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# The BEATS

Biodiversity Endangered and Threatened Species

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://www.thebeats.org/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [It doesn't look dangerous, but this sneaky snail causes enormous damage](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-06/coral-killing-drupella-snails-culled-from-great-barrier-reef/107102814) - The Drupella snail doesn't look threatening, but it is such a danger to Queensland's reefs that tourism operators have helped cull hundreds of thousands of them as part of a management plan.
- [Scientists optimistic despite losing 14,000 tagged bogong moths](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-06/bogong-moths-tagged-kosciuszko-national-park/107110974) - Scientists tagged thousands of bogong moths using paper and eyelash glue in an attempt to track their flight path. Now they cannot find a single one.
- [Possums in the roof, koalas in bed: study shows how animals resort to Australian homes after habitat loss](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/sep/06/possums-in-the-roof-koalas-in-bed-study-shows-how-animals-resort-to-australian-homes-after-habitat-loss) - Microbats and wombats among the most common species found in buildings, with some discovered in letter boxes or air conditioning systemsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPossums in the roof, bats in the curtains and ducks on the balcony: new research has revealed
- [Beekeepers warn of Asian hornet threat and call for UK awareness campaign](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/sep/05/beekeepers-asian-hornet-threat-uk-awareness-campaign) - Experts say invasive species are creating ‘pollinator deserts’ and could have serious impact on food securityBritish beekeepers have called for a national awareness campaign about the impact of Asian hornets as they warned the invasive species was creating “pollinator deserts” and threatening food security.Native to south-east Asia, the yellow-legged hornet is thought to have arrived
- [Energy stability or a 'climate bomb'? The arguments around Beetaloo](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-05/analysis-beetaloo-gas-flowing-nt-debate/107106456) - The Northern Territory government says it "stared down the hypocrites" to get gas flowing from the Beetaloo Sub-Basin. But will the project be the economic game changer that's been promised?
- [Global penguin experts gather at Phillip Island under shadow of climate change, bird flu](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-05/phillip-island-penguin-conference/107109898) - More than 200 experts meet on Phillip Island to share penguin research from across the globe.
- [A record-shattering El Niño is almost here. Here’s what that means for the world’s weather](https://theconversation.com/a-record-shattering-el-nino-is-almost-here-heres-what-that-means-for-the-worlds-weather-291258) - The world is bracing for the strongest El Niño in history. The United Nations has made the grim prediction that our planet now sits in the “danger zone” of extreme weather. That’s based on data suggesting the current El Niño will break all previous records. El Niño is a naturally occurring weather phenomenon that drives
- [EV sales outpace petrol cars for first time as Australians dodge soaring fuel costs](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/sep/04/ev-sales-outpace-petrol-cars-for-first-time-as-australians-dodge-soaring-fuel-costs) - New record for Australia as more than 27,000 EVs sold in August, driven by the rising cost of fuel and new government policyFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastElectric vehicle sales in Australia exceeded petrol cars for the first time last month as
- [As global heating heads to 1.8C, is it time to consider the ‘Voldemort’ of climate policy?](https://theconversation.com/as-global-heating-heads-to-1-8c-is-it-time-to-consider-the-voldemort-of-climate-policy-290427) - The world is set to miss the 1.5°C global warming target, and plans are underway for UN climate talks in the Pacific and Turkey. Climate mitigation – reducing or preventing greenhouse emissions – was once treated as the only legitimate response to global warming. In comparison, climate adaptation – trying to adjust to global warming
- [Hitchhiking birds become 'regulars' on Sydney trains](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-04/nsw-myna-birds-catch-sydney-trains-surprising-travellers/107064310) - You may have heard of snakes on a plane, but what about birds on a train?
- [Pacific leaders 'push back' on China's conduct with 'unifying' criticism](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-04/pacific-leaders-criticise-china-missile-test/107114182) - There was dissent, awkward moments, nations forgotten and one 'unifying' message as the Pacific Islands Forum wrapped up in Palau.
- [Australia needs renewable energy fast – but building it is only half the battle](https://theconversation.com/australia-needs-renewable-energy-fast-but-building-it-is-only-half-the-battle-290066) - Australia’s energy transition has never been more urgent. Aging coal-fired power stations are retiring and energy bills are rising sharply. To address this, the obvious solution is to build more renewable energy projects and the transmission infrastructure to connect them at scale. But a major hurdle remains: community opposition. In regional areas, where most of
- [Minister tells Brits to stock up on days of supplies after ‘supersize’ El Niño warning](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/sep/03/angela-eagle-uk-stock-up-supplies-el-nino-warning) - Exclusive: Angela Eagle urges UK citizens to be ‘a bit more resilient’ as they plan for national emergenciesBritish people have been urged to have enough food and water on hand to survive a few days without power or water, as the UN said the El Niño climate phenomenon was “supersizing before our eyes”, exacerbating extreme
- [Grinding up fish to feed to fish is ‘absurd’: fears over UN aquaculture plan](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/sep/03/un-fish-farms-food-oceans-aquaculture) - Huge rollout of fish farms could harm ecosystems and threaten vulnerable communities’ food sources, say expertsNearly half of the world’s wild fish catch will be ground into animal feed for farmed fish if plans to expand aquaculture go ahead, a report has found.The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is aiming to increase aquaculture –
- [BoM forecasts strongest El Niño on record as research points to ‘alarming’ climate change influence](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/sep/04/bom-forecasts-strongest-el-nino-on-record-as-research-points-to-alarming-climate-change-influence) - Bureau of Meteorology suggests El Niño has already broken records, with Pacific Ocean temperature change exceeding 2C in six monthsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesSign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereThe growing El Niño weather phenomenon to Australia’s east is already breaking heat records, with
- [Your house may be a haven for wildlife. It’s time we design homes with nature in mind](https://theconversation.com/your-house-may-be-a-haven-for-wildlife-its-time-we-design-homes-with-nature-in-mind-289983) - Ever found a bare-nosed wombat napping under your house or heard a possum thumping around in your roof? You’re not alone. Data from Wildlife Victoria reveals that about 2,400 native animals were reported by people as being in, on or under buildings over the past decade. For our new study, we analysed these reports to
- [China’s falling emissions amid Iran war spark hope of decarbonisation watershed](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/sep/03/china-co2-emissions-iran-war) - Oil consumption plummets and EV sales soar as analysts say demand may not fully return even if crude price fallsChina’s carbon dioxide emissions fell by 1% after the outbreak of the US-Israeli war on Iran, thanks to a sharp reduction in oil consumption and a steady rise in the use of electric vehicles and public
- [$12m koala underpass not used in five months](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-03/koalas-avoid-sydney-appin-road-underpass/107090362) - Conservationists hope koalas will start using the first koala underpass south of Sydney despite research suggesting the native animal rarely uses them.
- [Golfers despair as rabbits damage one of Australia's best courses](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-03/rabbits-plague-albany-golf-course-biocontrol-resistant/107089352) - There are fears out-of-control rabbits and the unexpected holes they keep adding to the greens will threaten the legacy of one of the oldest golf courses in Western Australia.
- [Trust is key: why home energy upgrades need more than rebates](https://theconversation.com/trust-is-key-why-home-energy-upgrades-need-more-than-rebates-289144) - Many Australian homes were not built to cope with a rapidly changing climate. Compared to new homes, established houses tend to consume – and waste – significant amounts of energy. That’s where home energy upgrade programs come in. These programs help households boost the energy efficiency of their houses while cutting power costs, emissions and
- [Despite losing everything, communities along the Nepal-Tibet border are helping each other rebuild](https://theconversation.com/despite-losing-everything-communities-along-the-nepal-tibet-border-are-helping-each-other-rebuild-290856) - Hearts across the globe are aching for communities along the Nepal-Tibet border. Last Wednesday, a catastrophic flash flood ripped apart whole villages and swept away dozens of vital bridges and roads. It has claimed the lives of more than 1000 people, as authorities race to find thousands more who are unaccounted for and free hundreds
- [A landmark UN report says the world will overshoot the 1.5°C climate target. What happens now?](https://theconversation.com/a-landmark-un-report-says-the-world-will-overshoot-the-1-5-c-climate-target-what-happens-now-290818) - For over a decade, the world has been trying to limit global warming to 1.5°C. That’s no longer possible, according to a new United Nations report. We will likely pass 1.5°C in 2030. That’s not good news for anyone, least of all Australia’s Pacific Island neighbours who face rapidly rising seas. In response to the
- [Global heating will hit at least 1.8C, UN warns, and there are ‘no good outcomes’](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/sep/02/global-heating-warming-1-8c-best-case-scenario-un-united-nations-environment-programme-report) - But scientists say the world could get back to 1.5C through deep, rapid emissions cuts and removing carbon from the atmosphereGlobal heating will reach at least 1.8C under even the most optimistic future, well beyond the Paris agreement goal of 1.5C, according to a UN report that warns every fraction of temperature rise intensifies destructive
- [Dugong population drops 50pc in 'real shock' for researchers](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-02/scientists-find-dugong-population-decrease-gulf-of-carpentaria/107101178) - New research finds the number of dugongs in the Gulf of Carpentaria — one of the animal's most globally important populations — has halved in the past two decades, a decline scientists have called a "real shock".
- [Bird poo concerns in SA town grappling with avian flu](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-02/avian-flu-advice-human-exposure-bird-poo-port-macdonnell-sa/107101258) - A pontoon turned white from bird droppings and the potential for exposure through untreated drinking water are among the issues concerning the Port MacDonnell community in south-east SA.
- [Despite years of rain, Blue Mountains forests still haven’t recovered from the Black Summer megafires](https://theconversation.com/despite-years-of-rain-blue-mountains-forests-still-havent-recovered-from-the-black-summer-megafires-290432) - For three years before the Black Summer megafires of 2019–20, cool season rainfall in southeastern Australia was only half that of normal. When fires broke out, intensely dry conditions helped them spread through areas typically resistant to burning, such as wetlands and rainforests. After the fires came three years of above-average rainfall, and scientific reports
- [Sydney’s beaches enter the drone age to get swimmers back in the water after spate of shark attacks](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/sep/02/sydneys-beaches-enter-the-drone-age-to-get-swimmers-back-in-the-water-after-spate-of-shark-attacks) - Seventy beaches across New South Wales are part of the $34m dawn-to-dusk drone-monitoring program, which one expert has called ‘the best technology we have at the moment’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast“Hey Taha, what’s the visibility like?” shouts a man with a
- [The collapse of a mountainside triggered Nepal’s devastating floods. As the region’s mountains heat up, it won’t be the last](https://theconversation.com/the-collapse-of-a-mountainside-triggered-nepals-devastating-floods-as-the-regions-mountains-heat-up-it-wont-be-the-last-290924) - On the morning of August 26, a section of mountain near Langtang Lirung peak in Nepal suddenly collapsed. A huge mass of rock, ice and debris plunged roughly 1,200 metres into the valley below, producing a hugely destructive flood on the Lhende Khola river. The flow travelled almost 100 kilometres downstream, washing villages and bridges
- [Cities sweltering and the smell of the middle ages: has the climate crisis killed Instagram’s Euro summer? | Brigid Delaney](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/commentisfree/2026/sep/01/has-climate-crisis-killed-instagrams-euro-summer) - Who dreams of having a Euro summer now when staying in an ancient, uncooled building in the Old Town is like trying to sleep in a wood-fired pizza oven?This week the Euro summer comes to an end – and so does a certain type of posting on Instagram.Waiting at the bus stop in the grey
- [Bird flu could devastate Macquarie Island. Why are we removing the scientists we need to understand it?](https://theconversation.com/bird-flu-could-devastate-macquarie-island-why-are-we-removing-the-scientists-we-need-to-understand-it-290816) - Australia’s Macquarie Island lies deep in the Southern Ocean, about 1,500 kilometres southeast of Tasmania. This World Heritage-listed sanctuary is a haven for species such as elephant and fur seals, penguins, albatrosses and petrels, and a key site for wildlife researchers. But it is not safe from H5N1 bird flu. This lethal virus is rapidly
- [Politics of the parklands on show at Labor's big MotoGP reveal](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-01/adelaide-motogp-circuit-parklands-environment-analysis/107098688) - The Malinauskas government's grand unveiling of its MotoGP track showed just how much pressure it faced over the environment. It's also opened up a fracture in the green movement.
- [Some of Australia’s biggest companies are planning for an unbearable climate future](https://theconversation.com/some-of-australias-biggest-companies-are-planning-for-an-unbearable-climate-future-290234) - Even as unprecedented fires and heatwaves rage across Europe, scientists track the retreat of Antarctic sea ice and a supercharged El Niño system heads our way, Australia’s largest companies are forecasting business-as-usual in a much hotter world. Last year, Australia introduced mandatory company climate reporting. They must now disclose the climate “risks and opportunities” that
- [China warns Pacific nations of 'consequences' for Taiwan forum invite](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-01/china-warns-of-consequences-over-taiwan-attendance/107100296) - There are concerns tensions between China and Taiwan could explode into the open at this year's meeting, distracting from the key Pacific priorities.
- [The datacentre power spat highlights a hidden truth: we’re not building renewables fast enough to meet our needs | Alison Reeve](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/sep/01/australia-datacentre-battle-highlights-hidden-truth-renewables-gas-electricity-solar) - A battle over datacentre power sources is only part of the picture. Australia needs a much bigger electricity system to meet all future demandAnthony Albanese has been clear that he wants a set of national standards to ensure datacentre growth accelerates Australia’s push to renewables and keeps a lid on power prices. At the centre
- [Cross-party talks needed to tackle climate crisis, say Lib Dems](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/31/talks-el-nino-climate-crisis-lib-dems-andy-burnham) - Andy Burnham urged to seek consensus over response to extreme heat and forthcoming ‘super El Niño’Andy Burnham should call a cross-party meeting to discuss the UK’s response to worsening extreme weather, including the forthcoming ‘super El Niño’, the Liberal Democrats have said.The prime minister chaired a Cobra emergency meeting on the drought earlier this month
- [What happens next with bird flu? An expert explains why monitoring matters](https://theconversation.com/what-happens-next-with-bird-flu-an-expert-explains-why-monitoring-matters-290510) - The lethal H5N1 strain of avian influenza is rapidly spreading along the coast of southern Australia, where it has killed thousands of wild birds and infected at least two long-nosed fur seals. So where will it travel next, and what damage might it inflict? Much is uncertain, especially because many of Australia’s animals and ecosystems
- [Victoria is about to host Australia's first offshore wind auction. But what is it?](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-31/offshore-wind-explainer-renewable-energy-australia/106745850) - Offshore wind developers will now bid for Victorian government support to help deliver their projects.
- [Sea-level rise, fuel shortages and missile tests top the agenda as Albanese heads to Palau for Pacific talks](https://theconversation.com/sea-level-rise-fuel-shortages-and-missile-tests-top-the-agenda-as-albanese-heads-to-palau-for-pacific-talks-289979) - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in Palau’s capital Koror this week for the annual Pacific Islands Forum, and regional security is expected to top the agenda. China is testing nuclear-capable missiles in the Pacific, prompting talk of a new regional agreement. The United States-Iran war has exposed a reliance on costly fossil fuels that is
- [Sydney kangaroos face cull as university looks to develop campus](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-31/fears-for-western-sydney-kangaroo-mob-over-wsu-plan/107071250) - Western Sydney University proposes to turn an underused campus into a mixed-use community, but the fate of 100 kangaroos is alarming animal advocates.
- [Trump EPA is manipulating safety data around a highly toxic flame retardant, advocates allege](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/30/trump-epa-data-toxic-flame-retardant) - Widely used chemical TBBPA may present a danger to US public, and especially children, independent research findsThe Environmental Protection Agency is manipulating safety data around a highly toxic flame retardant deployed across the US economy, public health advocates allege.The chemical, TBBPA, has been found in dust in US homes and in consumer goods at combined
- [‘Tiny bit of rain and the sewage comes’: Brighton swimmers vent fury at sea pollution](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/30/sewage-brighton-swimmers-condemn-sea-pollution) - Checking for sewage spills has become as normal as checking the weather forecast, say swimmers on East Sussex beachesSouth West Water has worst environmental record in England, analysis shows“I’m furious,” says Jo Armstrong, 75, sitting on Brighton beach with her daughter and granddaughter.Armstrong lives in Lewes, a town 8 miles from Brighton, and usually goes
- [Can tiny bubbles restore health to the Torrens lake?](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-30/can-new-technology-fix-river-torrens-bacteria-issues/107092402) - Singer-songwriter John Schumann is leading calls from businesses and other Adelaide locals for the city council to trial a bubble-based technology that could restore health to parts of the River Torrens.
- [Graziers report hundreds of lambs dead or missing in wild dog attacks](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-30/lambs-lost-amid-wild-dog-funding-uncertainty/107086068) - Western Queensland graziers say they have lost hundreds of sheep to suspected wild dog attacks as the national control programs face funding uncertainty.
- [Plug-in solar panels could save households up to $370 a year – if Australia made them legal as in the UK](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/29/plug-in-solar-panels-could-save-households-370-a-year-and-experts-say-australia-should-copy-the-uk-in-legalising-them) - A plug-in solar kit that costs about $1,000 ‘pays for itself in three years’, one expert saysGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMillions of Australians could be saving up to $370 a year on energy bills and doing their bit for the climate crisis if Labor followed the UK’s lead in
- [Wetland thriving with aquatic life again a glimpse of carp-free future](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-29/murray-river-wetland-clear-without-carp-thriving-again-sa/106817834) - While conservationists and fishers have formed an action group calling for more management of the pest fish now, Teal Flat provides a glimpse of what could be possible, even without a carp herpes virus.
- [Cost of chicken to rise soon, even if bird flu doesn't spread](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-29/bird-flu-price-and-supply-of-chicken-australia/107085462) - Increasing production costs will lead to higher chicken prices in supermarkets, even if bird flu doesn't spread to the chicken meat industry.
- [Martin Rowson on Trump and the consequences of the climate crisis – cartoon](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2026/aug/28/martin-rowson-trump-consequences-climate-crisis-cartoon) - Continue reading...
- [The chefs turning down the heat by switching from gas to electric](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/28/the-chefs-turning-down-the-heat-by-switching-from-gas-to-electric) - As well as being quieter, cheaper to run and easier to clean, induction cookers can cut kitchen temperatures by up to 10CLeaping flames, searing heat, copious sweat and scorchingly inventive swearing – restaurant kitchens are never a place for the faint-hearted, but this summer they have been sweltering in successive heatwaves to a dangerous degree.Some
- [Emergency warnings weren’t enough to save Nepal’s flood-ravaged villages. An expert explains](https://theconversation.com/emergency-warnings-werent-enough-to-save-nepals-flood-ravaged-villages-an-expert-explains-290718) - A flash flood can transform a river within minutes. This is what communities near the Nepal-Tibet border witnessed on Wednesday. A massive flash flood ripped through villages along the Bhote Koshi–Trishuli river system carrying mud, debris and fast-flowing water. It has claimed the lives of at least 469 people and left hundreds more missing, including
- [Nepal’s devastating floods: 10 seconds could save lives](https://theconversation.com/nepals-devastating-floods-10-seconds-could-save-lives-290725) - At around 8:45am on August 26, Karbir Gaire, a customs and information officer at Nepal’s Rasuwa Customs Office, suddenly felt what seemed like an earthquake. He went outside, looked towards China and saw a huge flood accompanied by dust. He shouted, “The flood is coming, run!” Gaire and others immediately ran uphill. About 10 seconds
- [Satellite images show how the Nepal flood disaster unfolded](https://theconversation.com/satellite-images-show-how-the-nepal-flood-disaster-unfolded-290721) - On August 26 a glacier collapsed in the Langtang region of Nepal near the China border, triggering an ice and rock avalanche. This apparently entered the Lhende Khola, a tributary of the Bhote Koshi river, where it either caused or contributed to a temporary blockage. When this burst, a catastrophic flash flood travelled almost 100
- [‘Nature thrives when given a chance’: restored Cheshire wetland now a haven for rare grebe](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/28/woolston-eyes-cheshire-wetland-black-necked-grebe) - Woolston Eyes in Warrington, a dumping ground for canal dredgings, has become best place in UK for black-necked grebeA dumping ground for dredgings from the Manchester Ship Canal has become the best place in Britain for the rare and beautiful black-necked grebe, hosting 64% of Britain’s breeding population.Since 2021, Woolston Eyes in Cheshire has been
- [Australia opened the door to dangerous e-bikes. New safety standards could finally close it](https://theconversation.com/australia-opened-the-door-to-dangerous-e-bikes-new-safety-standards-could-finally-close-it-289610) - For five years, dangerously overpowered e-bikes have been legally imported to Australia. Many are effectively electric motorbikes, able to reach 50km/h – or even faster if modified. Riders – often young men – can get hold of one without needing a motorbike license. Injuries and deaths have soared. Authorities have tried to police the issue
- [Could ocean waves be making planet Earth hum?](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-28/could-ocean-waves-be-making-earth-hum/107080976) - Earth is constantly humming with an ultra-low-frequency vibration that can be picked up right across the globe which has puzzled seismologists for decades. Growing evidence suggests it's the collective sound of the world's oceans constantly moving.
- [Bird flu is here to stay. NZ’s response must keep adapting as the virus takes hold](https://theconversation.com/bird-flu-is-here-to-stay-nzs-response-must-keep-adapting-as-the-virus-takes-hold-290335) - The confirmation of Australia’s first mainland death of a mammal from bird flu last week highlights New Zealand’s challenge to manage the deadly H5N1 strain of the virus. Bird flu has now been found in three wild birds in New Zealand, most recently in a northern giant petrel. Once established in wild birds, it cannot
- [Missing dog rescued from cliff face around volcanic crater lake](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-28/dog-rescue-blue-lake-mount-gambier/107079436) - Rescuers work for hours to pull a dog from a cliff leading to Mount Gambier's Blue Lake.
- [El Niño climate patterns supercharged by burning of fossil fuels, study finds](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/27/el-nino-climate-patterns-fossil-fuels) - ‘Godzilla’ event currently brewing could push 50 million people into acute hunger before the end of next yearA series of strong El Niño climatic patterns in recent decades, such as the “Godzilla” event currently brewing that is set to warp weather around the world, have been supercharged by the broader overheating of the planet caused
- [One of east coast’s largest datacenters accused of ‘violating federal law’](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/27/new-jersey-vineland-datacenter-permits) - Thermal drone footage shows a Microsoft-backed AI datacenter powering its operations with dozens of unpermitted generatorsThe largest planned AI datacenter in New Jersey is being accused of violating federal law after a visual investigation found the site running dozens of unpermitted gas-powered generators.Thermal drone footage captured by the non-profit newsroom Floodlight last week showed the
- [Australia’s backdown on data centres allows them to use energy from coal and gas. Here’s what that means](https://theconversation.com/australias-backdown-on-data-centres-allows-them-to-use-energy-from-coal-and-gas-heres-what-that-means-290613) - It’s official: Australia’s data centre boom will not be solely powered by renewables. At the National Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, the federal government softened its stance on using coal and gas to power energy-hungry data centres. Initially, the government said it would require new data centres to rely on renewables, backed up by batteries and
- [Tsunami of dirt: what caused Nepal’s deadly glacial flood?](https://theconversation.com/tsunami-of-dirt-what-caused-nepals-deadly-glacial-flood-290615) - More than 150 people are dead and hundreds more missing after an enormous wave of water, ice, mud and rock cascaded more than 170 kilometres down the Bhote Koshi River valley in Nepal. The valley is the main link between Kathmandu in Nepal and Lhasa in Tibet. At least 34 Australians are missing. There was
- [Nepal’s flash floods show the devastating power of ‘cascading hazards’](https://theconversation.com/nepals-flash-floods-show-the-devastating-power-of-cascading-hazards-290611) - A catastrophic flash flood has struck northern Nepal on the Tibetan border, killing at least 157 people and leaving hundreds missing, including at least 34 Australians. The death toll is expected to rise. Foreign tourists are among those feared dead or missing. Nepal’s tourism ministry reported 403 tourists unaccounted for, including 341 foreign nationals. Footage
- [Iconic Australian mammals could be at real risk from bird flu. Could we protect them using vaccines in baits?](https://theconversation.com/iconic-australian-mammals-could-be-at-real-risk-from-bird-flu-could-we-protect-them-using-vaccines-in-baits-290059) - The deadly rabies virus was once common across Europe. A bite from an infected dog, wolf or fox could be fatal. But then came a breakthrough: an edible vaccine. Since 1978, a billion baits containing the vaccine have been distributed by 30 European nations. Many European nations are now considered rabies-free. Our research team has
- [Border town lawyer labels Victoria's bird flu handling a 'scandal'](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-27/victorian-bird-flu-response-poor-compared-to-south-australia/107079324) - What determines if suspected bird flu victims are collected or left on the shore? Near the Victorian-SA border, it comes down to roughly three kilometres.
- [Plug-in balcony solar panels to go on sale in UK for first time](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/26/plug-in-balcony-solar-panels-to-go-on-sale-in-uk-for-first-time) - DIY system will be stocked by big retailers, starting with Argos, enabling more homes to lower bills by generating own electricityPlug-in solar panels will go on sale in the UK for the first time from Thursday, allowing households unable to use rooftop panels to also generate their own cheap electricity.Households across the country will be
- [Iodine tablets, evacuations planned for 'unlikely' AUKUS Perth nuclear leak](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-27/emergency-plan-for-aukus-nuclear-accident-revealed/107079978) - People could be given iodine tablets or potentially evacuated in the "extremely low" likelihood of a radiation leak from the reactor core of an AUKUS nuclear submarine, a new plan reveals.
- [Working with nature can help NZ adapt to climate change. Where is the plan to do it?](https://theconversation.com/working-with-nature-can-help-nz-adapt-to-climate-change-where-is-the-plan-to-do-it-289206) - Two major reports released in recent weeks help illustrate the scale of New Zealand’s climate adaptation challenge – and some of the biggest barriers to tackling it. The Climate Change Commission has found the country’s adaptation efforts are still not keeping pace with growing climate risks, with progress uneven and some areas slipping further behind.
- [Fears for ‘gregarious’ local celebrity Sammy the elephant seal in Victorian bird flu hotspot](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/26/sammy-elephant-seal-victoria-h5n1-bird-flu-hotspot) - Seals and sea lions often communicate by touch and share spaces with wild birds, placing them at risk of infection from H5N1 virusFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSince H5 bird flu arrived in Portland, Victoria, the situation has been “pretty grim” with
- [Historic sulphur emissions the likely cause of damage to Murujuga rock art: new research](https://theconversation.com/historic-sulphur-emissions-the-likely-cause-of-damage-to-murujuga-rock-art-new-research-286244) - Murujuga is a sacred cultural landscape of land and sea Country across the Burrup Peninsula and Dampier Archipelago, in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. It contains an estimated 1 million to 2 million petroglyphs, or rock engravings, that tell the story of the relationship between Ngarda-Ngarli Traditional Owners and this landscape over at least 50,000 years.
- [Backyard hen boom on the cards amid bird flu fears, seller says](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-26/backyard-laying-hen-demand-h5n1-bird-flu/107064314) - A poultry market founder says bird flu fears could drive a spike in demand for backyard chooks to rival that seen during the COVID-19 pandemic if supermarket eggs become scarce.
- [Animal rescuer warns of rooster influx, says school hatching programs making issue worse](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-26/sa-rescuer-urges-people-to-stop-dumping-roosters/107074902) - An Adelaide animal rescuer is urging people to stop dumping roosters, and says school hatching programs could be contributing to the problem.
- [NSW’s koala national park will protect threatened species and cap logging across the state. Could the Greens really block it? | Adam Morton](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/25/could-greens-block-nsw-great-koala-national-park-carbon-credits) - The Albanese government approved a proposal allowing the park to create carbon credits worth hundreds of millions of dollars, sparking a schism among environmentalistsWhat qualifies as a win in environmental campaigning?Is it when a huge forest area that is home to a stack of threatened species, including koalas, and has been the focus of years
- [‘I love rats but we can’t live with them’: the headache of rising rodent populations around the world](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/25/rats-numbers-rise-global-heating-poison-cities) - Robert Corrigan has been dealing with the ‘smart’ rodents all his life – and believes there are better solutions to deal with the growing infestation in the world’s cities“The rodents have paid for every single bill I’ve ever had – every mortgage, every car payment, every pint of Guinness,” says Dr Robert Corrigan. “It’s been
- [Floating wetlands a promising way to decrease wastewater emissions: new research](https://theconversation.com/floating-wetlands-a-promising-way-to-decrease-wastewater-emissions-new-research-289502) - Treating dirty waste water solves one environmental problem but creates another by releasing large amounts of climate emissions. As microorganisms break down sewage, they release carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide – three potent greenhouse gases. Our new research found a surprisingly simple way to cut greenhouse gas emissions from open wastewater treatment lagoons: growing
- [Researchers dodge crocs to probe coral bleaching after technology failed](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-25/nt-groote-eylandt-new-coral-species-unpredicted-bleaching/107045794) - Researchers confirm a 2024 coral bleaching event in remote, crocodile-inhabited Northern Territory waters was not picked up by the latest predictive technologies.
- [Ocean temperatures hit 'very troubling' record high](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-25/ocean-temperatures-hit-record-spurred-by-el-niño/107073982) - The world's oceans have reached their hottest temperatures on record and are likely to warm even more in the next few months, data shows.
- [From nightlife to life at night: cities must stay open later to beat the rising heat](https://theconversation.com/from-nightlife-to-life-at-night-cities-must-stay-open-later-to-beat-the-rising-heat-287967) - Summer in Europe is normally cause for celebration. Not this one, however, which will rank as one of the hottest on record. Wildfires have broken out everywhere from France to Greece, while intense drought has turned the grass in London’s famous Hyde Park brown. This week, much of Europe is sweltering through yet another heatwave.
- [How will this year’s record-breaking El Niño affect NZ and the world? 5 things to know](https://theconversation.com/how-will-this-years-record-breaking-el-nino-affect-nz-and-the-world-5-things-to-know-290159) - Months out from its projected peak, El Niño is already helping push ocean temperatures into record territory. July brought the highest global sea-surface temperatures ever recorded for that month, partly fuelled by the fast-developing climate pattern. The latest forecasts suggest there is much more to come. So, what exactly is El Niño, why is this
- [World’s oceans hit hottest temperature on record in August](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/24/worlds-oceans-hit-hottest-temperature-on-record-in-august) - Average sea surface temperature outside polar regions was 21.1C on Saturday, latest data findsThe world’s oceans were hotter than ever previously recorded on Saturday, according to the latest data.The average surface temperature was 21.1C, with the rising marine heat a stark indicator of the climate crisis. More than 90% of the heat trapped by carbon
- [How do you vaccinate 1,000 tiny penguins against bird flu in the wild? It’s ‘really tricky’ but there is a way](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/24/little-penguins-bird-flu-vaccination-phillip-island-australia) - Phillip Island’s ‘iconic’ little penguins get first bird flu vaccinations in what is thought to be largest program of its kindFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMore than 1,000 little penguins have received their first dose of bird flu vaccine in Victoria, in
- [Backyard bird feeding could be a bird flu ‘superspreader’. An expert explains](https://theconversation.com/backyard-bird-feeding-could-be-a-bird-flu-superspreader-an-expert-explains-290317) - Backyard bird feeding is one of our country’s most popular pastimes. Research reveals about half of Australian households feed wild birds, with many people doing so daily. However, this practice could act as a superspreader event – where a disease infects an unusually high number of people or animals – of the H5N1 virus. This
- [City's drinking water diluted after elevated PFAS levels detected](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-24/riverina-water-dilution-regime-underway/107057064) - Riverina Water is diluting water from two of its Wagga Wagga bores due to elevated levels of so-called "forever chemicals" being detected, but the source of contamination is a mystery.
- [Penguin bird flu vaccination drive passes 1,000-dose milestone](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-24/vic-phillip-island-little-penguin-bird-flu-vaccination-program/107069130) - The team vaccinating Phillip Island's little penguin population against bird flu administers more than 1,000 H5N1 doses to the vulnerable birds.
- [Listening to the bush: How AI can help NZ rid its wildnerness of ‘hold-out’ pest possums](https://theconversation.com/listening-to-the-bush-how-ai-can-help-nz-rid-its-wildnerness-of-hold-out-pest-possums-289800) - Possums are among New Zealand’s most destructive introduced mammals. They damage native forests, prey on wildlife and remain a major target of the country’s Predator Free 2050 programme. But removing most possums from an area through predator control is only part of the challenge. Finding the last few survivors can be much harder. Even a
- [Australia’s marine parks protect ‘places no one goes’ rather than fragile coastal zones, scientists say](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/24/australias-marine-parks-protect-places-no-one-goes-rather-than-fragile-coastal-zones-scientists-say) - Hundreds of experts write to environment minister calling for stronger protections for ‘unique and distinct’ marine ecosystemsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Australian government has been accused of leaving coastal waters largely unprotected by establishing the bulk of highly protected marine parks
- [First bird flu death in an Australian mainland mammal is a grim milestone. We know how bad this can get](https://theconversation.com/first-bird-flu-death-in-an-australian-mainland-mammal-is-a-grim-milestone-we-know-how-bad-this-can-get-290305) - Australia has crossed another grim threshold in its H5N1 bird flu outbreak. For the first time, the virus has infected an Australian mainland mammal: a long-nosed fur seal found dead at Beachport on South Australia’s Limestone Coast, about a four-hour drive southeast of Adelaide. This is a devastating development, although sadly not an unexpected one.
- [London’s low emission zone is working – so why are cities around the world so cautious about clean air?](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/23/london-low-emission-zone-working-other-cities-cautious-clean-air) - Similar initiatives have been launched from Barcelona to Bogotá, but they have misinformation, political pressure and vested interests stacked against themTen years ago, Alastair Harper was an advocate for young people’s health sitting in a stuffy meeting room in London planning an air pollution campaign. “My phone started buzzing,” he said. “I took the call,
- [Traditional owners relieved they won't have to watch another Juukan Gorge disaster](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-23/wangkamadla-traditional-owners-pilungah-celebration/107056778) - Mining companies had believed Pilungah Reserve on Queensland's border with the Northern Territory held critical minerals. Now, three generations of traditional owners have gathered on country to celebrate its protection.
- [Dog, rabbit and fox fur found in toys and key rings sold in markets and online](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-23/dog-rabbit-fox-fur-found-in-toys-and-key-rings-sold-in-australia/107059142) - Laboratory testing of seven fluffy toys and key rings sold online and at markets in NSW has found every product contained real animal fur despite some being marketed as fake fur, raising concerns about what consumers are buying.
- [Why am I called The Black Farmer? Because there are so few of us in Britain. I’d like that to change | Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/aug/22/the-black-farmer-tv-clarksons-farm-minorities) - Running a farm is tough – TV’s Clarkson’s Farm shows that – but I know many minorities would love the chance. And we would all benefit Who’d be a farmer? Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon is great entertainment but it also gives some indication of the stresses and challenges behind the farm gate. Would anyone who
- [Battery fires at recycling centres are costing UK £1bn a year, figures show](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/22/lithium-battery-fires-waste-recycling-centres-vapes-uk) - Experts say fires caused by wrongly discarded lithium batteries, such as those in vapes, are putting lives at riskFires at recycling centres caused by wrongly discarded lithium batteries such as those found in vapes are occurring at the rate of more than 10 a week, according to new figures.Experts say the sheer volume of battery
- [Britain’s railway prepares for more extreme weather as intense El Niño develops](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/21/britains-railway-prepares-for-more-extreme-weather-as-intense-el-nino-develops) - Experts say more must be done to adapt to changing climate, after two trains derailed within 24 hours during a recent heatwaveRailway companies are racing to prepare for another brutal summer next year, as a developing El Niño could see 2027 break more heat-related records.Britain’s railway system has already been under stress from extreme heat
- [First ever Fat Marmot Week to kick off in effort to raise money for research](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/21/fat-marmot-week-research-funding) - Researchers hope contest – similar to Fat Bear Week – starting Monday will be latest wildlife watching crazeMonday sees the start of what researchers hope will be the latest wildlife watching craze – Fat Marmot Week.Last winter was tough for marmots living high in the Colorado mountains, where researchers say two-thirds of one population died
- [As bird flu ravages stocks, Kangaroo Island is 'sick of bloody disasters'](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-21/bird-flu-mass-deaths-prompt-kangaroo-island-apprehension/107062734) - Fears about bird flu's potentially devastating impact on South Australia's penguins have fuelled calls for the creatures to be vaccinated against the virus, with Kangaroo Island's mayor saying the local population has "taken a hammering" in recent years.
- [We’re building a New York-sized city every month. That’s worrying for our climate](https://theconversation.com/were-building-a-new-york-sized-city-every-month-thats-worrying-for-our-climate-289702) - Each of us needs of a roof over our head, classrooms to learn in and offices or space to work from. To meet this unprecedented demand for new buildings, globally we’re constructing the equivalent of an entire New York City every month. This provides us with vital infrastructure, but also generates an enormous amount of
- [Flannel flower voted Australia's favourite wildflower after 70,000 votes cast — as it happened](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-21/wildflower-of-the-year-vote-blog/107022960) - The country's top 10 wildflowers have been revealed, with the flannel flower crowned the winner in a tightly contested battle of the blooms.
- [Residents 'gutted' as more cases of H5 bird flu emerge in NSW](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-21/nsw-bird-flu-detection-merimbula-narooma/107057502) - The NSW government will no longer report individual cases of H5 bird flu as the deadly disease continues to spread.
- [Concern for noise-sensitive exotic animals near new airport's flight path](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-21/exotic-animal-carer-concern-over-western-sydney-airport-noise/107039602) - An exotic wildlife carer is concerned aircraft noise from the soon to open Western Sydney International Airport could impact the wellbeing of her retired circus animals and nearby native species.
- [Australia’s EV sales are skyrocketing. Our charging infrastructure may soon struggle to keep up](https://theconversation.com/australias-ev-sales-are-skyrocketing-our-charging-infrastructure-may-soon-struggle-to-keep-up-289403) - Electric vehicles (EVs) seem to be popping up everywhere. In the first half of 2026, sales of battery-powered EVs nearly tripled, and July’s figures suggest this trend will continue. However, our cumulative research reveals Australia’s charging network may soon fail to keep up with the booming EV market. Behind the boom Over the past six
- [People are more likely to ditch the car and use an e-bike if they feel confident and safe](https://theconversation.com/people-are-more-likely-to-ditch-the-car-and-use-an-e-bike-if-they-feel-confident-and-safe-288102) - Finally, Australians are being encouraged to swap four wheels for two. Governments are investing in cycling infrastructure, and calls for e-bike subsidies are growing louder. But our research suggests there’s a missing piece in this puzzle. Giving people access to an e-bike is important. Building safer cycling infrastructure is fundamental. Yet neither is likely to
- [Trump plan to allow drilling near US world heritage site sparks alarm](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/20/trump-oil-drilling-world-heritage-site-new-mexico) - Administration’s plan to scrap drilling-free buffer zone around New Mexico site prompts scrutiny from UnescoThe Trump administration’s push to expand oil and gas extraction across the US is set to bring drilling near cherished natural and cultural sites, raising alarm among conservationists and prompting questions from the UN’s heritage body.Unesco said it had received information
- [Humans have learned to fear ‘bugs’, but we shouldn’t – life as we know it hinges on invertebrates | Chris Packham](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/aug/20/humans-bugs-invertebrates-of-the-year-natural-world-chris-packham) - At this point of the crisis in our relations with the natural world, we’ve got to protect these creatures – and we are running out of timeRead more from the Guardian’s invertebrate of the year 2026Too many animals are regarded as “bugs”. And, if anything is a bug, it is a short step to it
- [The first wave of bird flu is the worst: what Australia can learn from overseas](https://theconversation.com/the-first-wave-of-bird-flu-is-the-worst-what-australia-can-learn-from-overseas-289721) - Hundreds of dead birds are now being reported as the lethal H5N1 strain of bird flu begins to spread across Australia. Government reports show the virus is circulating in resident birds. It was a long time coming. The current outbreak emerged in 2020. By late 2021, it was spreading widely, leaving a widespread trail of
- [Taxpayers to fund clear-up of illegal dumps in West Yorkshire, Surrey and Kent](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/19/taxpayers-to-fund-clear-up-of-dumps-in-west-yorkshire-surrey-and-kent) - Andy Burnham promises drive to tackle toxic waste, raise fines and use AI-powered drones to detect illegal activityIllegal dumps in West Yorkshire, Surrey and Kent will be cleared up using taxpayer money, Andy Burnham has announced, as the prime minister promises a new drive to tackle toxic waste.Ministers have identified dumps in Bradford, Runnymede and
- [Residents of 'serene, peaceful' village concerned over big battery plans](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-20/act-uriarra-residents-concerned-over-big-battery/107055686) - Locals say the company behind the proposal failed to answer questions about noise and light pollution, and bushfire safety.
- [Why is NZ spending far more on responding to climate disasters than on reducing future risk?](https://theconversation.com/why-is-nz-spending-far-more-on-responding-to-climate-disasters-than-on-reducing-future-risk-289485) - New Zealand is not on track to adapt to growing climate risks, nor is it cutting emissions quickly enough, according to the latest reports issued by the Climate Change Commission. Last week, the commission published an evaluation of progress on New Zealand’s adaptation plans, arguing that communities are exposed to greater risk of damage and
- [Fertiliser prices and shortages are hamstringing our farmers. But we have other options](https://theconversation.com/fertiliser-prices-and-shortages-are-hamstringing-our-farmers-but-we-have-other-options-289394) - When was the last time you bought a loaf of bread? Chances are you read the ingredients list and saw flour, yeast and salt. But behind every slice is a surprisingly fragile global supply chain that starts with another often overlooked ingredient: nitrogen fertiliser. Without nitrogen fertiliser, the world’s farmers would struggle to produce enough
- [‘Success story’ hailed as bluefin tunas caught off Yorkshire for first time since 1960s](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/19/first-bluefin-tunas-caught-off-yorkshire-since-1960s-success-story-for-marine-conservation) - Researchers laud return of giant tuna to North Sea after being fished almost to point of extinction Researchers have lauded two giant bluefin tunas being caught off the coast of Yorkshire for the first time in more than six decades as a “success story” for marine conservation.The tunas, which were caught a day apart off
- [Why Seoul has called for peace talks to formally end the Korean War](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-19/seoul-call-to-end-war-south-north-korea/107045908) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has once again called for talks to formally end the Korean War which was only frozen and not ended by an armistice in 1953. So how significant is Seoul's offer and what could it mean for peace on the Korean peninsula?
- [Parasite linked to ‘mushy fish’ could be much more widespread than thought](https://theconversation.com/parasite-linked-to-mushy-fish-could-be-much-more-widespread-than-thought-289212) - If you’re a keen angler and regularly catch yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi), you may have encountered instances of the fish’s flesh turning mushy and unpalatable once cooked. Some have said it’s a bit like trying to eat wet newspaper. This can be disappointing for the angler and for the hungry guests you’ve invited to dinner.
- [Fears mass bird deaths in south-west Victoria linked to bird flu](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-19/fears-mass-bird-deaths-in-southwest-victoria-linked-to-bird-flu/107049616) - People in the south-west Victorian town of Portland fear a deadly bird flu is to blame for hundreds of bird deaths this week, as carcasses begin to pile up.
- [Extreme heat is altering when, where and how we travel: new research](https://theconversation.com/extreme-heat-is-altering-when-where-and-how-we-travel-new-research-289498) - Before booking a holiday, it pays to check the weather. Rain can turn a joyful trip into a glum stretch of days. Soaring temperatures are making sunny summers less appealing. And destructive fires, floods and other natural disasters often lead to tourist evacuations. Australians are keen travellers. In 2025 alone, we made about 113 million
- [Tasmania inquiry to weigh costs, benefits of new AI data centres](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-19/ai-data-centre-inquiry-tasmanian-greens/107050792) - With communities around the world grappling with the spread of AI data centres, the Tasmanian Greens have set up an inquiry to examine "what, if any, economic benefit" they will bring to the state.
- [Heavy rain on dry ground may cause UK floods but will not reverse drought](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/18/heavy-rain-forecast-will-not-reverse-widespread-drought-conditions-uk) - ‘First meaningful rain for a long time’ is forecast but water firms continue to ask customers to restrict useFloods and drought could hit the UK at the same time this week, with heavy rain forecast to fall on hard, parched soil.While some parts of the UK will have the “first meaningful rain for a long
- [More than 5,000 little penguins will be vaxxed against bird flu. How will this protect them?](https://theconversation.com/more-than-5-000-little-penguins-will-be-vaxxed-against-bird-flu-how-will-this-protect-them-289962) - A major push is underway to catch and vaccinate more than 5,000 little penguins in Victoria to protect them against the virulent H5N1 bird flu. Victorian wildlife officers will carry out vaccinations at little penguin colonies at Phillip Island and St Kilda, in what the state government says is the world’s largest program to target
- [Want to fully electrify your house? Don’t start with a battery](https://theconversation.com/want-to-fully-electrify-your-house-dont-start-with-a-battery-287963) - Many Australians want to go fully electric. But it’s often hard to know where to start. Solar? A home battery? Or quitting gas? To find the best way to make the shift, we modelled three pathways for a three-bedroom house in Melbourne’s western suburbs. These pathways show it’s important to do things in the right
- [Pygmy blue whale beaches and dies off NT coast in historic first sighting](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-18/pygmy-blue-whale-beaches-dies-first-time-gulf-carpentaria/107045826) - A pygmy blue whale has died after becoming stranded off the coast of Groote Eylandt in what researchers believe is the first time the species has ever been sighted in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
- [Bird flu crisis will get to the stage where 'all we can do is euthanase', vets warn](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-18/bird-flu-vet-euthanasia-mental-health/107023130) - Since the arrival of H5 bird flu in Australia some vets say treating wild birds has never been more crucial, but without help to keep up with demand, they fear they will be left with no choice but to euthanase animals they otherwise could have saved.
