Key challenges for the re-elected Coalition government: experts respond
The Coalition has won the federal election. So what will this mean for key policy areas? Read More
Energy & Environment
Scientists want to build trust in science and technology. The alternative is too risky to contemplate
The next government must meet the challenge of refreshing the social licence between science, government and the many and diverse communities that make up our nation. Read More
NZ introduces groundbreaking zero carbon bill, including targets for agricultural methane
New Zealand’s long-awaited zero carbon bill will create sweeping changes to the management of emissions, setting a global benchmark with ambitious reduction targets for all major greenhouse gases. Read More
Australia must move on from its outdated environment laws
Should Labor win, it will have little time to waste on developing environmental policies that are fit-for-purpose for 21st Century reality. Read More
Energy costs are preventing landlords from approving businesses to go solar
Recent research commissioned by the Council of Small Businesses of Australia found landlords remain one of the biggest roadblocks preventing businesses from going renewable. Read More
Species loss: major report rings alarm on deteriorating environment
Around one million animal and plant species across the world are now threatened with extinction, many within the next few decades, according to a major international report. Read More
Move away from a car-dominated city looks radical but it’s a sensible plan for a liveable future
A move away from a car-dominated city looks radical but it's a sensible plan for a liveable future. This evening, Melbourne Town Hall will consider the ambitious draft transport strategy that would boost pedestrian, cycling and tram access across the CBD’s Hoddle Grid. Read More
Planning for climate extremes in global farming
Climate change means the frequency and severity of climate extremes is predicted to further increase in most regions worldwide. It’s important to understand how climate extremes interact with agricultural yields, to what extent crop yields are influenced by climate extremes and how these interactions differ between agricultural regions. Read More
Joyce sacked Ag secretary ‘to remind him where the authority starts from’
Video has emerged of ex-minister Barnaby Joyce explaining why he sacked former Department of Agriculture and Water Resources secretary Paul Grimes, as the auditor-general confirms… Read More
Ocean waves and winds are getting higher and stronger
New measurements show that global average wave conditions are increasing but, more importantly, extreme wave conditions are increasing even more rapidly with the largest increases occurring in the Southern Ocean. Read More
Using beloved works of literature to predict the futures of cities
How can we predict the futures of cities? We could study population statistics; we could analyse technological trajectories and business trends to forecast economic possibilities. Or, we could get classically creative by using works of fiction to predict likely scenarios under the 'Literary Method of Urban Design'. Read More
Budgeting for drought
Some forms of government assistance can help facilitate adjustment to drought, including support for those small-business families facing poverty, as well as helping people to make better decisions when it comes to planning and preparing. On the other hand, ad hoc handouts to farm businesses in the form of subsidies for interest, freight and transport can have undesirable effects in terms of Australia’s national productivity and equity. Read More
The new decentralisation ultimatum: go bush or a local gets your job
Murray-Darling Basin Authority chief Phillip Glyde confidently asserts the agency would do a better job with almost four times as many staff working out of its regional offices, but there may be bigger upheaval in his future pending the outcome of looming elections. Read More
Return Indigenous Protected Areas and Rangers to the Environment portfolio
It is time for the Federal Indigenous Protected Areas and Indigenous Rangers programs to be moved back to the Department of Environment, otherwise we risk their ongoing success. Read More
Car-free cities: are Australians ready to take back the streets?
Australian cities are becoming bigger, noisier and more congested. Would restrictions on cars improve our health and stress levels? Read More