Microplastics may accelerate climate change

Recent research reveals microplastics are flooding the world’s oceans, diminishing their ability to absorb carbon dioxide, an essential process to regulate Earth’s temperature. Their presence in maritime environments has become ubiquitous and while their current effects may appear minimal, the study warns that their long-term impact will significantly intensify ocean warming and acidification.

The albatross did follow

New research has raised hopes of reducing the toll of commercial long-line fishing on large seabirds between Australia and South America.

Another one bites the dust

From the megafauna to thousands of island species, mankind has been wiping out whole species since the last ice age, but much is lost beyond the animals themselves when they vanish from the Earth.

Culling the crown of thorns

Protected marine zones which spare the large fish which control destructive crown of thorns starfish on the Great Barrier Reef have helped protect the threatened habitat over recent years.

How much recycled water storage is enough in Victoria?

Max Thomas makes the case for a standard method to calculate the water storage requirement for recycled water irrigation in Victoria.

Of microbes and men

Engineered microbes have the potential to boost crop yields and capture carbon to fight climate change, but are the benefits worth the risk?

Nature, carbon and nutrition

Only farming can tackle climate change, restore habitats and give people nutritious food. Agriculture isn’t an environmental problem, but an essential part of the solution.

Telling the wood from the trees

An analysis of national climate plans released at the COP30 climate summit in Brazil warns that countries are failing to carry out core work required to reduce emissions by halting and reversing deforestation and forest degradation, and are instead pushing unrealistic carbon removal schemes, such as large-scale tree planting.

A walk through woody meadows

A pioneering urban greening approach transforming Australian cities into vibrant and biodiverse spaces has been released to the public, empowering home gardeners and land managers with over a decade of research and knowledge in native plant design and management.

Unearthing Australia’s first crocodiles

An international team has uncovered the oldest crocodilian eggshells ever found in Australia, offering a fascinating glimpse into life in the deep past of the continent.

Bait and switch

Researchers have found that up to a third of conservation projects are abandoned or defunded after the fanfare of their launch, undermining hopes of achieving global biodiversity and carbon targets.

Pimp your photosynthesis

Scientists at the University of Sydney and Australian National University are working to improve the efficiency of crop photosynthesis through bio-engineering.