- [Sharks have always stoked panic in Australia. While scientific understanding grows, conservation efforts can be unseated by fear | Anna Clark](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/aug/18/australia-shark-attacks-growing-fear-sydney-beaches) - From Aboriginal rock art to colonial encounters, sharks have been a figure of fear and fascination throughout the long human history of this continentIs there a more primal fear among beach-goers than the shark? Although many more Australians drown each year at the beach than are killed by these creatures, it’s sharks that inhabit the
- [3M knew for more than 50 years that its products could harm humans, Australian government alleges in court documents](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/18/3m-knew-for-more-than-50-years-that-its-products-could-harm-humans-australian-government-alleges-in-court-documents) - Exclusive: federal government court filings claim internal company documents included warnings about products being toxicGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastManufacturing company 3M knew more than 50 years ago that its firefighting products – including components in Pfas “forever chemicals” – could be hazardous to the health of humans and animals
- [‘Our new normal’: how marine heatwaves affect life in British seas](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/17/marine-heatwave-new-normal-britain-seas) - As warming seas push native species to cooler waters farther north, once-rare visitors have become more common‘It sounds silly but I thought it was a person in the water waving,” says Kurt Lander, skipper of the Yellowfin charter boat, based out of Brighton. But when he grabbed his binoculars, he realised the fluttering movement he
- [Hydrogen microgrids could help power remote communities – but beware the hype](https://theconversation.com/hydrogen-microgrids-could-help-power-remote-communities-but-beware-the-hype-288095) - In remote towns, what happens when the sun fails to shine, the wind barely blows and batteries begin to run low? Too often, the answer is another costly diesel delivery. Australia is already investing in regional and remote microgrids, including two First Nations-led microgrid projects in the Northern Territory. Microgrids are small, controllable electricity systems
- [Poor genetic health threatens many species – but it’s fixable](https://theconversation.com/poor-genetic-health-threatens-many-species-but-its-fixable-288091) - By the early 1990s, there were only around 20 Florida Panthers left on the planet. A distinct and isolated population of the widespread Puma (Puma concolor), the Florida Panther was pushed to the edge of extinction by a range of threats. One major issue was their poor genetic health, a measure of how diverse an
- [Florida sets record for sea turtle nests but Trump move could stall recovery](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/16/florida-sea-turtle-nests-endangered-species) - Loggerhead turtles abound this season but rollback of Endangered Species Act protections could threaten futureWildlife groups in Florida are celebrating record numbers of sea turtle nests this season, but experts warn Donald Trump’s recent gutting of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) could reverse decades of their recovery from the edge of extinction.With more than two
- [Gorging on bearcam: the livestream of big beasts eating that draws millions](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/16/bearcam-fishing-brown-bears-brooks-falls-alaska-salmon-fat-bear-week-aoe) - Ahead of Fat Bear Week, avid fans are glued to the spectacle of brown bears devouring salmon at Brooks Falls in AlaskaOne of this summer’s biggest onscreen hits has had big beasts, great escapes and choppy waters, but it’s not Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey – it’s a livestream of Alaskan brown bears catching salmon.The Brooks
- [Memory of late partner blooms in sharing wildflowers](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-16/new-zealand-to-wa-midwest-wildflowers-tourism/107030124) - Leonie Aspin shares her wonder of nature and honours the memory of her partner by travelling from New Zealand to rural WA each year as the wildflowers bloom.
- [Experts recruit NT twitchers to help stop spread of 'inevitable' bird flu](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-16/h5n1-bird-flu-inevitable-nt-birdwatchers-conservationists/107042178) - The Northern Territory is one of the last places in Australia still free of the H5N1 strain of bird flu, but experts say it's only a matter of time before it arrives. Now they're enlisting the help of local birdwatchers and conservationists to help slow its spread.
- [Warming climate forcing marathon changes to keep runners cool](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-16/warming-climate-forcing-marathon-changes-to-keep-runners-cool/107037266) - Marathon organisers across the United States are rethinking when they hold events due to warmer temperatures.
- [First H5N1 bird flu death recorded in Phillip Island penguins](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-15/phillip-island-penguin-bird-flu/107042190) - A Phillip Island penguin has died from H5N1 bird flu in the first detection among the island's little penguin colony, ahead of vaccinations beginning on Monday.
- [Burnham announces £65m for drought-hit farmers after Labour pressure](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/14/andy-burnham-climate-response-drought-hit-farmers-labour-pressure) - PM steps up climate response with measures including better water access and support for building farm reservoirsFarmers must not carry the risks of the climate crisis alone, Andy Burnham has said, as he announced £65m of funding to help them manage the devastating drought.The prime minister is stepping up his response to the immediate climate
- [Burnham criticised for EV and North Sea approach amid climate crisis](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/14/andy-burnham-new-ev-sales-targets) - Cut in electric vehicle sales targets could add millions of tonnes of CO2 to emissions in UK, say green campaignersAndy Burnham has been criticised for moving to cut electric vehicle (EV) sales targets and accept North Sea drilling at a time of devastating wildfires caused by the climate emergency.The prime minister for the first time
- [The pioneering female botanical artists you may never have heard of](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-15/history-of-women-botanical-illustrators/106787474) - Female botanical illustrators have translated the science of our landscapes for centuries, today the craft is as important as ever.
- [Iberian orca known for ramming boats seen with suspected gunshot wounds](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/14/iberian-orca-known-for-ramming-boats-seen-with-suspected-gunshot-wounds) - Marine conservationist says deliberate attack would be ‘act of extreme cruelty’ against endangered populationSpanish officials have launched an investigation after the matriarch of an orca pod known for jostling and ramming boats off the Iberian Peninsula was spotted with wounds suggesting she had been shot by a pellet gun.On Friday, Spain’s environment ministry said Toñi,
- [The Great Barrier Reef isn’t dead yet. According to News Corp that makes climate science a ‘pseudo-religion’ | Temperature Check](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/15/the-great-barrier-reef-isnt-dead-yet-according-to-news-corp-that-makes-climate-science-a-pseudo-religion) - ‘High coral cover is evidence of recovery and resilience, not evidence that the disturbances causing mortality didn’t happen,’ scientist saysSign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereThe Australian newspaper appeared to think it had a slam-dunk this week with a front page story pointing to official government data which
- [Breathtaking finalists from the Ocean Photographer of the Year awards](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-14/ocean-photographer-of-the-year-2026-finalists/107036498) - A pair of orcas working in tandem and a monk seal resting with its week-old pup are among the finalists of this year's Ocean Photographer of the Year competition.
- [Storms of dust and sand are another sign our climate is changing. Two experts explain](https://theconversation.com/storms-of-dust-and-sand-are-another-sign-our-climate-is-changing-two-experts-explain-288204) - Imagine you wake up one morning and look out your window. You see a sky of red, hear a ferocious blast of wind and watch as tree branches creak and crack. No, the apocalypse has not descended on your local neighbourhood. You’ve just been caught in the middle of a dust storm. These storms form
- [Farmers 'very nervous', poultry show cancelled as bird flu reaches Tasmania](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-14/hobart-poultry-pigeon-show-cancelled-over-bird-flu-fears/107034338) - The detection of the deadly strain of bird flu in Tasmania has triggered tighter biosecurity controls on farms and wildlife sanctuaries and the cancellation of a major bird show.
- [New UN plastic treaty is going backwards, experts say](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/13/new-un-plastic-treaty-going-backwards-experts) - NGOs say agreement held back by tenuous human health commitments and lobbying from plastic industryThe latest version of the long overdue plastic treaty is even less ambitious than the previous one, according to experts.A year after UN plastics treaty negotiations collapsed in Geneva in 2025, diplomats met informally in Nairobi between 30 June and 3
- [Fossils show huge carbon emissions harm forests, not ‘green the planet’](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/13/forests-carbon-dioxide-emissions) - Study of 56m-year-old leaves counters claims from Trump administration members of ‘benefits’ of fossil fuel pollutionAdding huge quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is set to cause the Earth’s forests to wither and die rather than flourish, according to a new study that counters erroneous claims that fossil fuel pollution will green the planet.An
- [MotoGP track will 'irrevocably' change parklands, Adelaide mayor says](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-13/motogp-track-design-release-triggers-parklands-impact-concern/107034776) - The proposed design of the Adelaide street circuit that will host the Australian MotoGP from 2027 will be publicly released in the coming weeks, prompting Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith to sound a warning.
- [Safe havens protect Australian mammals from invasive predators. Why aren’t they working for other animal groups?](https://theconversation.com/safe-havens-protect-australian-mammals-from-invasive-predators-why-arent-they-working-for-other-animal-groups-289228) - Feral cats and foxes now roam across almost all of Australia. These predators are a major reason why many species have been driven to extinction. In response, conservation groups and authorities have turned to safe havens – islands or large fenced-off areas on land. Well known havens include Newhaven in the Northern Territory and Faure
- [Did you know there’s a vast reef network off the north coast of Australia? Few do – and that’s a problem](https://theconversation.com/did-you-know-theres-a-vast-reef-network-off-the-north-coast-of-australia-few-do-and-thats-a-problem-288930) - Australia is famous for its coral reefs, including the Great Barrier Reef on the east coast and Ningaloo Reef in the west. Both World Heritage-listed reefs attract thousands of visitors each year. But there’s another vast network of coral reefs in Australia that few people know about. More than 1,000 uncharted northern coral reefs were
- [NZ’s new flood maps are missing a hidden threat – the water quietly rising from below](https://theconversation.com/nzs-new-flood-maps-are-missing-a-hidden-threat-the-water-quietly-rising-from-below-288791) - The latest update of nationwide flood maps, to be released next year, will give communities across New Zealand the clearest picture yet of the regional risk of flooding. But as it stands, this state-of-the-art tool leaves out a critical piece of the puzzle: the water table in shallow coastal aquifers, which fluctuates with the seasons
- [Marine heatwaves are cooking our ocean ecosystems – and will only become more common](https://theconversation.com/marine-heatwaves-are-cooking-our-ocean-ecosystems-and-will-only-become-more-common-288400) - You may have heard reports of fish die-offs or seen photos of hauntingly bleached coral. Those are just two signs a marine heatwave has swept through the sea. Marine heatwaves happen when the ocean remains abnormally hot for an extended period. While they may be invisible from the shore, their impacts can wreak havoc underwater
- [Storm Boy made Mr Percival famous. Now pelicans like him are under threat](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-13/pelicans-avian-bird-flu-coorong-storm-boy-threatened/107012824) - As the 50th anniversary of the release of the original Storm Boy movie approaches, it is estimated up to 70 per cent of adult pelicans in breeding colonies could be wiped out to the first wave of H5N1 bird flu.
- ['Lawnmower' patterns of Chinese research vessel raising suspicions in Pacific](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-13/chinese-research-vessels-spark-alarm-in-palau/107001038) - The strange patterns of Chinese research vessels in the Pacific have raised suspicions China is gathering intelligence for a potential conflict.
- [Burnham to consider ban on disposable barbecues as wildfires rage in UK](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/aug/12/andy-burnham-ban-disposable-barbecues-wildfires-uk) - PM to look at imposing restriction on devices in public spaces, though campaigners fear it does not go far enoughThe government will look at banning disposable barbecues as wildfires continue to rage across the UK, Andy Burnham has said.Disposable barbecues have been the cause of a number of serious fires over the last few years,
- [Male redback spiders invite cannibalism through a ‘self-sacrificial somersault’ during sex – but why?](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/12/male-redback-spiders-invite-cannibalism-through-a-self-sacrificial-somersault-during-sex-but-why) - New research sheds light on the genetic basis of the venomous arachnid’s ‘weird mating behaviour’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIf you think you’ve had a bad one-night stand, spare a thought for the male redback spider, whose sole reproductive partner eats him
- [Soursob weed is a persistent curse – but it can be beaten. Here’s how](https://theconversation.com/soursob-weed-is-a-persistent-curse-but-it-can-be-beaten-heres-how-288924) - When you are out and about at this time of year in many parts of Australia, a cold and sometimes drab winter is relieved by a blaze of brilliant yellow: soursob. It can look pretty, but sadly it’s an introduced weed that should have nothing to do with an Australian winter. Soursob, Oxalis pes-caprae, is
- [These 5 charts show how far rooftop solar and home batteries can take us – and why we still need the grid](https://theconversation.com/these-5-charts-show-how-far-rooftop-solar-and-home-batteries-can-take-us-and-why-we-still-need-the-grid-276184) - Australian homes and cities are increasingly producing and storing their own power. After two decades of growth, solar panels are now on the rooftops of one in three Australian homes. And home batteries have surged after the Australian government began offering subsidies last year. Around 450,000 batteries had been installed by the end of 2025
- [‘Climate whiplash’ is not simply a buzzword, but a symptom of a warming planet](https://theconversation.com/climate-whiplash-is-not-simply-a-buzzword-but-a-symptom-of-a-warming-planet-288515) - What flashes to mind when you hear the word “whiplash”? Perhaps you picture someone’s head rocking back and forth during a car crash – a jarring and often painful experience. Climate whiplash is no different. Scientists use the terms “weather whiplash” and “climate whiplash” to describe dramatic swings between different kinds of extreme weather. And
- [Fire is both friend and foe for Australia's wildflowers](https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2026-08-12/australian-flowers-love-hate-relationship-with-fire-heating-up/106732114) - Many of Australia's floral species have evolved over millions of years alongside fire, but are bushfires becoming too frequent for some flowers to survive?
- [Summer 2026 on course to be UK’s hottest on record, says Met Office – as it happened](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/live/2026/aug/11/uk-europe-france-heatwave-climate-crisis-drought-amber-health-alert-latest-updates-news) - Prediction comes amid warning of ‘extreme heat’ this week with temperatures of 38C possibleThe Guardian’s environment editor, Fiona Harvey, has written a useful explainer about the UK public services that are struggling in the extreme weather. You can read it in full here:There’s only one solution in the end to the drought now declared across
- [‘Subsidies for fossil fuels ... are pouring fuel on the fire’: your questions on fossil fuel profits and the climate crisis answered](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/live/2026/aug/11/reader-qa-ask-our-reporters-anything-about-fossil-fuel-profits-and-the-climate-crisis) - Reporters Jillian Ambrose and Damian Carrington discussed their story on oil firms’ profits amid the war in Iran and the climate crisis and answered your related questionsPCMcGarry asks: Given the facts that we live on a collection of islands and that tides are predictable, what serious efforts have been made to harness sea power and
- [Small but promising signs of recovery on Great Barrier Reef](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-11/great-barrier-reef-small-signs-recovery/107025118) - Surveys show coral cover increased in several parts of the reef, partly due to monsoons bringing cooler weather.
- [Reef relief: how a late summer monsoon helped cool the Great Barrier Reef at just the right time](https://theconversation.com/reef-relief-how-a-late-summer-monsoon-helped-cool-the-great-barrier-reef-at-just-the-right-time-289147) - Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is a true natural wonder: a unique and diverse underwater seascape the size of a small country. However, cycles of disturbance and recovery threaten to turn its colourful coral gardens into algal-dominated seascapes – then back again. And these cycles are becoming more volatile as our world warms. At the Australian
- [Can the searing European summer put climate action back on the agenda – or will disaster response take over?](https://theconversation.com/can-the-searing-european-summer-put-climate-action-back-on-the-agenda-or-will-disaster-response-take-over-289151) - Intense heat, unprecedented wildfires and savage droughts have hit Europe hard this northern summer. More than 25,000 people have died from the heat, while hundreds of thousands have been evacuated. Farmers in the United Kingdom have warned of possible shortages of some foods if the drought continues. The Rhine River has fallen to record low
- [What causes those electric-blue flashes at the local boat ramp?](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-11/what-causes-bioluminescence-brisbane-dinoflagellates/107016454) - Videos posted on social media have Brisbane residents heading out to get a glimpse of neon-blue bioluminescence. But what causes it, and is finding it more than blind luck?
- [Greyhound badly injured in race supporting Tasmanian industry](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-11/tas-greyhound-injured-in-nsw-we-stand-with-tasmania-race/107016384) - Greyhound races held under the name "We Stand With Tasmania", in support of the state's embattled industry, have featured a number of dog fall incidents which have been scrubbed from the record.
- [Martin Rowson on the drought and Britain’s water companies – cartoon](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2026/aug/10/martin-rowson-drought-britain-water-companies-cartoon) - Continue reading...
- [Australia is home to the only mass cuttlefish gathering in the world. This year these giants didn’t return](https://theconversation.com/australia-is-home-to-the-only-mass-cuttlefish-gathering-in-the-world-this-year-these-giants-didnt-return-288940) - This year’s cuttlefish season has been unlike any other. Every winter, more than 100,000 giant Australian cuttlefish can usually be found mating along the rocky coastline of Point Lowly, northeast of Whyalla, South Australia. They put on shapeshifting, colourful displays in their attempts to attract a mate. This is the only cuttlefish aggregation in the
- [World’s seas have hit hottest temperature on record for July, say scientists](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/10/global-seas-hottest-temperature-july-scientists) - Average sea surface temperature outside polar regions was highest on record for July, beating previous high in 2023The world’s seas were hotter last month than in any July on record, scientists have said, as devastating heat struck western Europe.Sea surface temperatures hit record highs for July on the Atlantic coast and western Mediterranean, the EU’s
- [Falkland Islanders call for referendum on plans for massive salmon farm](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/09/falkland-islands-referendum-salmon-farm) - The 3,500 population is divided over the venture, which would bring investment and jobs, but critics claim the environmental cost would be too highIt is among the world’s last pristine wildernesses, with unique coastal waters rich in krill and squid that attract sea lions, elephant seals, dolphins and whales, and where penguins, of which there
- [Plastics contamination an ‘overlooked’ concern in food waste schemes, experts say](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/09/plastics-pollution-food-waste-landfill-recycling-research) - Researchers find microplastics can persist in compost, leaching into agricultural soilsPlastic contamination should be a central concern in efforts to deal with food waste, which campaigners call one of the most overlooked problems of the climate crisis, researchers have said.This is despite the fact that, as the chef, author and activist Max La Manna puts
- [Bilbies released into Qld national park where they were once extinct](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-09/once-extinct-150-bilbies-released-currawinya-national-park-qld/107012992) - With the population booming inside a predator-proof fence, conservationists have set the bilbies free. But can they survive on the outside?
- [Flowers blooming, birds swooping amid unusually warm 'sprinter'](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-09/nsw-unusually-warm-winter-brings-early-blooms-magpies/107008174) - An early magpie swooping season, underwhelming ski season and canola crops blooming a month in advance are some signs of an unusually warm winter across NSW.
- [Everything you need to know about Australia's bird flu surge](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-09/everything-you-need-to-know-about-australias-bird-flu-surge/106998006) - There are more than a hundred confirmed cases of the deadly H5N1 bird flu strain across Australia. Here's how it spreads and what to know.
- [Nazi shipwrecks emerge from the depths as Europe’s Danube dries up](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/08/nazi-shipwrecks-emerge-europe-danube-dries-up-record-heat) - Unexploded ordnance and a military motorcycle also recovered following record heat and drought conditionsRecord-low water levels in the Danube have exposed remnants of Europe’s Nazi past, with dozens of second world war ships emerging from the riverbed during an intense drought.In the middle of the river on the Serbian and Romanian border, a broken-up hull
- [Scratch of the day: local football season postponed due to ‘rock hard’ pitches](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/08/scratch-of-the-day-local-football-season-postponed-due-to-rock-hard-pitches) - Drought and record heat have forced the Norfolk and Suffolk league to move kick-off to the end of August as the ground is deemed too dangerous to play onThis summer’s record drought has forced a football league to delay the start of its season because “rock hard” pitches are a danger to its players.The 2026/27
- ['Bad luck' for Australia's bird flu epicentre, but worse is to come](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-08/bird-flu-spreading-but-actions-can-help-protect-at-risk-animals/106994352) - South Australia has quickly become the country's hotspot for H5N1 bird flu and while the bulk of the cases are from coastal birds, what does a spread look like if it continues inland and crosses into other species?
- ['Once-in-a-lifetime' discovery found in a cave hidden beneath a paddock](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-08/elk-river-cave-explorers-buchan-victoria-odyssey/106696438) - There are very few places on Earth that remain untouched and unseen by humans. For true explorers, the final frontier is not a distant speck in the sky, it is the underground realm beneath our feet.
- [US cities expand cooling centers but struggle to get people inside](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/07/cooling-centers-us-extreme-heat) - More air-conditioned spaces are open during extreme heat, but distance, stigma and risk perception keep many awayResponding to an uptick in extreme heat waves this summer, US cities have increased their efforts to establish cooling centers to keep people safe but continue to encounter a problem: actually getting people to enter the public air-conditioned spaces.Lower-income
- [‘Walking sausage’: the giant stick insect that proves it’s not over till we give up](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/07/lord-howe-island-giant-stick-insect-tree-lobster-invertebrate-of-year-2026) - Also known as the tree lobster, this ultra-rare creature was inadvertently driven to the brink by European settlersRevealed: the top 10 invertebrates of the yearWhen small species are left alone to evolve for centuries on small islands, they often become larger. Quietly, over thousands of years, Dryococelus australis grew to a great size on Lord
- [Do dolphins grieve the way humans do?](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-07/grieving-dolphin-carries-calfs-body-for-eleven-days/107001910) - A dolphin mother has carried its calf's remains for 11 days in what researchers believe could potentially reveal something new about dolphin mourning.
- [I feel deep sadness about bird flu and environmental loss. Is this normal?](https://theconversation.com/i-feel-deep-sadness-about-bird-flu-and-environmental-loss-is-this-normal-289145) - Australia’s beloved animals are again under threat as the H5N1 strain of bird flu spreads, with more mass deaths expected. Scientists are bracing for another wave of ecological loss and are particularly concerned about rare and threatened species. It’s normal to find this news overwhelming, especially in the wake of a growing list of environmental
- [You might be buying the wrong home battery. Here’s how to tell](https://theconversation.com/you-might-be-buying-the-wrong-home-battery-heres-how-to-tell-288935) - Australia is installing home batteries at extraordinary speed. Around 600,000 homes now have one, and more than 400,000 batteries were installed in the 12 months to June 2026. This growth has largely been driven by the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program, which initially cut the upfront cost of eligible batteries by about 30%. This is
- [Ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz region may be biosecurity risks when they leave. What can we do?](https://theconversation.com/ships-stuck-in-the-strait-of-hormuz-region-may-be-biosecurity-risks-when-they-leave-what-can-we-do-288551) - The economic ramifications of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are much discussed. But so far, the risk of ecological damage following a long blockade of ships has been overlooked. Our recent research shows the more than 1,500 commercial vessels that have been laid up in the Persian/Arabian Gulf since February pose a significant
- [Australia has pledged to restore nature. But could we ever bring back lost ecosystems?](https://theconversation.com/australia-has-pledged-to-restore-nature-but-could-we-ever-bring-back-lost-ecosystems-286141) - Nature is not doing well in Australia. Many unique mammals, birds and insects are struggling. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. In response, the federal government signed a global pledge in 2022 to protect and restore nature. The global goal is to restore 30% of degraded ecosystems. But Australia only proposes to have “priority degraded areas […]
- [‘We expected it, but now it’s here’: on the frontline of Australia’s bird flu outbreak, people are distressed](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/07/we-expected-it-but-now-its-here-on-the-frontline-of-australias-bird-flu-outbreak-people-are-distressed) - As Australia prepares for the H5 bird flu to potentially rip through hundreds of species, residents of the Limestone Coast are already seeing the impactsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIt’s only been three weeks since H5 bird flu was detected on South Australia’s Limestone Coast, and already encounters with sick
- [All bodies of water in England polluted with toxic chemicals, official data shows](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/06/all-bodies-of-water-england-polluted-toxic-chemicals) - Environment Agency assessments find just 14.3% of country’s surface waters in good ecological statusEvery single English water body is polluted with toxic chemicals, new government data shows, while just 14.3% of surface waters achieved good ecological status.Each of the country’s rivers, lakes and estuaries was assessed by the Environment Agency as part of a six-yearly
- [Illegal dam on NSW blueberry farm attracts $130k in fines](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-06/bucca-blueberry-farmers-fined-for-illegal-dam/107003136) - The NSW Land and Environment Court fines two Mid North Coast blueberry farmers $100,000 for building an illegal dam, but they will not have to demolish it.
- [The world’s mangrove forests are bouncing back. That’s good news for our coasts and climate](https://theconversation.com/the-worlds-mangrove-forests-are-bouncing-back-thats-good-news-for-our-coasts-and-climate-288724) - Mangroves are perplexing plants. They breathe through their roots, appear to stand on stilts and grow best in hot, salty seawater drawn in and out by the tide. Historically, mangrove forests have been dismissed as inhospitable places to avoid and have been extensively cleared. But these fascinating trees are now gaining attention for how they
- [Family leaves behind 'beautiful' life in Tuvalu amid rising sea levels](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-06/tuvalu-climate-migrants-adjust-to-life-in-australia/106976264) - As rising sea levels affect their country, many Tuvaluans, including Poeva and Akesa's family, are making the tough decision to leave.
- [We don’t know how well threatened species fight off bird flu – but we need to](https://theconversation.com/we-dont-know-how-well-threatened-species-fight-off-bird-flu-but-we-need-to-288920) - Lethal bird flu is now spreading in Australia. This is bad news for many native species. New federal government analysis suggests close to one in five Australian bird and mammal species is at high, very high or extreme risk. But this risk assessment omits something vital – how genetically well-equipped the species is to fight
- [Why Australia should urgently vaccinate wildlife most at risk from H5N1 bird flu](https://theconversation.com/why-australia-should-urgently-vaccinate-wildlife-most-at-risk-from-h5n1-bird-flu-288912) - Australia has confirmed deadly H5N1 bird flu has been found in 102 wild seabirds across five states at the time of writing, including the country’s first mass death of birds. The question is no longer if this virus can harm Australian wildlife, but whether we should use every available tool to protect species most at
- [Adapting to global heating: which UK public services are struggling in hot weather?](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/05/global-heating-public-services-struggling-heatwaves) - As NHS told to prepare for extreme weather, strain also felt in other areas including transport and farmingNHS must prepare for annual summer heat pressures, says Yvette CooperThe NHS has been told it must become more resilient to increasingly frequent heatwaves supercharged by the climate crisis, as the UK government puts adaptation to extreme heat
- [Disabled people face greater climate change risks – and they can also help NZ adapt](https://theconversation.com/disabled-people-face-greater-climate-change-risks-and-they-can-also-help-nz-adapt-289141) - The impacts of a changing climate – from unprecedented rainfall and landslides to heatwaves fuelled by warming seas – are increasingly being felt across New Zealand. But that doesn’t mean they’re being shared equally. During the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods, in which an entire summer’s worth of rain fell in one day, the emergency
- [Alarming surge in bluetongue disease reported among UK sheep](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/05/bluetongue-disease-uk-sheep-rise) - Farmers advised to vaccinate after recent hot weather provides ideal conditions for virus-carrying midgesThere has been an alarming surge in the number of sheep affected by an outbreak of bluetongue in the UK, and farmers whose livestock are at risk are being urged to move them out of areas where midges are plentiful.The viral disease,
- [Butterflies are on the move as the planet warms: new research](https://theconversation.com/butterflies-are-on-the-move-as-the-planet-warms-new-research-287368) - Imagine spotting a butterfly species in your garden you have never seen before. You might take a photo and upload it to a citizen science app, or tell a local nature group about your new encounter. It feels like a small moment of joy. But if that butterfly has appeared in your backyard because its
- [The Danube river is so low that Nazi warships are emerging](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-05/danube-river-drought-reveals-ships-woolly-mammoth-energy-fears/106999692) - Europe's second-longest river is carrying less water than it has in decades, revealing shipwrecks and shutting down nuclear reactors.
- [Mass bird flu deaths drive attendance at community forum](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-05/robe-locals-concerned-after-mass-bird-flu-deaths/106969790) - As bird flu begins to spread among resident shorebirds, communities are coming to terms with the damage it may do.
- [We can help frogs beat a deadly disease. But can they still reproduce?](https://theconversation.com/we-can-help-frogs-beat-a-deadly-disease-but-can-they-still-reproduce-288085) - Many people are blissfully unaware the world’s frogs and amphibians are fighting their own deadly pandemic. In fact, this fungal disease – chytridiomycosis, or chytrid for short – is the worst wildlife disease on record. The chytrid fungus has caused the global extinction of 90 amphibian species and affected nearly 30% of all globally threatened
- [Bird flu decimated South America’s marine mammals. What can Australia do differently?](https://theconversation.com/bird-flu-decimated-south-americas-marine-mammals-what-can-australia-do-differently-288800) - Australia is now confronting an outbreak of a deadly bird flu strain. As of Monday, the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus had been detected in 78 wild birds across mainland Australia. Until now, there had been no evidence of a large-scale outbreak. But authorities have confirmed the first instance of mass death caused by H5N1 among
- [Powerless against bird flu? Not entirely. Here are 8 ways to help protect Australia’s birds and mammals](https://theconversation.com/powerless-against-bird-flu-not-entirely-here-are-8-ways-to-help-protect-australias-birds-and-mammals-288909) - The deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu has now spread from migratory birds to infect resident Australian birds. Clusters of dead birds have been found in several locations. The virus will inevitably infect other wildlife, most notably mammals. Death rates range from 75-100% in poultry and some wild bird species. There’s great uncertainty about how
- [We launched a war on nature. Now we are in a climate warzone | Rebecca Solnit](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/aug/04/summer-heat-climate-war-zone) - Summer is not what it once was. We have been robbed of one of life’s great joys Far beyond the fires raging across Europe and North America, the smoke, dangerous to breathe, hangs in the air, dimming the view, changing the very color of sunlight into something grimly unsettling.An estimated 20,000 are said to have
- [Three lions die at Japanese zoo amid extreme temperatures](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-04/three-lions-die-of-heatstroke-in-japan/106996674) - A Tokyo zoo has temporarily shut down its lion enclosure to the public as extreme heat claims three lions.
- [UK plastic ‘waste colonialism’ found to be polluting Turkey’s farming heartland](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/04/uk-plastic-waste-colonialism-recycling-exports-contaminating-water-crops-turkey) - A Guardian investigation finds irrigation canals polluted with microplastics in Turkey, a major destination for UK waste• ‘Nobody cares’: Turkish farmers bear the burden of UK’s plastic waste problemHigh levels of microplastics and other plastic contamination have been discovered in a waterway close to a major recycling hub in Turkey supplied with plastic waste by
- [Salmon farm releasing nutrients, but EPA says it's not causing algae](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-04/tassal-salmon-farming-lease-renewed-long-bay-tasmania/106994446) - The waters around Tassal's Long Bay fish farm near Port Arthur have signs of excess nutrients — including nuisance algae and seagrass loss. But the EPA has questioned if the fish farm is responsible, and extended its licence for two years.
- [Feral cats likely kill far more Australian native animals than we thought: first DNA analysis](https://theconversation.com/feral-cats-likely-kill-far-more-australian-native-animals-than-we-thought-first-dna-analysis-287871) - Australia’s unique animal species are in sharp decline, with more than 40 mammal extinctions over the past 238 years. This atrocious mammal conservation record is the worst in the world. Unfortunately, this is not simply a historic problem – almost 700 animals are currently at risk of future extinction. At least 200 of these are
- [Neil the seal merch site taken down after questions about donation claim](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-04/neil-seal-merch-website-claim-donate-conservation-removed/106978138) - The website claimed to donate a percentage of its profits to marine wildlife conservation, but the listed organisations say no partnership exists. The website also advertised artwork designed by "a talented local Tasmanian artist" which OpenAI detected was actually AI generated.
- [Calls to scrap NSW emergency services levy as insurance costs rise](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-04/calls-to-scrap-esl-levy-in-nsw-as-insurance-costs-rise/106917610) - New South Wales is the only jurisdiction to fund emergency services through a tax on insurance premiums. Home owners and industry stakeholders want that changed.
- [Rebecca Hendin on Britain’s air con debate – cartoon](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2026/aug/03/rebecca-hendin-on-britains-air-con-debate-cartoon) - Continue reading...
- [July was driest month in southern England since records began](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/03/july-driest-month-southern-england-since-records-began) - England and Wales provisionally record driest July in nearly 200 years, Met Office saysJuly 2026 was the driest month in southern England since records began nearly 200 years ago, the Met Office has said.England and Wales also provisionally recorded their driest July since records began in 1836. Wales had its joint warmest July on record
- [Australia has long relied on volunteers and wildlife carers. As bird flu spreads, they will need support](https://theconversation.com/australia-has-long-relied-on-volunteers-and-wildlife-carers-as-bird-flu-spreads-they-will-need-support-288389) - Australia had years to prepare for the arrival of bird flu. The deadly, highly transmissible H5N1 strain emerged in late 2020 in Asia, before spreading to every other continent bar Australia. After the first case was confirmed in Western Australia on June 19, federal Environment Minister Murray Watt claimed the nation was well prepared. Preparations
- [Birds messing up your garden mulch? Why I’d think twice before reaching for the mulch glue](https://theconversation.com/birds-messing-up-your-garden-mulch-why-id-think-twice-before-reaching-for-the-mulch-glue-288076) - I love my garden mulch and I love the way birds forage in it. I love the mess this causes, and I love periodically using my broom and rake to return some order to things. To me, this meditative, cyclical interaction with nature is at the heart of gardening. However, some of us want a
- [Gliders were thought to eat swift parrots. Cameras showed something different](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-03/sugar-gliders-and-swift-parrot-research/106977362) - For over a decade, sugar gliders have been considered a major threat to the critically endangered swift parrot. But new research has called that into question.
- [Britain could face food shortages as drought continues, farmers warn](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/02/britain-food-shortages-drought-continues-farmers) - Farmers battle to salvage what they can of their crops as heatwave set to continueBritain could face shortages of certain foods after punishing drought in parts of England, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has warned as a heatwave was forecast to continue into next week.The UK’s Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued heat health alerts
- [Solar powers record share of Britain’s electricity mix in July](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/02/solar-powers-record-share-britain-electricity-july) - Farms and rooftop panels contribute 14.4% to the grid – and figures reveal a surge in new installationsSolar energy supplied more power to Great Britain’s grid in July than in any previous month as households turned to rooftop panels to cut their energy bills.Solar farms and rooftop panels provided 14.4% of the country’s electricity after
- [Fears shared on Australia reaching bleak milestone in spread of H5 bird flu](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-02/sa-bird-flu-concern/106987886) - There are fears Australia has reached a bleak milestone in the spread of H5 bird flu, following the discovery of a large group of dead and sick birds off South Australia's coast on Friday.
- [The warning signs are over: Australia now faces a devastating bird flu outbreak in wildlife](https://theconversation.com/the-warning-signs-are-over-australia-now-faces-a-devastating-bird-flu-outbreak-in-wildlife-288889) - The spread of H5N1 birdflu is worsening. At the time of writing, Australia has 53 confirmed detections in wild seabirds across five states. In South Australia there are 39 confirmed cases, including a silver gull at Robe and 19 greater crested terns found along the Limestone Coast and Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island. South Australian
- [The case for a blatantly discriminatory Australian voting system](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/aug/02/the-case-for-a-blatantly-discriminatory-australian-voting-system) - Older Australians are overrepresented in every sphere of life, from politics to the economy and media … and they’re living longer. It’s time we stack the deck in favour of young people. Here’s howAs someone nearing 60, I can confidently say my generation, and older generations, have been very good at tilting the policy playing
- ['We're blowing this thing into the harbour': 50 years since woodchip bombing](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-02/50-years-since-bunbury-woodchip-bombing/106925942) - A stolen car full of explosives, a hostage held at gunpoint, and a plan gone awry. Inside the anti-woodchip bombing at WA's Bunbury port in 1976.
- [Climate scientist caught up in Europe's 'dystopian' summer](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-02/europe-fires-fingerprints-of-climate-change/106967040) - Stefan Rahmstorf was holidaying in southern France when he came face to face with the climate future he has tried to fight.
- [Trawlers sit idle as tiger prawn season gets underway](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-01/record-low-number-of-trawlers-sail-for-npf-tiger-prawn-season/106979310) - The tiger prawn season is underway in Australia's far north, but the number of trawlers operating this year has sunk to a record low.
- [India’s monsoon rains in danger as UN chief warns planet is ‘on fire’](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/31/india-monsoon-el-nino-hot-dry-conditions-meteorologists) - António Guterres says strengthening El Niño will help push the world’s climate crisis into ‘uncharted territory’India’s monsoon is in danger and hotter, drier conditions are forecast across much of the world as a stronger El Niño weather system is taking hold, weather experts have warned.António Guterres, the UN secretary general, said the strengthening El Niño
- [New solar panels in Great Britain at 15-year high as fossil fuel costs soar](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/31/new-solar-panels-great-britain-15-year-high) - Boom in solar farms and home installations in first half of 2026 began shortly after start of US-Israel war against IranGreat Britain has recorded more new solar power installations in the first half of this year than in any six-month period since 2011, as households turn to rooftop panels to help cut their energy bills.An
- [NT chief minister pledges future for remote town after Rio Tinto closure](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-31/lia-finocchiaro-rio-tinto-gove-peninsula-garma-mining/106980606) - Lia Finocchiaro uses her first Garma Festival speech to promise land and fuel security in north-east Arnhem Land after its main employer, Rio Tinto, leaves town.
- [Australia’s fuel discount is ending. What does this mean for petrol prices?](https://theconversation.com/australias-fuel-discount-is-ending-what-does-this-mean-for-petrol-prices-288279) - Australians are bracing for more pain at the fuel pump, with the federal government set to scrap its fuel excise discount this Sunday. The government has confirmed the full fuel excise – a flat tax on petrol and diesel bought at the bowser – will kick in again at midnight on August 2. In February,
- [Data centres are power hungry – but they don’t have to be a burden on NZ’s grid](https://theconversation.com/data-centres-are-power-hungry-but-they-dont-have-to-be-a-burden-on-nzs-grid-287954) - The artificial intelligence boom is driving a global expansion in data centres – and with it, public debate over their heavy demand for power, water and land. Increasingly, governments are weighing their economic benefits against concerns about pressure on electricity grids, local communities and the environment. That debate has now reached Aotearoa New Zealand. Singapore-based
- [Record low water levels across Europe reveal mammoth skeletons and forgotten shipwrecks – video](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2026/jul/30/europe-record-low-water-levels) - Water levels across several of Europe’s major waterways have dropped to exceptionally low levels, setting new records in some areas.Extreme heat exacerbated by the climate crisis is intensifying the drought hitting the continent as record-breaking heatwaves means the hot atmosphere is evaporating water from rivers, lakes, soils and plants quickly.The Danube has hit the lowest
- [Wetlands are crucial food baskets for NZ’s native eels – new research](https://theconversation.com/wetlands-are-crucial-food-baskets-for-nzs-native-eels-new-research-286126) - Conservation projects often focus on protecting a threatened species from predators and habitat destruction. But as our research shows, restoring food webs can be as important to supporting ongoing recovery. This may require ecological restoration of several sites that connect an endangered species with its food. Our recent study focused on Waituna Lagoon, a site
- [Falls in whale sightings, rare seabirds appearing – is something unusual happening in the Southern Ocean?](https://theconversation.com/falls-in-whale-sightings-rare-seabirds-appearing-is-something-unusual-happening-in-the-southern-ocean-287961) - In late June, whale watchers in southwest Western Australia sounded the alarm. They had seen far fewer humpback whales at a time when they normally migrate up from the Southern Ocean to calve and feed. Numbers were 60% below normal. A week later, birdwatchers spotted a “once in a lifetime event” as large numbers of
- [We revisited a forest experiment that lay forgotten for 30 years. What we found was astounding](https://theconversation.com/we-revisited-a-forest-experiment-that-lay-forgotten-for-30-years-what-we-found-was-astounding-288105) - What’s the best way to manage a forest? Australians have argued about this for decades. The debate is often framed as binary: do we protect forests entirely, or harvest trees to support local economies and communities? The reality is more interesting, as our new research on a long-forgotten experiment in Victoria’s mountain ash forests reveals.
- [Fifteen elephant deaths at Kenya park may be due to cyanide poisoning](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/30/elephant-deaths-kenya-park-cyanide-poisoning-wildlife) - Analysis of samples collected from carcasses found traces of toxic chemical compound, says Kenya Wildlife ServiceThe recent deaths of 15 elephants near a park in southern Kenya in the past month were likely caused by the animals ingesting pesticides used on nearby tomato farms, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has said.Erustus Kanga, the agency’s director
- [England on track for record heat-related deaths this summer, official data shows](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/30/excess-deaths-caused-by-heatwaves-in-england-almost-double-so-far-this-year) - UKHSA estimates 2,877 fatalities during heatwaves in May and June, almost twice that recorded in 2025 seasonEngland is on track to record its highest ever number of heat-related deaths this summer after the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced that an estimated 2,877 people had died in the May and June heatwaves.The record was set
- [Hopes for renewed Australian helium production after SA extraction](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-30/australian-helium-production-hopes-after-sa-extraction/106975642) - Helium has been produced in Australia for the first time since 2023, on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula.
- [Dog euthanised after attacking child in Bunnings](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-30/young-girl-in-hospital-after-dog-attack-in-bunnings-store/106977418) - A young girl is in hospital after being attacked by a dog inside a Bunnings in regional Victoria.
- [Should Australia's Ancient Forests Be Logged at All? The New Battle for Tasmania's Giant trees](https://www.thebeats.org/2026/07/31/should-australias-ancient-forests-be-logged-at-all-the-new-battle-for-tasmanias-giant-trees/) - Towering above the forest floor for centuries, some of Tasmania's giant eucalyptus trees were already old when European explorers first arrived on Australian shores.
- [Scabies can kill animals like the beloved wombat. What’s the best way to diagnose it?](https://theconversation.com/scabies-can-kill-animals-like-the-beloved-wombat-whats-the-best-way-to-diagnose-it-288098) - Constant scratching, bumpy skin and tufts of lost fur. Those are just some of the signs an animal has scabies, a severe and potentially fatal skin disease caused by tiny mites (Sarcoptes scabiei) that burrow into skin. In humans, scabies most commonly presents as an itchy skin rash. Just this month, an outbreak of a
- [Flash droughts pull ‘alarming’ amounts of moisture from the landscape and intensify wildfires: new research](https://theconversation.com/flash-droughts-pull-alarming-amounts-of-moisture-from-the-landscape-and-intensify-wildfires-new-research-287879) - When catastrophic wildfires capture global headlines, such as the unprecedented blazes sweeping through southern Europe this summer or the devastating 2019–20 “Black Summer” in Australia, they are almost always preceded by severe drought. Dry vegetation and parched landscapes are necessary ingredients for infernos. But not all droughts are created equal – the way a drought
- [TfL brings case worth up to £1bn against carmakers over Ulez compliance](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/29/tfl-1bn-pound-case-carmakers-diesel-ulez-compliance) - Transport for London claims polluting diesel vehicles had been able to enter clean air zone without having to payTransport for London is pursuing a potential £1bn legal action against car manufacturers over vehicles that it argues should not have been allowed to drive freely in the capital’s clean-air zone.The high court heard that TfL was
- [The population of an endangered Australian bat suddenly dropped by up to 16%. No one knows why](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/30/southern-bent-wing-bat-population-decline) - Exclusive: Scientists say about 5,000 fewer southern bent-wing bats have been recorded at a key maternity site for the speciesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA sudden decline in critically endangered bats is troubling experts, who recorded about 5,000 fewer southern bent-wing bats than usual at Naracoorte’s “bat cave” this summer.These
- [Drone captures rare video of 'magical moment' whale birth](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-29/humpback-whale-birth-filmed-kingscliff-new-south-wales/106969926) - A drone operator has captured video of a humpback whale giving birth, one of only a handful of people to film the phenomenon.
- [Australia hasn’t built an oil refinery in decades. But that could change](https://theconversation.com/australia-hasnt-built-an-oil-refinery-in-decades-but-that-could-change-288497) - The Australian government this week announced plans to construct a new large-scale oil refinery in Western Australia. If approved, it would be the first refinery to be built since the 1960s. The federal government initially touted the idea of a government-backed oil refinery in April. In the months since, Australians have grappled with surging petrol
- [‘The fire has such power’: why the wildfires gripping France and Spain are off the charts](https://theconversation.com/the-fire-has-such-power-why-the-wildfires-gripping-france-and-spain-are-off-the-charts-288507) - Hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes in southwestern France and Spain as extreme wildfires intensify. At least three people have died, including two firefighters. Many houses have been lost. While this region is no stranger to fire, our analysis shows these wildfires are off the charts. A very hot summer primed many
- [Whale sharks are serial snackers, dorsal fin cameras reveal](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-29/whale-shark-feeding-habits-ningaloo-reef-study/106943584) - Footage taken from the perspective of whale sharks on Ningaloo Reef uncovers previously unknown feeding behaviours of the world's biggest fish.
