Climate Change Series

Delaying shutting power stations will bring big disruption later: Climate Institute research

Apr 14, 2016 15:09 pm UTC| Insights & Views Nature

Modelling done for the Climate Institute indicates that without big policy changes Australias path to zero emissions from the electricity sector by 2050 would mean huge disruption after 2030. The report, A Switch in...

Octopuses are super-smart ... but are they conscious?

Apr 14, 2016 15:07 pm UTC| Insights & Views Nature

Inky the wild octopus has escaped from the New Zealand National Aquarium. Apparently, he made it out of a small opening in his tank, and suction cup prints indicate he found his way to a drain pipe that emptied to the...

Solomon Islands expedition seeks to conserve the extraordinary monkey-faced bat and giant rat

Apr 14, 2016 07:19 am UTC| Nature

The Australian Museum has announced a scientific expedition to the Solomon Islands to research a coconut cracking megabat and giant rat, with Professor Tim Flannery as one of the leaders of the program. The expedition...

Climate Change Series

Marine sediments unlock secrets about climate change in South Africa

Apr 14, 2016 04:50 am UTC| Nature

Climate change projections suggest that droughts will intensify in most parts of South Africa by the end of the 21st century. This is due to reduced precipitation and the loss of water through the combination of...

Does higher-density city development leave urban forests out on a limb?

Apr 14, 2016 02:56 am UTC| Insights & Views Nature

Greater recognition of the benefits of urban forests is focusing efforts from all levels of government to defend and improve them. Perhaps the most iconic of these efforts is New York Citys Million Trees Program. Other...

Climate Change Series

One day we won't need a Renewable Energy Target, because we'll have good climate policy

Apr 14, 2016 00:55 am UTC| Insights & Views Nature

Australias Renewable Energy Target (RET) has had a rough time in recent years. After a 2014 government review recommended it be abolished, both major parties eventually agreed to downsize the RET in 2015. But even with...

Climate Change Series

Nine ways steel could build a greener economy

Apr 12, 2016 13:12 pm UTC| Insights & Views Nature

Steel might be the largest industrial carbon dioxide emitter, but Britains troubled industry could be a big part of a cleaner, greener future. By using steel to build new infrastructure for renewable energy, the UK...