Humpback whales may have bounced back from near-extinction, but it's too soon to declare them safe

Apr 04, 2021 10:12 am UTC| Nature

The resurgence in humpback whale populations over the past five decades is hailed as one of the great success stories of global conservation. And right now, the federal Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment...

Move over, corn and soybeans: The next biofuel source could be giant sea kelp

Apr 04, 2021 10:04 am UTC| Nature

The big idea Giant kelp, the worlds largest species of marine algae, is an attractive source for making biofuels. In a recent study, we tested a novel strategy for growing kelp that could make it possible to produce it...

The Texas deep freeze left the state in crisis. Here are 3 lessons for Australia

Feb 26, 2021 14:46 pm UTC| Nature

The US state of Texas has this month experienced some of its coldest weather on record. Houston recorded a temperature of -10.6℃, which is around 20℃ below average. And Dallas-Fort Worth recorded its lowest-ever...

Texas was a warning. Australia needs to rethink the design of its electricity market

Feb 26, 2021 14:17 pm UTC| Nature Economy

Australias electricity market is unsustainable. Texas shows us why. A week ago Texas experienced a bout of severe weather as arctic air reached deep into the state, driving temperature down to levels that had not been...

How the Texas electricity system produced low-cost power but left residents out in the cold

Feb 20, 2021 12:16 pm UTC| Nature

Americans often take electricity for granted until the lights go out. The recent cold wave and storm in Texas have placed considerable focus on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, the nonprofit...

Why African countries must invest more in earth sciences

Feb 12, 2021 09:23 am UTC| Nature Investing

The African continent contains some of the worlds richest mineral resources. For instance, the Democratic Republic of Congo produces most of the worlds cobalt; Rwanda, Ethiopia and Mozambique are major contributors to...

Climate Change Series

Solar panels in Sahara could boost renewable energy but damage the global climate – here's why

Feb 12, 2021 08:13 am UTC| Technology Nature

The worlds most forbidding deserts could be the best places on Earth for harvesting solar power the most abundant and clean source of energy we have. Deserts are spacious, relatively flat, rich in silicon the raw...