- [Media coverage of environmental disasters doesn’t come with a content warning. It’s time for change](https://theconversation.com/media-coverage-of-environmental-disasters-doesnt-come-with-a-content-warning-its-time-for-change-286564) - Since South Australia’s toxic algal bloom started to kill millions of marine organisms in March 2025, the media has been filled with images of dead and suffering coasts, plants and animals. There have been countless reports of people experiencing health effects and pets suffering symptoms, from wheezing to gastrointestinal problems. The bloom has been described
- [Could ‘Godzilla’ El Niño bring the hottest year on record? – video explainer](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2026/jul/28/godzilla-el-nino-hottest-year-on-record-video-explainer) - The Earth keeps getting hotter and experts fear this year's El Niño, nicknamed 'Godzilla' because of its predicted intensity, could raise global temperatures by up to 3.6C. Environment correspondent Damien Gayle spoke to climate scientists to understand how the weather phenomenon and the climate crisis pose a huge threat to the planet‘Super’ El Niño could
- [Batteries are getting cheaper while gas gets pricier. Here’s why](https://theconversation.com/batteries-are-getting-cheaper-while-gas-gets-pricier-heres-why-287956) - Last summer, Australia’s electricity grid underwent a quiet but consequential shift. Across the east coast, gas-fired power stations – long viewed as the only way to keep the grid functioning on our hottest or coldest days – barely ran. The amount of energy generated by fossil gas this year dropped to its lowest point in
- [‘We have lost everything’: extreme rainfall across Asia brings flash floods and typhoons](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/28/extreme-rainfall-asia-flash-floods-typhoons-climate-change) - From Afghanistan to Taiwan, unprecedented deluge highlights devastating impact of climate breakdown“It rained for 10 days and 10 nights, non-stop – I’d never seen anything like it,” says Anar Gul, a construction worker who lives in the remote district of Dur Baba in eastern Afghanistan.The houses in his village are built from stone and mud,
- [Pest control body issues controversial call to cull feral horses in WA](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-28/invasive-species-council-wa-feral-horse-cull/106888910) - Manjimup residents question a call to cull brumbies at Lake Muir, arguing wild pigs are a much more urgent problem.
- [Fire can destroy peatlands. But in Australia, it can also help protect them](https://theconversation.com/fire-can-destroy-peatlands-but-in-australia-it-can-also-help-protect-them-287374) - Peatlands are the unsung heroes of nature. These ancient wetlands form when dead and decaying plants partly decompose in wet, low-oxygen conditions. Over thousands of years, this plant material builds up and turns into a dark, soil-like substance known as peat. Brazil, Indonesia and central Africa’s Congo Basin are all famous for their peatlands. Australia
- [PM urged to uphold climate pledges made as mayor and ban new North Sea oil drilling](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/27/burnham-climate-pledge-greater-manchester-mayor-ban-new-north-sea-oil-drilling) - Experts who helped Burnham draw up Manchester carbon neutral pledge say backtracking would send wrong message amid wildfires and heatwavesLeading climate scientists who created Greater Manchester’s carbon neutral by 2038 commitment are urging Andy Burnham to unequivocally reject new drilling in the North Sea.In a letter to the prime minister they said he, as mayor
- [Man fined $31k after botched smuggling attempt kills 55 reptiles](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-27/man-fined-for-botched-lizard-smuggling-wa-to-nsw/106962820) - A New South Wales man has been given a significant fine after attempting to export 65 wild reptiles out of WA estimated to be worth up to $1.3 million.
- [Video shows croc appearing to follow group at infamous Cahills Crossing](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-27/nt-cahills-crossing-crocodile-video-warnings-against-complacency/106961932) - A video of a large saltwater crocodile appearing to follow a group of people at the infamous Cahills Crossing in Kakadu has sparked renewed warnings for spectators to follow the rules and not be complacent about the risks.
- [Has the government failed to protect Torres Strait culture from rising seas? The full Federal Court is about to decide](https://theconversation.com/has-the-government-failed-to-protect-torres-strait-culture-from-rising-seas-the-full-federal-court-is-about-to-decide-287687) - In the Torres Strait, sea levels are rising twice as fast as the global average. Scientists predict several low-lying islands in the Torres Strait will be uninhabitable by 2050 if global warming continues on its current trajectory. In 2021, two Torres Strait Islander elders, Uncle Pabai Pabai and Uncle Paul Kabai, filed the first-ever negligence
- [Seawall ruling may set erosion precedent for NSW beaches](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-27/court-rules-in-favour-of-seawall-for-central-coast-beach/106961232) - Beachside residents at The Entrance North can start building their own seawall after a court ruling that may set a precedent for the entire NSW coastline.
- [‘A new trajectory’: EVs now almost quarter of Australia’s new car sales as fuel crisis bites](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/27/australia-ev-car-sales-electric-vehicles-fuel-crisis-plug-in-hybrids) - More electric vehicles sold in first half of 2026 than whole of last year, new data showsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralians bought more electric vehicles in the first six months of 2026 than the whole of the previous year, new data
- [With contentious fisheries reforms on hold, should NZ rethink bottom trawling?](https://theconversation.com/with-contentious-fisheries-reforms-on-hold-should-nz-rethink-bottom-trawling-288087) - The government’s controversial Fisheries Amendment Bill has reignited debate over New Zealand’s most common – and most controversial – commercial fishing method. Bottom trawling involves commercial fishing boats dragging large, heavy nets across the seafloor. It is the most widespread source of human disturbance to the global seabed. Around New Zealand, marine scientists have documented
- [Every new UK home should have air conditioning, say Liberal Democrats](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/26/every-new-home-should-have-air-conditioning-say-liberal-democrats) - Exclusive: Party says housing stock ‘woefully unprepared’ for extreme heat and new rules for builders must be setAll new UK homes should be built with air conditioning to cope with the effects of the climate crisis, according to the Liberal Democrats.The party says British homes are dangerously unsuited to rising temperatures, meaning passive cooling measures
- [Millions of WA bees trucked across Nullarbor to save South Australian almonds](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-26/bees-sent-from-wa-to-varroa-mite-ravaged-sa-almond-pollination/106959770) - "Humming" road trains deliver millions of WA bees to varroa mite-ravaged South Australia to help pollinate almond trees.
- [First H5 bird flu case confirmed on SA metro beach](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-26/first-sa-metro-beach-bird-flu-case-confirmed/106959832) - The CSIRO says two native birds found dead on separate beaches in South Australia have tested positive for the H5 strain of bird flu. It's the first time a case has been confirmed on a SA metropolitan beach.
- [Clean energy investment is facing headwinds. Could superannuation help?](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-26/superannuation-renewable-energy-investment-funding-gap/106842116) - Australian super funds manage $4.5 trillion in retirement savings, but directing some of that war chest towards the clean energy transition could be more difficult than it seems.
- [Scorching US heatwave to hit 70 million people with third ‘heat dome’ in month](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/25/scorching-us-heat-wave) - Temperatures of 95-105F (35-40C) are expected, spanning Gulf of Mexico coast to the Great Plains and the midwestAbout 70 million people in the US are set to face excessive heat advisories as dangerously hot temperatures scorch much of the country’s southern and central states.The third major “heat dome” event to hit the US in the
- [Almost 75% of England’s riverbanks ‘off limits’ to public, figures show](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/25/almost-75-percent-england-riverbanks-off-limits-to-public) - Campaigners urge government to introduce right of access to water, particularly as heatwaves become more commonAlmost three-quarters of riverbanks in England have no public access, according to data released by the Right to Roam campaign.Across the country, the public cannot use riverbanks or gain access to the rivers themselves in most of the river catchments
- [Herbicide banned in 70 countries to be pulled from sale in Australia by chemical maker](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/25/herbicide-parkinsons-disease-paraquat-pulled-from-sale-australia-syngenta) - Syngenta says it will stop selling paraquat in Australia after new regulations on chemical linked to Parkinson’s diseaseGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSyngenta, the producer of a herbicide banned in more than 70 countries and which has been linked to Parkinson’s disease, will stop selling paraquat in Australia, saying new
- [Here's what you need to know about Woodside's Federal Court case](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-25/what-to-know-about-the-landmark-case-against-north-west-shelf/106953170) - Four days in, the Federal Court has scrutinised the decision to extend Australia's biggest gas project another 40 years, amid fears for Indigenous heritage and climate impacts.
- [Masked men invading and taking Amazon communities ‘hostage’ in organised crime surge, say local leaders](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/24/gangs-taking-villages-on-brazil-peru-border-hostage-say-indigenous-leaders) - Delegation sent to Brasília after gunmen from organised crime group enter homes in western AmazonIndigenous leaders on the Brazilian-Peruvian border have said their communities are being “taken hostage” by organised crime groups who are running rampant across the region, destroying rainforest, building roads and trafficking drugs.Earlier this month, masked men armed with semi-automatic weapons entered
- [New report reveals what triggered SA's catastrophic algal bloom crisis](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-24/report-into-sa-algal-bloom-crisis/106954524) - A new report reveals what caused South Australia's most devastating algal bloom crisis — 18 months after it first appeared on the state's waters.
- [‘Forever chemicals’ linked to gut inflammation in children after early exposure](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/24/pfas-child-gut-inflammation) - Researchers tracked mother-child pairs for up to 11 years, finding Pfas mixtures may affect developing gutsPrenatal and early life exposure to Pfas mixtures is probably linked to higher levels of intestinal inflammation in children, new first-of-its-kind research shows. Intestinal inflammation can cause irritable bowel diseases, like ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and colorectal cancer.While Pfas has
- [‘Jimothy’ the raccoon has short spine syndrome – but this condition can affect dogs, too](https://theconversation.com/jimothy-the-raccoon-has-short-spine-syndrome-but-this-condition-can-affect-dogs-too-288270) - If you’ve been anywhere near the internet in recent days, you will likely have seen the viral footage of “Jimothy”: an unusually round raccoon in Seattle that hops and skips along in video filmed by local resident Kiana Hall. This animal has a very rare congenital deformity called short spine syndrome, where the spine fails
- [Fishing ban considered as NSW South Coast abalone populations depleted](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-24/abalone-crisis-nsw-south-coast/106943044) - As the NSW government considers closing 350 kilometres of shoreline to abalone harvesting, divers say the severe decline of the shellfish is due to mismanagement.
- [Why you should think twice before rescuing a wild animal](https://theconversation.com/why-you-should-think-twice-before-rescuing-a-wild-animal-286655) - Imagine you’re driving down a windy road when you spot an injured possum. Your instincts might tell you to hit the brakes, check what’s wrong and bundle it into your car. Research shows many of us want to help wild animals in distress. This may be out of empathy, obligation or simply wanting to do
- [Can we alter ocean chemistry to absorb carbon? Here are the pros and cons](https://theconversation.com/can-we-alter-ocean-chemistry-to-absorb-carbon-here-are-the-pros-and-cons-287592) - As the planet warms, countries around the world are racing to meet their net zero targets set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement. To achieve this, we must collectively curb our net greenhouse gas emissions. These gases – the largest contributor being carbon dioxide (CO?) – act as a cosmic blanket by trapping heat in
- [Carmakers lobbied UK to revoke ban on petrol and diesel cars after 2035](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/23/carmakers-lobbied-uk-revoke-ban-petrol-diesel-cars-2035) - BMW, Ford, Nissan and Toyota, plus parts maker Bosch, wrote joint letter to ministers in AprilMajor carmakers privately lobbied the UK government to revoke a ban on new petrol and diesel cars after 2035, according to documents that reveal for the first time the efforts to overturn a key decarbonisation policy.BMW, Ford, Nissan and Toyota,
- [How retirees, beachcombers and communities help scientists track everything from threatened species to algal blooms](https://theconversation.com/how-retirees-beachcombers-and-communities-help-scientists-track-everything-from-threatened-species-to-algal-blooms-268199) - How healthy are Australia’s ecosystems? To answer that, scientists need data. But Australia is huge – and the number of professional scientists is limited. That’s where citizen science can help. Every winter, thousands of grey nomads take to the roads and head north. Families return to familiar campgrounds for school holidays. Bushwalkers move through forests
- [Coal mine extensions and data centres hindering NSW net zero targets](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-23/net-zero-authority-nsw-annual-report-coal-data-impacts/106948568) - The NSW Net Zero Commission recommends tighter planning controls for the approval of coal extensions and data centres, as it predicts the state will fall short of its legislated 2030 emissions reduction target.
- [Researcher shocked as orca blows up a sunfish in front of her](https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2026-07-23/orcas-filmed-ramming-sunfish-so-hard-they-explode/106936092) - Underwater video captures the moment killer whales in the Gulf of California slam into a sunfish, causing it to explode.
- [Orcas seen ramming prey so hard it explodes may be playing game](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/23/orcas-ramming-prey-hard-explodes-playing-game) - Scientists believe sunfish-smashing behaviour could be form of entertainment or to help younger whales feedOrcas have been observed ramming into giant fish so hard that the prey explode, possibly as a form of gory entertainment.On several occasions, orcas were observed to hold sunfish in their jaws while a second whale smashed into the target at
- [‘A river is our life force’: why Indigenous cultural values must be visible in conservation](https://theconversation.com/a-river-is-our-life-force-why-indigenous-cultural-values-must-be-visible-in-conservation-286657) - In the Kimberley, Martuwarra – also called the Fitzroy River – is far more than a waterway. It is one of Australia’s largest and most intact river systems. It flows about 730 kilometres from the central Kimberley to King Sound in the north of Western Australia. Martuwarra supports plants, animals, wetlands, floodplains and communities across
- [One billion plastic pellets spilled into River Tyne after two ships collide](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/22/billion-plastic-pellets-nurdles-spilled-uk-river-ships-collide) - Up to 25 tonnes of nurdles, the raw material for plastic manufacturing, have spread further than initially fearedApproximately a billion tiny plastic nurdles have entered the River Tyne after a “devastating spill”, with the pellets thought to have spread much further than first thought.Nurdles, which are usually 1mm-5mm in size, act as the raw material
- [Great Barrier Reef microbiome mapped as researchers discover 500 bacterial species previously unknown to science](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/23/great-barrier-reef-microbiome-mapped-as-researchers-discover-500-bacterial-species-previously-unknown-to-science) - Research identifies 808,585 viral genomes belonging to what scientists estimate to be 362,802 different virusesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMore than a decade after the human microbiome was comprehensively mapped, scientists have now identified the vast communities of microbes that make up the Great Barrier Reef.Analysing DNA from seawater samples
- [Twelve dolphins now found dead in southern WA](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-22/dead-dolphins-albany-princess-royal-harbour/106945082) - Twelve pantropical spotted dolphins have died after a pod was first found stranded on an Albany beach on Tuesday afternoon.
- [Six beluga whales make successful journey by air from Canada to US](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-22/beluga-whales-marineland-canada-flown-to-new-us-homes/106943362) - Six beluga whales from a defunct marine park in Canada have been successfully moved to new homes in the US.
- [Industry backlash threatens Australia’s gas supply fix. Leaders must step up](https://theconversation.com/industry-backlash-threatens-australias-gas-supply-fix-leaders-must-step-up-287580) - Australia is one of the world’s largest exporters of liquefied natural gas (LNG). But it faces domestic gas shortages by the 2030s as old gasfields run dry. Gas exports from the east coast only began in 2015. Since then, exports have ballooned and domestic gas prices have increased dramatically. Price spikes have driven some manufacturers
- ['Not finished': Trump signals US strikes on Iran's Pickaxe Mountain site](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-22/trump-pickaxe-mountain/106942520) - President Donald Trump says the United States is far from finished with Iran, warning its next military target could be an underground nuclear complex known as Pickaxe Mountain.
- [Millions face long-term coastal flooding risk in UK without climate action, scientists warn](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/21/millions-long-term-coastal-flooding-risk-uk-climate-action) - A ‘reasonable worst-case scenario’ suggests need for large-scale movement of populations away from reshaped coastUp to 13 million people in the UK face the long-term risk of coastal flooding due to the climate crisis, scientists have warned, with a “reasonable worst-case scenario” suggesting the need for the large-scale movement of populations away from a dramatically
- [We set 10,000 traps in search of a rare native mouse. Here’s what we found](https://theconversation.com/we-set-10-000-traps-in-search-of-a-rare-native-mouse-heres-what-we-found-287764) - It’s 5am when we crawl out of our tents. The catbirds are calling and the night sky is fading to dawn, as we prepare to head into the bush. We’re surrounded by the towering eucalypts of southeast Queensland in search of a small, native mouse called the pookila. Also known as the New Holland mouse
- [Climate and rock art advocates take on Woodside’s ‘carbon bomb’ WA gas project in federal court](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/21/north-west-shelf-gas-project-woodside-wa-federal-court-challenge) - Albanese government’s approval of North West Shelf gas extension being challenged by the Australian Conservation Foundation and Friends of Australian Rock ArtThe Albanese government’s decision to approve one of the world’s largest gas projects in Western Australia is being challenged in the federal court, setting up a significant test of how Australia’s environment law deals
- [Tiny 'desert' fish found only in Australia narrowly avoids extinction](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-21/tiny-desert-fish-survives-predator-onslaught-at-edgbaston/106934598) - With scoops made from milk bottles, volunteers have been working tirelessly to save the red-fin blue-eye, found nowhere else in the world, from extinction.
- [Google wants to release 16 million sterile mozzies. Our Australian tests offer a valuable lesson](https://theconversation.com/google-wants-to-release-16-million-sterile-mozzies-our-australian-tests-offer-a-valuable-lesson-286359) - In the United States, Google’s (now Alphabet) Debug initiative has asked the federal government for permission to release up to 32 million sterilised male mosquitoes in California and Florida. Male mosquitoes don’t bite or carry disease. The hope is these millions of male mosquitoes will mate with disease-carrying females, the eggs won’t hatch, and mosquito
- [Chinese companies are taking over the EV market. What’s behind their meteoric rise?](https://theconversation.com/chinese-companies-are-taking-over-the-ev-market-whats-behind-their-meteoric-rise-287490) - If producing electric vehicles (EVs) was an Olympic sport, China would be dominating the medals podium. China now leads the world in the sale and export of EVs, a term encompassing everything from battery-powered cars to plug-in hybrids. Chinese companies also produce the lion’s share of the rechargeable batteries that keep EVs running. Between 2009
- [‘A public health emergency waiting to occur’: how US industry groups spent years fighting who gets to measure toxic air](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/20/louisiana-toxic-air-floodlight) - Air polluters try to ensure toxic emissions happen far from monitors – but the people who live nearby still feel itKimbrelle Kyereh lives just a few hundred feet from the massive chemical storage tanks in St Rose, in south-eastern Louisiana. Oily fumes sometimes drift into her home, bringing headaches, nausea and insomnia. On one such
- [‘My shirt was wringing’: National Express bus drivers speak out on 40C conditions](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/20/national-express-bus-drivers-40c-conditions-heatwave-west-midlands) - Drivers in West Midlands say buses ‘unbearable’ during heatwaves, raising employee and passenger safety fearsBus drivers in the West Midlands have spoken out about the “horrendous” working conditions they have experienced during heatwaves, which led to 40C temperatures in their cabs.The UK was hit by high temperatures and dry weather in three successive heatwaves, with
- [Plastic waste burning trial at cement factory prompts backlash](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-20/adbri-cement-site-waste-fuel-trial-prompts-resident-concern/106936160) - A major cement manufacturer has been allowed to burn more plastic waste for fuel at its Adelaide site in a decision a local council is seeking to challenge in court.
- [Electric vehicles are built different. Australia needs better data to get the most out of the shift](https://theconversation.com/electric-vehicles-are-built-different-australia-needs-better-data-to-get-the-most-out-of-the-shift-287070) - In 2019, China was a minor player in Australia’s car market. Seven years later, it’s now the biggest supplier of new vehicles overall – including about 80% of Australia’s electric vehicles (EVs). The shift to EVs has accelerated markedly this year amid oil price spikes. This is good news for Australia’s energy security and efforts
- [New AI-powered alert system to warn drivers of approaching wildlife](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-20/ai-assisted-cameras-smart-signs-trial-reduce-wildlife-strikes/106933218) - An estimated 10 million animals are killed on Australian roads each year. It's hoped a new artificial intelligence-powered alert system being trialled on the Monaro Highway near Canberra will reduce the toll.
- [Building dams to protect Lismore from flooding would cost billions. Could nature do it better?](https://theconversation.com/building-dams-to-protect-lismore-from-flooding-would-cost-billions-could-nature-do-it-better-287370) - The unprecedented flooding in New South Wales in 2022 killed 13 people across the state, left 4,000 properties uninhabitable and damaged a further 10,900 homes. Lismore was especially hard hit due to its location on the Wilson River floodplain. In response, Australia’s national science agency CSIRO has developed a high-resolution computer model to support flood
- [NZ parties want to make rooftop solar more affordable. We found cost isn’t everything](https://theconversation.com/nz-parties-want-to-make-rooftop-solar-more-affordable-we-found-cost-isnt-everything-286534) - Rooftop solar has emerged as one of the more unexpected policy contests of New Zealand’s election campaign. National has proposed low-interest, rates-based loans for solar panels, batteries and other home electrification upgrades, while Labour has floated similar finance alongside subsidies of up to $3,000 and support for renters to install plug-in solar. The pledges follow
- [Majority of US voters link extreme weather to climate crisis, study finds](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/19/climate-crisis-us-voters-study) - Top Democrat says findings show public ‘way ahead of the politicians’ as Trump dismisses global heating as ‘hoax’Amid a summer of dangerous heat, drought and floods, a majority of Americans are connecting increasingly severe weather to the climate crisis, new polling shows, despite efforts by Donald Trump to dismiss global heating as a “con job”
- [Molten salt and human sweat: the weird batteries that could store renewable energy](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/19/molten-salt-human-sweat-weird-batteries-store-renewable-energy) - From Nevada to Manchester, developers are trialling innovative solutions to clean energy’s biggest challengeIn the deserts of the United Arab Emirates a sprawling clean energy project, stretching across an area roughly the size of 12,600 football fields, will play host to a breakthrough allowing solar energy to power the equivalent of half a million homes
- [Endangered cockatoos feeding on 'chemical cocktail' in WA's Wheatbelt](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-19/carnaby-paralysis-pesticide-found-agriculture-grain/106927470) - Research has found pesticide levels "well above" maximums set for humans and animal feed, in some cases hundreds of times higher than set by regulators.
- [New marine park zones 'slap in the face' for WA fishers](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-19/tighter-fishing-restrictions-kimberley-marine-park/106919284) - New zoning rules for a marine park off WA's far north are being rolled out, introducing fishing restrictions and penalties.
- [Poultry sector growth plan risks UK national security, campaigners warn](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/18/poultry-sector-growth-plan-uk-national-food-security-supply-chain) - Government’s food security push is said to rely on animal feed imports with vulnerability to supply chain shocksThe government’s planned poultry sector growth plan is a risk to national security, campaigners have warned.Earlier this month, the environment secretary, Emma Reynolds, told the Groundswell agriculture festival that the key to improving food security was consuming more
- [Water firms in England and Wales ‘leak five times what hosepipe ban would save’](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/18/water-firms-in-england-and-wales-leak-five-times-what-hosepipe-ban-would-save) - Greenpeace UK says 2.87bn litres lost daily, a fifth of all water pumped through networkWater companies are wasting five times more water through leaky pipes than even a nationwide hosepipe ban could save, environmental campaigners say.Research by Greenpeace UK found that 2.87bn litres of water a day seep from leaky pipes in England and Wales.
- [Meet 'Jimothy', the viral, short-spined raccoon who roams Seattle](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-18/jimothy-raccoon-short-spine-syndrome-viral-videos/106931556) - A raccoon with a rare birth defect has amassed a legion of fans after a video of it darting across a footpath and running up a set of stairs racked up more than 6.8 million views in just three days.
- [Why India is reopening a nuclear power plant built in the 1960s](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-18/india-nuclear-power-ambitions-tarapur-plant/106926796) - Despite repeated setbacks and isolation, India continues to hold onto its nuclear dream.
- [Europe’s most effective tool to cut greenhouse gas emissions ‘risks being weakened’](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/17/europe-emissions-trading-system-greenhouse-gas-risks-weakened) - European Commission proposal to overhaul emissions trading system would give companies less demanding pathway to reductionsEurope’s most effective method of cutting dangerous planet-heating gases risks being weakened after the European Commission proposed an overhaul of its flagship carbon market, critics have said.In a long-awaited review of the European Union emissions trading system (ETS), the European
- [Southern Water fined £7m after illegally dumping sewage off Kent coast](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/17/southern-water-fined-7m-dumping-sewage-kent-coast) - Firm pleaded guilty to 13 offences over discharges at Margate and Broadstairs wastewater pumping stationsSouthern Water has been fined more than £7m after illegally dumping sewage off the Kent coast between 2019 and 2021.The company, described by the judge as having a “record of criminality” that was “an exceptionally serious aggravating factor”, pleaded guilty to
- [NZ detects first case of bird flu in native bird](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-17/new-zealand-native-bird-flu-h5n1-first-case/106929064) - Days after a migratory bird tested positive for bird flu in Wellington, authorities have detected a second case of the deadly virus in a native bird.
- [Neil the Seal can teach us plenty about seal behaviour. A marine biologist explains](https://theconversation.com/neil-the-seal-can-teach-us-plenty-about-seal-behaviour-a-marine-biologist-explains-287564) - Neil the Seal became a social media sensation almost overnight. Neil is a five-year-old male southern elephant seal who weighs roughly one tonne. He was born on the Tasman Peninsula in October 2020, and has made an annual trip to Tasmania each year since. This is because many seal species regularly return to the place
- [Supreme Court battle over traditional owner consultation pauses flood works](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-17/nyah-vinifera-floodplain-restoration-project-water-first-nations/106917364) - The Victorian government and a regional water authority have admitted they did not property consult with traditional owners before approving a controversial flood plain restoration project.
- [The data centre boom won’t mean higher power prices – if we unlock stalled renewable projects](https://theconversation.com/the-data-centre-boom-wont-mean-higher-power-prices-if-we-unlock-stalled-renewable-projects-285244) - To meet demand from artificial intelligence companies, some of the world’s largest data centres are planned for the outskirts of major Australian cities. Dozens more are planned. OpenAI chief Sam Altman has said Australia could be a global leader. This week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans to fast-track new data centres. He promised the
- [As extreme heat pummels the Tour de France, can cycling keep riders safe?](https://theconversation.com/as-extreme-heat-pummels-the-tour-de-france-can-cycling-keep-riders-safe-287479) - Tour de France riders are facing some of the hottest racing conditions in the event’s history. As a heatwave swept across western Europe last week, temperatures in southern France approached 40°C. Organisers shortened Stage 9 by 30 kilometres to reduce heat exposure. As climate change accelerates the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, questions are increasingly
- [‘We are waiting with bated breath’: Super El Niño forecast could make 2027 hottest year on record, BoM says](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/17/record-el-nino-forecast-2027-hottest-year-on-record-bom-says) - Most Australian capital cities have at least 80% chance of unusually warm and dry spring as climatologists watch developing system with increasing alarmGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe El Niño climate phenomenon linked to record global temperatures and now locked in place in the Pacific Ocean could develop into the
- [New monkey species with orange lips discovered after years of searching](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-16/colobus-congoensis-disovered-in-democratic-republic-of-congo/106924624) - The monkey — colobus congoensis — is only the fifth new species of African monkey to be discovered in the past 75 years.
- [Researchers say pet cats wrongly blamed for injuring native wildlife](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-16/pet-cats-impact-on-threatened-wildlife-uq-study/106912594) - University of Queensland researchers say the threat posed by pet cats to Australian wildlife could be overstated, but other experts disagree.
- [This rare Australian wattle is on the brink of extinction: new research](https://theconversation.com/this-rare-australian-wattle-is-on-the-brink-of-extinction-new-research-287362) - The spidery wattle (Acacia araneosa) is a national treasure. This plant is named for its spidery, leaf-like phyllodes and shares the same iconic golden flowers as Australia’s floral emblem, the golden wattle (Acacia pycnantha). The spidery wattle is extremely rare, found only in a tiny area of South Australia’s Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary and Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges
- [NZ’s overhaul of nature protection laws is a chance to move away from ‘fortress conservation’](https://theconversation.com/nzs-overhaul-of-nature-protection-laws-is-a-chance-to-move-away-from-fortress-conservation-286647) - Fierce opposition from environmental organisations and the outdoor recreation sector has forced the government to backflip on one of the most contentious proposed changes in its reform plan for conservation management. Earlier this month, Minister for Conservation Tama Potaka told a conference he would remove a controversial clause from the Conservation Amendment Bill that would
- [Greater gliders not as great at gliding as thought – but still look like magic carpets, experts say](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/16/greater-gliders-gliding-study) - While new study challenges assumptions about how far they travel, witnessing them in action still takes your breath away, scientists sayFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThey may look like a fluffy flying carpet, but greater gliders are not as great at gliding
- [Australia has a love-hate relationship with cats – but under all the emotion is a fascinating history | Jodie Stewart](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/jul/16/australia-cats-love-hate-relationship-history) - We got our first feline hero in 1971 when Matthew Flinders’ heartfelt tribute to his pet Trim was discoveredIn 1872, the city of Melbourne hosted its first cat show one year after London’s Crystal Palace debuted its first show. By 1885, “cats were seldom treated very well” in Australia, according to a writer in the
- [Sadiq Khan backs calls for maximum workplace temperature in UK](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/15/sadiq-khan-backs-calls-uk-maximum-workplace-temperature) - Mayor of London backs calls from unions to update health and safety rules in light of more frequent heatwavesThe mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is backing calls for a maximum workplace temperature as pressure grows on the government to protect workers from the impact of repeated heatwaves across the UK.The extreme heat has left people
- [‘Balcony solar’ and plug-in systems could help cut your energy costs. But only if rules change](https://theconversation.com/balcony-solar-and-plug-in-systems-could-help-cut-your-energy-costs-but-only-if-rules-change-285149) - Australia is a world leader when it comes to adopting rooftop solar systems. But our solar transition is leaving renters and apartment dwellers behind. According to the latest census, almost one-third of Australians rent their homes, live in apartments or are connected to private energy networks. These households are largely unable to benefit from rooftop
- [Water pollution has long been a threat to the Great Barrier Reef – plans to fix it aren’t up to the task](https://theconversation.com/water-pollution-has-long-been-a-threat-to-the-great-barrier-reef-plans-to-fix-it-arent-up-to-the-task-286850) - When you think about threats to the Great Barrier Reef, coral bleaching due to climate change would likely be first. But the world’s largest reef system faces many threats. One surprisingly large threat is poor water quality. When sediment is washed off farms, cities and bushland into rivers, it can be transported kilometres offshore. If
- [Parklands chop won't stop despite petition triggering parliamentary inquiry](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-15/adelaide-parklands-golf-course-tree-chop-parliamentary-inquiry/106917820) - Acting Premier Kyam Maher says works for the golf course redevelopment and MotoGP will continue despite a petition attracting 13,500 signatures.
- ['Garbage guts' tree frog catches and eats sunbird](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-15/tree-frog-catches-and-eats-sunbird/106916642) - A Townsville gardener was watering her garden when she witnessed a white-lipped tree frog catch a sunbird mid-flight.
- [20 years ago, China bet big on electric vehicles. Now Western carmakers are feeling the pain](https://theconversation.com/20-years-ago-china-bet-big-on-electric-vehicles-now-western-carmakers-are-feeling-the-pain-286851) - In Germany, Japan and the United States, famous carmakers are in trouble. One reason is intense competition from Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers – and growing public demand for EVs. The automakers who dominated the 20th century have largely failed to shift to electric. Volkswagen was once the biggest carmaker in China. Now it only has
- [Should We Stop Culling Australian Brumbies? Why the Future of the Snowy Mountains Calls for Compassionate Conservation](https://www.thebeats.org/2026/07/17/should-we-stop-culling-australian-brumbies-why-the-future-of-the-snowy-mountains-calls-for-compassionate-conservation/) - As debate over wild horse management intensifies, many Australians are questioning whether aerial brumby culling is the only solution—or whether there are more humane ways to protect both biodiversity and our iconic Australian brumbies.
- [The Latest Australian Conservation Success Stories Giving Nature Hope](https://www.thebeats.org/2026/07/15/the-latest-australian-conservation-success-stories-giving-nature-hope/) - From landmark environmental reforms and protected habitats to reef conservation and species recovery, discover the positive biodiversity stories shaping Australian conservation.
- [Australians brace for higher fuel prices as US-Iran conflict resumes (again)](https://theconversation.com/australians-brace-for-higher-fuel-prices-as-us-iran-conflict-resumes-again-287476) - Iran and the United States have ended their fragile peace agreement, signed only a month ago, with the exchange of missile fire. Once again, this halts the flow of oil and gas through the Strait of Hormuz and puts major oil importers like Australia on tenterhooks. And this time could be worse than before. Ukraine’s
- [Most UK media reports on June heatwave failed to mention climate crisis](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/14/most-coverage-june-heatwave-did-not-mention-climate-crisis) - Exclusive: Analysis of nearly 2,500 articles finds almost three-quarters made no reference to global heatingMost of the UK media stories about the record-breaking heatwave that struck in June failed to mention the climate crisis, analysis has found.Nearly 2,500 articles about the extreme heat – when temperatures topped 37C, a record for the time of year
- [Bird flu detection training to be rolled out to volunteers](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-14/bird-flu-detection-training-to-be-rolled-out-in-sa/106912236) - Training to help volunteers identify potential cases of bird flu will be rolled out in South Australia, under a partnership between conservation groups and government.
- [What is no-till farming, and is it actually better for the environment?](https://theconversation.com/what-is-no-till-farming-and-is-it-actually-better-for-the-environment-287292) - Humans have been turning seeds and soil into food for thousands of years. We first started cultivating edible plants at the end of the last Ice Age, roughly 12,000 years ago. Ploughing made this possible. Ploughing, also known as tilling, is the process of turning over soil to bury weeds, loosen the earth and bring
- [Shark threat closes popular beaches, snorkelling spots along Ningaloo coast](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-14/five-whale-entanglements-sharks-swarm-ningaloo-beach-close/106902868) - Authorities save one animal but another succumbs to its injuries, leading sharks to converge on a popular snorkelling spot.
- [Lancashire chemicals factory facing potential legal claim announces closure](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/13/lancashire-factory-agc-chemicals-europe-potential-legal-claim-announces-closure) - More than 90 residents have expressed interest in contamination claim against AGC Chemicals EuropeA Pfas factory in Lancashire has announced plans to close down, just days after the Guardian revealed that more than 90 residents had signed up to be involved in a potential legal claim over contamination of the local area.AGC Chemicals Europe is
- [Dolphin deaths in South Australia spike after algal bloom decimates food sources](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/14/dolphin-deaths-south-australia-algal-bloom) - The March 2025 marine disaster may be linked to a high number of dolphin deaths in the region, scientists sayGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe number of dead dolphins washing up on South Australian beaches spiked in 2025, according to long-term data that reveals mortalities during the state’s devastating algal
- [Plan to restore nature in England by 2030 criticised as ‘completely insufficient’](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/13/england-rewilding-plan-restore-nature-2030-criticised) - Critics accuse ministers of failing to take control of nature crisis and leaving it to private landowners to act voluntarilyThe government’s plan to protect and restore nature in England by 2030 has been condemned as “pathetic” and “completely insufficient” in the face of the spiralling environmental crisis.The long-awaited plan published on Monday calls for landowners
- [Qld wildlife rescuers brace for H5 avian influenza after sick bird found at Noosa](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-13/sick-bird-found-at-noosa-amid-avian-influenza-preparations/106909104) - A northern giant petrel found at Noosa Main Beach is undergoing testing for H5 avian influenza.
- [5 winter gardening jobs to set you up for a splendid spring](https://theconversation.com/5-winter-gardening-jobs-to-set-you-up-for-a-splendid-spring-284297) - With wintry weather underway in many parts of Australia, I’ve been enjoying the seasonal change in my garden and its trees. Following the busy spring, summer and autumn seasons, things slow down in winter and I can have a really good look at what is going on with plants and soils. In fact, winter is
- [Proposal to cut blanket ban on climbing at Mount Arapiles Dyurrite](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-13/dyurrite-arapiles-climbing-plan-amendment/106906758) - Climbing Victoria says proposed changes to the Mount Arapiles Dyurrite management plan will be a compromise between climbers and traditional owners built on "trust".
- [Big bees have the most to lose as global CO? levels rise: new research](https://theconversation.com/big-bees-have-the-most-to-lose-as-global-co-levels-rise-new-research-286559) - Pollinators – including bees, flies, wasps, moths, butterflies and some nectar-loving birds – are a cornerstone of our natural environment. By helping plants reproduce, they keep our ecosystems healthy and ensure we can grow vital food crops. But climate change threatens the very survival of these hard-working animals. Previous research has focused on how temperature
- [Britain’s biggest community solar farm forced to shut over grid overload fears](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/12/solar-farm-forced-to-shut-derril-water-biggest-grid-overload-fears) - Timing of Devon switchoff ‘could not be worse’, says board, as members face an estimated £2m in lost revenue Britain’s biggest community solar project has been forced to shut for the duration of its first summer by the government’s energy system operator to avoid overloading the local grid with renewable energy.The north Devon solar farm
- [Numbat population improves amid warning there is a long way to go](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-12/numbats-pulled-from-immediate-extinction-risk/106903786) - Numbats, Western Australia's animal emblem, have been pulled from the brink of extinction after research found the population was growing in the wild.
- [In my years of spearfishing, I’ve never encountered more sharks than now. But I know where I stand in the underwater pecking order | Clarke Gayford](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jul/12/in-my-years-of-spearfishing-ive-never-encountered-more-sharks-than-now-but-i-know-where-i-stand-in-the-underwater-pecking-order) - Below the surface is one of the only places I can switch my brain off. Coming face to face with a shark comes with the territory – and we all have to adapt to this new normalThe first time I came face to face with a great white shark I felt something shift inside me.
- [As Japan's population shrinks, 'urban bears' are moving in](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-12/as-japan-population-shrinks-urban-bears-are-moving-in/106903824) - When Araki Osamu first heard reports a bear had been seen in the streets of his home town, a 1-hour bullet train ride north of Tokyo, he dismissed it as "fake news".
- [Drones are detecting more sharks at US beaches, but do they make the public safer?](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/11/sharks-drones-public-safety-beaches) - Increase in sightings may not reflect increase in sharks with little evidence that threat to swimmers has risenExperts say that despite recent increased investment in drones to monitor for sharks in states like New York, the machines have limited usefulness as a public safety tool and there does not appear to be evidence that the
- [Broken Hill's long legacy of lead exposure](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-11/aboriginal-children-broken-hill-lead-exposure-blood-levels/106898130) - Baylee Stokes lives with the health impacts of being exposed to lead as a child. Now, she's considering moving away from her hometown to protect her own children.
- ['Sacred' Coorong wetlands bracing for impact of bird flu](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-11/bird-flu-arrival-in-australia-poses-risk-to-sa-coorong/106896058) - South Australia's Coorong is a sanctuary for birds and marine life but it is increasingly under threat with the arrival of bird flu in Australia the latest in a rolling barrage of crises.
- [Pacific gray whales facing ‘catastrophic’ die-off as climate crisis hits food supply](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/10/pacific-gray-whales-population-climate-change) - Trump administration urged to relist a species in ‘very, very serious trouble’ under Endangered Species ActClimate change is driving a gray whale “catastrophic mortality event” in the Pacific Ocean as melting sea ice depletes food sources and the animals starve, environmental groups warn.Meanwhile, a range of other issues, like ship strikes, oil spills, microplastic pollution,
- [MPs call on UK government to host televised emergency briefing on climate crisis](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/10/mps-government-televised-emergency-briefing-climate-emergency) - As UK swelters in another heatwave, 50-minute Chris Packham film outlines threats to security, economy and healthMPs are calling on the UK government to host a televised national climate emergency briefing in response to what has been described as the most “insidious threat to our society”.In November, in the “first-of-its-kind, national emergency briefing”, nine experts
- [Australia's huntsman fastest spider on record, new study suggests](https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2026-07-10/huntsman-speed-study-science-fastest/106900894) - A species of huntsman spider found in Queensland is the fastest mover out of more than 250 spider species analysed in a new study.
- [Cattle farmer plants 14,000 trees to help slow flow of flood water](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-10/nature-based-solutions-flooding/106844226) - Jeff Imeson has planted around 14,000 trees on his property near Nimbin in a bid to help slow the flow of future floods.
- [What happened to Australia’s snow season? A climate expert explains](https://theconversation.com/what-happened-to-australias-snow-season-a-climate-expert-explains-286943) - There’s nothing like gliding down a snow-covered slope. That’s if you ask the thousands of people that make an annual pilgrimage to our alpine resorts during the Australian winter. But this year, the start to the snow season has been far from spectacular. While there is still some way to go before the typical peak
- [A big El Niño is likely. Australia needs to get ready now for drought, fire and the unknown](https://theconversation.com/a-big-el-nino-is-likely-australia-needs-to-get-ready-now-for-drought-fire-and-the-unknown-286634) - This year’s El Niño is expected to be strong to very strong, tilting the odds toward a hotter, drier winter and spring across southern and eastern Australia. Droughts, water shortages and a dangerous fire season become more likely. It makes sense to prepare. But the size of the event isn’t set in stone. For authorities,
- [This huge, hairy-legged Australian arachnid may be the fastest spider on the planet](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jul/09/fastest-spider-on-the-planet-brown-huntsman) - A brown huntsman is the quickest of more than 250 species analysed by scientists in the UK and GermanyIf arachnophobes were not frightened enough by the horrific ability of Australia’s huntsman spiders to drag dead mice up the sides of fridges, they now have another reason.They might be the fastest spiders on the planet. Continue
- [The brown huntsman timed as the fastest spider at a top speed of 3.59 m/s – video](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2026/jul/10/the-brown-huntsman-timed-as-the-fastest-spider-at-a-top-speed-of-359-ms-video) - Brown huntsman spiders were filmed to measure their speed. The 2021 research has been included in new analysis of the speeds of more than 250 spider species by scientists in the UK and Germany, which concludes the brown huntsman, Heteropoda jugulans, has a top speed of 3.59 m/s, making it the fastest of all spiders
- [Species’ ingenious survival strategies no match for human destruction, red list reveals](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/09/species-ingenious-survival-strategies-no-match-human-destruction-red-list) - Newly endangered animals include desert frogs and snails in extreme ocean depths, both threatened by miningLife has colonised every corner of the planet by evolving ingenious survival strategies but these are increasingly being overwhelmed by destructive human activities, this year’s red list of endangered species has revealed.Many snails, limpets and clams have adapted to life
- [Neil the seal 'may have moved on', Tasmanian wildlife experts say](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-09/neil-the-seal-possible-return-to-sea-tasmania/106895946) - Authorities in Tasmania say it appears Neil the seal may have left his resting spot at a Hobart beach and returned to sea.
- [The tiny microalgae behind South Australia’s harmful algal bloom is among the most toxic ever tested](https://theconversation.com/the-tiny-microalgae-behind-south-australias-harmful-algal-bloom-is-among-the-most-toxic-ever-tested-286557) - Over the past 15 months, one of the country’s worst marine environmental disasters has been unfolding in South Australia. A harmful algal bloom expanded in many coastal seas, killing thousands of fish, birds, shellfish and marine mammals. Even iconic species such as giant cuttlefish and seadragons have washed up dead on beaches. These blooms happen
- [Record fine for gold miner thrusts tiny bat into spotlight](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-09/gold-miner-warrawoona-fined-record-sum-over-threatened-bat/106879812) - A Western Australian gold miner has been hit with a fine of more than $100,000 for failing to protect a vulnerable bat species.
- [Datacentres are a ticking time bomb. We must make sure AI’s benefits outweigh the costs | Nicki Hutley](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jul/09/ai-artificial-intelligence-benefits-costs-datacentres-energy-water-environment) - They suck up energy and water, and blast out heat. Just who is better off from all this investment – aside from tech bros?The two great existential threats of our time – the climate crisis and AI – come hurtling together in the explosion of datacentres across Australia and around the world.You can hardly avoid
- [UK waters hit with extreme heatwave as global sea temperatures reach record levels](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/08/uk-waters-extreme-heatwave-global-sea-temperatures-record-climate-crisis) - Experts warn that some marine species are at risk of ‘mass mortality events’ in ever-warming oceansUK waters are being hit with an “extreme” marine heatwave, the Met Office has said, as scientists warn that high ocean temperatures globally could result in “mass-mortality events” for some species.The forecasters said these elevated temperatures have developed rapidly because
- [Millions of tiny engineers help to restore health of marine ecosystem in WA](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-08/byssal-project-cockburn-sound-restorative-mussel-farm/106892650) - A restorative mussel farm could improve water quality and biodiversity in Cockburn Sound and the project leaders say there's no need to stop there.
- [SA confirms second H5 bird flu case, two more suspected in Perth and WA](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-08/second-case-of-h5-bird-flu-confirmed-in-sa/106893356) - South Australia confirms its second H5 bird flu case while Western Australia investigates two more suspected detections, as authorities say the virus has not spread beyond isolated wild birds.
