Restoration Ecology, University of Waikato John Innes, Senior Research - Wildlife Ecology, Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

This long, uncharacteristically early heatwave has hit hundreds of millions of people in one of the world’s most densely populated and vulnerable regions. Andrew King, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Somehow, female birds manage to hold their families together despite predators, harsh conditions and sometimes, a less-than-attentive partner. Ayesha Tulloch, ARC Future Fellow, Queensland University of Technology Christina N. Zdenek, Lab Manager/Post-doc at the Venom Evolution Lab, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Five ‘renewable energy zones’ planned for NSW represent a major opportunity for Aboriginal people. Heidi Norman, Professor, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Chris Briggs, Research Director, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We don’t have to passively sit back and watch Australia’s species and ecosystems die. Here are five concrete steps the next government should take. Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Ayesha Tulloch, ARC Future Fellow, Queensland University of Technology Megan C Evans, Lecturer and ARC DECRA Fellow, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We compiled the first list of Antarctic species and where they were first found. This knowledge means we can now protect all of the icy continent’s species. Laura Phillips, Antarctic Scientist, Monash University Rachel Leihy, Ecologist, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Building houses better at withstanding the impacts of climate change is one way we can protect ourselves in the face of future catastrophic conditions. Deborah Ascher Barnstone, Professor, Head of School, School of Architecture, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The goal of our new web app is to help users engage with their elected representatives and put imperilled species on the political agenda this election and beyond. Gareth Kindler, PhD Candidate, The University of Queensland James Watson, Professor, The University of Queensland Nick Kelly, Senior Lecturer in Interaction Design, Queensland University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Electric cars are important - but we can now electrify all land-based transport, from buses to bikes to trucks. We need good policy settings. Peter Newman, Professor of Sustainability, Curtin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The Greens and Labor have a mixed record of working together, but can learn from past experience. Kate Crowley, Adjunct Associate Professor, Public and Environmental Policy, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

This goes against the general understanding of how climate change impacts the coast. So what’s going on? Daniel Harris, Senior Lecturer in Geography, The University of Queensland Dylan Cowley, PhD Candidate, The University of Queensland Yongjing Mao, PhD Candidate, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

It wouldn’t be a modern Australian election campaign without the words “carbon tax” being thrown around.So lets clear a few things up. Samantha Hepburn, Professor, Deakin Law School, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The fate of nature underpins our economy and health. Yet in the election campaign to date, there’s been a deafening silence about it. Sarah Bekessy, Professor in Sustainability and Urban Planning, Leader, Interdisciplinary Conservation Science Research Group (ICON Science), RMIT University Brendan Wintle, Professor in Conservation Ecology, School of Ecosystem and Forest Science, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Disaster victims in Australia can wait months or years for insurance payouts – or can’t afford the premiums at all. As climate change worsens, we need a radical rethink. Caroline Schuster, Senior Lecturer, School of Archaeology and Anthropology; Director, Australian National Centre for Latin American Studies, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

When groundwater comes to the surface, sunlight and air convert organic molecules to greenhouse gases. That’s going to be a problem as we will need this water more as the world warms. Liza McDonough, Research Scientist, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Andy Baker, Professor, Connected Waters Initiative Research Centre, UNSW, UNSW Sydney Martin Sogaard Andersen, Associate professor, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In 2000, fossil fuels were 80% of total energy consumption. In 2019, they were 81%. Renewables are simply not growing fast enough. It’s time to talk about cutting energy consumption. Mark Diesendorf, Honorary Associate Professor, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Climate change is already cutting crop yields. War and unrest are likely to compound these issues for food-importing nations. Ro McFarlane, Assistant Professor in Ecological Public Health, University of Canberra Nenad Naumovski, Associate Professor in Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Canberra Shawn Somerset, Professor of Public Health/Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Canberra Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

How can we, personally, prepare for a future with not only more frequent natural disasters, but one that will also profoundly change the environment, communities and the economy? Stefan Kaufman, Senior Research Fellow, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Celebrating the European honeybee is a misplaced opportunity to honour our forgotten native pollinators. Eliza Middleton, Laboratory Manager, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney Caitlyn Forster, PhD Candidate, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney Don Driscoll, Professor in Terrestrial Ecology, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.