Environment – Page 25 – Openforum https://www.openforum.com.au Open Forum offers an independent platform for Australian debate Thu, 28 Mar 2024 22:27:37 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.25 Helping our wildlife bounce back https://www.openforum.com.au/helping-our-wildlife-bounce-back/ Sun, 12 Jan 2020 22:16:31 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=25593 The massive scale of these bushfires heightens the risk to animal populations and species - and as climate change bites the onus will increasingly be on us to protect and foster our wildlife.

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Our polluted path to oblivion https://www.openforum.com.au/our-polluted-path-to-oblivion/ Thu, 09 Jan 2020 23:17:37 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=25476 Warren Brown traces the roots of climate change to the industrial revolution, and appeals for politicians to start prioritising the environment over economic growth.

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When our love of place gets swallowed by bushfires https://www.openforum.com.au/when-our-love-of-place-gets-swallowed-by-bushfires/ Wed, 08 Jan 2020 22:36:31 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=25519 All of us have our ‘happy place’ where we have developed our ‘topophilia’ or love of place. So, when these places are damaged or destroyed by bushfire, the loss felt is profound.

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How ‘citizen science’ can help save our beaches https://www.openforum.com.au/how-citizen-science-can-help-save-our-beaches/ Sat, 28 Dec 2019 21:34:18 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=25384 Monitoring erosion at our beaches is crucial to formulating strategies to make the coastline more resilient, but it takes a lot of work. Now you can help while enjoying a day at the beach armed only with your mobile phone.

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Understanding Melbourne’s crazily predictable weather https://www.openforum.com.au/understanding-melbournes-crazily-predictable-weather/ Wed, 25 Dec 2019 23:39:45 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=25258 Melbourne’s weather is renowned for its variability, but it is still predictable, explained partly by its position on a large hot continent close to the cold Southern Ocean.

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Limiting the loss of nature https://www.openforum.com.au/limiting-the-loss-of-nature/ Mon, 23 Dec 2019 21:51:09 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=25184 With only about half the Earth's land remaining covered by natural vegetation, a University of Queensland-led team has proposed an international goal to halt its continued destruction.

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Who gives a flying fox? https://www.openforum.com.au/who-gives-a-flying-f/ Mon, 23 Dec 2019 07:04:45 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=25318 Flying Foxes or Fruit Bats are fascinating native creatures but nobody welcomes them to their neighbourhood.

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Protecting the last refuges of nature https://www.openforum.com.au/protecting-the-last-refuges-of-nature/ Fri, 20 Dec 2019 21:37:19 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=25255 Logging, land clearing and development continue to ravage Australia's natural environments, and even supposedly protected areas are increasingly open to assault by commercial interests.

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Sydney’s desalination plant proves a good plaice for fish https://www.openforum.com.au/sydneys-desalination-plant-proves-a-good-plaice-for-fish/ Thu, 19 Dec 2019 21:48:01 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=25238 Australia's fast-growing cities may come to increasingly rely on desalinated water as long term drought grips the country. New research, led by Southern Cross University, has found an unexpected benefit at the Sydney Desalination Plant as its discharge of excess salty water attracts lots of fish.

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Up close and personal with White Island https://www.openforum.com.au/up-close-and-personal-with-white-island/ Sat, 14 Dec 2019 22:17:36 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=25128 While getting close to the awesome power of nature is a big draw for tourism, the eruption on White Island reminds us of the very real risks.

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Better building planning can help combat bushfires https://www.openforum.com.au/better-building-planning-can-help-fight-bushfires/ https://www.openforum.com.au/better-building-planning-can-help-fight-bushfires/#comments Sat, 14 Dec 2019 22:17:18 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=25112 As fires ravage the east coast of Australia, a QUT expert has called for an urgent review of planning regulations which make the situation worse.

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How Australia can help curb illegal fishing https://www.openforum.com.au/how-australia-can-help-curb-illegal-fishing/ Mon, 09 Dec 2019 18:43:01 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=25030 Australia's status as a trusted 'middle power' can help it combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in Pacific waters.

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