- [Living in a glorified tent: new research shows huge energy gaps between older and newer homes](https://theconversation.com/living-in-a-glorified-tent-new-research-shows-huge-energy-gaps-between-older-and-newer-homes-286651) - Every winter, millions of Australians are reminded how hard it is to live comfortably in older homes. Warm air constantly leaks out through poorly insulated ceilings, walls and floors, and through gaps in floors, windows and under doors. Heaters run day and night, sending energy bills soaring. The gap between new and old homes is
- [Scavenger animals are the missing link in Australia’s bird flu response. Three experts explain](https://theconversation.com/scavenger-animals-are-the-missing-link-in-australias-bird-flu-response-three-experts-explain-286046) - Australia is racing to contain the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which is now believed to have infected seven seabirds. There are currently five confirmed or suspected cases of the H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b strain in Western Australia, alongside one in South Australia and one in New South Wales. HPAI is still not established
- [Suspected bird flu case detected in SA but yet to be confirmed as H5](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-07/bird-flu-case-detected-in-sa-but-yet-to-be-confirmed-as-h5/106888472) - A suspected H5 bird flu case has been detected in a giant petrel on SA's Yorke Peninsula, but the state government says the viral load is low, with further results expected within the next 48 hours.
- [Fishers buoyed as algal bloom-related whiting ban lifted early](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-07/king-george-whiting-sa-fishing-ban-lifted-early/106887720) - A temporary ban on recreational catches of King George whiting along parts of the SA coast is lifted earlier than scheduled, in a move that fishers say will benefit the whole sector.
- [What does China’s long-range missile test in the South Pacific mean for Australia? | David Vallance](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jul/07/china-long-range-missile-test-south-pacific-australia) - The timing – on the day the Ocean of Peace Alliance treaty was signed with Fiji – reads as provocation at best, coercion at worstChinese government tells critics not to ‘overinterpret’ missile test in Pacific as criticism growsAt 12.01pm on Monday, a People’s Liberation Army Navy submarine test fired a ballistic missile into the South
- [Fragmented and incomplete: why isn’t anyone in charge of Australia’s EV charger rollout?](https://theconversation.com/fragmented-and-incomplete-why-isnt-anyone-in-charge-of-australias-ev-charger-rollout-286356) - Plunging battery prices and cheap running costs mean battery electric vehicles are now outselling petrol cars across Europe and China. In Australia, battery EVs have reached 23% of new car sales. That figure could be higher still – if it wasn’t for the question of charging. When on longer trips, drivers have to rely on
- [Do bees have inner lives? Slow-motion video reveals bumblebee behaviour similar to ‘liking’ or ‘disliking’](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/07/bees-emotion-like-behaviour-liking-disliking-inner-lives) - Bees respond to tasty treats or plain water based on context, a study that may provide support for establishing insect sentience showsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWhen bumblebees taste something good, they reach out their glossa – or insect tongue – for a while afterwards, almost as if they are
- [GB News co-owner ‘cashing in on climate chaos’ after leap in fossil fuel investments, critics say](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/06/gb-news-co-owner-cashing-in-on-climate-chaos-after-leap-in-fossil-fuel-investments-critics-say) - Exclusive: Campaigners argue news channel’s attacks on climate action ‘work in financial interests’ of Sir Paul MarshallThe hedge fund run by the co-owner of GB News almost tripled its investments in fossil fuel companies in the first quarter of 2026 to $2.8bn (£2.1bn), the Guardian can reveal.Critics have accused Sir Paul Marshall of “cashing in
- [‘Why take those jobs away?’: the unionized workers decrying Trump’s war on wind](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/06/workers-unions-trump-wind-energy) - Workers proud of their efforts to grow renewable energy say US president pursuing ‘personal vendetta’ at their expenseDonald Trump has blamed everything – from “national security” issues, the deaths of birds and whales, and cancer – in his decades-long campaign against windfarms. But as the Trump administration continues to undermine the industry, what worries workers
- [Wilsons Prom has been scarred by bushfires. It may help us protect other fire-prone forests](https://theconversation.com/wilsons-prom-has-been-scarred-by-bushfires-it-may-help-us-protect-other-fire-prone-forests-283377) - Our national parks are a haven for humans, plants and animals alike. Protected areas such as national parks are a cornerstone of our efforts to conserve nature. But these unique ecosystems can still bear the scars of past fires, floods and other natural disturbances. Our new study examines how repeated bushfires have changed, and continue
- ['Like a small iceberg': Rare whale calf spotted swimming off east coast](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-06/rare-humpback-whale-calf-off-queensland-nsw-coast/106884462) - The calf, thought to be one of only a dozen in the Southern Hemisphere, has been spotted swimming alongside its mother.
- [NZ’s approval of Roundup relies on industry-funded reviews currently under investigation](https://theconversation.com/nzs-approval-of-roundup-relies-on-industry-funded-reviews-currently-under-investigation-286333) - Last month’s US Supreme Court ruling in favour of the makers of the weedkiller Roundup (formerly Monsanto, now owned by German pharmaceuticals group Bayer) upended thousands of lawsuits based on the cancer risk associated with the product’s active ingredient glyphosate. But the ruling also highlights a longstanding controversy about how the product’s use is approved,
- [Whale freed from fishing line in 'unprecedented' entanglement spike](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-06/central-coast-whale-freed-fishing-gear-entanglement-rise/106883630) - Whale rescuers say there have been 24 entanglements already this migration season. Meanwhile, a small whale was euthanised after it stranded itself on a beach near Newcastle, despite rescue efforts from residents and experts.
- [‘A giant blanket’: how better insulation lowers energy costs for you and the grid](https://theconversation.com/a-giant-blanket-how-better-insulation-lowers-energy-costs-for-you-and-the-grid-285342) - Australian households are under immense financial pressure – and rising energy costs are a major reason why. While policy makers and system planners have focused on ways to produce more energy – such as increasing renewables like solar – they’ve paid less attention to strategies to encourage people to save power. House insulation – or
- [After home batteries, could the humble water heater be the next big step forward?](https://theconversation.com/after-home-batteries-could-the-humble-water-heater-be-the-next-big-step-forward-284425) - Fears the Iran conflict would trigger a surge in power prices have been unfounded. Why? One factor is the very rapid rollout of home and grid-scale batteries. As a result, Australia’s reliance on expensive gas has fallen and power prices have stayed steady or even fallen. Now it’s time for policymakers and households to look
- [Bomb the Arctic, dam the Mediterranean and build a second moon: five outlandish plans to remodel our climate](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/06/five-outlandish-plans-to-remodel-earth-climate) - Humans have long sought to geoengineer the Earth’s environment. Tim Flannery outlines a few of the wildest ideas from the 20th centuryAn increasing number of scientists think we have let the climate crisis fester for so long that our only hope to stave off ever-intensifying catastrophes is to use technological interventions. Cloud brightening, injecting sulphur
- [Empty reservoirs, ladybirds and sunstroke: remembering the UK heatwave of 1976](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/05/readers-recall-heatwave-1976-uk-weather-climate) - As Britain reached its hottest June temperature on record, readers recall the summer when temperatures hit 36CThe recent heatwave in the UK broke the previous June record of 35.6C, recorded during the 1976 heatwave.In Lingwood, Norfolk, a provisional temperature of 37.7C was recorded on Friday 26 June, breaking the previous record reached on 28 June
- [Rare barking geckos and Bungle Bungle sliders face extinction](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-05/pilbara-barking-gecko-in-danger-of-going-extinct/106870390) - New research has revealed the Pilbara barking gecko and Bungle Bungle robust slider are facing a heightened risk of extinction due to a rapidly warming climate.
- [International experts weigh in on Australia’s bird flu response](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-05/international-experts-discuss-lessons-learnt-on-bird-flu/106871900) - While the H5N1 bird flu strain is relatively new to Australia, experts who have monitored the spread in other continents say surveillance is key to tackling the deadly virus.
- [Birdsong data from Merlin ID app to help global biodiversity project](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/04/merlin-app-birdsong-identification-ebird-biodiversity-conservation) - Cornell Lab for Ornithology plans data linkup between app and population monitoring on eBird platformThe Merlin bird ID app will allow users to feed real-time bird identifications into one of the world’s biggest citizen-science biodiversity projects in an update it is hoped will aid conservation of at-risk birds.Since 2021, the free Merlin app, created by
- [Great Barrier Reef avoids World Heritage 'in danger' listing](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-04/great-barrier-reef-avoids-in-danger-heritage-status/106879512) - The UN body raised "utmost concern" over the site's declining coral cover after mass bleaching events in 2024 and 2025.
- ['We can't wait': WA town hopeful of economic benefits of reopening gold mine](https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2026-07-04/wa-farming-heartland-poised-for-rebirth-of-katanning-mine/106865612) - The rebirth of the mothballed Badgebup Gold Mine is expected to bring new industry and inject hundreds of workers into one of WA's premier farming regions.
- [US heatwave threatens 250th anniversary events and World Cup](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/03/heatwave-world-cup-250th-anniversary) - Weekend’s high temperatures and humidity ‘virtually impossible’ without climate crisis, researchers sayThe scorching heat blanketing much of the US this week would have been “virtually impossible” if not for the climate crisis, researchers have found, warning that the high temperatures could threaten Independence Day celebrations and World Cup matches this weekend.“The climate the country has
- [Police investigate shooting deaths of two horses in NSW alps](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-03/police-investigate-shot-horses-kosciuszko-national-park/106875454) - A police investigation is underway after the discovery of two wild horse carcasses in Kosciuszko National Park.
- [‘Scavenger’ dolphins increasingly rely on trawlers for food in overfished Adriatic, say scientists](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/03/dolphins-scavenging-food-trawlers-adriatic-study) - In one area 76% of fishing boats were followed, with baby dolphins learning the technique from their parentsBottlenose dolphins in the Adriatic are increasingly following trawlers to scavenge for food, with baby dolphins learning the technique from their parents, a study has found.“These days the easiest way to find [bottlenose dolphins] is to look for
- [Climate change will raise the risk of severe heatwaves. NZ homes aren’t ready](https://theconversation.com/climate-change-will-raise-the-risk-of-severe-heatwaves-nz-homes-arent-ready-286563) - Europe’s summer heatwave has exposed tens of millions of people to temperatures above 35°C, broken records and claimed hundreds of lives. Early climate attribution studies suggest Europe’s event would have been “virtually impossible” just 50 years ago without human-caused climate change. Meanwhile in South Asia, where temperatures have been edging past 45C, schools have been
- [Sea turtles diving through the eye of the storm help develop better cyclone forecasts](https://theconversation.com/sea-turtles-diving-through-the-eye-of-the-storm-help-develop-better-cyclone-forecasts-284960) - Every summer, communities across northern Australia brace for the tropical cyclone season. Tropical cyclones draw their power from the warm seas, extracting heat and moisture from ocean water. To improve cyclone forecasting – and better protect lives and property – we enlisted an unlikely ally: deep-diving sea turtles equipped with oceanographic sensors on their shells.
- [NZ wants to end climate lawsuits. How does that sit with its international commitments?](https://theconversation.com/nz-wants-to-end-climate-lawsuits-how-does-that-sit-with-its-international-commitments-285348) - A climate change lawsuit making its way through the courts continues to prove one of New Zealand’s most historic legal cases. The case, brought by iwi leader and climate activist Mike Smith, seeks to hold several major companies, including Fonterra and Z Energy, legally responsible for their greenhouse gas emissions. It has already prompted the
- [Defra breached law when it let farmers use bee-killing pesticide, watchdog says](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/02/defra-breached-law-farmers-bee-killing-pesticide-watchdog) - Office for Environmental Protection finds failures by department when it granted emergency authorisation in 2023 and 2024The UK government breached environmental law on several occasions when granting farmers permission to use a bee-killing pesticide, a watchdog has found.In 2023 and 2024, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in the then Conservative government
- [Brutal heatwave scorches eastern US ahead of Fourth of July weekend](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/02/heatwave-eastern-us) - National Weather Service warns heat index could reach 115F as heat grips midwest, Ohio valley and east coastSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailA “prolonged, dangerous heatwave” is expected to intensify across parts of the central and eastern United States over the next few days and into the holiday weekend, bringing record-breaking temperatures,
- [Spain and France face more heat after scorching June caused 2,000 deaths](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/02/spain-france-new-heatwave-warning) - Temperatures could reach 44C in south-east Spain as fights break out in Paris supermarkets over air-conditioning unitsSpain and France are bracing for another possible heatwave that could bring temperatures of 44C (111F) over the coming days, as figures show that June’s extreme heat was responsible for more than 2,000 excess deaths in the two countries.Spain’s
- [The world’s oceans are the hottest on record for June – and El Niño is set to turn up the heat even more](https://theconversation.com/the-worlds-oceans-are-the-hottest-on-record-for-june-and-el-nino-is-set-to-turn-up-the-heat-even-more-286561) - The world’s oceans are the hottest on record for June, pushing past records set during the 2023–24 El Niño years. Right now, the average sea surface temperature is just under 21°C across the world’s tropical and temperate oceans. Before widespread industrialisation in 1870, the temperature was about 19.6°C. That may not sound like a big
- [Wettest year on record sees controversial and highly flammable weed 'explode'](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-02/rain-causes-buffel-grass-surge-threatening-landmarks/106722144) - As buffel grass explodes across Central Australia due to high rainfall, there are fears it will spread further east and threaten landmarks in South Australia and other states.
- [Victorian government to review puppy farm laws amid 'loophole' concerns](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-02/puppy-farm-laws-review-victoria/106869888) - The Victorian government will review animal welfare laws to tighten loopholes being "exploited" by puppy farmers.
- [More than 30 state forestry jobs axed as koala national park looms](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-02/forestry-corporation-cuts-jobs-sydney-coffs-harbour/106864222) - Concerns about the sustainability of the New South Wales timber industry are growing as work continues to establish the Great Koala National Park.
- [England has just had its hottest June on record, Met Office data shows](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/01/england-hottest-june-on-record-met-office-data) - Chief scientist says dangerous heatwaves, which are getting more likely, ‘bring home the implications of climate change’The month of June was the hottest in England on record, driven by a searing heatwave in the final days of the month, which for the first time had red heat alerts for three days, according to Met Office
- [Darwin residents want answers on toxic gas emissions. The science shows their concerns are warranted](https://theconversation.com/darwin-residents-want-answers-on-toxic-gas-emissions-the-science-shows-their-concerns-are-warranted-285691) - For years, Darwin residents have been concerned about toxic chemicals emitted by the city’s two gas export facilities. In fact, some locals are so worried about these airborne chemicals – particularly benzene – they recently formed a community group and launched a fundraiser to buy a regulation-grade mobile device for continuous monitoring. Only days later,
- [Specieswatch: How heatwaves play havoc with bees’ fertility](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/01/specieswatch-heatwave-bees-fertility-pollination-crops) - Study reveals extreme heat causes sharp drop with knock-on effect for pollination of food crops in following yearsWe know heatwaves have serious health consequences for humans, but what about other species? A study has shown they severely diminish bees’ fertility, with significant implications for the pollination of food crops in the following years.Prof James Gilbert
- [Neil the seal's antics make him popular, but there's a big risk](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-01/neil-the-seal-crushes-fence/106864446) - Neil the seal has become one of Tasmania's biggest celebrities. But authorities are concerned his popularity could put him and the public at risk.
- [There's only one game in Australia to get ahead, and it's land ownership](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-01/common-wealth-house-prices-land-resource-taxation/106852936) - If you've been wondering how and why Australian house prices spun out of control you're not alone. One filmmaker was so depressed by it he went out and shot a documentary.
- [Prickly starfish and urchins are decimating Australia’s reefs. But we could find ways to protect them](https://theconversation.com/prickly-starfish-and-urchins-are-decimating-australias-reefs-but-we-could-find-ways-to-protect-them-285144) - Australia is home to some of the world’s most beautiful reefs. This includes the lush Great Southern Reef, which wraps around Australia’s southern coastline, and the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef. But the corals of the Great Barrier Reef and the kelp forests of the south are both plagued by prickly problems – voracious starfish and
- [‘But we’re just 1% of emissions’: do smaller countries’ climate efforts matter?](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/30/emissions-do-smaller-countries-climate-efforts-matter) - Past and present leaders of wealthy nations such as UK and Germany have argued their actions are insignificantOn first hearing, it is a position that sounds reasonable. “When our share of global emissions is less than 1%,” Rishi Sunak argued when he was the UK prime minister in 2023, “how can it be right that
- [Labour MPs tell Burnham to ignore ‘deluded’ calls for more North Sea drilling](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/30/labour-mps-tell-burnham-ignore-deluded-calls-more-north-sea-drilling) - Critics debunk economic claims as research finds Rosebank development would produce estimated 250m tonnes of CO2UK politics live – latest updatesScores of Labour MPs have urged the prospective prime minister Andy Burnham to rule out the “tin-eared” and “deluded” development of the Rosebank oilfield in the North Sea, which new research indicates would produce as
- [Whale census records unexplained drop in sightings off WA's South West](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-30/whale-numbers-mysteriously-drop-off-south-west-coast/106860534) - Marine scientists have expressed concerns following a 60 per cent drop in migrating whales seen off South West WA's coastline compared to previous years.
- [Shark-spotting drones are about reassurance – not full protection](https://theconversation.com/shark-spotting-drones-are-about-reassurance-not-full-protection-286344) - Sharks are front of mind for many Sydneysiders and coastal New South Wales residents. In January, a teenager died amid a spate of attacks in and around Sydney. This month, a woman was bitten by a large great white while swimming close to shore and between the flags at Coogee Beach. These incidents have made
- [Five tonnes of antibiotics used to combat disease in salmon](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-30/tas-florfenicol-salmon-antibiotic-amount-confirmed/106860194) - More than five tonnes of antibiotics were used to treat a disease that killed 9,000 tonnes of fish last summer, Salmon Tasmania says.
- [By 2050, many Sydney apartments built to today’s standards could be too hot for weeks at a time](https://theconversation.com/by-2050-many-sydney-apartments-built-to-todays-standards-could-be-too-hot-for-weeks-at-a-time-285705) - Sydney is no stranger to extreme heat. In January 2020, Penrith in Western Sydney reached 48.9°C, the highest temperature ever recorded in Greater Sydney. Now imagine Penrith in 2050: the heat lasts longer, extreme heat events happen more often, and power goes out on the hottest days because the grid can’t cope. Our recent research,
- [Can we keep Australia’s endangered alpine ash on the map? New modelling shows where to focus our efforts](https://theconversation.com/can-we-keep-australias-endangered-alpine-ash-on-the-map-new-modelling-shows-where-to-focus-our-efforts-276983) - An alpine ash forest is a sight to behold. Alpine ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis) is a tall eucalypt species that grows in the cool, wet mountains of south?eastern Australia. These forests store large amounts of carbon in their wood and soils. They help regulate water flows into major rivers and dams, and provide habitat for a
- [A severe El Niño could threaten something essential to half of humanity – rice](https://theconversation.com/a-severe-el-nino-could-threaten-something-essential-to-half-of-humanity-rice-285816) - Forecasters expect the El Niño now underway in the tropical Pacific to strengthen into a strong or very strong climate driver later this year. When an El Niño arrives, it reorganises rainfall patterns around the world. Parts of the Americas and east Africa tend to get heavier rain, while monsoonal rains in Asia get weaker
- [Could this be Australia’s warmest winter ever?](https://theconversation.com/could-this-be-australias-warmest-winter-ever-285947) - Many parts of Australia have already broken early winter maximum and minimum temperature records. In southern Australia, Sydney and Melbourne had their warmest ever starts to winter. Daily observations show both cities experienced above-average June temperatures almost every day of the month. Adelaide has also recorded above-average June temperatures in its first three weeks. Hobart
- [Dangerous temperatures forecast for parts of Europe as heatwave moves east](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/29/dangerous-temperatures-forecast-central-eastern-europe-heatwave) - Red warnings issued in Hungary, Poland, Romania and the Balkans, with authorities urging people to stay indoorsParts of central, eastern and southern Europe sweltered on Monday as the “heat dome” behind last week’s record-breaking temperatures shifted east, bringing dangerous conditions to a new swathe of the continent.Budapest is forecast to exceed 40C on Tuesday, according
- [‘Literally growing the future’: volunteers help save Scottish rainforest by collecting 11m seeds](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/29/growing-the-future-volunteers-help-save-scottish-rainforest-collecting-seeds) - Teams painstakingly combed endangered Atlantic habitat over several years, helping to grow 8m native treesA small band of volunteers has helped to grow nearly 8m native trees in Scotland, crucial to efforts to restore lost parts of the Atlantic rainforest, after collecting 11m seeds by hand.About 100 volunteers, including retired teachers and doctors, office workers
- [France records 1,000 excess daily deaths in record European heatwave](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-29/europe-heatwave-causes-thousands-of-deaths-in-france/106853968) - More than 150 million Europeans swelter in "extreme heat", which scientists say has been the worst the continent has ever recorded.
- [Heat is destroying Australia’s underwater forests. Seaweed biobanks could help save them](https://theconversation.com/heat-is-destroying-australias-underwater-forests-seaweed-biobanks-could-help-save-them-283490) - Australia’s Great Southern Reef is built not by coral but by seaweed. The seaweed forests on these rocky reefs stretch more than 8,000 kilometres around southern Australia. Amid the swaying fronds live seadragons, rock lobsters, giant cuttlefish and southern blue devils. The reef is home to more than 1,500 seaweed species and contributes billions to
- [As communities face more frequent hazard warnings, we need better systems to avoid ‘emergency fatigue’](https://theconversation.com/as-communities-face-more-frequent-hazard-warnings-we-need-better-systems-to-avoid-emergency-fatigue-284940) - Earlier this month, Wellington declared a local state of emergency, including evacuation orders, when forecast powerful swells threatened to inundate coastal properties. Hundreds of people evacuated, but when the damage and inundation remained limited, mainstream and social media raised questions about whether the hazard warning was an overreaction that risked creating “emergency warning fatigue”. As
- [Two things this week gave clues about the global future](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-29/artificial-intelligence-china-iran-strait-of-hormuz-oil/106847742) - Two things happened last week that give us a much clearer picture of what the world is going to be like from now on.
- [More European nations brace for 40C-plus conditions as heatwave moves east](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/28/temperature-records-tumble-across-europe-as-heatwave-moves-east) - More than 191m people in Europe face temperatures over 35C, with extreme heat warnings from Germany to Hungary‘A sad inevitability’: after decades of climate warnings, why is Europe so unprepared for rising heat?Poland, Czechia and Slovakia are braced for record temperatures of over 40C as a heatwave linked to hundreds of deaths in western Europe
- [How tourists and plastic transformed Bali into an 'Island of Trash'](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-28/tourists-are-turning-bali-into-a-trash-island/106831162) - Known to many as the Island of the Gods, residents fear Bali may soon become the "Island of Trash" due to a deluge of tourists, a lack of rubbish education and the partial closure of a much-needed landfill facility.
- [Shark-spotting drones to monitor 70 NSW beaches every day of the year](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-28/more-funding-for-nsw-shark-spotting-drone-program/106852096) - Shark-spotting drones will provide year-round coverage at about 70 beaches along the NSW coast as part of an expanded surveillance program announced after a Sydney mother was attacked by a suspected white shark.
- [Appeals court rejects Trump EPA bid to abandon rule restricting deadly soot pollution](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/27/trump-epa-court-ruling-soot-pollution) - Decision leaves in place Biden-era standard on pollution from coal-fired plants, factories and other industrial sourcesA federal appeals court on Friday rejected the Environmental Protection Agency’s attempt to abandon a Biden-era rule that sets tough standards for deadly soot pollution.The unanimous ruling by a three-judge panel is a setback for the Trump administration’s deregulatory agenda
- [Rescuers pin hopes on satellite tracker to help save entangled humpback whale](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-27/satellite-tracking-device-on-entangled-whale-off-nsw-coast/106850910) - An entangled humpback whale near Sydney is one of eight currently caught in marine debris off the New South Wales coast.
- [Volunteers say hotline told them to collect dead bird against government advice](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-27/volunteers-say-they-were-given-incorrect-bird-flu-advice-sa/106850982) - South Australian citizen scientists say they called the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline to report a dead sea bird and were given advice that contradicts official government messaging.
- [Parents booking air-conditioned hotels to keep babies safe in UK heatwave](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/27/parents-air-conditioned-hotels-keep-babies-safe-heatwave) - Hotels report increase in last-minute bookings, including from families attempting to escape hot homesEurope heatwave: latest updatesFamilies, including parents with newborn babies, are booking air-conditioned rooms in hotels to escape the UK heatwave, with companies reporting a surge in demand.Data from the accommodation reservation website Booking.com shows that since 1 June, the share of searches
- [UK June heat record broken again, France postpones Pride and Poland warns of wildfires as heatwave grips Europe – live](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/live/2026/jun/26/europe-heatwave-extreme-heat-red-alert-weather-uk-england-france-climate-crisis-latest-news-updates) - Estimated 150 million people in Europe could experience temperatures above 35C todayEuropean heatwave is worst ever and impossible without climate crisis, scientists sayOver in the UK, firefighters are still trying to bring a large wildfire in Derbyshire under control.The blaze, which has burned over 500 square metres of moorland and woodland on Tintwistle Moor, near
- [UK June heat record broken for third day in a row as ministers urged to act](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/26/uk-government-urged-to-act-on-devastating-impact-of-heatwaves) - Plans to protect people fall ‘far short of what is needed’, government told, as MP warns of heatwave deathsUK politics live – latest updatesThe UK government is facing increasingly urgent calls for action to protect people against the intensifying effects of the climate crisis, as the highest maximum temperature record for June was broken for
- [Park to protect 12,000 koalas to go ahead via contentious carbon credit deal by Albanese government](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jun/26/great-koala-national-park-nsw-carbon-credit-deal) - Minns government waited on federal approval of carbon credit scheme before proceeding with long-awaited great koala national parkFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA long-promised New South Wales great koala national park is set to go ahead after the Albanese government greenlit the
- ['Insurance policy' hoping to protect quolls if bird flu arrives in ACT](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-26/act-eastern-quolls-wildlife-sanctuary-h5-bird-flu-quarantine/106846456) - A population of endangered eastern quolls is being protected by a sanctuary in Canberra, but the threat of bird flu could mean that protection does not go far enough.
- [No-show cuttlefish result in million-dollar loss for regional SA town](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-26/whyalla-cancels-cuttlefish-season-algae-bloom/106844268) - Whyalla has been forced to wind back services and let staff let go as its tourism industry suffers million-dollar losses from cuttlefish not making their usual migration.
- [Flooding rains, ocean gains: how a huge Murray flood gave the sea a feast](https://theconversation.com/flooding-rains-ocean-gains-how-a-huge-murray-flood-gave-the-sea-a-feast-284567) - For decades, the rivers of the Murray-Darling Basin have been heavily regulated by dams and irrigation networks. As a result, the volume of water entering the ocean is about 60% smaller than 100 years ago. But nature broke through during massive floods over the summer of 2022–23, when heavy rains filled the Basin’s waterways. The
- [UK records its hottest ever June day as health emergencies surge across Europe](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/25/highest-june-minimum-temperature-record-broken-cardiff-savage-heatwave-continues) - Temperatures linked to third child’s death in France, where three-quarters of country are under extreme heat alertEurope live – latest updatesThe UK recorded its hottest ever June temperature on Thursday, as brutally hot conditions supercharged by the climate crisis were linked to the death of a third toddler in France and a sharp rise in
- [Polanski and unions warn Burnham against backsliding on climate action](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/25/backsliding-on-climate-would-drive-labour-into-obscurity-zack-polanski-says) - Debate in Labour and union movement over climate commitments as many call for Burnham not to allow drilling in North SeaAnalysis: ‘Act on the evidence outside the window’: Andy Burnham urged to stick to net zero targets if he becomes PMBacksliding on climate action would drive the Labour party into political obscurity, Zack Polanski has
- [Bird flu is deadly for backyard chickens – and even cats. A vet expert explains](https://theconversation.com/bird-flu-is-deadly-for-backyard-chickens-and-even-cats-a-vet-expert-explains-286137) - The deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu has been found in seabirds in two Australian states. But don’t be fooled by the name: this virus also rapidly infects other animals. It has caused havoc in poultry farms and backyard chicken flocks in the northern hemisphere. And it can also infect, and even kill, cats. Domestic
- [Europe is battling a record-breaking heatwave. What’s making it so severe?](https://theconversation.com/europe-is-battling-a-record-breaking-heatwave-whats-making-it-so-severe-286019) - Sweltering temperatures are shattering records across Europe, as the continent battles a deadly heatwave. On Tuesday and Wednesday, France endured its hottest days in history, with western regions reaching highs of between 39°C and 43°C. Wednesday was the United Kingdom’s warmest June day on record, with the mercury climbing to 36.1°C. And according to early
- [Councils bar thirsty renewable energy zone from accessing town water](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-25/councils-deny-energyco-water-new-england-renewable-energy-zone/106685330) - Rural NSW councils already under water restrictions are drawing a line in the sand regarding supplying water to Renewable Energy Zone projects.
- [Big battery boom means fewer transmission lines will be needed](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-25/batteries-boom-wind-stalls-aemo-isp-plan/106837876) - Home batteries hit 600,000 as households play big role in energy transition, but building transmission projects remains "critical", according to the latest AEMO energy plan.
- [We checked 2000 museum specimens and discovered a tiny new ‘ferocious’ Australian mammal](https://theconversation.com/we-checked-2000-museum-specimens-and-discovered-a-tiny-new-ferocious-australian-mammal-285697) - Australia is home to unusual mammals not found anywhere else – consider the platypus, Tasmanian devil or the red kangaroo. But did you know our understanding of this continent’s incredible mammalian diversity is still incomplete? We have discovered a new species in one of Australia’s cutest and fiercest mammal groups: planigales. And we also unearthed
- [Scorching heatwaves, torrential rain – all in a matter of days. It’s not just bad luck](https://theconversation.com/scorching-heatwaves-torrential-rain-all-in-a-matter-of-days-its-not-just-bad-luck-285139) - After a heatwave, we crave relief, not more extreme weather. But increasingly, we have to contend with a succession of extremes – ricocheting from extreme heat to intense storms to flooding waterways. We saw this in the Victorian Otways region last summer, when extreme heat, fires and floods all occurred in the space of two
- [Extreme heat is harming remote First Nations communities. It’s time we listen to them](https://theconversation.com/extreme-heat-is-harming-remote-first-nations-communities-its-time-we-listen-to-them-282975) - In remote Australia, First Nations communities battle extreme heat each summer. In January 2026 alone, the town of Alice Springs (Mparntwe) endured 20 days of temperatures above 40°C. This prolonged heatwave – defined as a period of unusually hot weather – can have long-standing effects on human health, infrastructure and the environment. In remote communities,
- [Woman attacked by shark at Coogee beach wakes briefly from coma to say three words](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/24/leah-stewart-shark-attack-victim-coogee-beach-wakes-from-coma) - ‘I love you,’ Leah Stewart told her mother and partner after coming out of a coma on TuesdayA woman attacked by a shark at Sydney’s Coogee beach has uttered her first words after waking from a coma 10 days after sustaining her injuries.“I love you,” Leah Stewart told her mother and partner after coming out
- [Australia's mammals are at risk of bird flu. This is what we know](https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2026-06-24/native-marsupials-bird-flu-risk/106537852) - While birds are the most likely victims of the deadly strain of bird flu, researchers are also sounding the alarm for native mammals and marsupial species. These are some of the steps being taken to protect them.
- [Bird flu has spread to two Australian states. Here’s how it could accelerate our extinction crisis](https://theconversation.com/bird-flu-has-spread-to-two-australian-states-heres-how-it-could-accelerate-our-extinction-crisis-285807) - The deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu has now been found in a second state, South Australia, after earlier being identified in Western Australia. Authorities have confirmed three seabirds have died of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus. It is too early to know if H5N1 has spread beyond these animals to other
- [Murray-Darling Basin communities call for balance in review](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-24/murray-darling-basin-plan-review-community-submissions/106772862) - Communities across the Murray-Darling Basin are calling for a better balance, as irrigators say water buybacks are hurting their communities.
- [Scientists in Australia find ‘smoking gun’ evidence of world’s oldest meteorite strike](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/24/worlds-oldest-meteorite-strike-pilbara-western-australia) - Curtin University researchers use innovative techniques to date three-billion-year-old impact crater in Western Australia’s Pilbara regionA meteorite that struck Earth three billion years ago left behind a “smoking gun” – evidence of the world’s oldest impact crater in a remote part of Australia.Ancient rocks in Western Australia’s Pilbara region record the event, which occurred during
- [Paraquat will continue to be used in Australia despite 70 countries banning weedkiller over Parkinson’s disease fears](https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/jun/23/paraquat-herbicide-ban-continued-use-australia) - Herbicide manufacturer Syngenta had reservations dating back to 1970s but regulator says tighter controls, including phasing out backpack sprayers, can protect workersFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe herbicide paraquat, banned in over 70 countries, will remain legal in Australia despite Parkinson’s groups,
- [SA pushes for AI data centres as industry says it's not asking for subsidies](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-23/sa-push-for-ai-data-centres-in-sa-in-new-strategy/106830536) - The South Australian government is pushing for the state to become home to billions of dollars' worth of artificial intelligence data centres, but says it will seek to regulate their water and energy use.
- [Poultry producers warn bird flu would be 'catastrophic for Tasmania'](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-23/tasmania-egg-poultry-producers-brace-bird-flu-euthanasia/106832330) - Tasmanian poultry producers are ramping up biosecurity measures, as they prepare for the arrival of a deadly strain of bird flu. The state government has stressed that it's well prepared, but says euthanasia is "definitely possible" if there's an outbreak in commercial poultry.
- [Victoria claims to have stopped native logging. So why is it importing Tasmanian forests?](https://theconversation.com/victoria-claims-to-have-stopped-native-logging-so-why-is-it-importing-tasmanian-forests-285789) - There is ongoing turmoil in the native forest logging industry, as revealed in the ABC’s Four Corners program that aired last night. The evidence presented was unambiguous: the native forest logging industry has been in financial, social, and environmental decline for decades. Yet it continues to be financially supported by federal and state government subsidies
- [Cheap, effective and dangerous: how Australian farmers came to depend on the toxic weedkiller paraquat](https://theconversation.com/cheap-effective-and-dangerous-how-australian-farmers-came-to-depend-on-the-toxic-weedkiller-paraquat-285053) - It is illegal to use paraquat in at least 74 jurisdictions worldwide, including the European Union, China, Malaysia, Brazil and, most recently, the US state of Vermont. But today, Australia’s chemical regulator gave this effective but highly toxic herbicide the green light. After a nearly 30-year review, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA)
- [Ten Australians are taking the government to the UN over fossil fuel exports. What is their case?](https://theconversation.com/ten-australians-are-taking-the-government-to-the-un-over-fossil-fuel-exports-what-is-their-case-285604) - Ten Australians – including a firefighter, First Nations leaders and young people – are bringing their concerns about the nation’s coal and gas exports to the United Nations. On Tuesday, the group lodged a complaint with the UN Human Rights Committee, claiming the Australian government is failing to protect them from climate harms. They argue
- [The fuel crisis has hit the Pacific hard. The region is responding – but tough choices lie ahead](https://theconversation.com/the-fuel-crisis-has-hit-the-pacific-hard-the-region-is-responding-but-tough-choices-lie-ahead-284071) - The past five years have not been easy for the people of the Pacific. COVID restrictions disrupted tourism and upended supply chains, while global fuel shocks raised prices and hit island economies hard. The region relies on expensive imports of fossil fuels, as domestic sources are largely lacking. Some nations spend up to 25% of
- [Whyalla wipeout fears: cuttlefish usually gather in their thousands, but few have appeared since a massive algal bloom](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/22/south-australia-sa-algal-bloom-whyalla-cuttlefish) - Divers have observed just a ‘couple of dozen’ of the cephalopods along the heritage-listed Cuttlefish Coast in South Australia, causing locals and marine scientists to worryGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMid-June is usually the peak time for giant Australian cuttlefish to gather near Whyalla, in South Australia’s Spencer gulf.Nearly every
- [Trapped by floods and fearing death in the heat: the Australians taking legal action over the climate crisis](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/22/trapped-by-floods-and-fearing-death-in-the-heat-the-australians-taking-legal-action-over-the-climate-crisis) - Ten people affected in different ways by extreme weather are taking a case against the federal government to the UNFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAs flood waters rose in Brisbane’s West End in February 2022, Brendon Donohue was trapped alone in his
- [Brown skuas and giant petrels rarely make landfall. When they were found in WA, scientists feared ‘bad news’ for wildlife](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/23/brown-skuas-giant-petrels-wa-h5n1-bird-flu) - Experts thought H5N1 bird flu would more likely reach Australia’s north. But an arrival from Antarctica had always been possibleGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastBrown skuas and giant petrels are a common sight offshore in southern Australian waters in the winter months, but they will rarely risk venturing on to
- [Queensland government pledges to restore dams in budget](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-22/qld-budget-water-security/106824986) - The treasurer has also promised no cuts to public service, but won't commit to returning to surplus within the next four years.
- [Bird flu is here. Can we stop the spread?](https://theconversation.com/bird-flu-is-here-can-we-stop-the-spread-285799) - On a remote beach near Esperance, Western Australia, two sick seabirds have brought the bird flu crisis to Australia. Testing has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in a brown skua and a giant petrel. Both are species of seabirds commonly found in the Southern Ocean. H5N1 is a type of avian influenza, or
- [What we know about how H5N1 bird flu got here and where it may appear next](https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2026-06-22/where-h5n1-bird-flu-might-land-next-in-australia/106823380) - Authorities were worried about avian influenza coming in from the north, until the virus started moving across the Southern Ocean. Now infected birds have been found in Western Australia. Where else could birds carrying the virus land?
- [Bells Beach temporarily closed due to whale carcass washing up](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-21/bells-beach-whale-carcass-closed/106825116) - Victoria's world-famous Bells Beach has been temporarily closed after a whale carcass washed on to shore earlier today.
- [Iranian, US negotiators in Switzerland to sort out details to end the war](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-21/us-iran-vance-switzerland-peace-agreement/106824984) - US Vice-President JD Vance has travelled to Switzerland to meet with Iranian leaders and build on the fragile interim deal to end the war in Iran.
- [The first case of H5N1 bird flu in Australia has been confirmed. What does this mean?](https://theconversation.com/the-first-case-of-h5n1-bird-flu-in-australia-has-been-confirmed-what-does-this-mean-285712) - On Saturday, a suspected case of deadly [H5 bird flu], also known as high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, was confirmed in a brown skua. This large seabird was found in Cape Le Grand National Park near Esperance, about 700 kilometres south-east of Perth in Western Australia. The virus is also suspected to have affected
- [Skeleton of the world’s rarest marine mammal preserved by digital imaging](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/20/vaquita-porpoise-worlds-rarest-skeleton-preserved-digital-imaging-aoe) - The reconstruction of the vaquita, whose numbers barely reach double figures in the wild, is designed to help research and conservation effortsScientists have created a digital reconstruction of the world’s most endangered marine mammal, preserving its anatomy in three dimensions to aid research and conservation efforts as the species teeters on the brink of extinction.The
- [From coal to cabernet: the wine seller using a flooded mine to cut heating bills](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/20/coal-to-cabernet-wine-seller-flooded-mine-cut-heating-bills) - Lanchester Wines in north-east England uses heat from a disused coalmine to maintain wine temperatures and with 23,000 flooded mines in the UK, there’s huge potential for more businesses and homes to follow its leadShove them in a fridge, stash them in a cellar – this is how most people store their favourite bottles of
- [Bird flu could be catastrophic for nation's vulnerable species, experts warn](https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2026-06-20/h5n1-bird-flu-in-australia-catastrophic-for-native-species/106822534) - The black swan, the Tasmanian devil and Australian sea lions are among the species at risk if a deadly strain of avian influenza takes hold in Australia, experts are warning.
- [‘It’s Russian roulette’: alarm as Europe backs critical minerals mines in water-stressed regions](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/20/europe-backs-critical-minerals-mines-water-stressed-regions) - Exclusive: European Commission planning to rewrite key law to allow water-intensive mines in regions suffering from droughtThe European Commission plans to rewrite the EU’s flagship water protection law to speed up the development of critical minerals mines, despite many being located in drying and water-stressed regions, analysis has found.Mining is a water-intensive industry, requiring large
- [Steve Irwin 'wouldn't have wanted this': Australia Zoo calls police on traditional owner](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-20/australia-zoo-calls-police-on-traditional-owner-over-crocodile/106790980) - Traditional owner Alwyn Lyall says he felt "extremely upset and humiliated" when police asked him to leave Australia Zoo, where he was trying to see a crocodile he says was "wrongfully arrested" and taken from the wild.
- [Seal pups and seabird chicks are suffering in extreme weather. How can we protect them?](https://theconversation.com/seal-pups-and-seabird-chicks-are-suffering-in-extreme-weather-how-can-we-protect-them-282972) - Extreme weather is becoming the new normal, disrupting human communities across the globe. It is also affecting wildlife populations in complex and increasingly concerning ways. Our new research shows extreme heat, heavy rain and storm surges are affecting seals and seabirds during a critical period of their development – as pups and chicks. An environment
- [Electric is the new normal as growing secondhand market helps Australian car buyers shift gear](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/20/australian-car-buyers-electric-ev-hybrid-mainstream) - Lower-cost Chinese brands entered the market, the oil crisis pushed up petrol prices, and now a third of all car sales are EV or hybridGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe era of an electric vehicle as a lifestyle statement in Australia is over – they’re now firmly mainstream.Analysis of auction
- [‘Termination shock’: trust our expert warnings on geoengineering’s planetary risks | Raymond Pierrehumbert, Julia Slingo, Michael Mann and Valerie Masson-Delmotte](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/19/solar-geoengineering-risk-to-planet-earth) - Do we really want to play dice with our planet?A series in the Guardian recently declared “it’s time to talk about geoengineering.” So let’s talk about it. And let us start with some simple truths about this cluster of techno-optimistic “quick fixes” which purport to somehow offset our slow progress towards zeroing out planet-warming carbon
- [Suspected H5 bird flu detected in Australia](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-19/h5-bird-flu-suspected-in-western-australia/106819600) - A wild migratory bird in Western Australia has returned a suspected positive result for avian influenza, which has devastated populations of seabirds, seals and other animals across the world.
- [US rebuked over 'climate change' controversy at Antarctic meeting](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-19/united-states-accused-of-climate-change-edit-antarctic-report/106818680) - The US has been criticised over its reluctance to refer to "climate change" at a major Antarctic meeting, with France describing it as a "dangerous precedent" that risks undermining science.
- [The Tassie devils in my neighbourhood keep stealing shoes and laundry, but I adore them | Kelley Swain](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/19/tasmanian-devils-stealing-laundry) - The thievery of these little creatures is endlessly amusing to me, but there have been, I’m told, a few rounds of inconvenienceGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTo have your knickers go missing at a music festival may be seen as evidence of having a great time, but what if you’re
- [Burning forest ‘waste’ to make cement damages the climate. Let’s pursue cleaner options](https://theconversation.com/burning-forest-waste-to-make-cement-damages-the-climate-lets-pursue-cleaner-options-285141) - The Australian government has agreed to invest almost $53 million in a north Tasmanian company that will upgrade its coal-fired kiln to burn wood “waste” and used tyres for cement manufacturing. The Federal Minister for Climate Change, Chris Bowen, says this initiative will help decarbonise the Australian economy. However, the science is clear: burning forest
- [‘Mega-consumers’ of food and energy cost environment $5.7tn a year, study finds](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/18/mega-consumers-food-energy-damage-cost-environment) - Top 10% generate climate and biodiversity damage bill that exceeds economies of most countries, say researchersThe environmental damage bill racked up by the highest-consuming 10% of the world’s population has reached up to $5.7tn a year – larger than the economy of every country except the US and China, a study has found.Mega-consumers in this
- [Australian farmers are desperate to escape the latest mouse plague – and may soon get relief](https://theconversation.com/australian-farmers-are-desperate-to-escape-the-latest-mouse-plague-and-may-soon-get-relief-285233) - For months, a flood of mice has engulfed Western Australia’s agricultural regions. For people living through it, this latest mouse plague is all-consuming. Houses, sheds, paddocks and roads are blanketed with mice. And the smell of mice, both dead and alive, is impossible to escape. It may well be the worst plague the region has
- [Government buys back $430m worth of water for Murray-Darling Basin](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-18/federal-government-430m-water-buyback-murray-darling-basin/106813844) - A $430 million Murray-Darling Basin water buyback sparks a fresh political fight over the balance between food production and environmental recovery.
- [Ancient oak tree linked to the legend of Robin Hood is dead](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-18/uk-s-major-oak-tree-dies-/106814742) - The tree is said to have sheltered Robin Hood, the legendary 13th-century bandit who stole from the rich and gave to the poor and took refuge in Nottingham Forest.
