Environment Archives

Environment

Our future in drought

Recently Australia has seen devasting scenes of blistering heat, historic low rainfall and drought across central and eastern Australia. While our history is punctured by droughts battering Australia, what can they tell us about the future?

On country for our country: growing our understanding of the Kimberley

We have worked closely with Indigenous rangers in the Kimberley to build on cultural and scientific knowledge of the marine animals and plants that call the region home.

Environment

We re-imagined Elton John as insects, and it kind of works.

We’re not ones to start a conspiracy theory that Elton John was drawing inspiration from insects throughout his entire musical career but, coincidence? We think not.

Environment

Hello blossoms! Uncovering Australia’s little-known hibiscus species

We’re using cutting-edge science and herbarium specimens (some from Burke and Will’s expedition!) to uncover the mysterious origins of Australia’s hibiscus species.

Environment

A Game of Flies: naming 230 new species

During past year we’ve put scientific names on around 230 new species, including a bee fly that resembles the Night King.

Environment

Unlocking the secrets of mysterious microbes

Can we unlock the mystery of how microbes below the surface of the earth find the energy to live?

Environment

Eggshell forensics solve the riddles of ancient birds

We have achieved the delicate and intricate task of teasing DNA sequences from the shells of non-ratite birds, opening up egg collections in museums around the world as a resource for DNA-based research.

‘Sadness, disgust, anger’: fear for the Great Barrier Reef

While the physical effects of coral bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef have been well documented, we wanted to understand the social and cultural impact.

Australia’s pristine beaches have a poo problem

Sydney's affluent eastern suburbs have raw and untreated sewage from 3,500 people discharged directly into the Tasman Sea.

How climate change might impact marine life

A global team of researchers have used modelling techniques to better understand the impact of climate change on marine life in Australia and around the world.

Whale sharks seen mating on Ningaloo Reef, exciting scientists

For the first time at the world heritage-listed area, whale sharks, the world's biggest fish, have been captured on film attempting to mate.

Environment

Why there’s more greenhouse gas in the atmosphere than you may have realised

This week brought news that atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels at the Mauna Loa atmospheric observatory in Hawaii have risen steeply for the seventh year in a row, reaching a May 2019 average of 414.7 parts per million (ppm). But in truth, the amount of greenhouse gas in our atmosphere is higher still.

Environment