Environment
Asia’s biggest battery will power Australian homes
11 October
More than one million Australian households will be powered by one of the world’s largest battery systems after the government approved a new renewable energy hub. The battery will be located in Melbourne suburb of Plumpton, where it will store...[Read More]
Regenerative farming ‘growing in momentum’
11 October
Regenerative agriculture is gaining traction among farmers, a soils summit in regional NSW has been told. Dozens of farmers have gathered for the two-day Soil Stewardship Summit near Yass to talk about how they implement healthy soil...[Read More]
New fish species discovered in Great Barrier Reef
11 October
Surprised scientists have discovered a new species of fish living “in plain sight” in the Great Barrier Reef. And up to seven other unidentified marine creatures may have also been found by their underwater survey of the world’s largest coral...[Read More]
Dugongs in steady decline along Great Barrier Reef
4 October
Dugong populations are shrinking along a vast stretch of the Great Barrier Reef and it’s been happening for almost 20 years, scientists say. James Cook University researchers have carried out aerial surveys for the vulnerable species about every...[Read More]
Industry urged to club together in clean energy hubs
27 September
Clean energy hubs could save money and create jobs if clusters of businesses shared transmission lines and green hydrogen pipelines, independent research shows. Economic modelling released by think tank Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE) on Monday calls...[Read More]
Floods, cyclones, bushfires: summer shocker on cards
27 September
Bushfires are not the only natural disaster on the Australian horizon. The country could feel the “compounding and cascading” impact of cyclones, floods, bushfires and heatwaves all at once. Co-ordinator-general at the National Emergency...[Read More]
Embracing ‘natural capital’ can give farmers extra edge
20 September
Farmers who embrace native vegetation and reforestation on their properties can generate significantly more productivity and profit, new research reveals. A five-year study has interrogated the finances of more than 100 cropping and grazing...[Read More]
‘Barrelling towards catastrophe’ as extreme heat flares
20 September
Fire danger zones are spreading across the east coast as extreme heat closes schools and threatens Australians young and old, with the nation “at the precipice”. A spring heatwave has large parts of NSW and eastern Victoria sweltering under...[Read More]
No El Nino for now but authorities remain on alert
13 September
The weather bureau has again held off on an El Nino declaration, leaving Australia on alert for the prospect of hotter, drier conditions. The Bureau of Meteorology’s latest climate driver update continues to say El Nino is “likely” to develop...[Read More]
Stormwater loaded with microplastics from car tyres
13 September
Stormwater that winds up in Australia’s creeks, rivers and ultimately the sea is loaded with tiny toxic particles shed by car tyres, researchers have found. It’s long been known that rainfall quickly becomes contaminated with tiny bits of...[Read More]
Invaders top threat to Australia’s native treasures
6 September
Australia must mount an all-out assault on alien invaders if it is to keep bold commitments to ward off new extinctions and protect its unique native treasures, scientists behind a landmark report say. The first global assessment of invasive alien...[Read More]
Horticulture and sugar hit give crop production a boost
6 September
Winter crop production is expected to fall by a third but a boost to sugar and horticulture output will help deliver Australian agriculture’s third highest annual gross value on record. The latest forecast from the Australian Bureau of...[Read More]
Australia a decade behind pack on tackling urban heat
30 August
Australia is lagging in the global race to heat-proof cities despite having the know-how and exporting solutions to other countries. Sydney is hosting a major international conference focused on keeping cities liveable as they become bigger and more...[Read More]
$3b WA energy grid boost to spark renewables transition
30 August
Western Australia’s energy grid is set for a $3 billion revamp as the state seeks to boost its exports and jobs. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told a business breakfast in Perth on Tuesday the funding would come from the Rewiring the Nation...[Read More]
Aussies told to prepare as bushfire season starts early
23 August
Australians are being warned against complacency about bushfires as parts of the country enter a danger period months ahead of the season’s official start date. Hundreds of NSW Rural Fire Service firefighters were deployed to tackle multiple...[Read More]