- [More than 13,000 seal pups die on remote Australian island amid bird flu outbreak](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/18/more-than-13000-seal-pups-die-on-remote-australian-island-amid-bird-flu-outbreak) - Testing confirms spread of deadly H5N1 virus on the subantarctic Heard Island, about 4,000km south-west of PerthFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMore than 13,000 seal pups have died on an Australian territory, as testing confirmed the spread of deadly H5N1 bird flu
- [How Australia can deliver the secure gas, renewable fuels and battery minerals Asia and the Pacific need](https://theconversation.com/how-australia-can-deliver-the-secure-gas-renewable-fuels-and-battery-minerals-asia-and-the-pacific-need-284072) - Energy security is a top priority globally, as governments grapple with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, an accelerating clean energy transition and surging power demand from AI data centres. The problem is especially acute for Asia and the Pacific, as both regions are highly dependent on imported fuels. This is where Australia could
- [Levels of ‘forever chemicals’ in dolphins and whales are rising globally](https://theconversation.com/levels-of-forever-chemicals-in-dolphins-and-whales-are-rising-globally-284565) - Whales and dolphins inhabit some of the largest and seemingly most pristine environments on Earth, from tropical coastlines to Antarctic waters. Yet even they cannot escape PFAS – persistent “forever chemicals” that leak from our homes, factories and waterways into the sea. Forever chemicals are the secret ingredients in our non-stick pans, waterproof jackets and
- [NT's new climate resilience plan lists gas project as top priority](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-17/nt-government-climate-resilience-plan-beetaloo-criticism/106804592) - The Northern Territory government's newly released climate resilience plan has listed the acceleration of gas extraction at the Beetaloo Basin as a top priority. Environment groups have fiercely criticised the plan, saying it will "make climate change worse".
- [Hanson wasn't there for Press Club. She was there for Fight Club](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-17/pauline-hanson-national-press-club-fight-club/106808202) - The spectacle of the One Nation leader having a blue with journalists — or indeed anyone even vaguely associated with Canberra incumbency — is catnip for the Hanson algorithm. And the lady is not stupid.
- [The weather bureau has just declared an El Niño. What could this mean for Australia?](https://theconversation.com/the-weather-bureau-has-just-declared-an-el-nino-what-could-this-mean-for-australia-285376) - After months of anticipation, the Bureau of Meteorology officially declared an El Niño on June 16. El Niño is a naturally occurring variation in temperature and winds across the Pacific Ocean that can influence weather around the globe. During El Niño, sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific warm up and trade winds
- [US-Iran deal should see oil and LNG begin to flow again… slowly](https://theconversation.com/us-iran-deal-should-see-oil-and-lng-begin-to-flow-again-slowly-285243) - US President Donald Trump hailed the deal ending the US-Israel war with Iran with a triumphant message: “Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!” he wrote on his online social media platform. But how realistic is a swift resumption of ship movement through the Strait of Hormuz? Oil traders are hopeful.
- [As an ocean swimmer, I try not to think of sharks, but we all know that this is their territory | Eleanor Limprecht](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/commentisfree/2026/jun/17/ocean-swimmer-australia-sharks-territory) - It used to be easier to say that the chances of a shark attack were slim. Now I feel as though that pretence of safety has been shattered After nearly a year’s break, I started ocean swimming again this May, delighting in the clarity of the water and the quieter beaches of Sydney’s winter. I’d
- [800 visits to a suburban park: inside an epic 40-year birdwatching quest](https://theconversation.com/800-visits-to-a-suburban-park-inside-an-epic-40-year-birdwatching-quest-283593) - Birdwatching is one of the most common and popular ways people experience nature. But it’s not often that even the most enthusiastic birdwatcher returns to the same place more than 800 times to witness the changes over four decades. In a recent paper, we documented 40 years of change in the bird life of a
- [BoM forecasts strong El Niño and warns climate change could amplify effects on Australia](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/16/australia-el-nino-bom-bureau-of-meteorology-dry-hot-weather) - El Niño events linked with extreme weather around the world – and can increase risk of bushfires in Australia and coral bleaching on Great Barrier ReefFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Bureau of Meteorology has officially declared an El Niño – the
- [Have we lost our appetite for meat and dairy alternatives?](https://theconversation.com/have-we-lost-our-appetite-for-meat-and-dairy-alternatives-283280) - Our supermarket shelves are lined with meat and dairy products, ranging from cheese to milk and minced beef. The average Australian consumes more than 22 kilograms of meat and 90 kilograms of dairy each year. But over the past five years, Australians have increasingly turned to alternative proteins. Six in ten people report trying, or
- ['Ecosystem engineers' returned to desert decades after local extinction](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-16/bettong-release-wild-deserts-sturt-national-park-after-extinct/106755452) - Wiped off mainland Australia by the introduction of cats and foxes, burrowing bettongs are making a triumphant comeback in outback NSW.
- [Fishers furious as 1.6km nets trialled near Great Barrier Reef](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-16/tunnel-nets-trialled-near-great-barrier-reef/106789716) - The nets are being floated as a replacement for the controversial gillnets, which will be banned from June next year.
- [Life isn’t easy at the edge of the power grid. Could batteries and microgrids offer a brighter future?](https://theconversation.com/life-isnt-easy-at-the-edge-of-the-power-grid-could-batteries-and-microgrids-offer-a-brighter-future-283285) - Australia’s big clean energy projects get a lot of attention, from giant solar farms to the Snowy 2.0 pumped hydro scheme. So too does the push for rooftop solar and home batteries. What often gets overlooked are the innovations underway where the power grid ends. It costs power utilities a lot to keep these towns
- [‘Like a horror movie’: Coogee’s regulars think twice about swimming after shock shark attack](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/16/shark-attack-coogee-beach-sydney-regulars-think-twice-about-swimming) - ‘Saddened, stunned, surprised and haunted’ is how one surfer describes the mood at the popular Sydney beach two days after Leah Stewart was bitten by a great whiteGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastUnder a clear blue sky on a Monday morning, Coogee beach in Sydney’s east is quiet.A few swimmers
- [Weather tracker: Saharan heat to send temperatures soaring across Europe](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/15/weather-tracker-sahara-heatwave-temperatures-europe-australia) - Heatwave conditions build over much of continent, while mild start to winter continues in parts of AustraliaHot weather is expected across Europe this week as heatwave conditions build over large swathes of the continent.A mass of hot air from the Sahara has settled over the Iberian peninsula and spread into southern and western France, pushing
- [Air quality monitoring to be upgraded in the NT after Inpex under-reporting](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-15/nt-government-introduces-new-air-quality-testing-monitoring/106798150) - The Northern Territory government has announced a plan to introduce new air quality monitoring of toxic pollutants, including any carcinogenic emissions. It follows a review that found gas giant Inpex had underestimated its emissions in Darwin.
- [Shark expert says Tony Abbott ‘doesn’t understand the science’ after former PM calls for cull](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/15/shark-expert-says-tony-abbott-doesnt-understand-the-science-after-former-pm-calls-for-cull) - Another expert says drone technology may have prevented shark attack at Coogee beach on SaturdayFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA shark behaviour expert says Tony Abbott “doesn’t understand the science” after the former prime minister called for sharks to be culled in
- [Picturesque islands in WA's north set to become transport hubs after $20m sale](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-15/kimberley-islands-to-become-transport-hubs-alan-bond/106790116) - A Kimberley iron ore mine with idyllic views across a tropical sea will close after 70 years of operation as a new phase begins for offshore oil and gas.
- [Satellite images reveal missing Antarctic ice the 'size of France'](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-14/west-antarctica-ice-fails-to-form-area-size-of-france/106794526) - Scientists say a chunk of winter sea ice the size of France off the Antarctic coast has failed to form this year.
- [Former potato farm given new life as bird sanctuary](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-14/former-wa-potato-farm-transformed-into-bird-sanctuary/106777918) - Once drained for farm irrigation, this former potato farm now attracts birds from as far away as Siberia.
- [Denial is back in vogue. As Australia leads climate talks, it’s beyond time we took the issue seriously](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/14/climate-denial-in-vogue-pauline-hanson-australia-cop31-ntwnfb) - It is unlikely that many voters are flocking to Pauline Hanson for her scientific insights – but that is where they are lining up, regardlessWant to get this in your inbox when it publishes? Sign up for the Clear Air Australia newsletter herePolitics is disconnecting from long-held assumptions at historic speed and no one knows
- [I was a hardcore twitcher. I understand why the Cocos booby has Australia’s birders in a frenzy | Andrew Stafford](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/14/cocos-booby-twitching-australia-birders) - Twitchers can be the subject of derision but they have greatly expanded our understanding of birdlife in the age of extinctionThe discovery of a black-headed gull in Geraldton, Western Australia, has put Australian birders in a bit of a flap. Normal people might wonder why, considering it is abundant in the northern hemisphere – it
- [‘Flamin’ cockatoos’ have lost much of their habitat to bushfires. Can the species survive?](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2026/jun/14/pink-cockatoos-bushfire-habitat-loss-wyperfeld-national-park-victoria) - Two fires in 12 years wiped out all but a handful of the mature native pines in Victoria’s Wyperfeld national park, a key breeding ground for endangered pink cockatoosFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAt the entrance to Wyperfeld national park, in north-west
- [Tropical heron spotted in UK for first time as more exotic birds arrive to thrill birdwatchers](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/13/tropical-heron-spotted-first-time-uk-aoe) - Appearance of a western reef heron in north Wales is unlikely to be the last, as heating temperatures mean species can survive Britain’s winter, say expertsIt is a tropical bird typically encountered between west Africa and India, but last week a western reef heron arrived in north Wales in what is believed to be the
- [Groundbreaking rainforest conservationist Tony Parkes dies at 96](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-13/tony-parkes-big-scrub-rainforest-conservationist-dies/104846556) - After falling in love with Australia's ancient Big Scrub rainforest, Tony Parkes built his life around saving its final remnants and restoring hundreds of hectares.
- [Australia can switch from fossil fuel exports to renewables, says next Cop president](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/13/australia-fossil-fuel-exports-renewables-cop-chris-bowen) - Climate minister Chris Bowen says country must prepare for changing world and can play bigger role in reducing emissionsAustralia will find exporting fossil fuels increasingly difficult but can switch to exporting clean energy products, the president of the next UN climate negotiations has declared.Speaking at a climate conference in Bonn, Germany, Chris Bowen, Australia’s minister
- [Feral sambar deer likely brought to SA for hunting purposes](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-13/sambar-deer-spotted-riverland-south-australia/106780434) - One of Australia's largest feral deer species was spotted in SA's Riverland for the first time earlier this month. While its existence is being investigated, the Invasive Species Council says it was likely transported across state lines for hunting purposes.
- [Port River 'stud muffin' among spate of dolphin deaths in Adelaide](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-12/port-river-dolphin-zoom-death-being-investigated/106791044) - Environmental authorities are investigating what caused the death of a Port River dolphin, believed to be Zoom, this week after several dolphin carcasses washed up on Adelaide beaches in recent days.
- [Goblin shark with face ‘not even a mother would love’ seen alive in natural habitat for first time](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/12/goblin-shark-seen-alive-natural-habitat-first-time) - Elusive creatures have previously only been seen on fishing lines and experts know ‘virtually nothing about them’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastRare and eccentric-looking goblin sharks have been seen alive in their deep ocean habitat for the first time ever.Prof Alan Jamieson, director of the Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, said
- [Emergency hospital admissions fell after introduction of London’s T-charge and Ulez, study suggests](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/12/emergency-hospital-admissions-reduced-london-t-charge-ulez-air-quality) - Imperial College scientists analysed health records before and after introduction of air pollution reduction zonesLow emission and clean air zones attract controversy whenever they are proposed, but there is growing evidence that they work in improving air quality. The Bradford zone was followed by a reduction of about 25% in GP visits for heart and
- [NT government says Claravale land-clearing dispute is now settled](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-12/government-has-reached-settlement-claravale-land-clearing/106790054) - For years, the Northern Territory government has been locked in a legal battle with Claravale Station over allegations its owners cleared hundreds of hectares without a permit. But it is not the first time the government has announced the settlement deal.
- [Climate change is causing fish to move to cooler water. But what if their escape route is blocked?](https://theconversation.com/climate-change-is-causing-fish-to-move-to-cooler-water-but-what-if-their-escape-route-is-blocked-284291) - Around the world, ocean warming is causing fish to move polewards in search of cooler water. But what if you’re a tiny prawn, barramundi or rare sawfish in a northern Australian gulf and your exit southwards is blocked by land? To date, there’s been a global gap in understanding how shallow tropical gulfs and bays
- [Millions of homes in London, Essex and Kent at risk of sinking as climate crisis worsens](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/11/millions-homes-london-essex-and-kent-sinking-climate-crisis-subsidence) - Analysis pinpoints areas most vulnerable to hotter, drier weather causing ground to shrink and drag foundations downMillions of homes are at risk from climate-related subsidence, according to an analysis by the British Geological Survey (BGS).As hotter, drier summers driven by global heating become more frequent, the ground under houses can shrink and drag down a
- [Good news for renewables: southern Australia’s offshore winds will stay strong even as the climate changes](https://theconversation.com/good-news-for-renewables-southern-australias-offshore-winds-will-stay-strong-even-as-the-climate-changes-276400) - If you’ve ever stood on a Victorian beach and felt the wind from the Southern Ocean, you’ll know this is not a gentle force. Whipped up across thousands of kilometres of cold ocean, these winds are relentless and powerful. More than that – they’re one of Australia’s most valuable untapped sources of energy. Australia has
- [New species found in Australia's most 'pristine' marine parks](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-11/scientists-discover-new-species-christmas-cocos-islands/106779294) - Researchers have catalogued dozens of new marine species found in the depths of Australia's most remote waters. The result is a window into a rarely glimpsed world.
- [Beachside towns in WA face difficult decisions as erosion gets worse](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-11/rapid-erosion-along-wa-coast-lancelin-emergency-funds/106769464) - A week after Western Australia experienced one of its worst storms in decades, some stretches of coast are crumbling into the ocean at an alarming rate. Millions of dollars' worth of infrastructure is at risk heading into winter.
- [Australia’s huge ‘forever chemical’ lawsuit focuses on the cleanup – not human health. Why?](https://theconversation.com/australias-huge-forever-chemical-lawsuit-focuses-on-the-cleanup-not-human-health-why-284548) - The Australian government has launched its largest-ever lawsuit, suing American chemical giant 3M and its local subsidiary. The government is seeking A$2 billion in damages for the past and future cost of investigating and managing “forever chemicals” contamination from firefighting foams on almost 30 Defence sites. The government alleges the company withheld internal testing that
- [Warming winters are changing NZ’s landscapes, bringing insect pests, smaller fruit and carbon loss](https://theconversation.com/warming-winters-are-changing-nzs-landscapes-bringing-insect-pests-smaller-fruit-and-carbon-loss-284418) - Summer heatwaves are currently receiving a lot of attention in Europe because they now cause more deaths than floods or storms. But winters are also warming. While they are generally less deadly, they influence and disrupt human and natural systems in many subtle ways. Aotearoa New Zealand has experienced a particularly warm start to this
- [Record winter temperatures in Antarctic raise fears over speed of climate breakdown](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/10/record-winter-temperatures-in-antarctic-raise-fears-over-speed-of-climate-breakdown) - Temperatures above 15C ‘very strange’ say scientists, as snow melts and rain falls on glaciers in usually frozen regionTemperatures in the Antarctic climbed above 15C this month, shattering the previous winter heat record for the usually frozen region and raising concerns about the speed of climate breakdown.The new winter peak temperature was logged by the
- [Shaggy dog tale as Bruce rescued after being blown out to sea in kayak](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-10/dog-rescued-northumberland-inflatable-kayak-north-sea/106781714) - Bruce, a dog, has been rescued from the North Sea after drifting away in an inflatable kayak.
- [Fisherman attacked after treading on crocodile in northern WA](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-10/barred-creek-crocodile-attack-kimberley/106781528) - Authorities have confirmed the 35-year-old man was fishing in waist deep water at Barred Creek, north of Broome, when he was bitten.
- [More than half of clean energy schemes needed for Labour’s 2030 target offered grid connection](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/10/labour-renewable-energy-projects-halfway-long-delay) - The 700 projects include wind and solar farms, battery storage, gas and hydro plansMore than half the renewable energy projects needed to meet the government’s clean power targets by 2030 are now able to plug into the electricity grid after years of delay, according to the system operator.The National Energy System Operator (Neso) has offered
- [Households could save £200 on energy bills in plan to break link between gas and electricity prices, says thinktank](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/10/public-procurement-electricity-could-save-households) - Government plan to de-link gas and electricity prices aims to reduce bills for consumers after global surge in pricesHouseholds in England, Scotland and Wales could save nearly £200 a year on their energy bills if the government stepped into the market to act as the sole buyer of electricity, according to a thinktank.The research found
- [Demolishing homes after climate disasters can be devastating. Here’s how we reused precious materials](https://theconversation.com/demolishing-homes-after-climate-disasters-can-be-devastating-heres-how-we-reused-precious-materials-284192) - Following the devastating Northern Rivers floods in New South Wales in 2022, roughly 14,000 truckloads of water-damaged materials were sent to landfill. The flood exposed many things, including our unimaginative approach to managing waste. As immediate recovery moved into reconstruction, we saw an opportunity to manage this flood-damaged material differently. We proposed an alternative to
- [Climate change has already made Australians in one state much poorer, and more’s to come](https://theconversation.com/climate-change-has-already-made-australians-in-one-state-much-poorer-and-mores-to-come-284547) - The world’s hottest years over the past decade have coincided with stagnant economic productivity, rising prices and geopolitical instability. Is this just coincidence or has the current level of climate change been one of the drivers? Climate change is often framed as a problem for the future. But how much economic damage has today’s current
- [Escaped devil spotted on suburban Gold Coast CCTV after week on loose](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-09/tasmanian-devil-mary-still-missing-gold-coast/106762528) - A two-year-old Tasmanian devil has been on the loose since last Tuesday when she leapt out of her enclosure at a Gold Coast wildlife park.
- [How waves, ponds and green algae are accelerating sea ice melt in Antarctica](https://theconversation.com/how-waves-ponds-and-green-algae-are-accelerating-sea-ice-melt-in-antarctica-280456) - Picture sea ice in your mind. You probably imagine brilliant white, snow-covered floes floating on the surface of the ocean, home to penguins in the south of the globe or polar bears in the north. But our new research shows Antarctic sea ice can turn into rafts of rotting floes (the free-floating pieces of ice)
- [Hitchhiking wallaby returns home after 2,000km round trip](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-09/wallaby-joey-hitchhiked-charleville-returns-north-qld/106772002) - Roadkill is a common sight on outback roads, but a group of travellers was dedicated to making sure a joey found in north Queensland survived.
- [If Australian data centres are going to power the AI revolution, we deserve a fair return | David Pocock](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/09/australia-datacentres-artificial-intelligence-ai-revolution-industry-fairness) - We cannot afford to make the same mistake as we did with gas. If tech companies are going to use our land, energy and water for AI, they must pay their fair share of taxFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOver the past
- [Households outshine business in Australia’s rooftop solar revolution, report finds](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/09/australia-rooftop-solar-panels-households-business) - Australia leads world in residential solar per capita with 22GW installed but commercial and industrial sector has deployed only a quarter of thatGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia’s revolution in rooftop solar has left behind commercial and industrial buildings where installations have lagged far behind homes, according to new analysis.Australia
- [Elusive gull drifts thousands of kilometres off course to Australia, turning birdwatching into ‘extreme sport’](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/08/elusive-gull-drifts-thousands-of-kilometres-off-course-to-australia-turning-birdwatching-into-extreme-sport) - ‘Twitchers’ rush to coastal Western Australia to see black-headed gull, which usually flies between Europe and AsiaGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA lone seabird has caused a stir in the nation’s birdwatching community after landing on the Western Australian coast, thousands of kilometres off its usual migratory flight path.The black-headed
- [Feral pigs raid NSW farms, tearing up hectares of agricultural land](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-08/feral-pigs-damage-farm-paddocks-oberon-nsw/106758138) - After an extended dry spell, farmers across inland NSW are reporting significant damage to their paddocks by feral pigs seeking food.
- [Rare bird sighting excites twitchers](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-08/black-headed-gull-sighting-geraldton-excites-birdwatchers/106769672) - Birdwatchers from across Perth and even interstate have flocked to WA's Midwest after the sighting of a black-headed gull.
- [Are Australia’s carbon farming schemes just hot air? Hardly – forests are regrowing almost everywhere](https://theconversation.com/are-australias-carbon-farming-schemes-just-hot-air-hardly-forests-are-regrowing-almost-everywhere-266251) - Trees take carbon dioxide from the air and turn it into wood, storing it for decades. This is why Australian authorities have made forest regeneration eligible for carbon credits. The largest carbon farming scheme is known as human-induced regeneration. Here, land owners and managers support forests to return on once-forested land. Every tonne of carbon
- [The fight to save Australia’s ‘incredibly captivating’ endangered spiny crayfish](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/08/australia-endangered-spiny-crayfish-protection) - Global heating is destroying creeks the crayfish call home. They’re the canary in the coalmine for other species living in the delicate ecosystemsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNightfall comes early under the dense cloak of the rainforest canopy and Ollie Scully –
- [Conservation Wins, Challenges and Nature News Across Australia](https://www.thebeats.org/2026/06/10/conservation-wins-challenges-and-nature-news-across-australia/) - From threatened species and river ecosystems to national conservation strategies, here's what shaped Australia's environmental landscape during May 2026.
- [Fisher with a mission: first woman to chair Grayling Society wants to protect ‘lady of the stream’](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/07/fisher-mission-first-woman-chair-grayling-society-protect-rivers) - Marnie Lovejoy hopes to inspire other women to fish, protect England’s rivers and lift up the ‘beautiful’ graylingWith its iridescent pink scales and elegant dorsal fin, the grayling is known to anglers as the “lady of the stream”, yet the society fighting for its protection has never been led by a woman, until now.Angling, and
- [Inside a Trump-linked plan to turn a communist-era military base into a luxe resort](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-07/explained-kushner-resort-flamingo-protests/106769258) - Ivanka Trump has floated "manifestations" of luxury holidays. Meanwhile, Albanians are claiming "irreversible" ecological damage. Why protests are shaking Albania.
- [Two towns, same gas fields, very different experiences](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-06/gas-industry-boom-uneven-growth-western-downs-towns/106763842) - In Queensland's "energy capital", two towns on either side of the same gas fields are feeling the effects very differently.
- [Whitsunday home owners in the dark over cable-car project](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-06/skyway-advanced-stage-approvals-whitsunday/106763318) - Approvals for the 1.8-kilometre Skyway in Airlie Beach are set to be fast-tracked, but locals say consultation with the developer has been limited.
- [Ecologist worried damaged boat could pollute sensitive rock platform](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-06/environmental-concerns-boat-dragged-off-rocks-flat-rocks-ballina/106764100) - Excavators have been used to salvage a vessel that ran aground at Flat Rock just north of Ballina, potentially disrupting the intertidal ecosystem in the area.
- [The Trump administration is trying to kill a rule that protects millions of acres of national forests | Charles F Sams III](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/05/trump-roadless-rule-national-forests-protection) - The bipartisan Roadless Rule is under fire. It’s just one way Trump could make our public lands unrecognizableModern roads in the United States will last for decades. And yet the damage they cause in our national forests is immediate.Since 2001, the Roadless Area Conservation Rule has protected more than 58m acres of national forests from
- [Scientists warn Trump plan to axe US ocean monitoring system will leave world ‘flying blind’](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/05/trump-plan-ocean-monitoring-system-concern-scientists) - Experts say dismantling the ocean observation system will ‘severely degrade’ the accuracy of weather predictionsThe Trump administration’s plan to dismantle an ocean observation system vital to understanding the climate crisis and marine ecosystems would “severely degrade” the accuracy of weather predictions and El Niño forecasts, with economic consequences for the US, European and American scientists
- [Average person eats six times more chicken than in 1961, UN report finds](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/05/global-meat-supply-chicken-pork-fao-report) - UN report says global meat supply has risen fourfold in last 60 years and is expected to keep risingAnalysis: Ingredients in place for shift to plant-based diets but meat still dominatesThe average person eats about six times as much chicken and twice as much pork as their grandparents’ generation did, data from a UN report
- [Get set for a painted lady summer: big year for orange butterflies in Britain](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/05/painted-lady-summer-orange-butterflies-britain) - Migrant insects have been seen in large numbers along east coast thanks to heatwave and benign southerly windsIf you’ve spotted a pale orange butterfly dashing at frenetic pace through streets, fields or gardens, you’ve noticed the new migrants that will add colour to the summer in record-breaking numbers.What is expected to be the largest arrival
- [Millions of Queenslanders to see power bills fall for first time in years](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-05/regional-queensland-energy-prices-drop/106763978) - Household power bills will drop by about 7 per cent, while business bills will drop by 8 per cent from July 1.
- [No place like home with rescuers for Dorothy the kitten who survived the unthinkable](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-05/abandoned-melbourne-kitten-finds-new-home-after-injuries/106762910) - A kitten left for dead after being thrown from a moving car has spent months recovering and is now at a new home with two familiar faces.
- [NZ’s new forestry rules promise consistency. Will they also increase environmental risk?](https://theconversation.com/nzs-new-forestry-rules-promise-consistency-will-they-also-increase-environmental-risk-284440) - One of the most important changes to New Zealand’s environmental regulations in recent years came into force this week. Yet outside policy circles, the forestry sector and a handful of councils, few people are likely to have noticed. The government’s freshly-amended National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry set bottom-line rules for activities ranging from afforestation
- [Kerbside parking is great for drivers – but terrible for everyone else. Could we get rid of it?](https://theconversation.com/kerbside-parking-is-great-for-drivers-but-terrible-for-everyone-else-could-we-get-rid-of-it-283687) - It may seem like it’s impossible to find a car park on the street. As a recent Grattan Institute report makes clear, Australia actually has an oversupply of parking, both on streets and in parking lots. Across five of the state capitals, most postcodes have more on-street spaces than there are registered cars. That’s great
- [England’s poorest areas face deepest cuts to green space under planning law changes, report finds](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/04/englands-poorest-communities-face-deepest-cuts-green-space-planning-law-changes-report-warns) - Exclusive: New loopholes for developers will exacerbate extreme disparities across country, charity coalition warnsThe poorest and most nature-deprived communities in England will be further left behind in their access to green spaces if proposed changes to planning laws go ahead, a report finds.More than 7.4 million people in England live in areas completely devoid of
- [A good life for the 99% isn’t a pipe dream: it can be done. Here’s how](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/04/a-good-life-for-the-99-isnt-a-pipe-dream-it-can-be-done-heres-how) - Our plan is radical – but by transforming how we live on a finite planet, nearly everyone gains‘An equal and habitable world is possible’: academics set out sweeping vision for planetary survivalImagine a future in which everyone enjoys high levels of wellbeing; where 90% of the world’s population doubles their income but works half the
- [EPA clashes with Greens on need for real-time tracking of salmon antibiotic use](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-04/epa-tas-on-real-time-salmon-antibiotics-data/106759196) - The director of Tasmania's Environment Protection Authority rejects calls to release real-time information on the amount of antibiotics used by salmon producers, despite the companies already providing that information to other government bodies.
- [Concerns raised as mining companies take local groundwater leaving towns 'vulnerable'](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-04/water-security-concerns-magnetite-miner-karara-seeks-extension/106733604) - As a major miner seeks approval to extend its magnetite ore operations in regional Western Australia to 2048, shires are increasingly concerned about ensuring there's enough groundwater to go around.
- [Hidden in plain sight: the race to discover new species before they’re gone](https://theconversation.com/hidden-in-plain-sight-the-race-to-discover-new-species-before-theyre-gone-283594) - When most people imagine scientists discovering new species, they probably still picture an expedition into the unknown. A naturalist travels somewhere remote, perhaps on a wooden ship, and traipses through the jungle to encounter an animal or plant never before described by science. The intrepid explorer brings back specimens or observations to a museum, where
- [Australia’s GDP figures are meaningless when the boom in datacentres means destroying jobs and the climate | Greg Jericho](https://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2026/jun/04/australia-datacentres-destroying-jobs-climate-economy-gdp) - In the March quarter Australia’s economy grew 0.3%. But the real issue is what drove that growthFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe March GDP figures, not for the first time, showed that the focus on economic growth seems rather foolish when you
- [Water Corp says maintenance of 54,000km of pipes a challenge amid complaints](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-03/wa-water-corp-defends-leaks-and-spills/106755720) - For two years, residents in one of the driest parts of Western Australia have watched thousands of litres of water leaking from a Water Corp-owned tank.
- [No sign of missing Tasmanian devil Mary but experts confident she will survive](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-03/qld-regs-missing-devil-mary/106755778) - Sniffer dogs and thermal imaging drones are being deployed as the search for a missing Tasmanian devil on the Gold Coast goes into a second day.
- [How much water and power will AI data centres use in Australia? Ironically, we don’t have the data to know](https://theconversation.com/how-much-water-and-power-will-ai-data-centres-use-in-australia-ironically-we-dont-have-the-data-to-know-284069) - Australia’s data centre rush now rivals the mining boom. OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman last week said Australia could become a “data centre capital of the world”. This would come at an environmental cost. Water use is a common concern. One report estimates AI centres could use billions of litres of water a year. But
- [Hanson’s gas policy follows the far-right playbook: attack ‘elites’ and push for drilling](https://theconversation.com/hansons-gas-policy-follows-the-far-right-playbook-attack-elites-and-push-for-drilling-283763) - New polling this week put One Nation ahead of Labor in the primary vote for the first time, as the party’s latest policy announcements signal greater political ambition. One Nation recently unveiled its new oil and gas policy at the Australian Energy Producers Conference in Adelaide. It promises “vastly greater returns” to an electorate “rightly
- [Female dolphins remember who is aggressive when choosing a mating partner, research shows](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/03/female-dolphins-remember-aggression-mating-partner) - Researchers observed unavailable female dolphins – those that were older, or with calves – did not show the same avoidant behaviourFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFemale dolphins identify males by their unique calls and keep track of their past behaviour, choosing to
- [Can you not? Plastic and metal ‘franken-can’ named Australia’s worst packaging at Unpackit awards](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/03/plastic-metal-franken-can-worst-packaging-unpackit-awards-australia) - ‘Completely unnecessary’ hybrid cans are not easily recycled or accepted by container refund schemes, and are already banned in WAFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA single-use plastic and metal drinking vessel dubbed a “franken-can” has been given the dubious honour of being
- [New ways to remove CO2 from atmosphere must grow much faster, report says](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/02/new-ways-remove-co2-from-atmosphere-carbon-dioxide-removal) - Novel forms of CO2 removal must expand at ‘highly ambitious rates’ if world is to limit global heating to 1.5C, says studyHumanity must suck carbon out of the atmosphere with new technologies even faster than the breakneck speed with which it has deployed solar panels if it is to limit global heating to 1.5C, a
- [Search for Tasmanian devil 'Mary' missing from popular Gold Coast wildlife park](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-02/qld-tasmanian-devil-mary-search-gold-coast-theme-park/106751448) - The recently arrived young devil has been kept in a secure indoor facility while quarantining, but was noticed missing on Tuesday morning.
- [Prepare for imminent return of El Niño, UN warns](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/02/prepare-for-imminent-return-of-el-nino-un-warns) - UN agency predicts phenomenon that supercharges weather extremes has 80% chance of forming before SeptemberThe world must prepare for the imminent return of El Niño and the supercharged weather extremes it brings, the UN has warned.The powerful natural weather pattern, which raises global temperatures and worsens some rainfall, has an 80% chance of forming before
- [Ever seen a cave cricket? Australia now has three new species of these spindly, spider-like creatures](https://theconversation.com/ever-seen-a-cave-cricket-australia-now-has-three-new-species-of-these-spindly-spider-like-creatures-284070) - When you picture a cave, you probably think of an environment devoid of life. But for most caves on Earth, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Caves are remarkably good at supporting life. Underground air temperature and humidity levels are usually consistent. For vulnerable species unable to tolerate fluctuations above ground, caves are a
- [New deer hunting rules not expected to bring numbers down](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-02/feral-deer-hunting-new-rules-missed-opportunity-farmers-say/106748526) - The Tasmanian government is making changes to the rules for deer hunting in the state, but farmers say it won't be enough to bring numbers down, with the sector's peak body calling for the species to be declared a pest.
- [Three hours of free power a day sounds good – but is Australia’s scheme fair?](https://theconversation.com/three-hours-of-free-power-a-day-sounds-good-but-is-australias-scheme-fair-281347) - From July 1, many Australians can choose something that once sounded absurd: free electricity in the middle of the day. The federal government’s opt-in Solar Sharer Offer will give three hours of free power to households with smart meters in New South Wales, South Australia and southeast Queensland. Victoria’s separate scheme will launch in October.
- [‘Hold your nerve and trust nature’: birds, bats and butterflies rebound at Somerset rewilding farm](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/01/nature-birds-bats-butterflies-rebound-heal-rewilding-somerset-farm) - Letting nature take over at a former dairy farm has resulted in a surge of species in just three yearsThree years of rewilding on a former dairy farm in east Somerset have seen recorded bird species soar from 67 to 94, butterfly species rise from 11 to 24 and small mammals grow in number.Heal Somerset,
- [Typhoon Jangmi threatens Japan as Europe swelters](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/01/typhoon-jangmi-japan-europe-temperatures-australia) - Powerful winds and rain expected in parts of Japan and Australia, while temperatures in Spain could hit 40CA powerful tropical storm is forecast to track near Okinawa, Japan, on Monday before moving towards the south-east of the country. Typhoon Jangmi (also known as Typhoon No 6) has formed within the monsoonal gyre over the Philippine
- ['Panic started to set in': Woman rescued from quicksand on Adelaide beach](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-01/sa-woman-rescued-in-quicksand/106745068) - A relaxing sunset walk at the beach with a friend turned to panic for a young woman after her leg got stuck in quicksand, prompting a rescue from police and fire crews.
- [Australia’s spent billions on renewable gases, with little to show. This is how to do it properly](https://theconversation.com/australias-spent-billions-on-renewable-gases-with-little-to-show-this-is-how-to-do-it-properly-284178) - Australia’s biggest industrial gas users pump out about 5% of our greenhouse gas emissions. To have any chance of reaching our emissions targets, Australia need to reduce its heavy reliance on fossil gas. But to make this possible, we need to produce supplies of green hydrogen – made with renewable energy – and biomethane. On
- [Thousands of green sea turtle hatchlings swim to sea in conservation win](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-01/green-sea-turtle-babies-hatch-/106739118) - The project at Raine Island, where 90 per cent of northern green sea turtles nest, has been working for a decade to improve hatching success.
- [Trees and greenery can cool cities by as much as 18°C – but only if they’re the right type](https://theconversation.com/trees-and-greenery-can-cool-cities-by-as-much-as-18-c-but-only-if-theyre-the-right-type-283071) - Cities around the world are planting more trees to cope with rising urban heat. But our research shows trees alone are often not enough. In some cases, the wrong kind of greening can even make streets feel less comfortable on a hot day. We compared field measurements from Melbourne, Munich and Hong Kong to test
- [Feral horse numbers in Australia’s alps are on the rise again. It’s time to act](https://theconversation.com/feral-horse-numbers-in-australias-alps-are-on-the-rise-again-its-time-to-act-283592) - Last year, we noted early signs of recovery in Australia’s high country, following the reduction of feral horse numbers. These had dropped from 17,000 in 2023 to around 3,000 in 2024 across Kosciuszko National Park, thanks to the management efforts of NSW National Parks staff and contractors. But horse numbers are already bouncing back. The
- [Horses bolt through Rome after police officer sets off fireworks](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-31/escaped-horses-gallop-through-rome-several-injured-fireworks/106742860) - Fireworks set off without permission by a police officer during a rehearsal for Italy's Republic Day parade startled dozens of horses, sending them bolting through the capital and injuring several riders.
- [The household battery revolution that could change energy bills … and the world](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2026/may/31/cheaper-energy-bills-battery-revolution-climate-crisis) - Australia is pioneering a revolution in home renewables and battery use, proving what is possible with the right policiesThe timing was rich with symbolism. As intense heatwaves pummelled Europe and Asia, and oil markets around the world leapt and sputtered, the two big chimneys of one of Australia’s largest power stations were being demolished. Meanwhile,
- [Aboriginal ownership of national parks celebrated at cultural festival](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-31/biamanga-gulaga-handback-20-year-anniversary/106702700) - The Yuin people on the NSW South Coast celebrate two decades of Aboriginal ownership of two national parks.
- [Ministers urge City of London to act over swimmers in Hampstead Heath wildlife ponds](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/30/ministers-urge-city-of-london-to-act-over-swimmers-in-hampstead-heath-wildlife-ponds) - Exclusive: Local authority asked what steps it is taking after hordes of splashing revellers seen disturbing nesting birdsMinisters have written to the City of London demanding it stop people from swimming in a protected pond on Hampstead Heath, after disturbing scenes of cygnets and eggs being disrupted went viral on social media.Swans and their 12-day-old
- [On-street EV charging in UK is postcode lottery as drivers face council objections](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/30/on-street-ev-charging-uk-postcode-lottery-council-objections-gullies-safety-legal-parking) - Despite government pledges, more than 20 authorities will not allow gullies, citing safety, legal and parking concernsThe energy secretary, Ed Miliband, has said charger gullies to connect electric cars parked on streets will help cut costs for drivers, yet millions of UK households may be unable to use the simple technology because their local councils
- [The 1970s oil shock gave birth to permaculture. This fuel crisis is reviving it](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-30/permaculture-booms-again-has-roots-in-world-oil-crisis-1970s/106735260) - The tenets of permaculture are attracting a new generation of home gardeners. It's perhaps no surprise, considering the movement has firm roots in the world's last oil crisis in the 1970s.
- [Gold Coast beach erosion sparks lucrative metal-detecting boom](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-30/gold-coast-beach-erosion-sparks-metal-detecting-boom/106731654) - Some Gold Coast metal detectorists say they are making $1,000 a month from treasures found on beaches eroded by storms.
- [Dartford warbler stages a comeback 60 years after almost vanishing](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/29/dartford-warbler-stages-a-comeback-60-years-after-almost-vanishing) - Survey shows 44% increase on RSPB reserves of bird that almost became extinct in England in the 60sMore than half a century after the Dartford warbler almost vanished from the English countryside, the charismatic heathland bird appears to be staging a comeback.A survey has revealed the highest number of Dartford warblers ever recorded on reserves
- [Weather tracker: deadly May heatwave shatters records across Europe](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/29/weather-tracker-deadly-may-heatwave-shatters-records-across-europe) - Temperatures across parts of continent around 10-15C above average for this time of year, while thunderstorms strike eastern AustraliaEurope has experienced an exceptional heatwave this week, with temperature records broken across multiple countries under a persistent area of high pressure, commonly referred to as a “heat dome.” The UK surpassed its May maximum temperature record
- [Victorian MP sorry for mistakenly saying alleged koala killer had died](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-29/victorian-mp-jacinta-ermacora-false-claim-alleged-koala-killer/106736948) - State MP Jacinta Ermacora says "they were misinformed and passed that misinformation on".
- [Too hot, too humid: why the sustained heatwave in India and Pakistan is so dangerous](https://theconversation.com/too-hot-too-humid-why-the-sustained-heatwave-in-india-and-pakistan-is-so-dangerous-283762) - India and Pakistan are no strangers to heat. This time of year is the worst, as heat peaks before the monsoon brings cooler conditions from June. But this year’s heat is something else. Intense, sustained heat began in mid-April. Daily maximum temperatures have topped 46°C in many locations, with some areas running around 5–8°C above
- [This herb could halt a major NT gas project](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-29/darwin-harbour-middle-arm-endangered-herb-potential-roadblock/106733212) - The NT government is arguing its planned mega Middle Arm gas industry precinct will be needed to help shore up Australia's future fuel and energy supplies — but it has just identified that a tiny endangered herb could be growing in the way.
- [NZ’s ‘light-touch’ approach to voluntary carbon and nature markets may unlock finance but risks credibility](https://theconversation.com/nzs-light-touch-approach-to-voluntary-carbon-and-nature-markets-may-unlock-finance-but-risks-credibility-283367) - The government’s recent announcement of support for voluntary carbon and nature markets effectively offers a “warrant of fitness” to signal which markets can be trusted, without directly regulating them. The aim is straightforward. By giving investors, landowners and developers confidence, the government hopes to unlock private finance for projects that reduce emissions or restore ecosystems.
- [Backlash is often swift when authorities try to plan retreat from the coast. There’s a better way](https://theconversation.com/backlash-is-often-swift-when-authorities-try-to-plan-retreat-from-the-coast-theres-a-better-way-275790) - Climate change is exacerbating rainfall, flooding and sea-level rises in coastal and low lying areas. During the past few years, disastrous floods have swept through Lismore in New South Wales, Northern Queensland, and the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. Large waves have pounded beaches, causing erosion in Byron Bay and Wamberal Beach in NSW and
- [Diphtheria is a disease of poverty that has no place in modern Australia. When we talk about Closing the Gap, this is the gap | Donna Ah Chee](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/may/29/diphtheria-outbreak-remote-communities-aboriginal-indigenous-health-ntwnfb) - For those of us working in Aboriginal health, the outbreak doesn’t come as a surprise. We must invest in housing that keeps remote communities safeThe diphtheria outbreak should shock Australia. Not simply because a disease once considered virtually eradicated has returned, but because of where it is spreading and why.More than 220 cases have been
- [Blair’s fossil fuel ideas ‘bizarre’ in face of energy and climate crises, experts say](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/28/tony-blair-fossil-fuel-advice-bizarre-energy-climate-crises-experts-say) - Energy specialists say abandoning net zero and increasing oil and gas drilling would cause more instability for BritonsUK politics live – latest updatesAbandoning net zero and drilling for more oil and gas in the North Sea would be a massive setback for the UK and would not help the economy, leading experts have said in
- [Britain ‘sleepwalking into a food crisis’ without urgent action, experts say](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/28/britain-sleepwalking-into-a-food-crisis-without-urgent-action-experts-say) - Industry figures warn of national security risk and call for ministers to address impact of extreme weather, inflation and Iran warBritain is “sleepwalking into a food crisis” caused by extreme weather, inflation and the impacts of the Iran war – and the government is failing to take the threat seriously, food experts have said.Farmers are
- [Healthy soil can protect land from soaring heat. But our map shows where soil is suffering](https://theconversation.com/healthy-soil-can-protect-land-from-soaring-heat-but-our-map-shows-where-soil-is-suffering-283079) - Imagine walking into a double-brick house on a scorching 40°C summer day – it feels cool almost straight away. Now imagine stepping into a corrugated tin shed – it feels like an oven. The difference is simple: some materials slow heat down, while others let it rush through. Soil works in a similar way. Soil
- [Calls for a higher bar for developers to protect significant Cairns shade trees](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-28/freshwater-development-triggers-calls-for-protections-of-trees/106728954) - After several failed court challenges, a council has angered a community with its approval to remove a significant tree to make way for a duplex development, but experts say local governments need to start paying more attention to residents' concerns.
- [Government sues 3M Australia for $2 billion over PFAS contamination](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-28/federal-government-sues-3m-australia-pfas-firefighting-foam/106731552) - The Commonwealth is launching its largest-ever legal claim, suing the manufacturer of a firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals that contaminated 28 Defence Force bases across Australia.
- [Australia’s old environment laws were a box-ticking exercise. Sadly, the new ones could be too](https://theconversation.com/australias-old-environment-laws-were-a-box-ticking-exercise-sadly-the-new-ones-could-be-too-283069) - For a quarter century, Australia’s environment laws were widely regarded as not fit for purpose. In 2020, a scathing review by Professor Graeme Samuel found the Environment Protection and Biodiversity (EPBC) Act was ineffective and unfit for future environmental challenges. On the last Parliamentary sitting day of 2025, Labor passed its long-awaited reforms to Australia’s
- [Community shocked after Aboriginal rock shelter bulldozed for NSW power lines](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/27/aboriginal-rock-shelter-destroyed-power-line-contractors-nsw-renewable-energy-zone-ntwnfb) - The heritage site was destroyed by contractors building transmission lines for the Central-West Orana renewable energy zoneGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIndigenous community members have described their shock and anger after an Aboriginal rock shelter was “damaged beyond recovery” by contractors building transmission lines for a New South Wales renewable
- [Maugean skates released after more than two years in captivity](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-27/maugean-skates-released-into-macquarie-harbour-imas/106726458) - A pair of endangered rays taken from a Tasmanian harbour as a species "insurance policy" have been released back into the wild after helping to produce more than 400 eggs for a captive research program.
- [Original track designer steers clear of estimated $100m MotoGP remodel](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-27/australian-grand-prix-course-redevelopment-cost-concerns/106726320) - Adelaide Street Circuit designer Bob Barnard estimates it could cost more than $100 million to remodel the track for the MotoGP, but the premier says that number has not been mentioned to him.
- [Scientists have scrapped the worst-case climate scenario – because action is making a difference](https://theconversation.com/scientists-have-scrapped-the-worst-case-climate-scenario-because-action-is-making-a-difference-283675) - When major new climate change scenarios are released, there’s always strong interest. These scenarios lay out what our future climate will look like, depending on how fast we act to cut emissions. But what was surprising about the seven new scenarios announced last week was that United States President Donald Trump took an interest. Why?
