The environmental picture looks bleak, but change is still possible

The world is on the brink of creating irreversible damage to the environment if better policy isn’t rolled out, but while there’s a lot of bad news in the UN Global Environment Outlook, a sustainable future is still possible.

2018 was an environmental disaster

Environmental news is rarely good. But even by those low standards, 2018 was especially worrying, with a succession of problems threatening our health and livelihoods as well as Mother Nature.

How extreme weather events batter wildlife populations

A third of Australia’s spectacled flying foxes died in an extreme heatwave north of Cairns in November and new research has shed more light on the devastating effect such weather events can have on wildlife populations.

We need an ecological civilization before it’s too late

One way or another, humanity is headed for the third great transformation in its history: either in the form of global collapse or a metamorphosis to a new foundation for sustainable living.

Unearthing the secret life of wombats

The most significant wombat conference in 20 years will bring experts from around the world to South Australia.

How the ‘yeah-but’ mentality stalls progress on bag bans and other green issues

Meet the ‘Yeah-buts’ – those who know plastic is bad for the environment, but can’t get behind the bag ban because it affects their own convenience. This mindset can stall the best-laid green plans to help save the planet.

Good in parts – Science and the Federal Budget

Australian academics and scientists analyse the budget’s impact on research, health, infrastructure, education and the environment.

Well-being and the great outdoors

Time spent outdoors in green space is good for our physical and mental wellbeing. It sounds simple. But making sure those positive benefits are extended to all corners of our community is a considerably more complex issue.

The limits of modelling – Knowing what we don’t know

Modelling the impact of mine developments on groundwater is critical for protecting ecosystems and agriculture, but it can go astray if we don’t recognise that all models lack certainty.

What is happening in the Arctic?

While North America shivers, the Arctic has experienced soaring winter temperatures for the fourth year in a row. Such extreme weather events will only intensify unless there is a rapid and deep reduction in rising greenhouse gas levels.

Yes, kangaroos are endangered – but not the species you think

While our iconic large kangeroos are safe from extinction, many smaller and lesser known species are threatened by cats, foxes and mass scale habitat destruction.

Australians want community consent on new mining developments

A new national survey on citizen attitudes toward mining shows that three-quarters of Australians think mining companies should gain consent from local communities before development.