Nature – 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 How nature matters https://www.openforum.com.au/how-nature-matters/ Thu, 12 Jan 2023 00:38:37 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=41099 Nature is more than just a means to some human end, and the Federal government’s reform of the EPBC Act should recognise the full scope and diversity of nature’s value.

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Does nature have rights? https://www.openforum.com.au/does-nature-have-rights/ Wed, 04 Jan 2023 00:23:37 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=41028 Reform to laws pertaining to the protection of the natural world over offer a chance to reset humanity’s relationship with nature.

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Our need for nature https://www.openforum.com.au/our-need-for-nature/ Sun, 24 Jul 2022 06:30:35 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=38551 Getting out and about in nature is good for our minds as well as our bodies, and maintaining wild spaces for the public to explore in our increasingly developed cities should be a planning priority.

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Protect nature to prevent pandemics https://www.openforum.com.au/protect-nature-to-prevent-pandemics/ Wed, 17 Nov 2021 19:43:20 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=35141 COVID-19 has shown the world that human health and environmental health are intricately linked.

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Nature is a public good https://www.openforum.com.au/nature-is-a-public-good/ Sat, 03 Jul 2021 04:01:28 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=33515 As the health of Australia’s environment continues to decline, the federal government is wagering on the ability of private markets to help solve the problem. So is this a wise move? The evidence is not at all encouraging.

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Confessions – Visions of beauty: Petaurus breviceps https://www.openforum.com.au/visions-of-beauty-petaurus-breviceps/ Wed, 21 Oct 2020 23:34:44 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=30220 The sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) is one of Australia's most iconic marsupials. Threatened by habitat destruction across its diminishing range, author Mark Nicol recalls encounters with these and other Australian fauna on a once idyllic South Australian wildlife haven.

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The fraying patchwork of nature https://www.openforum.com.au/the-fraying-patchwork-of-nature/ Sun, 20 Sep 2020 21:55:43 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=29652 Relentless land clearing for agriculture, mining and urbanisation is isolating and disconnecting Earth’s protected natural areas from each other, a new study shows.

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Surprise! It’s a praying mantis https://www.openforum.com.au/surprise-its-a-praying-mantis/ Wed, 02 Sep 2020 21:27:38 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=29447 A new study has for the first time illuminated the evolutionary history of the bizarre anti-predator defence – the praying mantis startle display – and suggests that the element of surprise may be key to its success. 

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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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Restoring the balance of nature https://www.openforum.com.au/restoring-the-balance-of-nature/ Fri, 08 Nov 2019 20:19:55 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=24450 A group of international conservationists is urging governments across the globe to adopt a new approach to address the impact of economic development on the natural world.

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Let’s use our nature strips for nature https://www.openforum.com.au/lets-use-our-nature-strips-for-nature/ Fri, 18 Oct 2019 20:39:51 +0000 https://www.openforum.com.au/?p=24066 Given that more than a third of our public green space is nature strip, many small actions of residents by planting and caring for appropriate trees can add up to substantial positive change for wildlife and the human environment.

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Rewilding Australia https://www.openforum.com.au/rewilding-australia/ Fri, 19 Apr 2019 23:31:54 +0000 http://www.openforum.com.au/?p=20612 Rewilding is gaining popularity around the world, as a means to restore ecosystems to their ancient state. But just like Vegemite, Australian rewilding projects need to have a unique flavour.

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