- [A ‘supereruption’ transformed NZ 350,000 years ago. We now know how it happened](https://theconversation.com/a-supereruption-transformed-nz-350-000-years-ago-we-now-know-how-it-happened-283142) - Some 350,000 years ago, the centre of New Zealand’s North Island appeared much different than the mountainous, scrub-covered landscape it is today. Amid a glacial period, temperatures were colder and conditions harsher. Vast beech and podocarp forests blanketed the region, providing habitat for abundant native birdlife. It was against this tranquil backdrop that the one
- [For 44 years, Australia has subsidised diesel use. Is it time to stop?](https://theconversation.com/for-44-years-australia-has-subsidised-diesel-use-is-it-time-to-stop-283075) - Mining giant BHP has come under fire for spending hundreds of millions of dollars on new diesel trucks in the Pilbara, despite promising a transition to electric trucks in its climate strategy. Like other mining companies, BHP’s diesel-driven fleet is eligible for fuel tax credits on diesel. The company’s controversial decision to shelve its plans
- [Landlord inaction on energy upgrades stops renters saving $20bn on power bills in a decade](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/27/australia-home-energy-bill-savings-renters-landlords-rooftop-solar-insulation-appliances) - Property owners’ lack of motivation due to ‘split incentive’ is main reason rental properties are missing out on energy upgrades, research findsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastRenters make up nearly a third of Australian households yet many are missing out on energy
- [Huge rise in factory-style dairy farming of ‘battery cows’ in UK as costs rise](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/26/uk-sees-huge-rise-in-battery-cow-dairy-farms-investigation-reveals) - Investigation finds number of dairy farms where cows cannot go outside has more than doubled since 2015There has been a huge rise in factory-style dairy farming of “battery cows” in the UK as farmers struggle with increasing costs and face selling milk at a loss.The number of intensive dairy farms that permanently confine some of
- [Vape shops but no jobs: one young man’s search for work in Grimsby](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2026/may/26/vape-shops-but-no-jobs-one-young-mans-search-for-work-in-grimsby) - The Lincolnshire seaside town is often written off by YouTubers as a place defined by deprivation and decline. But for many young people it's a place they love and are proud to call home, even though high unemployment limits their opportunities. The Guardian follows 19-year old Cohen, who is desperate to find a permanent job
- [Why are retail power prices finally falling?](https://theconversation.com/why-are-retail-power-prices-finally-falling-283760) - Renewables and energy storage were pitched as a way to drive down power prices. But the hidden costs of the clean energy transition mean lower prices haven’t fully eventuated. That’s why this week’s news power prices will fall by up to 10% have been gratefully received by the government – and consumers. The falls are
- [Iron ore processing project dumped by BHP for not being profitable enough](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-26/bhp-dumped-pilbara-iron-ore-plant-cut-emissions-four-corners/106721700) - Internal BHP documents reveal how the mining giant planned to set up an iron ore processing facility in the Pilbara to cut carbon emissions before backing away from it entirely.
- [Entanglement injuries cause prolonged suffering for whales and dolphins – early intervention is crucial](https://theconversation.com/entanglement-injuries-cause-prolonged-suffering-for-whales-and-dolphins-early-intervention-is-crucial-283673) - When a humpback whale became entangled in a craypot line off Kaik?ura last week, witnesses described it thrashing in distress for ten minutes before eventually freeing itself. It was a fortunate outcome. Elsewhere in New Zealand and Australia, similar cases have required complex disentanglement operations involving trained rescue teams, multiple vessels and specialist equipment. In
- [Farmers hopeful cold front will help WA's dry May problem](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-26/wa-grain-growers-adapt-to-uncertain-rainfall-in-may/106718026) - A downward trend in autumn rainfall has WA farmers adapting to early seeding, but hoping this week's forecast cold front will provide a much-needed break to the dry spell.
- [How did we learn which plants are safe to eat? 2 food scientists explain](https://theconversation.com/how-did-we-learn-which-plants-are-safe-to-eat-2-food-scientists-explain-281869) - Have you ever eaten a green potato, or a bunch of rhubarb leaves? Hopefully not, because these two plant parts can be toxic to humans. While they may seem edible, they contain chemicals that can make you seriously ill. Over centuries, humans have learnt which plants are safe to eat and which are not, often
- [BHP has made big climate promises – that’s the easy part. Now it must do the real work of slashing emissions | Adam Morton](https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2026/may/25/bhp-climate-promises-slash-emissions-global-solutions) - Given the scale of its contribution to global heating, the world’s biggest miner has a duty to invest heavily in solutions that could have a global impactRevealed: the internal BHP memo that slammed the brakes on world’s biggest miner’s climate pushRead more from the BHP files investigation hereSign up for Adam Morton’s free Clear Air
- [Document leak at Australia's richest company shows how it put off going green](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-25/bhp-leaked-documents-climate-emissions-cuts-delay-electric-truck/106706762) - Hundreds of pages of internal BHP documents reveal how the company sold itself as a climate leader while internally finding reasons to put off action in the Pilbara.
- [Should bore water be sold as spring water?](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-25/bottled-water-labelled-spring-from-bores/106719616) - A resident of the Perth Hills, where thousands of litres of groundwater are extracted each week and sold as bottled water, has questioned whether it's accurate to label it as 'spring water'.
- [Half of UK adults say they spend less than three hours a week outside in nature](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/25/half-of-uk-adults-say-they-spend-less-than-three-hours-a-week-outside-in-nature) - Most people have joyful memories of playing outside as children – and now wildlife charities are urging people to ‘rewild their inner child’Climbing trees, squelching in mud, paddling in ponds or making dens in the woods – people’s memories of playing outside as children are often vivid and, a new poll has found, overwhelmingly positive,
- [Many biofuels haven’t panned out. Could algae make the clean diesel and aviation fuel Australia needs?](https://theconversation.com/many-biofuels-havent-panned-out-could-algae-make-the-clean-diesel-and-aviation-fuel-australia-needs-281872) - Diesel is critical to Australia. Any supply disruption has immediate and widespread consequences, given Australia imports almost 80% of its liquid fuels. As the energy shocks of the Iran war ripple out, Australia’s leaders have scrambled to shore up supplies of fuel – especially diesel and aviation fuel. Disruptions to fuel supplies have happened before,
- [Australia needs thousands more kerbside EV chargers. Here’s how to roll them out fast and fairly](https://theconversation.com/australia-needs-thousands-more-kerbside-ev-chargers-heres-how-to-roll-them-out-fast-and-fairly-283483) - Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer a niche technology. Australians are buying them in growing numbers as petrol prices bite and the federal government continues its tax exemption until 2029. The challenge now is to build the supporting charging infrastructure. Fast and ultrafast chargers, which recharge a typical EV in 10–15 minutes, have proven to
- [River Wye formally recognised as living ecosystem with intrinsic rights](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/24/river-wye-formally-recognised-living-ecosystem-intrinsic-rights) - Charter to be adopted along river’s entire catchment from Cambrian mountains to Chepstow and Bristol ChannelThe entire catchment of the River Wye has been formally recognised as a living ecosystem with intrinsic rights in a charter, a UK first that campaigners hope will help save the highly polluted river.The charter was celebrated at a community
- [Man dies after shark attack in Far North Queensland](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-24/hull-heads-shark-bite/106715896) - A 39-year-old man has died following a shark attack in Far North Queensland.
- [Endangered turtle found to have survived record-breaking flood](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-24/endangered-maning-river-turtles-back-to-preflood-numbers/106711504) - Experts are relieved to see the number of endangered Manning River turtles holding steady, a year after devastating flooding in northern New South Wales.
- [Endangered sawfish at risk from plan to double water extraction from WA’s Fitzroy River, advocates say](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/24/endangered-sawfish-at-risk-wa-fitzroy-river-western-australia) - The Martuwarra Fitzroy catchment is home to four of the world’s five sawfish species, which rely on large groundwater-fed pools to survive the dry seasonGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastConservationists fear a government plan to double groundwater extraction from the Martuwarra Fitzroy River catchment in Western Australia could jeopardise threatened
- [When the bushfire came, this couple turned on their roof sprinkler and left](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-23/how-to-make-homes-bushfire-resilient-tasmania/106566908) - Preparing for an ember attack could extend your home's bushfire survivability rate to above 90 per cent or even closer to 100 per cent, a fire scientist says.
- [Giant iceberg with shipping containers spotted off Antarctica](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-23/tasmania-iceberg-breaks-away-with-shipping-containers-on-board/106710726) - Details of how the shipping containers ended up on a giant iceberg have been revealed in one of the more unusual reports tabled at the annual meeting of Antarctic Treaty nations.
- [The network watching the world’s oceans is under pressure – just when it’s needed most](https://theconversation.com/the-network-watching-the-worlds-oceans-is-under-pressure-just-when-its-needed-most-283365) - Increasingly, the world’s oceans are telling us our climate system may be changing faster and more dramatically than expected. These new insights are made using a vast global network of instruments – from drifting floats and moored buoys to research vessels and underwater gliders – that quietly and continuously feed data to scientists. Known as
- [Number of air conditioned UK homes doubles to more than 4m in three years](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/22/air-conditioning-uk-homes-doubles) - Greater working from home and hot summer temperatures believed to be driving increase in ownershipAn estimated 4m homes in the UK now have air conditioning, double the figure from three years ago as Britons complain of “unliveable” conditions during high temperatures.Portable units with power ratings around 1kW are slightly more common than the more powerful
- ['No sign of danger': Friend details horror of fatal shark attack](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-22/friend-of-steven-mattaboni-shark-attack-victim-speaks-out/106712072) - The best friend of a Perth father killed by a shark off Rottnest Island says there was "absolutely no warning" before the attack.
- [China and Russia block conservation bid for endangered emperor penguin](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-22/china-and-russia-block-moves-to-protect-emperor-penguin/106710542) - The annual meeting of Antarctic Treaty nations has failed to reach consensus to designate the endangered emperor penguin as a "Specially Protected Species".
- [4 reasons the ‘largest energy crisis’ on record has been held at bay – and why there’s pain to come](https://theconversation.com/4-reasons-the-largest-energy-crisis-on-record-has-been-held-at-bay-and-why-theres-pain-to-come-283148) - The US-Israel war with Iran was predicted to cause the worst energy crisis in history, according to the International Energy Agency. Around 20% of the world’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) and 25% of its seaborne oil supplies were affected. The impact should have eclipsed the oil shocks of the 1970s. But despite early panic, the
- [Risk of snakebites increasing as reptiles adapt to changing world, says study](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/21/risk-of-snakebites-increasing-climate-crisis-habitat-loss-who-study) - Research led by WHO predicts hotter climate will lead to more contact between humans and venomous snakesThe risk of snakebites is increasing across the world as reptiles shift their habitats to cope with rising temperatures and growing human pressures, a study of venomous snakes has found.Spitting cobras in Africa, vipers in Europe and South America,
- [One Nation says it’s the only party in Australia to question climate science. It should ask itself why | Temperature Check](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/may/22/one-nation-pauline-hanson-australia-questions-climate-science-ntwnfb) - Climate change denial has become untenable yet Hanson’s party digs in – with conspiracy theories, cherrypicking and claims that are easy to refuteFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAs the populist rightwing One Nation surges in the polls, its position on climate change
- [‘It’s put the joy levels up’: the flood-prone London school with a climate-adapted playground](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/21/flood-prone-london-school-climate-adapted-playground) - When pupils could no longer play outside, St John’s school in Barnet decided to act, enlisting Trees for Cities to help rethink its outside spaceThe play area at St John’s Church of England primary in Barnet, north London, used to flood so severely it was often unusable. “It would get so bad that the children
- [Record number of dams dismantled in Europe in effort to help wildlife thrive](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/21/record-number-of-dams-dismantled-in-europe-in-effort-to-help-wildlife-thrive) - Weirs, culverts and sluices among 602 barriers demolished in year in attempt to restore 15,500 miles of rivers by 2030A few miles downstream from a lava field in western Iceland, the gargle of free-flowing water is unbroken for the first time in decades after hydraulic peckers chipped away at a dilapidated dam that once powered
- [England must harvest rainfall and take action on water usage, Lords warn](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/21/england-harvest-rainfall-water-usage-shortages-house-of-lords-report) - Without urgent intervention England faces water shortages of 5bn litres a day by 2055, peers tell governmentRainwater harvesting, the use of grey water in homes and an urgent campaign to reduce water usage across society are vital to prevent water shortages of 5bn litres a day by 2055, the government has been told.Without intervention, England
- [Angus Taylor spruiks gas extraction as SA Liberals oppose fracking bid](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-21/federal-and-sa-politicians-split-on-gas-fracking/106706402) - After telling an Adelaide oil and gas conference "we need to get busy digging and drilling", Opposition Leader Angus Taylor bats away questions about the SA Liberal Party's resistance to fracking in the state's South East.
- [Australia backs landmark UN climate change ruling as others try to block it](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-21/australia-backs-united-nations-climate-change-ruling/106705694) - Australia joins 140 other countries in passing a major United Nations resolution backing a landmark legal ruling on climate change, despite efforts by the United States, Russia and Saudi Arabia to sink it.
- [CSIRO is cutting climate science jobs. This is what’s at stake for Australia](https://theconversation.com/csiro-is-cutting-climate-science-jobs-this-is-whats-at-stake-for-australia-283370) - CSIRO has told staff it will cut 92 positions in its environment unit – just days after the Australian government boosted funding to the national science agency by A$387 million. Our scientific colleagues have told us roughly a third of CSIRO’s climate modellers will lose their jobs – between four and six roles out of
- [Women experience extreme heat differently to men. And they’re adapting to it in creative ways](https://theconversation.com/women-experience-extreme-heat-differently-to-men-and-theyre-adapting-to-it-in-creative-ways-282493) - Right now, an unusual April and May heatwave is scorching large parts of India. Temperatures have exceeded 46°C across the northwest and centre, schools are closed, hospitals have set up dedicated heatstroke units and the government has issued heat warnings. We tend to think of heatwaves as a health crisis – almost 490,000 people die
- [Blinded and broken, Sunny the owl becomes another casualty of Russia’s war](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/20/owl-casualty-of-russia-war-ukraine-birds) - Ukrainians lament appalling toll of fighting on their country’s bird populationRussia sent kamikaze drones to attack the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia in February. They hit buildings and killed several people. One unreported victim of the bombardment was a male long-eared owl, blinded in one eye and found with a badly broken wing. A passerby scooped
- [Melbourne teenager Bianca Adler becomes youngest Australian to climb Mount Everest](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/20/youngest-australian-to-climb-mount-everest-teenager-18-bianca-adler-melbourne) - The 18-year-old high school student reached the top of the world’s tallest mountain on her second attemptAn 18-year-old high school student from Melbourne became the youngest Australian to climb to the top of Mount Everest on Wednesday.According to her Garmin data and a post on Instagram, Bianca Adler reached the 8,849 metre summit at nearly
- [Melbourne recycling plant pumping out 'fermenting' smell, locals say](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-20/visy-recycling-plant-stacks-still-leave-odour-over-reservoir/106663300) - A urban planning expert says Victoria's industrial zoning laws are outdated and that operations like Visy's paper recycling plant in Reservoir may no longer be appropriate so close to housing.
- [Worm living in a 'glass castle' among thousands of new marine species](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-20/ocean-census-marine-scientists-discover-thousands-of-new-species/106700356) - Thousands of species have been discovered lurking and thriving in our oceans, as part of an effort to catalogue 100,000 new species.
- [Timmy the stranded whale is dead. Please, let’s put animal welfare first and human emotion second](https://theconversation.com/timmy-the-stranded-whale-is-dead-please-lets-put-animal-welfare-first-and-human-emotion-second-283137) - Since March, the world has watched live as a humpback whale lay stranded on a sandbank in German waters, far from the North Sea. The stranded humpback whale was found in poor health, tangled in fishing gear with telltale cuts from a ship strike on its back. He was given the name Timmy. Early attempts
- [High levels of toxic ‘forever chemicals’ found off coast of southern England](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/19/toxic-pfa-forever-chemicals-channel-southern-england-solent) - Study of Channel finds levels of toxic Pfas in Solent at 13 times safe limits in some places, with much coming from treated sewageScientists have found high levels of toxic Pfas, or “forever chemicals”, in soil, water and throughout the marine food chain in the UK’s Solent strait, including at protected environmental sites, according to
- [Geothermal 2.0: how superhot rocks underground could help power Australia](https://theconversation.com/geothermal-2-0-how-superhot-rocks-underground-could-help-power-australia-280277) - Long before sunlight sustained life on the surface, Earth’s internal heat powered the deep-sea vents where scientists believe life began. The immense reservoir of heat inside Earth keeps the planet geologically active. But it can also be very useful to humans. Geothermal energy represents a huge and largely untapped source of clean electricity available around
- [Indigenous Australians were the world’s first astronomers. But their knowledge is now at risk](https://theconversation.com/indigenous-australians-were-the-worlds-first-astronomers-but-their-knowledge-is-now-at-risk-281435) - I’m a proud Yorta Yorta and Barapa Barapa man, an Indigenous astronomer and a trainee ecologist. When I look at the night sky, I don’t just see stars. Instead, I see an ancient knowledge system that has guided people, culture and Country for tens of thousands of years. But that knowledge is now at risk.
- [Magpies struck by deadly mystery illness as carers report declining numbers](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-19/wa-magpie-paralysis-syndrome-mystery-illness-population-decline/106645526) - Researchers say they are still far from identifying the cause of a deadly paralytic illness spreading through populations of the iconic Australian birds.
- [How to get more local sardines on Australian plates – a win for nutrition, local fishers and the environment](https://theconversation.com/how-to-get-more-local-sardines-on-australian-plates-a-win-for-nutrition-local-fishers-and-the-environment-278782) - Australians should be eating more healthy and nutritious foods – but that likely won’t happen unless they’re also cheap, easy to transport and store, and simple to prepare. Sardines fit the bill – they’re packed with healthy oils and calcium and have less mercury than bigger fish – and they’re increasingly appearing on menus at
- [Flight path granny flat ban lifted in parts of Sydney's west](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-19/secondary-dwelling-ban-lifted-western-sydney-airport/106689966) - The NSW government will permit secondary dwellings such as granny flats in some areas affected by noise from Western Sydney International Airport.
- [After another fatal shark attack, experts say risk can never be eliminated](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-18/how-wa-s-approach-to-shark-mitigation-has-evolved-over-years/106691032) - The approach to tackling shark attacks has changed dramatically since the 2013 catch-and-kill policy, with a focus on shark tagging and tracking. But it's never enough to stop fatal attacks.
- [Parent company orders cattle station to 'cease any plans' for bird cull](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-18/newcastle-waters-cattle-station-bird-cull-stopped/106693348) - A cull of 20,000 native birds on a Northern Territory cattle station will not be going ahead.
- [Australia’s ‘green Wall Street’ is failing to launch. Threatened species deserve better than the nature repair market | Euan Ritchie and Yung En Chee](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/may/18/australias-green-wall-street-is-failing-to-launch-threatened-species-deserve-better-than-the-nature-repair-market) - One must ask why Labor is so comfortable continuing to ignore the wishes of the vast majority of votersAnthony Albanese’s government swept to power in 2022 and, among many promises made to voters, it firmly committed to end a decade of environmental neglect. Four years later, the federal budget – as well as the newly
- [Nature is good for business – and we now have numbers to show it](https://theconversation.com/nature-is-good-for-business-and-we-now-have-numbers-to-show-it-283052) - When rivers degrade, pests spread or drought hits crops, nature sends a bill. Yet it’s one rarely itemised on any balance sheet, because nature’s contribution to business remains genuinely hard to quantify. One major obstacle is data. Businesses rarely disclose their precise operating locations, while detailed ecological information that can be linked to specific firms
- [When we took 37 strangers into the urban bush, their loneliness began to ease](https://theconversation.com/when-we-took-37-strangers-into-the-urban-bush-their-loneliness-began-to-ease-282378) - One in three Australians says they are lonely. To be lonely is to feel a lack of adequate social connection. Loneliness is about feeling disconnected from others or unable to form the kinds of relationships people need to feel seen and supported. It’s often shaped by displacement, uncertainty, exclusion and the quiet absence of meaningful
- [Indonesia says its giant sea wall will stop flooding. Is this climate adaptation or a costly folly?](https://theconversation.com/indonesia-says-its-giant-sea-wall-will-stop-flooding-is-this-climate-adaptation-or-a-costly-folly-276181) - Indonesia plans to build a “giant sea wall”, more than 500 kilometres long, to defend Java’s north coast from rising sea levels. The proposal includes a large lagoon behind the colossal concrete wall, raising significant questions about the feasibility and cost of such a giant project. Indonesian civil society groups say the sea wall could
- [Can electric trucks win over Australia’s fossil fuel diehards? Or is diesel here for the long haul?](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/18/can-electric-trucks-win-over-australias-fossil-fuel-die-hards-or-is-diesel-here-for-the-long-haul) - Amid soaring fuel prices, the government announced $3.2bn to store a billion more litres of diesel and jet fuel. What about just using less of it?Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIt was one of the most extreme tests for an electric truck
- [German minister defends ‘perfectly human’ decision to allow attempt to rescue whale Timmy](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/17/german-minister-defends-decision-rescue-stranded-whale-timmy) - Humpback stranded on sandbank was unlikely to survive, experts had said, recommending it be left to die in peaceThe German authorities have defended their decision to allow a risky rescue attempt of a stranded whale to go ahead, despite experts warning it was “inadvisable” because the animal was hurt and unlikely to survive.The saga of
- [Experts sound alarm as North America’s bees start swarm season unusually early](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/17/north-america-bees-early-swarm-season) - After record losses last year, beekeepers report a warm winter has led to bees ‘waking up earlier’ this yearAfter a series of record-breaking US heatwaves, the 2026 bee swarm season in North America has started 17 days earlier than last year, pushing beekeepers to adapt to a rapidly shifting season while raising new questions about
- [Reef restoration boosts Swan River's health](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-17/restoration-of-reefs-improves-swan-river-health/106681406) - Work is underway to restore Perth's Swan River and help its severely degraded riverbed, where 1 million tonnes of limestone was taken in the 1990s.
- [Bushwalker takes photo of rare bug in the wild](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-17/bug-species-inaturalist-walking-bush-insect-discovery-photo/106679772) - There were no known photographs taken in the wild of the Myrmeleon houstoni until a regional Victorian woman snapped a photo of one while on a bushwalk.
- [Timmy the whale confirmed dead by Danish authorities](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/16/timmy-the-whale-confirmed-dead-by-danish-authorities) - Humpback had been found deceased on Friday after rescue attempt criticised as ‘pure animal cruelty’Timmy the whale has been confirmed dead by Danish authorities two weeks after the beached humpback was transported to the North Sea in a rescue attempt criticised as “pure animal cruelty”.Denmark’s Environmental Protection Agency said a whale had been found dead
- [Declare climate crisis a global public health emergency, experts tell WHO](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/16/who-should-declare-climate-crisis-global-public-health-emergency-experts-say) - Exclusive: Commission says alert would trigger coordinated international response that could help avoid millions dyingThe climate crisis should be declared a global public health emergency by the World Health Organization, or millions more people will die unnecessarily, leading international experts have said.The independent pan-European commission on climate and health, which was convened by the WHO,
- [Fury at bill increasing environmental water flows over private property](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-16/fury-over-easements-for-inundation-bill/106682636) - Politicians and landholders vow to fight a controversial new New South Wales law that will allow the inundation of private property from environmental water flows under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
- [The southern Sydney bay residents say is becoming a mudflat](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-16/oyster-bay-residents-mud-flat-concerns/106677812) - A bin that has been sticking out of the mud for 12 years has become a symbol for an ongoing issue of sediment build-up in Oyster Bay in Sydney's Sutherland Shire.
- [Ban private jets and cut speed limits to avert UK fuel crisis, say campaigners](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/15/ban-private-jets-cut-speed-limits-uk-fuel-crisis) - Climate and transport organisations warn ministers not to ‘sleepwalk into crisis’ amid Iran war oil and gas shortagesPrivate jets should be banned and the speed limit on UK motorways reduced to 60mph as part of a pre-emptive effort to ease the looming fuel supply crisis, according to leading climate and transport organisations.The group – including
- ['Barbecue stopper' Asian tiger mosquito detected on Australian mainland for the first time](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-15/aedes-albopictus-asian-mosquito-detected-in-bamaga-mainland/106686374) - The world's most invasive mosquito has previously been found at borders, islands, and ports, but has just been discovered in a remote mainland Queensland community.
- [WA treasurer concedes $217 million cost of racetrack project may blow out](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-15/burswood-racetrack-perth-park-racetrack-budget-blowout-/106683832) - Despite assurances to the contrary, WA Treasurer Rita Saffioti has conceded it would be difficult for the government to stick to the $217.5 million budget for the Perth Park project.
- [‘Floats above the landscape’: the architect whose designs touch the earth lightly](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/15/australian-home-that-floats-above-the-landscape-glenn-murcutt-lynne-eastaway) - Glenn Murcutt pioneered architecture that was sensitive to its environment, and accomodating to changing temperatures and wildlifeThe house teaches you things, Lynne Eastaway says. Today, a choir of cicadas fill the scrub with a rhythm that rises and falls. On other days, there may be visits from birds, goannas, echidnas, wombats, wallabies and kangaroos.“The bush
- [Australia’s housing affordability expected to worsen and homelessness soar under fossil-fuelled future](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/15/australia-housing-affordability-homelessness-fossil-fuel-future-research) - Rents will rise and homelessness quadruple in a decade unless serious steps to cut emissions are taken, University of Sydney researchers findFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGlobal heating could worsen housing affordability, push up rents and quadruple homelessness in a decade without
- [Future big droughts may be worse than we think – NZ’s past shows why](https://theconversation.com/future-big-droughts-may-be-worse-than-we-think-nzs-past-shows-why-282259) - For an agricultural nation like New Zealand, severe drought is one of the most ominous consequences of a warming planet. The Climate Change Commission’s latest national risk assessment points to these events becoming more intense over time, particularly in the country’s drier northern and eastern regions. Recent events offer a glimpse of what this can
- [New DNA evidence shows dingoes are almost 90% pure – and fall into eight distinct groups](https://theconversation.com/new-dna-evidence-shows-dingoes-are-almost-90-pure-and-fall-into-eight-distinct-groups-282381) - Dingoes have roamed Australia for at least 3,000 years. These clever canines are the mainland’s only native apex predator on land. They also hold deep cultural and spiritual meaning for many First Nations groups. When European colonists arrived, they brought domestic dogs. These have sporadically bred with some dingo populations and introduced their genes. Dingoes
- [We proved these ‘forever chemicals’ can last longer than three decades](https://theconversation.com/we-proved-these-forever-chemicals-can-last-longer-than-three-decades-278425) - The fresh air, picturesque vistas and pristine bush of the Blue Mountains west of Sydney draw millions of visitors a year. Unfortunately, the Blue Mountains are also the site of a controversial investigation into water contamination with “forever chemicals”, also called PFAS. Our recent study investigated long-term PFAS contamination from two incidents, both involving petrol
- [Calls for more education following the suspected death of 'Sammy' the seal](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-14/sammy-death-raising-awareness-seals/106680100) - Marine experts are calling for greater education on aquatic life following the death of a seal believed to be known by Mornington Peninsula locals as Sammy.
- ['Like driving on bubble wrap': Residents describe mouse plague horror](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-14/mouse-plague-horror-in-western-australia-standard-of-living/106678730) - As locals in a Western Australian town battle a siege of mice, farmers still do not have permission to use a high-strength bait to combat them.
- [Farage’s Clacton-on-Sea constituency worst ‘tree desert’ in England, research shows](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/14/clacton-on-sea-tree-desert-woodland-trust) - Woodland Trust also finds significant north-south divide in tree cover, leaving many people at risk of poor health Nigel Farage’s constituency of Clacton-on-Sea is a “tree desert”, leaving people more exposed to air pollution, poorer health, lower life expectancy and the impact of rising temperatures, according to a new report.The Essex town is rated the
- [Changing climate law to prevent civil cases removes a key protection for NZ citizens](https://theconversation.com/changing-climate-law-to-prevent-civil-cases-removes-a-key-protection-for-nz-citizens-282849) - The government’s plan to change the law to bar claims for harms from greenhouse gas emissions shuts down New Zealand’s most important climate tort case, meaning it will never be decided on its merits. The move overrides a unanimous Supreme Court decision that Smith v Fonterra, a case against some of New Zealand’s major corporate
- [New revelations show WA is putting Australia’s climate targets at risk. Will Anthony Albanese do anything about it? | Clear Air](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/14/wa-western-australia-climate-targets-at-risk) - Premier Roger Cook has the prime minister’s implicit support but he’s making it harder for federal Labor to meet its much-vaunted climate targetsWant to get this in your inbox when it publishes? Sign up for the Clear Air Australia newsletter hereFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesWestern Australia has blazing sun, stunning Indian
- [Electric transport is no longer niche. This year’s budget shows it’s the future](https://theconversation.com/electric-transport-is-no-longer-niche-this-years-budget-shows-its-the-future-282846) - Last night’s federal budget suggests an important step in Australia’s transition to cleaner energy and electric transport may be underway. Spiking prices and geopolitical uncertainty in global oil markets show transport policy is no longer just about mobility or environmental issues. It’s also about energy. Australia’s overwhelming dependence on imported fuels has left it vulnerable
- [Ship owner bid to limit payout over tugboats sinking fails](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-13/goliath-v-tug-boats-liability-high-court-decision/106673794) - A shipping company's attempt to avoid paying millions of dollars to Tasmania's port authority over the sinking of two tugboats in Devonport has been overturned by Australia's High Court.
- [A real ‘intergenerational equity’ budget would address our unceasing environmental decline](https://theconversation.com/a-real-intergenerational-equity-budget-would-address-our-unceasing-environmental-decline-282375) - Last night, Labor unveiled a budget designed to tackle intergenerational equity in Australia through bold tax reform. It comes at a time where politics is consumed with the international shocks created by US President Donald Trump, whether through chaotic tariff announcements or the US-Israel war with Iran. But there’s a larger intergenerational inequity in our
- [Jim Chalmers’ budget doesn’t fix everything – but it’s an overdue first payment to future generations | Ken Henry](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/commentisfree/2026/may/13/australia-budget-2026-jim-chalmers-economic-reforms-tax-changes-future-generations) - The treasurer has shown economic reforms should not be left to the too-hard basket, and instead be pursued with a sense of urgencyExplore all of our 2026 Australia federal budget coverageFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFinally, a budget of economic reform. It
- [Sammy the seal believed dead on Mornington Peninsula](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-13/sammy-the-seal-died-mornington-peninsula/106673740) - A beloved seal known as Sammy is believed to have died, after Zoos Victoria confirmed they were called to a rescue on Tuesday.
- [Labour must fulfil promise to introduce clean air act, charities urge](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/13/labour-must-fulfil-promise-to-introduce-clean-air-act-charities-urge) - Party held out prospect of act while in opposition but plan did not make it into election manifestoMinisters should bring forward a new clean air act that would ban wood burning, clear diesel vehicles from the roads and force councils to cut pollution, a group of more than 60 charities have urged before the king’s
- [Should emissions from coal burned overseas be considered in Australian mine approvals? For the first time, the High Court will decide](https://theconversation.com/should-emissions-from-coal-burned-overseas-be-considered-in-australian-mine-approvals-for-the-first-time-the-high-court-will-decide-281343) - Australia’s High Court will today hear its first ever climate case. It could have real implications for fossil fuel producers across the country. The nation’s highest court has been asked to decide whether decision-makers must consider the likely climate impacts of fossil fuel projects on the communities where the mines operate. The case revolves around
- [Why the race to save these cherished penguins just became more urgent](https://theconversation.com/why-the-race-to-save-these-cherished-penguins-just-became-more-urgent-282579) - The hoiho, also known as takaraka or yellow-eyed penguin, holds a special place in Aotearoa New Zealand’s natural identity. Shy and solitary, with its distinctive yellow headband and pale eyes, it is one of the world’s rarest penguins and among the country’s most recognisable wildlife species. For Ng?i Tahu, the hoiho is a taonga species
- [The budget in seven graphs: no big surprises but this may be one of the most ambitious moves to fix Australia’s finances | Greg Jericho](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/grogonomics/2026/may/12/the-budget-in-seven-graphs-no-big-surprises-but-this-may-be-one-of-the-most-ambitious-moves-to-fix-australias-finances) - With some long-awaited sanity on housing and taxes, including CGT and negative gearing changes, it’s one of the most important for good – but will still leave some out in the coldFederal budget 2026 LIVE updates: Australia government budget announcement and speech – latest newsExplore all of our 2026 Australia federal budget coverageGet our breaking
- [Record payout after billionaire built mine without traditional owners' permission](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-12/yindjibarndi-fortescue-andrew-forrest-compensation-payout/106665232) - Andrew Forrest's Fortescue has been ordered to pay $150 million to WA traditional owners after mining their land without permission.
- [Qld government to continue with Paradise Dam rebuild despite advice](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-12/paradise-dam-rebuild-going-ahead-despite-advice/106671240) - The board of Sunwater has written to the state government, labelling the rebuild of Paradise Dam "grossly disproportionate" and should be "no further considered".
- [In an ant colony, the queen isn’t in charge. So who is?](https://theconversation.com/in-an-ant-colony-the-queen-isnt-in-charge-so-who-is-278196) - Imagine trying to build a house without a blueprint, find a shortcut through an unfamiliar city without a map, or govern a large organisation with no leaders and no meetings. It sounds impossible. Yet tiny-brained ants, working without leaders or blueprints, have been solving problems like these for millions of years – and no, the
- [Like solar, most of the first home battery subsidies went to the wealthy. We need a fairer approach](https://theconversation.com/like-solar-most-of-the-first-home-battery-subsidies-went-to-the-wealthy-we-need-a-fairer-approach-282495) - Australia is in the grip of a record-breaking battery rush. Last week Energy Minister Chris Bowen announced that more than 380,000 home batteries have been installed since July last year. That’s over 100,000 more than the total installed between 2020 and mid-2025. The reason for the rush: government subsidies, which cut the upfront cost by
- [Supermarket foods claiming to be ‘natural’ or ‘sustainable’ mostly just using marketing terms, researchers find](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/11/supermarket-foods-claiming-to-be-natural-or-sustainable-mostly-just-using-marketing-terms-researchers-find) - Survey of 27,000 Australian supermarket items found some products boasting environmental benefits had significantly higher emissions than unlabelled counterpartsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFoods in supermarkets boasting environmental terms such as “natural” or “sustainable” are mostly just using marketing speak, rather than
- [Norway puts UN project funding on hold raising fears for plastics treaty talks](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/11/norway-un-environment-programme-funding-plastics-treaty-talks) - Move by largest donor to environment programme poses further uncertainty for already troubled negotiations The largest donor to the United Nations Environment Programme (Unep) has paused funding to the body before its revised budget on 12 May, triggering concern among member states and NGOs.The news could carry significance for the already troubled plastic treaty negotiations
- [Lucky endangered quoll survives 600km hitchhike in Qld](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-11/hitchhiking-quoll-released-back-into-wild-in-rockhampton/106665304) - Members of the public spotted the marsupial fleeing the wheel arch of a truck in Brisbane and alerted authorities.
- [Sunwater CEO Glenn Stockton resigns amid dam controversy](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-11/sunwater-ceo-glenn-stockton-resigns-paradise-dam/106665588) - The ABC understands Sunwater CEO Glenn Stockton resigned on Friday after almost six years in the position.
- [Why has this autumn been so hot and dry?](https://theconversation.com/why-has-this-autumn-been-so-hot-and-dry-282049) - We’re less than a month away from the southern hemisphere winter. But you’d be forgiven for thinking summer was only last week. April was unseasonably warm and dry across Australia. Temperatures were above average or very much above average for most of the country. New South Wales had its second-driest April on record, while Bairnsdale
- [Wealthy people were the first to buy electric vehicles. The current boom risks entrenching inequality](https://theconversation.com/wealthy-people-were-the-first-to-buy-electric-vehicles-the-current-boom-risks-entrenching-inequality-280458) - Australia is in the midst of an electric vehicle boom. The combined rise of battery electric, plug-in hybrids and conventional hybrid cars is steadily shifting the long-term market dominance of petrol and diesel. This is good news for reducing transport emissions, but what might it mean for socioeconomic inequality? Two years ago, we examined more
- [Pirouetting and gaping: mysterious whale behaviour documented as humpback migration begins](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/11/pirouetting-humpback-whales-mysterious-behaviour-migration) - With the help of citizen scientists, researchers studying rare humpback ‘jaw-gaping’ believe the move could be a social displayFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOff the coast of Western Australia, a humpback whale is “pirouetting”, sweeping its pectoral fins through the water, its
- [Breeding program gives endangered frog with 'baritone' call a fighting chance](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-10/watsons-tree-frog-breeding-program-releases-tadpoles/106268902) - Scientists hope the successful captive breeding and release of the endangered Watson's tree frog in Victoria's far east will help aid the species' survival, after its habitat was decimated during the Black Summer bushfires.
- [Much-loved tramway Clydesdales hit with mystery flu-like illness](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-09/victor-harbor-tramway-clydesdales-battle-flu-like-illness/106642712) - The majestic horses that pull the historic tramway at Victor Harbor on the South Australian coastline are under the weather. Locals hope they will soon return.
- [Client abuse and excessive workloads impacting vets](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-09/veterinary-vet-mental-health-joint-committee/106640044) - A parliamentary inquiry makes more than 30 recommendations to address increase of poor veterinary mental health outcomes.
- ['My heart nearly stopped': Rare new bug spotted three times since discovery](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-09/nt-new-bug-species-found-darwin-larrakia-feather-legged-assassin/106652182) - A new type of bug, celebrated for the "really cool" way it assassinates prey, has been named in honour of traditional custodians in the northern Australia region where it was discovered.
- [The fight against AI data centers isn’t just about tech – it’s about democracy | Astra Taylor and Saul Levin](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/may/08/ai-datacenters-democracy) - Claims of nimbyism are a misunderstanding: the movement is about whether regular people have a say in fundamental decisionsSince the surreal scene at the 2024 presidential inauguration, when a row of big tech titans took their VIP seats and signaled their new alliance with Maga, the Trump administration has rolled out the red carpet for
- [Airline emissions in Europe top pre-Covid levels despite pledge to decarbonise](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/08/airline-emissions-in-europe-top-pre-covid-levels-despite-pledge-to-decarbonise) - Promises to cut emissions and use more fuel-efficient planes fail to stop rise, with Ryanair’s carbon footprint 50% up on 2019Emissions from flying in Europe have now passed pre-pandemic levels, with Ryanair’s carbon footprint 50% higher than in 2019, research has shown.Total aviation emissions continue to increase despite industry pledges to decarbonise and the introduction
- [Inequality causing 100,000 extra deaths a year from heat and cold in Europe](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/08/inequality-extra-deaths-heat-cold-europe-climate) - Findings come after third-hottest April on record globally and amid fears of more brutal European summer weatherEconomic inequality adds more than 100,000 deaths to the vast toll from heat and cold in Europe each year, research has found.Cutting levels of inequality to match that of Europe’s most equal region, Slovenia, as measured by the Gini
- [NT taxpayers to be hit with $75m bill if fracking project fails](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-08/beetaloo-basin-gas-fracking-nt-government-budget-taxpayer-cost/106658938) - Northern Territory taxpayers will be hit with a $75 million bill if Tamboran Resources, one of the key Beetaloo Basin fracking companies, is unable to repay its lenders.
- [Gas and coal have long tied Japan to Australia. It’s time for a new climate and green industry partnership](https://theconversation.com/gas-and-coal-have-long-tied-japan-to-australia-its-time-for-a-new-climate-and-green-industry-partnership-282052) - There was much warmth on display at the official leaders’ meeting between Australia and Japan on Monday. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gave his Japanese counterpart Senae Takaichi an AC/DC drum skin signed by the band members, while receiving new vinyl records for his DJ collection. Both leaders famously love rock music. But there was
- [Cockatoo removed from city's aviary amid welfare concerns](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-08/cockatoo-removed-from-cook-park-orange-amid-welfare-concerns/106646404) - Orange City Council says it is meeting all the requirements of its licence to operate the Cook Park aviary but concerned locals say it is time the enclosure was closed for good.
- [Cyclone Gabrielle exposed the risks of forestry slash. New research suggests little has changed](https://theconversation.com/cyclone-gabrielle-exposed-the-risks-of-forestry-slash-new-research-suggests-little-has-changed-282129) - When Cyclone Gabrielle tore through New Zealand’s Tair?whiti region in 2023, it left behind more than silt and floodwaters. Rivers were choked with forestry debris, beaches littered with logs, and homes, bridges and farmland buried under tonnes of forestry slash swept down from hillsides. The scale of the impacts – to infrastructure, livelihoods, ecosystems and
- [The Small Environmental Victories Offering Hope Across the Country](https://www.thebeats.org/2026/05/15/the-small-environmental-victories-offering-hope-across-the-country/) - From endangered species recoveries to reef restoration projects and Indigenous-led conservation efforts, Australia is still finding moments Environmental Victories in the fight to protect nature.
- [Australia’s Environmental Law Reforms Face Growing Pressure as Draft Standards Come Under Scrutiny](https://www.thebeats.org/2026/05/08/australias-environmental-law-reforms-face-growing-pressure-as-draft-standards-come-under-scrutiny/) - Concerns over the EPBC Act reforms, National Environmental Standards and approval governance continue to intensify as industry and environmental groups push for stronger clarity and accountability.
- [Can a sprawling city make public transit work? Sydney may be on the right track](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/07/sprawling-city-public-transit-work-sydney-right-track) - With transport set to be Australia’s top-emitting sector by 2030, officials have recognised the need to investAt Penrith, a suburb on Sydney’s rural fringe 50km (30 miles) west of the central business district, you can catch a train to the city every four to eight minutes during the morning peak, and roughly every 10 to
- [Gas-fired power still looks a safe bet for Centrica in the renewables era](https://www.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2026/may/07/gas-fired-power-still-looks-a-safe-bet-for-centrica-in-the-renewables-era) - There will still be a need to have gas in the wings to keep the lights on, so the financials stack up on Severn plant purchaseThe eye-catching non-Hormuz news in energy-land last month was that Great Britain is set for a record-breaking summer for wind and solar power generation. The national energy system operator even
- [Ben Jennings on David Attenborough’s 100th birthday – cartoon](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2026/may/07/ben-jennings-david-attenborough-100th-birthday-cartoon) - Discover and buy more of Ben’s cartoons hereOrder your own print of this cartoon from the Guardian Print Shop Continue reading...
- [Wasp that eats host alive named after Attenborough for his 100th birthday](https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2026-05-07/parasitic-wasp-named-after-david-attenborough-100/106650030) - Taxonomists from London's Natural History Museum who named the Chilean species were inspired by the lifework of the famous broadcaster and naturalist.
- [Australian gas exporters will be forced to set aside local supply for domestic users](https://theconversation.com/australian-gas-exporters-will-be-forced-to-set-aside-local-supply-for-domestic-users-282366) - Producers of liquefied natural gas (LNG) on Australia’s east coast will have to set aside 20% of their gas exports to be sold to domestic users from July next year. The long-awaited gas reservation plan, unveiled on Thursday, is well overdue. But it will not come into effect until July 2027, six months after it
- [Budget shows WA still rolling in cash with another bumper surplus](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-07/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-2026-wa-budget/106643494) - The WA government delivers a big-spending budget, focused on housing, health and cost of living relief including a $100 fuel handout, as a $2.4 billion surplus is unveiled. Here's what you need to know.
- [From fossicking for fossils to a champion for life on Earth: Sir David Attenborough at 100](https://theconversation.com/from-fossicking-for-fossils-to-a-champion-for-life-on-earth-sir-david-attenborough-at-100-281229) - Sir David Attenborough turns 100 this week. Very few people have the good fortune to live for a century. Fewer still achieve so much and touch so many lives. Across his seven decade career with the BBC, Attenborough ushered in the transition from black and white to colour television. He gave the now legendary comedy
- [Urban trees cool the world’s cities more than we thought – but we can’t rely on them alone](https://theconversation.com/urban-trees-cool-the-worlds-cities-more-than-we-thought-but-we-cant-rely-on-them-alone-281866) - Cities and towns are usually 1–3°C hotter than the surrounding countryside, because asphalt, concrete and brick absorb heat from the sun and radiate it slowly. Some cities can be as much as 7°C hotter. This effect is known as the urban heat island. This can be dangerous, especially in hot countries. In very hot conditions,
- [A reason to vote Labour tomorrow: we are the only party taking the climate crisis seriously | Katie White](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/may/06/vote-labour-climate-crisis-climate-action-infrastructure-electrify-britain) - Climate action is something the vast majority of Britons agree on. But even the Greens are blocking the vital infrastructure we need to electrify BritainKatie White is the Labour MP for Leeds North West and minister for climate in the Department for Energy Security and Net ZeroStrip away the politics, and the climate crisis debate
- [How car-loving American cities fell so far behind their global peers on public transit](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/06/american-cities-cars-public-transportation) - With most major European cities well-served by trains and buses, bringing US transit up to par would cost $4.6tnThe only train station in Houston, the US’s fourth-largest city and one of the fastest-growing conurbations in the country, is a diminished, morose sight. Intercity trains arrive at this squat, shed-like Amtrak building, which cringes in the
- [Perth blanketed in thick smoke haze, caution urged](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-06/perth-blanketed-in-thick-smoke-haze/106650256) - Perth has been blanketed in a thick smoke haze, the result of a prescribed burn off in the city's eastern fringes.
- [The government’s plans to bolster Australia’s fuel stores are sensible – but 5 years too late](https://theconversation.com/the-governments-plans-to-bolster-australias-fuel-stores-are-sensible-but-5-years-too-late-282253) - News the Australian government will spend over A$10 billion to boost fuel supplies is both welcome and well overdue. The plans announced today ahead of next week’s budget include $3.7 billion for publicly owned fuel reserves able to hold 1 billion litres of diesel and aviation fuel. They also include increasing stockholding requirements another ten
- [EU trade deal could force UK to restrict use of weedkiller linked to cancer](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/06/eu-trade-deal-could-force-uk-restrict-glyphosate-weedkiller-linked-to-cancer) - Glyphosate is currently sprayed on cereal and pulse crops to dessicate them and make them easier to harvestA new trade deal with the EU could lead to restrictions on the use of the controversial weedkiller glyphosate on UK food crops.The full-spectrum herbicide, which kills almost every plant it touches, is often sprayed on wheat, oats
- [‘Much-needed fresh air’: 5 outcomes from the world’s first summit on ending fossil fuels](https://theconversation.com/much-needed-fresh-air-5-outcomes-from-the-worlds-first-summit-on-ending-fossil-fuels-282061) - Almost 60 countries, representing about a third of the global economy, met in the Colombian port city of Santa Marta last week for the first international summit on the transition away from fossil fuels. It was hailed as a bold step to shift global dependence on hydrocarbons into an era of clean energy. The group
- ['Don't know life without fishing': SA algal bloom causes ban extension](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-06/commercial-fishing-ban-in-gulf-st-vincent-extends/106647212) - One of South Australia's main fishing zones will remain closed for another year to allow stocks to recover from the algal bloom, sparking concerns from fishers over their future and warnings of price increases for consumers.
- [Can Australia green its heavy industry? It’s hard – but necessary](https://theconversation.com/can-australia-green-its-heavy-industry-its-hard-but-necessary-271313) - Australia is rich in minerals, metals, sun and wind. Iron ore, copper and critical minerals are all mined here and largely exported overseas to be turned into products such as steel, fertiliser, fuel and infrastructure. Mining and heavy industries create jobs and wealth. But their emissions are some of the hardest to cut. This is
- [Low-cost and unexpected ways to keep warm and save energy this winter](https://theconversation.com/low-cost-and-unexpected-ways-to-keep-warm-and-save-energy-this-winter-280597) - Winter is coming, and the increased cost of living might have you worried about higher energy bills. Most winter energy advice focuses on heaters and insulation but energy savings often come from places people rarely check. Small and inexpensive changes can reduce heat loss more than many standard upgrades. Interestingly, most Australian homes lose heat
- [‘I’m mad at the people who could have solved the problem’: what kids told us about eco-anxiety](https://theconversation.com/im-mad-at-the-people-who-could-have-solved-the-problem-what-kids-told-us-about-eco-anxiety-278999) - This is our home. If we destroy it, and we can’t build it up, then that’s a part of the Earth that’s destroyed, and we won’t be able to get it back. Matthew, aged ten, isn’t alone in feeling this way. We interviewed 15 Australian primary school children aged between nine and 12-years-old about environmental
- [Over the past 15 years, NZ moved its fuel safety net offshore – now it’s being exposed](https://theconversation.com/over-the-past-15-years-nz-moved-its-fuel-safety-net-offshore-now-its-being-exposed-282056) - Amid a worsening global energy crisis, New Zealand and Singapore’s freshly struck deal to keep fuel and other essential goods flowing is being touted as a boost to supply chain resilience. The agreement commits both countries not to impose export restrictions on each other during economic upheaval. But it also highlights an uncomfortable reality facing
- [‘It’s a special tree’: campaign to save mother of beloved bramley apple for nation](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2026/may/05/campaigners-hope-to-save-mother-tree-of-bramley-apple-nottinghamshire) - Appeal launched to buy Nottinghamshire cottage, where tree was planted in 19th century, and turn it into heritage centreCampaigners have launched an appeal to try to save for the nation the mother tree of perhaps the most popular cooking apple in the world.The original bramley apple tree, which grows in the garden of a cottage
- [WA government admits emissions may rise as it abandons reduction targets](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-05/wa-government-says-emissions-may-rise-as-targets-abandoned/106643606) - The WA government concedes the state's greenhouse gas emissions may continue to rise, after the ABC revealed the government is abandoning plans to implement interim emissions reduction targets.
- [Hyena all smiles with new gold-coloured crown over problem tooth](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-05/spotted-hyena-gets-new-golden-tooth-crown/106642206) - One of Monarto Safari Park's hyenas is flashing its new golden smile after a dental procedure to fix its deformed teeth and restore biting abilities.
- [Labor extends EV tax break to encourage cheaper vehicles amid soaring fuel prices](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/04/labor-extends-ev-tax-break-cheaper-vehicles-soaring-fuel-prices) - As the cost of the scheme blows out, the government has announced the full discount will be retained for another year, after which it will only apply to EVs costing less than $75,000Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLabor has opted to retain its electric vehicle discount in full for another
- [Oil refineries are catching fire in war or by accident. How does this worsen the energy crunch?](https://theconversation.com/oil-refineries-are-catching-fire-in-war-or-by-accident-how-does-this-worsen-the-energy-crunch-281855) - Over the last two months, refineries and fuel storage facilities around the world have caught fire due to war (Russia) or accident (Australia, the United States, India and Mexico), adding more pressure to stressed oil and gas supply chains. Global production of refined oil is normally around 100 million barrels a day. But this is
- [Public servants asked to remove word 'harmful' about SA algal bloom, FOI reveals](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-04/sa-public-servants-removed-word-harmful-about-algal-bloom/106638220) - Emails released under FOI laws and obtained by the SA Liberal Party show government workers were removing the word "harmful" from communications about the algal bloom in SA waters, with one team leader labelling it "bizarre".
- [‘Wake-up call’: methane emissions from Australian coalmines more than double official estimates, report finds](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/04/methane-emissions-australian-coalmines-more-than-double-official-estimates-report-finds) - International Energy Agency findings show government must commit to rapid cuts in emissions of greenhouse gas, climate experts saySign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereEmissions of the potent greenhouse gas methane from Australian coalmines are more than double official government estimates reported to the UN, according to a
- [‘Living library’: inside the marine biobanks racing to protect ocean species from extinction](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/04/marine-biobanks-protect-ocean-species) - Australia’s biobanks store everything from seeds of native plants to the cells and tissue of threatened animal speciesIn the mudflats of Swan Bay, Victoria, royal spoonbills sweep their paddle-shaped bills through shallow water. Nearby, under the grass-covered roof of the Queenscliff marine research centre, a team of scientists from Deakin University are trying to bring
- [Community angry over lack of warnings about whale carcass removal](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-04/whale-carcass-removal-shark-risk-bellambi/106636416) - Swimmers and surfers say they were given no warning before a 25-tonne whale carcass was towed past more than a dozen South Coast beaches, attracting sharks in its wake.
- [Honeybees may be helping spread tree-killing myrtle rust – new research](https://theconversation.com/honeybees-may-be-helping-spread-tree-killing-myrtle-rust-new-research-281430) - We know introduced honeybees as the ever-busy helpers of our gardens, farms and orchards. In pollinating crops and fertilising fruit, they support more than a third of the food we eat and are worth billions of dollars to New Zealand’s economy. But they could also be unwittingly helping one of the worst natural threats facing
- [How to conserve your dragon – and avoid losing Australia’s most imperilled reptile for a second time](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/04/victorian-grassland-earless-dragon-melbourne-zoo-endangered-species-second-extinction) - Melbourne zoo’s new breeding centre hopes to safeguard the future of the critically endangered Victorian grassland earless dragonSign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe dragons’ lair looks deceptively ordinary: a pair of pale green portables, tucked behind the
- [Untold stories of women in whaling inspire art that delves into the past](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-03/women-in-whaling-exhibition-opens-in-great-southern/106626252) - The overlooked contributions of women in the whaling industry are the subject of an exhibition in the Great Southern region of Western Australia.
- [What's turning this red-tailed black cockatoo orange?](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-03/leucistic-red-black-orange-cockatoo-bunbury-wa/106630808) - Spotted again in WA's South West, a rare condition is the reason for the bird's distinctive orange colouring.
- [‘We don’t hear the frogs, we don’t see the birds’: government repeatedly delayed water to NSW wetlands, documents reveal](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/02/nsw-government-delayed-water-wetlands-documents-reveal) - Exclusive: A grazier has released emails that reveal the state’s environment and water department prioritised harvesting of winter cereal crops over wetlandsSign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe New South
- [Rescuers release humpback whale that was stranded off German coast](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/02/humpback-whale-rescue-release-stranded-germany-baltic-coast) - Calf was transported by water-filled barge in operation deemed ‘inadvisable’ because of low chance of survivalRescuers have released a young humpback whale that became a national sensation after it was beached in shallow waters off the coast in Germany, although marine experts have said its chances of survival are low.The whale, variously nicknamed Timmy or
- [Momentum building for Scottish-style land access rights in England, says film](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/02/momentum-building-for-scottish-style-land-access-rights-in-england-says-film) - Documentary makers seek to start ‘informed conversation’ in country where public is allowed on just 8% of landAnger and momentum are building for Scottish style rights of access to mountains, meadows, rivers and woodlands in England where the public is allowed on just 8% of land, a new documentary suggests.Our Land, a film whose title
- [Work underway to bring plants to life after fire ravaged Stirling Range](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-02/endangered-flora-recovers-in-stirling-range-wa/106502284) - Seed collections taken before major bushfires in WA's Stirling Range National Park give hope for the continued survival of flora species found nowhere else in the world.
- [Why this cattle farmer is flooding his property with salt water](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-02/removing-tidal-barriers-on-farmland-to-create-wetlands/106496784) - More than half a century ago, lush wetlands along the Queensland coastline were cut off from the ocean as farmers built physical barriers to stop salt water flowing into their land. Now, conservation groups and traditional owners are restoring tidal flows and bringing life back to the land.
- [Community 'disappointed' by Sheraton high-rise approval](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-01/hervey-bay-community-disappointed-by-sheraton-highrise-approval/106632736) - Activists appealed the local council's approval of the 18-storey resort on the grounds that it would endanger local wildlife. The community fears the court's green light for the development will permanently change their seaside town.
- [Beaches evacuated as sharks swarm towards 25-tonne whale carcass](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-01/royal-national-park-whale-carcass-removed-bellambi-boat-ramp/106631260) - The sperm whale carcass was towed from Era Beach in the Royal National Park to Bellambi Boat Ramp in Wollongong this afternoon.
- [Carl’s Cockatoo Corridor: One Man’s Mission to Save Hollow Trees and Australia’s Black Cockatoos](https://www.thebeats.org/2026/05/01/carls-cockatoo-corridor-one-mans-mission-to-save-hollow-trees-and-australias-black-cockatoos/) - In regional New South Wales, a powerful conservation story is unfolding—one that proves local action can create lasting environmental change, saving Australia's Black Cockatoos.
- [Australians will pay more if Albanese prioritises fossil fuel projects, former oil and gas leaders warn](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/01/australians-will-pay-more-if-albanese-fast-tracks-fossil-fuel-projects-former-oil-and-gas-leaders-warn) - Exclusive: Government should accelerate clean energy to protect consumers from ongoing price shocks, they sayFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFormer oil and gas industry leaders, including senior executives from BP and Shell, are warning the Albanese government that Australians risk ongoing price
- [Thrift store chain denies there are bed bugs at popular Melbourne shop](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-30/savers-brunswick-denies-bed-bug-allegations/106627012) - Thrift store chain Savers Australia has denied there is evidence of bed bugs at their popular Brunswick shop, as allegations of an outbreak continue to circulate online.
- [Water and sewage bill increases on the way for Tasmanians](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-30/taswater-water-sewage-bill-price-hikes/106627302) - Water bills for Tasmanian households and small businesses will rise by an average of 5.7 per cent each year for the next four years.
- [What is OPEC and how does it shape global oil markets?](https://theconversation.com/what-is-opec-and-how-does-it-shape-global-oil-markets-281731) - Oil is once again making headlines. This week, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) made the shock decision to leave the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). OPEC is network of oil-producing nations formed in 1960 with the aim of stabilising oil prices in ways that reduce competition and increase profits for member states. In
- [Heat and cold alter how animals fight disease. As the climate changes, this knowledge may be vital](https://theconversation.com/heat-and-cold-alter-how-animals-fight-disease-as-the-climate-changes-this-knowledge-may-be-vital-276623) - Each animal species has an optimal temperature at which it can metabolise food and its immune system can best fight off pathogens. As our recent research shows, temperature directly affects the immune systems of vertebrates – regardless of how they moderate their own body temperatures. At first, slightly hotter temperatures actually give many animal immune
- [Labor will back fossil fuels in the budget but the gas tax campaign isn’t dead yet | Clear air](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/30/anti-fossil-fuel-campaigns-offer-hope-but-labors-budget-will-play-it-safe) - Despite popular support for a 25% levy on gas exports, Anthony Albanese opposes it and there is little discussion about how to reduce our usageSign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesWe’re yet to see next month’s Australian federal budget, so
- [Poached: could a video of tree-climbing egg thieves help save Australia’s vulnerable honeyeaters?](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/29/australia-endangered-bird-regent-honeyeater-video-egg-thieves) - Researchers found the loss of just a few eggs to opportunistic predators could greatly increase the songbird’s risk of extinction within 20 yearsSign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesCaptured on one of Bianca McBryde’s tree-mounted cameras, the brush-tailed possum crawls
- [Blobs of fat and the smell of rotting garbage: at an idyllic Sydney beach, a 25-tonne sperm whale slowly disintegrates](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/29/blobs-of-fat-and-the-smell-of-rotting-garbage-at-an-idyllic-sydney-beach-a-25-tonne-sperm-whale-slowly-disintegrates) - Authorities are yet to decide how they will move the body of the massive creature, which is attracting humans, eagles – and plenty of sharksFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThin strips of flesh hang down like rotten tinsel, swaying in the wind.
- [Hot weather and hungry datacentres lift Australia’s energy demand to record highs but batteries quell prices](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/30/hot-weather-and-hungry-datacentres-lift-australias-energy-demand-to-record-highs-but-batteries-quell-prices) - Rise in electricity demand in first quarter of 2026 was moderated by record output from rooftop solarFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMore datacentres and warmer conditions helped push electricity demand to record highs in the first three months of the year, according
- [‘Suicidal’ model of capitalism leading to war and fascism, climate summit told](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/29/capitalism-colombia-climate-summit-gustavo-petro) - Colombia president Gustavo Petro tells 57-country talks on a green energy transition that fossil fuel interests could destroy humanityThe world is threatened by a “suicidal” model of capitalism that is leading to war, fascism and the potential extinction of humanity, Colombia’s president has said, as he convened 57 governments to address the climate crisis.Gustavo Petro
- [Babies exposed to air pollution during pregnancy take longer to learn to speak, research finds](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/29/babies-exposed-to-air-pollution-during-pregnancy-take-longer-to-learn-to-speak-research-finds) - A KCL study has found that exposure during the first trimester of pregnancy delayed speech development Babies exposed to higher levels of air pollution in the early stages of pregnancy take longer to learn to speak than those exposed to lower levels in the womb, new research suggests.A study by researchers from King’s College London
- [Racing to buy a home battery? Read this first](https://theconversation.com/racing-to-buy-a-home-battery-read-this-first-281022) - Australians are installing home batteries at a record rate. Since July 2025, more than 260,000 households, businesses and organisations have installed home batteries under the federal government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program. The program offers a discount of about 30% on the upfront cost of installing eligible small-scale battery systems, which help cut power costs while
- [Cities are getting hotter – and bigger. New research reveals the scale of the challenge](https://theconversation.com/cities-are-getting-hotter-and-bigger-new-research-reveals-the-scale-of-the-challenge-281236) - We tend to think of climate change impacts as dramatic and destructive. Storms and floods that bring down landslides and swamp streets, or raging wildfires that tear through forests and farmland. Heatwaves, by contrast, often pass for many with little more than a few sleepless nights and headlines about hot weather. What we don’t see
- [VicGrid surveyors cancel access visit after farmgate protest makes them feel unsafe](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-29/vicgrid-marnoo-farm-power-lines-transmission-energy-land-access/106617462) - Renewable planning body VicGrid has threatened a high-profile anti-transmission-line campaigner with enforcement action after government surveyors felt "hindered" from accessing his farm.
- [Don't assume El Niño warming will bring record heat](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-29/el-nino-pacific-transition-fastest-in-50-years/106617534) - Australia's weather pattern is in a reset, and the weather events happening this month will act like the ingredients to determine the flavour of our climate for the rest of the year.
- [Why Australia has to boost fuel supply – and electrify transport](https://theconversation.com/why-australia-has-to-boost-fuel-supply-and-electrify-transport-281627) - As Australia’s immediate fuel crunch eases after successful efforts to diversify supply, policymakers are turning their attention to dealing with the next energy security crisis. The question is, what would actually work? The Coalition this week announced a policy to double onshore reserves of liquid fuels to 60 days’ supply, or around 1 billion litres
- [Farmers and authorities on alert as locusts migrate to South Australia](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-28/locust-riverland-migrate-nsw-pirsa-surveying/106615540) - Multiple locust swarms in South Australia's Riverland region have put farmers and authorities on alert, prompting the South Australian Plague Locust Commissioner to send surveying teams to the region.
- [Possums and gliders are pushing a native bird to extinction. What can we do?](https://theconversation.com/possums-and-gliders-are-pushing-a-native-bird-to-extinction-what-can-we-do-281431) - From brightly coloured birds to the much-loved sugar glider, Australia’s native animals are a sight to behold. The island continent is home to nearly 600,000 plants, animals and insects, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. Tragically, though, we’re losing more of these species to habitat destruction and climate change. Worse still,
- [12 billion plastic sushi fish later, is it time for a sustainable soy sauce option?](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-28/sustainable-alternative-shoyu-tai-sushi-plastic-soy-sauce-fish/106596352) - Shoyu-tai, the single-use plastic soy sauce fish that accompany takeaway sushi, are an eco-nightmare — but a local designer has a solution.
- [Antarctica’s ice shelves are vulnerable to melting from below – knowing how far ocean heat reaches is crucial](https://theconversation.com/antarcticas-ice-shelves-are-vulnerable-to-melting-from-below-knowing-how-far-ocean-heat-reaches-is-crucial-278195) - A rare dataset collected by instruments at the point where Antarctica’s largest ice shelf begins to float reveals ocean processes that drive melting at this critical part of the continent. During a 2019 expedition to the Kamb Ice Stream, a river of ice which feeds the Ross Ice Shelf, we were able to deploy a
- [Bought a new EV? Here’s a quick guide to driving and charging](https://theconversation.com/bought-a-new-ev-heres-a-quick-guide-to-driving-and-charging-280363) - Electric vehicle purchases in Australia have surged amid the ongoing war in Iran, as drivers worry about rising fuel costs. The big drawcard: much cheaper running costs. As of 22 April, A$1 of electricity takes an EV 45 kilometres, while $1 of diesel gets you 5.4 km. Driving an EV is fairly similar to a
- [Is oil king again? China’s surging cleantech exports show the opposite is true](https://theconversation.com/is-oil-king-again-chinas-surging-cleantech-exports-show-the-opposite-is-true-281349) - Over the last two months, nations have scrambled to shore up oil supplies as the Iran war prevented oil tankers moving through the Strait of Hormuz. This, according to some global analysts, would lead to a downturn for clean technology exports from China, the world’s top producer of solar, wind, batteries and electric vehicles. They
- [Industrial chicken producer hits out over Wye and Usk river pollution claim](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/27/industrial-chicken-producer-hits-out-wye-usk-river-pollution-claim) - Lawyers for Avara Foods and Freemans of Newent say legal claim backed by 1,300 people is ‘entirely inferential’Lawyers for one of the country’s biggest producers of industrially farmed chicken have attacked a claim that they are responsible for pollution in the River Wye and River Usk.More than 1,300 people have signed up to sue Avara
- [Premier says algal bloom 'gone' but fishing restrictions need to expand](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-27/algal-bloom-has-gone-premier-says-but-fishing-rules-intensify/106610634) - Fishing restrictions will be strengthened in South Australia due to the algal bloom's devastating impact on stocks, but the government says the bloom itself has "essentially cleared up".
- [Why the Coalition’s lurch to the right is bad for the climate](https://theconversation.com/why-the-coalitions-lurch-to-the-right-is-bad-for-the-climate-280915) - The Coalition’s new leadership is undertaking a consequential shift to the right. This is bad news for climate policy. Nationals leader Matt Canavan has long opposed climate action. Most notably, he led the charge last year to remove the aspirational target of net zero by 2050 from the Nationals’ platform. The Liberals swiftly followed suit.
- [Renewable energy will boost national security and protect UK from sabotage, minister says](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/27/renewable-energy-will-boost-national-security-and-protect-uk-from-sabotage-minister-says) - Widely dispersed wind farms and solar panels are harder to target than fossil fuel power stations, Michael Shanks saysRenewable energy will boost the UK’s national security and make the country more resilient against potential aggression or sabotage, the government’s energy minister has said.Michael Shanks said widely dispersed wind farms and solar panels were much harder
- [Influencers to pay $100 to make money off Tasmania's national parks](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-27/influencer-commercial-permits-tasmanian-wilderness/106607690) - Influencers and content creators will be able to film and profit from content gathered in Tasmania's national parks for just $100, under new regulations.
- [Australia is the world’s fourth-largest black truffle producer. Now scientists may have unearthed why](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/27/australia-is-the-worlds-fourth-largest-black-truffle-producer-now-scientists-may-have-unearthed-why) - Understanding truffles is a ‘tricky proposition’ because most of the magic occurs undergroundFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastBlack truffles aren’t native to Australia but, since the first oaks and hazelnuts were planted in the 1990s, the local industry has flourished, becoming the
- [Shark-attracting 25-tonne whale carcass to close Sydney beaches for days](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-26/nsw-beaches-to-remain-closed-due-to-whale-carcass/106607784) - Popular beaches along Sydney's Royal National Park will remain closed for days, as authorities face the immense task of moving a large whale carcass that is attracting sharks.
- [This plant is the only known wild specimen in the world, found on just 300m of roadside](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-26/woods-well-spyridium-coorong-rare-species-plant/106561960) - Only one known single spyridium plant is left in the wild, in crushed limestone on the side of a road. But scientists are hunting for more.
- [Criminalisation of climate protesters in UK is counterproductive, research finds](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/25/criminalisation-of-climate-protesters-in-uk-is-counterproductive-research-finds) - Study of 1,300 campaigners finds arrests, fines and jail terms increase determination of activists to take direct actionThe criminalisation of direct action climate protests in the UK is counterproductive and increases the determination of activists to undertake disruptive demonstrations, according to a study of 1,300 campaigners.New findings suggest arrests, fines and lengthy prison sentences given
- [Sydney beaches closed after whale carcass attracts sharks](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-25/shark-activity-whale-carcass-found-sydney-royal-national-park/106606552) - Several popular beaches in Sydney's Royal National Park are closed due to increased shark activity after a large whale carcass washes up on a rock platform.
- [‘Cries of delight’ as Sumatran orangutan filmed using canopy bridge to cross road for first time](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/25/first-footage-endangered-sumatran-orangutan-using-canopy-bridge-cross-road-hope-species-aoe) - After a two-year wait, video of a young male crossing above a road gives hope that critically endangered species can survive habitat fragmentationThe critically endangered Sumatran orangutan has been filmed for the first time using a canopy bridge to cross a road.In 2024, conservationists in the Pakpak Bharat district of North Sumatra in Indonesia built
- ['I saw a little nose poke around the corner': Puppy found after three months lost](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-25/henry-the-dachshund-survives-three-months-lost-in-perth/106604616) - A dachshund puppy is reunited with its owner after being lost for almost three months, in an adventure spanning multiple suburbs.
- [‘The damage is done’: global oil crisis has changed fossil fuel industry for ever, IEA chief says](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/24/global-oil-crisis-changed-fossil-fuel-industry-for-ever-iea-chief-fatih-birol) - Exclusive: International Energy Agency’s Fatih Birol, the world’s leading energy economist, also says UK should largely forgo North Sea expansionThe oil crisis triggered by the Iran war has changed the fossil fuel industry for ever, turning countries away from fossil fuels to secure energy supplies, the world’s leading energy economist said.Fatih Birol, the executive director
- [How far would you go for a vanilla slice?](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-24/just-bin-it-earns-its-vanilla-slice/106604072) - A family has spent the last ten months cleaning litter along a 43-kilometre stretch of highway on WA's south coast. Today they finally reached their destination — a country bakery where they enjoyed their just desserts.
- [Oyster growers enduring 'death by a thousand cuts' after being closed again](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-24/oyster-growing-closed-again-toxic-phytoplankton-yorke-peninsula/106601670) - Oyster growing areas on the Yorke Peninsula are ordered to close due to the detection of a toxic phytoplankton for the second time this year.
- [Nuclear power! Have we finally found a useful use for it? Let’s ask a wolf | First Dog on the Moon](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2026/apr/24/nuclear-power-have-we-finally-found-a-useful-use-for-it-lets-ask-a-wolf) - The huge area around Chernobyl has become an enormous wildlife reserve! And many creatures are thrivingSign up here to get an email whenever First Dog cartoons are publishedGet all your needs met at the First Dog shop if what you need is First Dog merchandise and prints Continue reading...
- [Australian farmers are battling another potential mouse plague – what is causing it?](https://theconversation.com/australian-farmers-are-battling-another-potential-mouse-plague-what-is-causing-it-281322) - Got a mouse in your house? That thought alone may terrify you. Now imagine if mice were scampering through your house, rummaging in your pantry or even running across your face at night. That sounds like the stuff of nightmares, but it’s what many Australians have experienced when living through a mouse plague. Mouse plagues
- [Largest-ever ban on toxic chemicals in EU hit by ‘extremely frustrating’ delays](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/24/toxic-chemicals-eu-delays-pollution-report) - Green groups say European Commission is ‘chief roadblock’ to its own plans, as report finds poor progress four years onHarmful compounds in children’s nappies and toxic “forever chemicals” in everyday products are among 14 hazardous substance groups hit by lengthy delays to EU pollution controls, according to report findings described by scientists as “extremely frustrating”.The
- [No diesel, no power: why the global oil shock is hitting NZ’s small Pacific neighbours hard](https://theconversation.com/no-diesel-no-power-why-the-global-oil-shock-is-hitting-nzs-small-pacific-neighbours-hard-281222) - When Tuvalu recently moved to declare a state of emergency, it laid bare a major vulnerability long faced by New Zealand’s small and far-flung Pacific neighbours. That is their heavy reliance on imported fuel – delivered through long and often fragile supply chains – to power electricity, transport and other essential services. With a population
- [More shearwaters are washing up dead on Australian beaches. It’s not due to ‘natural’ causes](https://theconversation.com/more-shearwaters-are-washing-up-dead-on-australian-beaches-its-not-due-to-natural-causes-242768) - You might know the short-tailed shearwater and sable shearwater by the common name “muttonbirds”. These two species of seabird breed on islands off southeastern Australia. Both undertake a breathtaking two-week, non-stop flight across the Pacific to the Bering Sea, more than 10,000 km away near Alaska and Russia. Here, they spend the northern summer. Shearwaters
- [States have driven climate action until now. It’s time for the Australian government to step up](https://theconversation.com/states-have-driven-climate-action-until-now-its-time-for-the-australian-government-to-step-up-277481) - For more than a decade, Australia’s emissions reductions have been driven not by the federal government but by the states and territories, often in relative obscurity. State governments took the lead in driving rapid uptake of renewable energy, driving emissions down even as the federal “climate wars” raged. But the heavy-lifting era of the states
- [‘A history of the Earth’: Twelve Apostles revealed to be as old as 14m years](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/24/a-history-of-the-earth-twelve-apostles-revealed-to-be-as-old-as-14m-years) - Tectonic plate movements over millions of years have lifted and tilted the layers, with records of ancient earthquakes in the rocksFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMicroscopic fossils embedded in limestone have helped reveal the true age of Victoria’s Twelve Apostles as 8.6m
- [Governments failed to deliver $160m of river improvements including for now-parched NSW wetlands, report finds](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/23/governments-failed-to-deliver-160m-of-river-improvements-including-for-now-parched-nsw-wetlands-report-finds) - NSW and Queensland governments ‘severely underdelivered’ on promised infrastructure to improve water flows, independent review findsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTwo state governments have drastically underdelivered more than $160m in infrastructure measures to improve river health in the northern Murray-Darling basin eight
- [New grapevine virus GINV detected for first time in Australia](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-23/ginv-detected-in-australian-grapes/106596428) - A grapevine virus known in China and Japan that affects plant growth and productivity has been detected in Australia for the first time in Victorian, Queensland and South Australian table grapes.
- [We eat a lot of wheat. So how can we grow more in a changing climate?](https://theconversation.com/we-eat-a-lot-of-wheat-so-how-can-we-grow-more-in-a-changing-climate-271846) - Whether it’s tucking into some toast, dumplings or a bowl of fresh pasta, humans love eating wheat. Wheat is the most widely grown cereal crop in the world. It’s produced by harvesting the dry, edible seeds of a type of cultivated grass. Once processed, these seeds can be used for food, animal feed and industrial
- [A catastrophic climate event is upon us. Here is why you’ve heard so little about it | George Monbiot](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/apr/23/catastrophic-climate-event-scientists-atlantic-system-collapse-billionaire-existential-crisis) - Scientists say a crucial Atlantic system is more likely to collapse than previously thought. But the billionaire death cult that steers humanity’s destiny doesn’t do existential crisesThe poor and middle pay taxes, the rich pay accountants, the very rich pay lawyers – and the ultra-rich pay politicians. It’s not an original remark, but it bears
- [Climate change means more landslides in NZ – but new tech can help reduce the risk](https://theconversation.com/climate-change-means-more-landslides-in-nz-but-new-tech-can-help-reduce-the-risk-278518) - Thousands of slips in Tair?whiti in January. The loss of eight lives in the Bay of Plenty later that month. And, days ago, landslides that damaged homes, forced evacuations and blocked roads across the North Island. With each bout of extreme rainfall in New Zealand, landslides are becoming an increasingly familiar consequence. They are already
- [Farmers say an easy solution to the mouse plague has been rejected](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-23/mouse-bait-debate-pits-csiro-bait-research-against-authority/106594084) - Farmers are pushing for stronger bait approval as mice numbers soar out of control in Western Australia, but stronger poisons are being rejected by the national chemical regulator.
- [Mouse plague hits WA grain farmers as numbers surge in SA: ‘You literally can’t get away from them’](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/22/mouse-plague-hits-wa-grain-farmers-as-numbers-surge-in-sa-you-literally-cant-get-away-from-them) - CSIRO researcher says there are reports of up to 4,000 mouse burrows per hectare in parts of Western AustraliaGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGrain growers are on high alert as mouse numbers in Western Australia reach plague proportions and numbers surge in South Australia.Steve Henry, who researches mice and their
- ['Spectacularly ill-advised': Energy sector condemns gas tax](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-22/gas-tax-prrt-windfall-profits-greens-parliamentary-inquiry-shell/106593968) - An inquiry into the taxation of gas resources has heard from proponents for a tax, who believe Australians are being robbed of their fair share of wealth from the nation's natural resources, and opponents, who argue touching tax settings would spook investors.
- [$70m student accommodation plan 'takes pressure off' Darwin rental market](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-22/cdu-new-rental-darwin-casuarina-university-student-accommodation/106593324) - A towering 14-storey addition to Darwin's skyline is expected to ease housing stress for university students, with $70 million invested to tackle the city's competitive rental market.
- [Channel Seven’s Spotlight digging for dirt on clean energy ignores fundamental facts and basic journalistic standards | Temperature Check](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/22/channel-seven-7news-spotlight-clean-energy-investigation-ignores-fundamental-facts) - Program portrayed efforts to wean Australia off fossil fuels as morally bankrupt, trashing rainforests and enslaving Australia to ChinaSign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastChildren sieve mud, workers drop down claustrophobic hand-cut mine shafts, men grimace while others
- [Foreign companies are making billions off Australia’s gas. It’s time that changed](https://theconversation.com/foreign-companies-are-making-billions-off-australias-gas-its-time-that-changed-281010) - Is Australia giving away its gas resources, virtually for free? That question is at the centre of this week’s parliamentary inquiry into the taxation of gas resources. Over the last decade, Australia has become one of the world’s largest exporters of liquefied natural gas. But while the gas is extracted from beneath Australian soils, the
- [Green tram tracks cut heat and beautify cities. Why isn’t Australia doing it?](https://theconversation.com/green-tram-tracks-cut-heat-and-beautify-cities-why-isnt-australia-doing-it-266996) - Cities are hotter than the surrounding countryside. Paved surfaces such as asphalt and concrete trap heat and release it at night. But as climate change worsens, this is becoming a real risk for residents. Researchers are racing to find ways to protect urban residents from rising temperatures and pollution. As recent research shows, there’s no
- [Whale strandings draw emotional responses. But repeated rescues can cause more harm](https://theconversation.com/whale-strandings-draw-emotional-responses-but-repeated-rescues-can-cause-more-harm-281137) - A humpback whale repeatedly restranding in shallow waters in the Baltic Sea for more than three weeks has become the focus of a complex debate about reconciling compassion for animals with ethical, evidence-based decision making. Affectionately known as Timmy, the whale restranded several times and has been growing weaker, failing to recover despite multiple rescue
- [The end of oil? As fuel shocks cascade, 53 nations gather to plan a fossil fuel phaseout](https://theconversation.com/the-end-of-oil-as-fuel-shocks-cascade-53-nations-gather-to-plan-a-fossil-fuel-phaseout-280263) - US President Donald Trump is a longtime climate denier and oil industry ally, who sums up his own energy policy as “drill, baby, drill”. Yet he is doing more than almost anyone to speed up the global shift from fossil fuels to clean energy and electric vehicles (EVs). After the US and Israel struck Iran
- [Researchers develop surfboard fins to repel sharks after recent attacks](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-21/researchers-develop-shark-deterrent-surfboard-fins/106566260) - A multi-million-dollar project run out of the University of Wollongong is working on fitting shark-deterrent technology into surfboard fins following recent shark attacks.
- [Charges over environmental impacts from cement ship crash with tugboats](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-21/csl-australia-charges-goliath-cement-ship-tugboat-sinkings/106588108) - The owner of a bulk cement carrier has been charged with environmental offences following a 2022 crash that sank two tugboats in north-west Tasmania.
- ['We've been sold out': Punters Politics fronts inquiry into gas export tax – video](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2026/apr/21/punters-politics-fronts-inquiry-into-gas-export-tax-video) - Konrad Benjamin, a former school teacher who is behind the social media account Punters Politics, tells a Senate inquiry into taxing gas that the issue has fired up his near million followers. Meanwhile the executive director of the Australia Institute, Richard Denniss, says 'the Japanese government is getting more revenue from taxing Australian gas than
- [Our efforts to halt global forest loss aren’t working: new research](https://theconversation.com/our-efforts-to-halt-global-forest-loss-arent-working-new-research-280368) - The loss of our forests is one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time. Forests are key to curbing carbon emissions and protecting the plants, animals and humans that call Earth home. However, we’re losing our forests at an alarming rate. Our new study shows we’ve lost roughly 300 million hectares over the past
- [Overheated cows, flooded highways, and now a fuel crisis: why Australia’s food system is in big trouble](https://theconversation.com/overheated-cows-flooded-highways-and-now-a-fuel-crisis-why-australias-food-system-is-in-big-trouble-272334) - Australia has long been proud of its food production. The nation produces enough to feed 75 million people – and exports 70% of its produce. But this position isn’t guaranteed. Intensifying climate change is putting Australian agriculture and our food system at risk. The Australian government last year published its National Climate Risk Assessment, showing
- [One Japanese town sorts waste into 40 different categories. How does Australia’s recycling compare?](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/20/one-japanese-town-sorts-waste-into-40-different-categories-how-does-australias-recycling-compare) - Kerbside wheelie bins have been used in Australia since the 1980s but the recycling rate is stuck at 44%. Will another recycling bin make a difference?Sign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereThere’s no garbage truck in Kamikatsu.Instead, the Japanese town’s 1,400 residents take their waste to the local
- [WaterNSW criticised for ‘appalling’ decision after hundreds of turtles left to die in wetlands](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/21/water-nsw-criticised-for-appalling-decision-after-hundreds-of-turtles-left-to-die-in-wetlands) - River ecologist says ‘classic bureaucratic tangle’ led to government agency stopping flows to Gwydir wetlands region in MarchFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA leading scientist has criticised an “appalling” New South Wales government agency decision to stop water flowing to wetlands in
- [Burning wood for power worse for climate than gas equivalent, report finds](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/20/burning-wood-power-worse-climate-than-gas-new-report) - Research casts doubt on plans by UK government to offer subsidies for carbon capture attached to the power sourceBurning wood for power generation can be worse for the climate than burning gas, even when the resulting carbon dioxide emissions are captured and stored, new research has shown.The findings cast doubt on plans by several governments,
- [Woman who won legal case over greenhouse emissions awarded top environmental prize](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/20/woman-who-won-legal-case-over-greenhouse-emissions-awarded-top-environmental-prize) - Sarah Finch is among six recipients of the Goldman Environmental prize, awarded to honour grassroots activists around the world The woman whose campaigning set a legal precedent in the UK that stopped thousands of tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions has been awarded one of the world’s most prestigious environmental prizes alongside five other women from
- [Is there really untold oil wealth in Queensland’s Taroom Trough? Here’s why scepticism is warranted](https://theconversation.com/is-there-really-untold-oil-wealth-in-queenslands-taroom-trough-heres-why-scepticism-is-warranted-280707) - As Australian leaders scramble to secure fuel supplies on the international market, Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has been quick to pitch a domestic option: begin extracting the “sea of oil” in the Taroom Trough, a geological formation near the town of Roma. The state government is strongly backing extraction as a way to shore up
- [An ‘ordinary’ storm with extraordinary impacts: what made Wellington’s deluge so intense?](https://theconversation.com/an-ordinary-storm-with-extraordinary-impacts-what-made-wellingtons-deluge-so-intense-281016) - At their most intense, the downpours that drove widespread flash flooding across Wellington early on Monday morning would have counted as extreme even by tropical standards. But here in 2026, it is part of an increasingly familiar pattern reminding us that our communities and infrastructure aren’t yet prepared to cope with what a warmer, wilder
- [Kakadu National Park airport thrown lifeline to avoid bulldozers](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-20/gundjeihmi-takeover-jabiru-airport-kakadu-national-park/106582764) - Jabiru Airport had been slated for demolition in October this year, but after months of uncertainty, a new operator has emerged to take over.
- [Why Australia’s Waste Management System Is Falling Behind the World](https://www.thebeats.org/2026/04/24/why-australias-waste-management-system-is-falling-behind-the-world/) - Australians are willing to recycle and reduce waste — but outdated government systems, fragmented policies and poor infrastructure for waste management are holding the nation back.
- [How France’s New Bee Protection Program Is Becoming a Global Success Story for Bees](https://www.thebeats.org/2026/04/20/how-frances-new-bee-protection-program-is-becoming-a-global-success-story-for-bees/) - From pesticide reform to wildflower corridors, France is leading one of Europe’s most ambitious efforts to protect bees and pollinators.
- [How to Use Your Personal Data to Reduce Your Environmental Impact: A Step-by-Step Guide](https://www.thebeats.org/2026/04/10/how-to-use-your-personal-data-to-reduce-your-environmental-impact-a-step-by-step-guide/) - Turn your everyday data into powerful insights that help you live more sustainably and make smarter, eco-conscious choices.
- [Should this plant be declared one of the worst weeds in Australia?](https://theconversation.com/should-this-plant-be-declared-one-of-the-worst-weeds-in-australia-279109) - You might not have heard of buffel grass, a robust and invasive grass that has spread across tens of thousands of square kilometres of inland Australia. But you might know its effects. Most people remember the deadly 2023 fires in Maui, Hawaii, which killed more than 100 people. Many will know of the worsening bushfires
- ['Blown away': How designer clothes are funding frontline support](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-19/lous-place-jewish-house-women-shelters-turn-fashion-into-funds/106519406) - Women's shelters are having to get creative to acquire necessary funding such as turning fashion into sustaining frontline support.
- [Octopus species mysteriously disappears from Spencer Gulf](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-19/octopus-pallidus-disappearance-spencer-gulf-south-australia/106573138) - The once-abundant pale octopus has not been caught in lower Spencer Gulf for more than a year, and what happened to the species remains a mystery.
- [Top national park in NSW revealed as state hits record number of visits](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-19/rise-in-numbers-young-people-going-to-nsw-national-parks/106579956) - The latest NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Park Visitation Survey shows there were 65.5 million visits to the state's parks over the 2024-25 financial year.
- [I adored Pokémon as a child. Now I collect critters of a different kind in a hobby I’m uniquely suited to – birdwatching | Jayce Carrano](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/apr/19/birdwatching-hobby-pokemon-generation) - Every player has experienced that fierce loyalty to one pocket monster or another. The same is true hereThe Pokémon franchise has turned 30, which means that it’s been a long time since a childhood friend and I braved Pokémon Blue’s haunted Lavender Town together – solemnly handing the Game Boy back and forth in the
- [Australia’s coalmine emissions are increasing. Is this how a major policy to cut climate pollution is meant to work?](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/19/australia-emissions-increasing-coalmines-climate-policy-analysis) - The Albanese government overhauled policy and promised significant pollution cuts – but carbon offsets are still being used as an excuseSign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereIs this how a national scheme to cut climate pollution is supposed to work?Australian government data released this week shows emissions from
- ['Derek' the dingo a concern for some as he roams streets in outback town](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-18/dingo-derek-spotted-in-streets-backyards-dog-parks-alice-springs/106571970) - An lone dingo, affectionately known as Derek, has been spotted in suburban streets, backyards and even in dog parks, raising some concern for Alice Springs residents.
- [Fishers deploy 'ninja tactics' to outsmart fish-stealing seals](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-18/coorong-fishers-battling-fish-stealing-seals-south-australia/106570210) - Commercial fishers question their future as they compete with ravenous long-nosed seals that continue to rip man-sized holes in fish nets in South Australia's Coorong.
- [Victorian councils rubbish statewide mandate that all homes must have four wheelie bins](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/18/victorian-councils-rubbish-statewide-mandate-that-all-homes-must-have-four-wheelie-bins) - Local governments have until 1 July next year to introduce a four-bin recycling system, but some councils – and waste experts – say it’s unnecessaryGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWhen Victoria embarked on its four-bin system for household waste back in 2020, the goal was to position the state as
- [Average new UK electric car price is now lower than petrol vehicles](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/17/new-uk-electric-car-price-petrol-ev-autotrader) - Autotrader says average EV cost is £785 cheaper, in an important milestone in the move away from fossil fuelsThe price of new battery electric cars has fallen below petrol cars in the UK for the first time, according to the car sales website Autotrader, in a significant milestone in Britain’s transition away from fossil fuels.The
- [More than 15m oysters to be released in the North Sea for UK rewilding project](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/17/more-than-15m-oysters-to-be-released-in-the-north-sea-for-uk-rewilding-project) - Exclusive: Experts say scheme will help repair damaged marine ecosystems while sequestering large amounts of carbonMore than 15m juvenile oysters are to be released into the North Sea in one of the biggest rewilding projects in UK waters.The scheme, which will use a unique rearing process, hopes to re-establish a huge oyster bed around Orkney
- [Bandicoots bounce back in Brown Hill Creek as team works towards 'superhighway'](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-17/bandicoots-bouncing-back-in-brown-hill-creek-along-superhighway/106572148) - A small colony of endangered brown bandicoots just south of Adelaide continue to breed as conservationists hope to connect them with other populations.
- [Alpine ash endangered listing 'will do nothing to protect them'](https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2026-04-17/alpine-ash-forests-endangered-protection-management-concerns/106568690) - Scientists hope an endangered listing may help preserve alpine ash forests, but the forestry industry is raising concerns that it could result in further decline.
- [Out of sight, but not out of trouble: groundwater contamination in NZ reveals a legacy of human pressure](https://theconversation.com/out-of-sight-but-not-out-of-trouble-groundwater-contamination-in-nz-reveals-a-legacy-of-human-pressure-280347) - The latest official stocktake of the state of New Zealand’s freshwater carries many of the headline messages we have come to expect. Pressures such as intensive land use and climate change are continuing to degrade our lakes, streams and rivers, with pathogen contamination making many monitored sites unsafe for swimming. The country’s vulnerable freshwater habitats
- [MSC’s ‘blue tick’ scheme creates illusion of ethically sourced fish, study claims](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/16/mscs-blue-tick-scheme-creates-illusion-of-ethically-sourced-fish-study-claims) - Sustainability certification by Marine Stewardship Council may be obscuring labour abuses in seafood supply chains, say researchersThe Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), which operates a “blue tick” scheme to indicate the sustainability of fish, has been accused of creating an “illusion” of ethical sourcing, after a study reported that widespread labour abuses have taken place on
- [Report finds Darwin Harbour biodiversity rivals that of Ningaloo Reef](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-16/nt-report-finds-darwin-harbour-marine-life-rivals-ningaloo-reef/106570356) - New research has revealed Darwin Harbour's biodiversity, including its wide range of rare species, rivals that of the World Heritage-protected Ningaloo Reef.
- [How to tell if your dog is in pain and what to do if they are](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-16/how-to-tell-if-your-dog-is-in-pain/106572808) - New research suggests that many dog owners are not skilled in recognising pain in their pets.
- [Ammonia pollution hotspots found in areas of UK with most pig and poultry factory farms](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/16/ammonia-pollution-hotspots-uk-pig-poultry-factory-farms) - Map reveals most severe concentrations of ammonia emissions, which are dangerous to health and environmentAmmonia pollution hotspots have been identified in areas with some of the greatest numbers of intensive pig and poultry farms in Britain, research has revealed.A new map for the first time reveals the most severe concentrations of ammonia emissions are clustered
- [What does the Geelong refinery fire reveal about Australia’s fuel supplies?](https://theconversation.com/what-does-the-geelong-refinery-fire-reveal-about-australias-fuel-supplies-280793) - Late on Wednesday, Victorian firefighters were called to a large fire at Viva Energy Group’s oil refinery in Corio, a suburb of Geelong. The blaze is believed to have been an equipment failure. Thankfully, no-one was injured. Viva is one of two refineries left in Australia, and supplies more than 50% of fuel in Victoria,
- [The secret sensory life of plants: researchers are discovering how they see, hear, feel – and even remember](https://theconversation.com/the-secret-sensory-life-of-plants-researchers-are-discovering-how-they-see-hear-feel-and-even-remember-277076) - Plants are often seen as passive organisms, rooted in one place and largely unable to react to the world around them. But a new field of research is challenging these assumptions and showing that plants are as sophisticated as animals in detecting and adjusting to environmental signals. Plants can perceive light through specialised proteins, detect
- [What can you actually put in your yellow recycling bin? An environmental scientist explains](https://theconversation.com/what-can-you-actually-put-in-your-yellow-recycling-bin-an-environmental-scientist-explains-278077) - Most of us want to recycle, but it can sometimes be hard to know exactly how. Do jar lids and bottle caps go in the yellow bin? What kinds of plastic can be recycled? And given that food residue can mess up the machines used to recycle waste, how clean do things need to be
- [Critical Atlantic current significantly more likely to collapse than thought](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/15/critical-atlantic-current-significantly-more-likely-to-collapse-than-thought) - Scientists say finding is ‘very concerning’ as collapse would be catastrophic for Europe, Africa and the AmericasThe critical Atlantic current system appears significantly more likely to collapse than previously thought after new research found that climate models predicting the biggest slowdown are the most realistic. Scientists called the new finding “very concerning” as a collapse
- [Tuvalu, tiny Pacific nation at the forefront of climate crisis, to host world leaders before Cop31 summit](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/15/tuvalu-cop-31-summer-leaders-meeting) - Conference president expresses ‘complete faith’ in Chris Bowen to lead tough negotiationsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTuvalu, the Pacific nation at the forefront of the global climate crisis, will host a special meeting of world leaders before this year’s Cop31 summit, as
- [How microplastics hurt the hidden helpers that keep our coasts healthy](https://theconversation.com/how-microplastics-hurt-the-hidden-helpers-that-keep-our-coasts-healthy-280266) - Walk across a mudflat at low tide and you might notice small, neat mounds of sediment scattered across the surface. These so-called “chimneys” are the calling card of the humble bamboo worm (Macroclymenella stewartensis) which inhabits sandy sediments within New Zealand’s sheltered bays and estuaries. Despite their hidden lives and small size – most measure
- [Push to have platypus listed as 'vulnerable' on national register](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-15/platypus-marian-vulnerable-conservation-register/106562272) - A lack of hard data on platypus numbers holds back a Queensland-led effort to list the iconic monotreme as "vulnerable" on the national Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation register.
- [Flood watches issued as former Cyclone Maila brings days of heavy rain](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-15/rainfall-and-wind-from-former-tropical-cyclone-narelle-forecast/106564286) - Minor flood watches have been issued for several Far North Queensland catchments as former Tropical Cyclone Maila delivers sustained heavy rainfall, with forecasters warning transport routes could be disrupted.
- [The beloved emperor penguin and Antarctic fur seal are now officially endangered. Here’s what can be done](https://theconversation.com/the-beloved-emperor-penguin-and-antarctic-fur-seal-are-now-officially-endangered-heres-what-can-be-done-280362) - In 1902, British explorer Robert Falcon Scott spotted a large group of large black and white birds at Ross Island, Antarctica. This was among the many milestones of Scott’s famous Discovery expedition: the first breeding colony of emperor penguins. Now, only 124 years since this penguin colony was discovered, emperor penguins have officially been listed
- [Politicians and media can’t imagine a fossil-fuel free world - and it’s holding Australians back from huge EV savings | Adam Morton](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/15/australia-fossil-fuels-politics-electric-vehicle-savings-clean-energy) - Australia is well behind other countries in embracing clean cars – it’s past time we kicked into gear on going electricWant to get this in your inbox when it publishes? Sign up for the Clear Air Australia newsletter hereFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesIt is tempting to think about what could have
- [Rescuers free young whale after 24-hour stranding ordeal](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-14/whale-freed-24-hours-after-stranding-on-nsw-mid-north-coast/106563384) - A whale stranded on a sandbar in Wallis Lake on the NSW mid north coast has been freed by marine animal rescue teams.
- [Residents near cement plant raise concerns about more plastic being burnt for fuel](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-14/residents-near-adelaide-adbri-cement-plant-concerned-rdf-fuel/106562336) - Residents living near a large cement plant in Adelaide are concerned about the owner wanting to burn more plastic as fuel to replace natural gas.
- [Giant echidnas weighing 15kg roamed Victoria – and the evidence was hiding in plain sight](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/14/owens-giant-echidna-fossil-victoria) - A skull fragment found in a tray of unsorted fossils collected more than a century ago leads to discoveryFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA prehistoric fossil, hiding in plain sight in museum storage for more than a century, has revealed that giant
- [NSW promises more fast chargers and electric trucks in revamped EV policy](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/apr/14/minns-promises-more-fast-chargers-and-electric-trucks-in-revamped-ev-policy) - Premier Chris Minns says policy will help road users save money while making Australia more resilient to future energy shocksFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAnother 1,000 electric vehicle chargers will arrive in New South Wales in the next two years and businesses
- [Meet kungaka – ‘the hidden one’. This ancient lizard could be the rarest reptile in Australia](https://theconversation.com/meet-kungaka-the-hidden-one-this-ancient-lizard-could-be-the-rarest-reptile-in-australia-279561) - Hidden among the red sandstone escarpments of Mutawintji National Park in western New South Wales lives a rare lizard, long isolated in this arid landscape. Known to Wiimpatja Aboriginal Owners as kungaka – “the hidden one” – we have now scientifically described it as a new species: Liopholis mutawintji. For decades, this little lizard was
- [NZ may be winning the fight against the invasive yellow-legged hornet – but a crucial phase lies ahead](https://theconversation.com/nz-may-be-winning-the-fight-against-the-invasive-yellow-legged-hornet-but-a-crucial-phase-lies-ahead-280452) - Six months on from the discovery of a yellow-legged hornet queen in Auckland there are encouraging signs New Zealand’s eradication effort is gaining ground. Teams that have been searching intensively for the highly invasive predators haven’t turned up a new nest since last month. This result suggests the country’s $12 million response programme – which
- [Reptile remains believed to be a crocodile found dumped on side of road](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-13/croc-found-on-adelaide-roadside/106559708) - Reptile remains — which are believed to be from a crocodile — have been collected by authorities after they were found dumped on the side of an Adelaide road.
- [Community seeks to become sole managers of ACT national park in two years](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-13/booderee-national-park-wreck-bay-boriginal-council-sole-managers/106554830) - The Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council plans to take on sole management of Booderee National Park In May 2028.
- [From river stain to your cup of tea: the secret world of tannins](https://theconversation.com/from-river-stain-to-your-cup-of-tea-the-secret-world-of-tannins-271730) - While stopped in heavy Melbourne traffic recently, I noticed that what looked like a shadow under a row of spotted gums (Corymbia maculata) along a major road was actually a stain on the concrete kerb. As a botanist, it caught my attention; biological stains always have an interesting story attached. Stains like these – under
- [Interest in EVs surges in Europe as fuel prices jump after Iran war](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/12/interest-evs-surge-europe-fuel-prices-iran-war) - Demand at online marketplaces could settle at a new, higher normal, with the crisis leaving consumers ‘scarred’Car buyers’ interest in electric cars has surged across Europe since the start of the war in Iran, as the rising cost of petrol highlights the cheaper power available from a plug.Online marketplaces in the UK, Germany, France and
- [A messy garden is a glorious garden. We need to stop tidying, titivating and paving them over | Emma Beddington](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/apr/12/a-messy-garden-is-a-glorious-garden-stop-paving-over) - I’ve just watched another of my neighbours rip up everything green and growing around their home. It’s enough to make David Attenborough weepIt’s noisy outside. I forget over winter how loud the garden gets when the imperatives of shagging, fighting for territory, then raising babies become urgent – the sparrows are kicking off, the tits
- [Golden eagles could be reintroduced to England after more than 150 years](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/12/golden-eagles-reintroduced-england-150-years) - Study identified eight areas that can sustain a population and government has given £1m for recovery programme“The world is grown so bad that wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch.” So wrote Shakespeare in Richard III, in a line of social commentary that feels ever more relevant with age.A note of good news then,
- [The 90-day swim that united New Zealand behind ocean conservation](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-12/swim4theocean-jono-ridler-north-island-new-zealand-world-record/106511428) - Jono Ridler swam 1,367 kilometres down New Zealand's east coast to raise awareness for ocean health and to end bottom trawling. His exploits have galvanised a nation.
- [Madeline Horwath on spring picnics – cartoon](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2026/apr/11/madeline-horwath-on-spring-picnics-cartoon) - Continue reading...
- ['They're not just big fluffy puppy dogs': Breeder warning over Highland cattle popularity](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-11/highland-cows-on-the-rise-in-wa/106415840) - Registered Highland cattle breeders have more than tripled in Western Australia in the past five years. The shaggy Scottish breed is gaining popularity across WA, with more breeders interested in taking on the cattle and strong demand from agritourism.
- [With most of it not fit to sell, this op shop fixes donated items to reduce landfill](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-11/hobart-city-mission-repair-clothing-reduce-landfill/106551256) - Every year, lots of new textile items are imported to the Australian market … about 1.55 billion of them. Fast fashion is a leading contributor to overproduction and makes reuse difficult.
- [Plans to move residents off Cocos Islands walked back after backlash](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-11/long-term-retreat-cocos-keeling-islands-rising-sea-level/106545672) - After seething criticism from residents, the Commonwealth has released its final plan to protect the Cocos (Keeling) Islands from rising sea levels.
- [Anger as swifts’ nesting holes in Derbyshire rail viaduct ‘blocked up’](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/10/anger-as-swifts-nesting-holes-in-derbyshire-rail-viaduct-blocked-up) - Campaigners say birds could die trying to access ancestral nests that were sealed during rail refurbishmentSome swifts returning to Britain to breed will be unable to access their ancestral nesting holes after they were blocked in a £7.5m refurbishment of a Derbyshire railway viaduct, campaigners say.Nature lovers had appealed to Network Rail to unblock three
- [Take down bird feeders this summer to cut spread of avian disease, says RSPB](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/10/rspb-bird-feeders-nuts-seeds-summer-parasitic-avian-disease) - Charity advises replacing seed and nut feeders, where birds gather, with small amounts of mealworms, fat balls or suetGarden birds should not be fed seeds and nuts over the summer months, the RSPB has said, in an attempt to reduce the spread of avian diseases.Bird lovers are being urged to take down their bird feeders
- [Snoozing seal blocks road in popular coastal spot](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-10/road-blocked-sleeping-seal-mornington-peninsula-police/106550932) - Locals say they are not surprised the seal, described as a regular visitor, decided to stop for a snooze on the roadway.
- [Once the world's largest chimpanzee community, two groups now wage a brutal war](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-10/chimpanzees-wage-civil-war-in-uganda-research-reveals/106543254) - A decades-long study reveals hundreds of chimpanzees waging a violent and deadly conflict against their former friends in their remote forest home.
- [Thousands of electric vehicles recalled in Australia due to battery fire risk](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/10/ev-electric-vehicle-recall-australia-battery-fire-risk) - Hyundai issues local recall due to a fault with battery management software that could cause a fire while car is recharging or parkedFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesTrack current petrol and diesel prices across AustraliaGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThousands of Australian drivers will be asked to
- [NZ is surrounded by ocean energy. Just what would it take to tap it?](https://theconversation.com/nz-is-surrounded-by-ocean-energy-just-what-would-it-take-to-tap-it-279842) - “Same as it ever was” is a phrase that continues to resonate in 2026. The oil shocks of the 1970s, triggered by conflict in the Middle East, sent global energy prices soaring and exposed the vulnerability of modern economies to fuel supply. They also sparked a global surge of interest in alternative energy. One particularly
- [Wild chimpanzees recorded waging ‘civil war’ with coordinated attacks between two groups](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/09/civil-war-chimpanzee-group-closer-to-human-condition-aoe) - New study describes what may be the first case of a unified community of chimps, in Uganda, turning on itselfOn a June day in 2015, primatologist Aaron Sandel was quietly observing a small cluster of the Ngogo chimpanzee group in Uganda’s Kibale national park when he noticed something strange. As other members of the chimpanzees’
- [Campaigners demand action to break UK’s ‘addiction’ to herbicides](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/09/campaigners-demand-action-break-uk-addiction-to-glyphosate-herbicide) - Use of glyphosate has risen 10-fold in 30 years, raising fears for public healthIt was Scottish farmers in the 1980s who pioneered the practice of spraying glyphosate on their wheat just before harvest. Struggling in the damp glens to get their crop to dry evenly, they came up with the idea of accelerating the process
- [Why the phrase “Super El Niño” makes Australian climate scientists roll their eyes](https://theconversation.com/why-the-phrase-super-el-nino-makes-australian-climate-scientists-roll-their-eyes-279758) - Frightening headlines predicting a Super El Niño or even a Godzilla El Niño amp up anxiety levels for farmers and residents of bushfire-prone regions. But these phrases are not particularly accurate. The phrase “Super El Niño” makes climate scientists like me roll our eyes. Why? Let’s find out. What is El Niño? The El Niño–Southern
- ['Preferred profit … over the environment': Farm owner fined for clearing 112 hectares of bushland](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-09/farm-owner-convicted-over-land-clearing-fine-less-than-permit/106543362) - The owner of a farm in South Australia's south-east is convicted and fined for clearing 112 hectares of bushland, but the penalty is much less than the $2.2 million he would have had to pay for a permit for the work.
- [Remote community's bid to relocate progresses after '30-odd years of asking'](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-09/nt-government-in-talks-about-moving-flooded-daly-river-nauiyu/106539686) - Flood-affected residents from Daly River are in talks with the NT government about moving the remote Aboriginal community to higher ground, with a church offering to donate land for the township's relocation.
- [NZ’s latest push to roll out more EV chargers is a good thing – but can it go the distance?](https://theconversation.com/nzs-latest-push-to-roll-out-more-ev-chargers-is-a-good-thing-but-can-it-go-the-distance-279645) - A $50 million plan to expand New Zealand’s public electric vehicle (EV) charging network marks another step toward a lower-emissions transport system. The government will provide interest-free loans to private operators ChargeNet and Meridian Energy, which will invest a further $60 million to lift the national network to around 4,500 charge points. The aim is
- [‘Non-survivable’: heatwaves are already breaching human limits, with worse to come, study finds](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/08/extreme-weather-heatwaves-breaching-human-survival-limits-study-finds) - Analysis of six extreme heatwaves found when temperature and humidity were accounted for, all were potentially deadly for older peopleExtreme heat is already creating “non-survivable” conditions for humans in heatwaves that have killed thousands and likely many more, according to new research that warns people are more susceptible to rising temperatures than first thought.Scientists re-examined
- [Pet dog survives 'tug-of-war' with crocodile at remote WA lake](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-08/family-pet-dog-survives-crocodile-attack-kununurra-lake-argyle/106541142) - A pet dog has a lucky escape after being dragged underwater by a freshwater crocodile at Lake Argyle in WA's remote Kimberley.
- [Does the Iran ceasefire mean the fuel crisis is over? Not even close](https://theconversation.com/does-the-iran-ceasefire-mean-the-fuel-crisis-is-over-not-even-close-280145) - It might feel like a lifetime ago, but it was just last week analysts began talking about fuel rationing in Australia. This week, that prospect seems less likely. A temporary ceasefire in the Iran war has been announced, even as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese heads off to Singapore – a crucial refinery hub – to
- [UK opening new oil and gas fields would imperil global climate goals, experts say](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/08/uk-new-oil-gas-fields-north-sea-global-climate-goals) - Senior climate figures warn North Sea drilling would encourage fossil fuel exploitation by developing countriesOpening new oil and gas fields in the North Sea would “send a shock wave around the world”, imperilling international climate targets, undermining the UK’s climate leadership and encouraging developing countries to exploit their own fossil fuel reserves, experts have warned.The
- [Reefs at risk as warming water sees sea urchins spread further](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-08/sea-urchin-federal-government-response-criticised/106533162) - Millions of destructive sea urchins are spreading from NSW into Victoria and Tasmania and the chair of a Senate inquiry says reefs are at risk unless there is decisive action.
- [The government has boxed itself in over fuel saving strategies – but there is a way out](https://theconversation.com/the-government-has-boxed-itself-in-over-fuel-saving-strategies-but-there-is-a-way-out-280131) - While the government works to reassure New Zealanders that fuel stocks are stable, the numbers tell an uncomfortable story: the country has about 27 days of onshore cover for petrol and 17 days of diesel. Meanwhile, the Middle East crisis remains volatile, even after today’s announcement of a two-week ceasefire. In a country that imports
- [Spotted a jellyfish bloom recently? Here’s what may have triggered it](https://theconversation.com/spotted-a-jellyfish-bloom-recently-heres-what-may-have-triggered-it-276866) - On a calm summer morning in southern Australia, the water can look deceptively clear, until you see thousands of gelatinous shapes washing ashore. In January, thousands of pink lion’s mane jellyfish washed into Port Phillip Bay, prompting beach warnings and startling swimmers more accustomed to cold water than the shock of stinging tentacles. The same
- [6 things Australia should do to tackle the energy crisis rather than just building bigger fuel reserves](https://theconversation.com/6-things-australia-should-do-to-tackle-the-energy-crisis-rather-than-just-building-bigger-fuel-reserves-280030) - The three-page fuel plan the Australian government released last week was very light on detail. So too was Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s address to the nation. This week, Energy Minister Chris Bowen moved to reassure Australians their fuel supply was safe “well into May”. It’s understandable the government is focused on the immediate problem. Australia
- [Oil slick from bombed Iranian ship threatens protected wetland](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/07/oil-slick-shahid-bagheri-iran-ship-hara-wetland) - Shahid Bagheri leaking fuel towards Hara mangrove forest, home to migrating birds and endangered turtlesMiddle East crisis – live updatesAn oil slick from a stricken Iranian ship threatens to contaminate one of the Middle East’s most important wetlands, satellite image analysis suggests, making it one of a number of spills posing a risk to the
- [Vegan leather sounds eco?friendly but the truth is complex](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-07/vegan-leather-not-as-sustainable-eco-friendly-as-claimed/101622944) - As fashion brands move away from animal leather, "vegan" has come to suggest something that is both kinder to animals and better for the planet. However, the reality is more complicated.
- [Growing EV popularity is leading to queues at fast chargers. Could a kerbside charger network help?](https://theconversation.com/growing-ev-popularity-is-leading-to-queues-at-fast-chargers-could-a-kerbside-charger-network-help-279563) - The war on Iran has made crystal clear how shaky our reliance on fossil fuels is. It’s no surprise electric vehicles and transport have become more appealing. In Australia, sales of electric vehicles surged 40–50% in March. That sudden surge came after ten months of relatively slow growth, during which battery electric and plug-in hybrid
- [Fears for Ningaloo Reef after ex-cyclone leaves animals strewn along beaches](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-07/tropical-cyclone-narellle-coral-spawning-ningaloo-reef/106528234) - As sharks swarm in the aftermath, there are fears ex-tropical Cyclone Narelle may have triggered a climate disaster for the world-famous Ningaloo Reef.
- [Australia’s alpine ash forests are now officially endangered. Can we save them?](https://theconversation.com/australias-alpine-ash-forests-are-now-officially-endangered-can-we-save-them-279099) - The tall alpine ash forests in Australia’s high country have lived in a delicate relationship with fire for tens of thousands of years. Intensifying fire seasons are threatening this balance to the extent the Federal Government has just officially listed this forest type as an endangered ecosystem. This means these forests face a high risk
- [German mayors call for night-time ban on robot lawnmowers to protect hedgehogs](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/06/german-mayors-call-for-night-time-ban-on-robot-lawnmowers-to-protect-hedgehogs) - Leaders say automated mowers’ blades threaten nocturnal animals as studies highlight risks to wildlifeGerman mayors have called for a nationwide ban on night-time use of robot lawnmowers to protect hedgehogs and other small nocturnal animals from being killed or maimed in the dark.Recent studies have highlighted the threat lawnmower blades pose to wildlife active between
- [As a business founder and as a man, I regret the decades I spent confined by masculinity | Guy Singh-Watson](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/apr/06/masculinity-business-man-farm-gender-pay-gap) - Making women more powerful in my farm business and closing the gender pay gap was not just the right thing to do – it has brought commercial benefits On International Women’s Day this year, I found myself in Selfridges listening to my wife, Geetie, talk about her experiences as a childhood communard, mother, restaurateur, environmental
- [Used EV prices rise as Australia’s fuel crisis hits: ‘Doesn’t make sense to hold on to a combustion engine’](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/06/secondhand-ev-prices-rise-fuel-crisis-australia) - Stock runs low as oil crunch increases enthusiasm for electric vehiclesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWhen a used vehicle rolls into a car yard, the usual trajectory for its price tag is down if it lingers too long.That is the (almost) iron law of the secondhand market – until the
- [Feral animals, biosecurity and careers on agenda for young Aboriginal rangers](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-06/aboriginal-land-and-sea-ranger-conference-south-australia/106478424) - The first SA Aboriginal Land and Sea Ranger Conference has brought together those on the front line of the fight against feral animals and plants.
- ['Easter bilby' populations booming across sanctuaries](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-06/bilby-populations-increase-across-australia/106520820) - The Australian Wildlife Conservancy says the threatened species has rebounded at multiple sites across the country.
- [How one local council helped 1,200 low-income residents finance solar and home energy upgrades](https://theconversation.com/how-one-local-council-helped-1-200-low-income-residents-finance-solar-and-home-energy-upgrades-278078) - Most of Australia’s existing homes are old, uncomfortable, and expensive to run. Too many are energy inefficient, and rising electricity and gas prices are making things worse. Mainstream programs are supporting home energy upgrades. But the transition isn’t happening quickly enough and risks leaving behind the households that could benefit most. Innovative finance models could
- [Farmers are boosting their profits and production – with nature’s help](https://theconversation.com/farmers-are-boosting-their-profits-and-production-with-natures-help-271750) - Farming is a vital industry, contributing an estimated A$100 billion to the Australian economy this year alone. Nearly 60% of Australia is used for agriculture. The lion’s share of that land is used to graze livestock, such as cattle, sheep and, increasingly, goats. However, our farming and environmental sectors have long been perceived to be
- [The swift parrot’s distinctive call was recorded dozens of times in a patch of Tasmanian forest. Then the forest was logged](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/06/the-swift-parrots-distinctive-call-was-recorded-dozens-of-times-in-a-patch-of-tasmanian-forest-then-the-forest-was-logged) - Scientists estimate the endangered bird’s population has slumped to about 750. But the logging agency responsible for clearing its habitat said it acted lawfullySign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereThey are sounds from a section of forest that no longer exists. In December and January, scientists for the
- [Huge sea turtle rescued after being discovered stranded upside down](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-05/lifesaving-turned-turtle-rescue-at-urunga/106531572) - A large sea turtle, estimated to be at least 30 years old and weighing more than 50 kilograms, is recovering in a wildlife sanctuary after being spotted stuck in dunes on a northern NSW beach.
- ['Amazing' breakthrough as rare bird relearns its lost 'love song'](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-05/saving-the-regent-honeyeaters-love-song/106515178) - There are only about 250 regent honeyeaters left in the wild, and they have been losing their unique call, mimicking other birds instead. Conservationists say they are now successfully teaching young birds their traditional song.
- [Bilby boom: breeding trial to reintroduce species to Mallee Cliffs national park shows signs of success](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/apr/05/bilby-breeding-trial-nsw-australia-easter-) - Fifty ‘founder’ bilbies were released in fenced breeding area in 2019 with the aim of establishing first wild population there in a centuryGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastEfforts to reintroduce bilbies in the far south-west of New South Wales are showing signs of success, with numbers climbing to almost 2,000,
- [New North Sea drilling would barely reduce UK gas imports at all, data shows](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/04/new-north-sea-drilling-jackdaw-rosebank-uk-gas-imports) - Exclusive: research finds Jackdaw field would provide only about 2% of current demand, and Rosebank only 1%Opening major new fields in the North Sea would make almost no difference to the UK’s reliance on gas imports, research has shown.The Jackdaw field, one of the largest unexploited gasfields in the North Sea, would displace only 2%
- [From early birds to emerging butterflies: UK shows signs of earliest spring on record](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/04/birds-butterflies-britain-shows-signs-of-earliest-spring-on-record) - Citizen science data reveals early flowering, nesting and insect activity as global heating accelerate seasonal changeBluebells are flowering, swallows are returning and orange-tip butterflies are flying in what could become Britain’s earliest recorded spring.Records for early spring occurrences are being smashed as 2026 looks to be the earliest this century for frogspawn laying, blackbirds nesting,
- [Sydney councils fear new datacentres could cause blackouts, block housing and affect locals’ health](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/04/sydney-councils-fear-new-datacentres-could-cause-blackouts-block-housing-and-affect-locals-health) - Datacentres ‘directly competing’ with possible residential builds near public transport, one council tells NSW inquiry, amid growing concernsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastDatacentre developments are crowding out opportunities for housing and job-rich industries across Sydney, a New South Wales inquiry has heard, with one local council reporting a rise in
- [World-famous Bibbulmun Track considered for heritage list](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-04/bibbulmun-track-heritage-listing/106509086) - Councils support moves for the Bibbulmun Track to be declared a heritage-listed site, which conservationists hope could protect the track from future mining expansions.
- [Study says economic value of grey-headed flying fox poo worth millions](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-04/economic-value-australian-grey-headed-flying-fox-bat-poo/106507002) - Bats are often thought of as smelly, ugly and noisy, but a study has revealed the economic and ecological value of one Australian species's poo.
- [Does a 'historic' plan to protect WA's largest river go far enough?](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-03/plan-to-protect-wa-fitzroy-river-released/106528858) - A long-awaited draft plan aimed at protecting one of Western Australia's largest rivers has been released for public consultation, but traditional owners, environmental groups and pastoralists say key changes are needed.
- ['It's quite barren': SA fishers demand action to protect stocks](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-03/fishers-fear-long-term-wipeout-of-fish-stocks/106520192) - Easter is a popular time for consumers to purchase fish, but commercial fishers in South Australia say stocks have been decimated by the algal bloom. They fear it will get worse without further action.
- [Sex at arm’s length? Male octopuses use specialised arm to mate, scientists find](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/02/sex-octopus-specialist-arm-mating-science) - Sensory organ in male cephalopod able to detect female hormone progesterone, even if male cannot see partnerSex might seem an intimate act, but scientists have shed fresh light on how octopuses manage it at arm’s length.Male octopuses use a specialised arm called the hectocotylus to place a package of sperm inside the female’s reproductive system.
- [Festivalgoers’ urine to fertilise trees in Brecon Beacons restoration scheme](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/02/feativalgoers-urine-to-fertilise-trees-in-brecon-beacons-restoration-scheme) - Waste of 700 Boomtown festival attendees used to produce 540 litres of fertiliser for native tree projectScientists are aiming to grow 4,500 trees at a national park with the help of fertiliser made from festivalgoers’ urine.The fertiliser was created by the Bristol-based startup NPK Recovery, which connected its unit to a block of toilets used
- [UK looks to relax planning rules for factory farms after industry lobbying](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/02/uk-looks-to-relax-planning-rules-for-factory-farms-after-industry-lobbying) - Exclusive: documents chronicle years-long campaign to make it easier to build intensive livestock unitsMinisters are rewriting planning rules to make it easier to build intensive livestock farms despite concerns about water pollution, air quality and local opposition.Documents obtained by the Guardian under the Freedom of Information Act show that proposed changes to the national planning
- [Activist ship deliberately collides with trawler as 'krill wars' escalate](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-02/tas-krill-wars-back-on-in-southern-ocean/106525856) - An environmental activist group’s ship has deliberately collided with a large fishing trawler in Antarctic waters. The activists say it was a "gentle nudge" but the trawler's owner says a line has been crossed.
- [Fuel prices are driving more Australians to EVs - and secondhand cars are in high demand](https://theconversation.com/fuel-prices-are-driving-more-australians-to-evs-and-secondhand-cars-are-in-high-demand-279835) - As conflict in the Middle East sends diesel and petrol prices skyrocketing, more and more Australians and New Zealanders are showing interest in electric vehicles. But is this translating to sales? March data shows the answer is yes – EV registrations have shot up sharply in Australia and New Zealand. Manufacturer order books are filling
- [Winter crops need to be sown - but Australia’s farmers are worried about fertilisers and fuel](https://theconversation.com/winter-crops-need-to-be-sown-but-australias-farmers-are-worried-about-fertilisers-and-fuel-279105) - War in the Middle East has put a spotlight on the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow sea passage through which 20% of global oil supply is shipped. But far less attention has been paid to another essential product derived from oil and gas, on which the world also relies: fertiliser. Roughly 20–30% of global fertiliser
- [Powerful magnitude-7.4 earthquake strikes Indonesia, tsunami warning issued](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-02/indonesia-molucca-sea-earthquake-tsunami-warning/106525262) - The quake, which hit early today, had a depth of 35 kilometres and its epicentre was 127km west-north-west of Ternate, Indonesia, the US Geological Survey said.
- [Want to be a citizen scientist? Here are 5 ways to get involved](https://theconversation.com/want-to-be-a-citizen-scientist-here-are-5-ways-to-get-involved-278096) - Ever wondered what it might feel like to spot giant spider crabs while you’re snorkelling? Or check plants for the circular holes that indicate native bees are collecting nest materials? Citizen science relies on people like you – more than a million of them in Australia, actually – to collect and analyse valuable data about
- [Bigger storms, more often: new study projects likely future rainfall impacts on NZ](https://theconversation.com/bigger-storms-more-often-new-study-projects-likely-future-rainfall-impacts-on-nz-279653) - In the aftermath of the latest bout of extreme rainfall across New Zealand’s upper North Island, there were some familar scenes. Submerged pastures. Silt carried by swollen rivers and piled against bridges. Floodwaters surrounding homes whose owners were forced to flee. As we count the toll of these events, which have wrought billions of dollars
- [Toxic blooms and invasive clams are forcing a rethink on the Waikato River](https://theconversation.com/toxic-blooms-and-invasive-clams-are-forcing-a-rethink-on-the-waikato-river-279560) - The Waikato is New Zealand’s longest river, central to the identity and practices of Waikato River iwi and a source of drinking water for nearly half of the country’s population. It is also becoming a case study in what happens when very different environmental pressures hit the same system faster than authorities can respond. A
- [We have the proof that logging makes Tasmania’s forests more flammable](https://theconversation.com/we-have-the-proof-that-logging-makes-tasmanias-forests-more-flammable-279103) - In 1967, catastrophic bushfires in Tasmania killed dozens of people – and very nearly destroyed Hobart. A year later, W.D. Jackson, Professor of Botany at the University of Tasmania, published a short but very influential article on why the fires were so bad. He suggested that after Tasmania’s wet eucalypt forests were burned by severe
- [This is what a fossil-fuel shock looks like. The UK must adapt its energy system – and quickly | Chaitanya Kumar](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/apr/01/fossil-fuel-shock-uk-energy-system-iran-war-food-fuel-interest-rates) - The Iran war will hit food prices, fuel costs and interest rates. But with a few smart moves, we could could turn this crisis to our advantageEnergy shocks don’t just raise our energy bills – they can be turning points in how our economy runs. The UK responded to the energy crises of the 1970s
- [Class action alleges GrainCorp knew increased production causes noise and odour](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-01/graincorp-class-action-trial-supreme-court-numurkah-noise-odour/106522712) - A class action of 18 people from the small Victorian town of Numurkah alleges that agribusiness giant GrainCorp's increased production at the site has led to offensive noise and odour for residents.
- [Cultural compensation replaces fine in 'rare' illegal logging ruling](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-01/wild-cattle-creek-state-forest-illegal-logging-court-decision/106514766) - Traditional owners say a $450,000 fine will not replace the six centuries-old giant trees illegally felled by NSW Forestry Corporation.
- [A high-risk bird flu strain is circling the globe. How prepared is NZ?](https://theconversation.com/a-high-risk-bird-flu-strain-is-circling-the-globe-how-prepared-is-nz-278541) - Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 – particularly the 2.3.4.4b lineage – has transformed the global disease landscape over recent years. What was once largely a poultry disease causing occasional severe illness in humans is now a multi-species threat, affecting wild birds, mammals and increasingly, entire ecosystems. Despite more than five years without incursion, H5N1
- [Cutting fuel excise is a sugar hit – we need a plan to slash dependence on imports](https://theconversation.com/cutting-fuel-excise-is-a-sugar-hit-we-need-a-plan-to-slash-dependence-on-imports-279556) - As fuel prices spike, many Australians are understandably anxious. Photos of empty bowsers, long queues, and high prices create the impression of a system under strain. What we are seeing isn’t a collapse of Australia’s fuel supply chain. Shipments are still arriving and most deliveries continue as planned. While some cargoes have been disrupted, governments
- [UK’s smallest bird of prey among 200 species at risk of extinction, study finds](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/31/uk-smallest-bird-prey-among-species-risk-extinction-study-finds) - Merlin could disappear in worst-case scenario, with British isles facing ecological ‘point of no return’The merlin, Britain’s smallest bird of prey, is one of more than 200 species that will become extinct in the UK if action is not taken to curb emissions and unsustainable land use, a study has claimed.According to the UK Centre
- [Deepwater discoveries: scientists find more than 110 new fish and invertebrate species in the Coral Sea](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/01/queensland-great-barrier-reef-coral-sea-110-new-fish-species-discovered) - Brittlestars, sea anemones and a catshark among new-to-science species collected during expedition off the Queensland coastFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMarine scientists have discovered more than 110 new fish and invertebrate species in the Coral Sea – a figure they believe could
- [Boaties find themselves in stand-off with stowaway sugar glider](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-31/qld-stowaway-sugar-glider-rescued-from-boat/106516538) - The nocturnal marsupial, which typically spends the day sleeping in tree hollows, was discovered when the sails of the boat were opened.
- [More drilling in North Sea ‘not the answer’ for UK energy security, say former military leaders](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/31/drilling-north-sea-not-the-answer-uk-energy-security) - Government told to focus on transition to mix of wind, solar, tidal and nuclear energyMore drilling in the North Sea would do nothing to improve the UK’s energy security, former military leaders have said, as a new analysis finds no fossil fuel importer is safe from chokepoints in the global supply chain.The government should focus
- [‘A national scandal’: trawlers scour seabeds of supposedly protected UK waters](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/31/a-national-scandal-trawlers-scour-seabeds-of-supposedly-protected-uk-waters) - ‘Precious ocean life is being pushed to the brink,’ say campaigners, arguing that overfished marine areas are ‘protected only on paper’Almost 40% of England’s seas are designated as marine protected areas. Their purpose, the government says, is “to protect and recover rare threatened and important marine ecosystems … from damage caused by human activities”.And yet
- [What caused the blood red skies in Western Australia? A weather expert explains](https://theconversation.com/what-caused-the-blood-red-skies-in-western-australia-a-weather-expert-explains-279557) - The apocalyptic red skies in Western Australia have generated considerable international media attention. Crimson dust whipped up by the strong outer winds of Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle created this unusual phenomenon. Spectacular weather events like this are not common in northwest Australia. They occur under very specific environmental conditions. Most of the tropical cyclones hitting
- [Sydney brick pit becomes arena in fight to save iconic frog](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-31/chytrid-vaccinated-bell-frogs-released-sydney-olympic-park/106511634) - Chytrid fungus has been linked to the extinction of 90 frog species around the world. In a long-abandoned Sydney brick pit, a new front has opened in the fight to save an iconic species.
- [LNG vs pumped hydro: will NZ choose to import risk or build cleaner resilience?](https://theconversation.com/lng-vs-pumped-hydro-will-nz-choose-to-import-risk-or-build-cleaner-resilience-279552) - As the escalating US-Israel war on Iran drives a global fuel supply crisis, New Zealand is eyeing two major – and very different – projects aimed at bolstering its long-term energy security. While one risks deepening the country’s reliance on the very fossil fuel systems now in turmoil, the other offers a more sustainable alternative.
- [There may be 10 times as many citizen scientists in Australia as we thought – and that’s great news for science](https://theconversation.com/there-may-be-10-times-as-many-citizen-scientists-in-australia-as-we-thought-and-thats-great-news-for-science-267870) - Until recently, the number of citizen scientists in Australia was estimated at between 100,000 and 130,000 people. But this is a major underestimate. My survey of about 20 key organisations suggests there are likely more than a million in Australia. There are only a limited number of professional (paid) scientists. But anyone with a smartphone
- [Is E10 fuel bad for my car? And could it save me money?](https://theconversation.com/is-e10-fuel-bad-for-my-car-and-could-it-save-me-money-279081) - Fuel has become a precious, and increasingly expensive, commodity. The ongoing Middle East conflict has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off 20% of the world’s oil supplies. This, coupled with tit-for-tat attacks on key energy infrastructure across the region, has sent fuel prices soaring. In Australia, petrol and diesel bowsers have already started
- [Greyhound inquiry begins as former industry insider reveals 'disgusting' dog treatment](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-30/wa-parliamentary-inquiry-into-greyhound-racing-begins/106511614) - A former greyhound racing insider tells how he reached "breaking point" with the industry, as a parliamentary inquiry into the sport in WA begins.
- [Drivers winched to safety after ignoring road closures in WA's flooded Gascoyne](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-30/ex-tropical-cyclone-narelle-update-gascoyne-growers/106508610) - Authorities say motorists are repeatedly ignoring warnings not to drive in floodwaters in WA's north in the wake of Cyclone Narelle, with 20 people having to be rescued.
- [Australia’s rooftop solar boom left apartment residents behind. Here’s how to fix it](https://theconversation.com/australias-rooftop-solar-boom-left-apartment-residents-behind-heres-how-to-fix-it-279082) - Most Australians now understand the basic promise of rooftop solar: lower power bills, cleaner electricity and, for some households, the option to charge an electric vehicle at home for far less than the cost of petrol. But that promise was built around a particular kind of housing – the detached house with a privately controlled
- [Toxic Pfas residue identified on 37% of California produce, new analysis finds](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/29/pfas-residue-california-produce-analysis) - Peaches, strawberries and grapes were almost always found to be contaminated with ‘forever chemicals’ in the analysisSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA first-of-its-kind analysis has identified Pfas pesticide residues on 37% of conventional California produce, with peaches, strawberries and grapes almost always found to be contaminated
- [Forget birdwatching, I’m into moth-watching: they’re fascinating and misunderstood insects | Helen Pilcher](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/29/birdwatching-mothwatching-uk-nature-cognitive-decline) - According to new research, distinguishing between the UK’s 2,500 species could halt cognitive decline – so my brain could not be happier, or healthierDo you ever worry that your brain’s slowing down and your mind is … what’s the word … fogging? If you do, I have news. A recent study on birdwatching, with the
- [Nigel Farage’s farming adviser calls for wheat prices to double](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/29/nigel-farage-farming-adviser-calls-for-hike-in-wheat-prices-reform-uk) - Exclusive: critics warn Reform UK use of trade policy would increase food costs amid cost-of-living crisisNigel Farage’s farming adviser has called for a doubling of wheat prices by using trade policy, which critics have said would hike food costs during a cost-of-living crisis.Arable farmer and campaigner Clive Bailye has been appointed as a farming and
- [Confronting images of 'unprecedented' outback flood after cyclone](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-29/bullara-station-video-tropical-cyclone-narelle/106507432) - An outback cattle station and tourist ranch in WA's north has felt the full force of Cyclone Narelle, with vision emerging of the trail of destruction left by the powerful wind and heavy rain.
- [Why the 'perfect pair' of jeans remains an elusive concept](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-29/brief-history-of-denim-perfect-pair-jeans-elusive/106495324) - The enduring challenge of finding the "perfect pair" of jeans highlights the garment's cultural significance, and the opportunity to move toward more sustainable and more thoughtfully designed denim.
- [We’ve been coming to this waterhole for 30 years. Like the creek we’ve been rearranged – ravaged by time but still shining | Jessie Cole](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/29/australia-waterhole-ravaged-by-time-still-shining) - When we strip off, it is all there on our bodies: scars mixed in with the ordinary wear and tear. It’s bolstering – this evidence of life livedMost waterholes in the northern rivers of New South Wales are hidden from view. Creeks snake through private land, unseen from the road. To find the path to
- [Cambridge offers botany course that inspired Darwin after rare archive uncovered](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/28/cambridge-university-botany-course-charles-darwin-john-stevens-henslow) - University’s botanic garden will use study materials created by John Stevens Henslow, the naturalist’s mentor, 200 years agoPlant specimens and teaching materials that inspired Charles Darwin and qualified him to work as a naturalist on HMS Beagle have been unearthed from an archive in Cambridge and will be used for the first time to teach
- [Biodiversity News Across Australia: March Round-Up of Land Protection and Conservation Wins](https://www.thebeats.org/2026/03/28/biodiversity-news-across-australia-march-round-up-of-land-protection-and-conservation-wins/) - Biodiversity news across Australia highlights the latest conservation projects, land protections and wildlife preservation efforts shaping a more sustainable future.
- [Cyclone Narelle devastates WA tourist town, airport 'obliterated'](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-28/tropical-cyclone-narelle-devestates-exmouth/106506824) - The northern WA tourist town of Exmouth has been left isolated and heavily damaged after Cyclone Narelle tore through the town.
- [WA gas facilities, ports suffer major disruptions after cyclone](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-28/ex-cyclone-narelle-outages-chevron-woodside-santos-projects/106499548) - Gas giants Woodside, Santos and Chevron confirm they have suffered production outages at its gas as a result of Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle.
- [Rare footage shows whales working together to support mother and her newborn – video](https://www.theguardian.com/global/video/2026/mar/27/rare-footage-shows-whales-working-together-to-support-mother-and-her-newborn-video) - Scientists have filmed a sperm whale giving birth while other females worked together to support the mother and her newborn. A 19-year-old female named Rounder was surrounded by family members and others as she was about to give birth to her second calf off the coast of the Caribbean island of Dominica on 8 July
- [Beavers ‘breathe new life’ into Dorset as dams built and biodiversity returns](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/27/beavers-dorset-dams-biodiversity-national-trust) - National Trust says one year after reintroduction they are enriching habitats and may be having kits this summerThey were released this time last year with fanfare, much hope and also, perhaps, a little trepidation.Twelve months on, there have been ups and downs for the first beavers to be (officially) reintroduced into the wild in England
- [No let-up from Cyclone Narelle as dangerous storm heads south](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-27/tropical-cyclone-narelle-continues-destructive-path-exmouth-/106497578) - Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle continues to cut a destructive swathe through Western Australia's Gascoyne even as it weakens, with authorities warning the extreme weather is not over yet.
- [Cyclone Narelle is now larger and ‘more severe’ as it crosses the Western Australian coast](https://theconversation.com/cyclone-narelle-is-now-larger-and-more-severe-as-it-crosses-the-western-australian-coast-279322) - Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle continues to amaze us with its long journey across northern Australia. This cyclone began life near the Solomon Islands on March 16, when moist air rose rapidly and created a low-pressure zone. Narelle crossed the Cape York Peninsula last Friday as an intense but compact category 4 system, and continued a
- [How Australians interact with birds and wildlife around their homes](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-27/how-australians-interact-with-birds-wildlife-homes-gardens/106449856) - Our recent stories about attracting native fauna to gardens and feeding wild birds resonated strongly. Here is how some Australians interact with wildlife in their local areas.
- [Distant conflict, local crisis: is this oil shock the wake-up call NZ needed?](https://theconversation.com/distant-conflict-local-crisis-is-this-oil-shock-the-wake-up-call-nz-needed-278983) - In recent years, there has been no shortage of warnings about the fragility of New Zealand’s largely imported fuel supply. Now, motorists are seeing the cost of that vulnerability at the pump. Across the country, petrol has surpassed $3.30 a litre on average. On Auckland’s Waiheke Island, locals protested after prices at a local station
- [Share prices, sports results … CO? levels? The case for reporting climate stats every day](https://theconversation.com/share-prices-sports-results-co-levels-the-case-for-reporting-climate-stats-every-day-278202) - In today’s CO? news, global atmospheric carbon is at 429.46 parts per million. That’s one point lower than yesterday and 79 above the recommended planetary boundary. That’s not something we hear routinely in news bulletins, of course. But such numeric snapshots – what’s up, what’s down and overall trends – are very familiar from daily
- [Australia urged to swap diesel for electric buses as fuel costs soar](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/26/australia-electric-buses-transition-from-diesel-fuel-crisis) - Electric buses are just 1% of the Australian fleet compared with 80% in urban China, a quarter in the Netherlands and 12% in the UKFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesSign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereAs diesel climbs past $3 a litre amid fuel security
- [Fire-ravaged shire demands fossil fuel companies foot climate disaster bill](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-26/mount-alexander-shire-urges-fossil-fuel-companies-fund-recovery/106497378) - A Victorian council still cleaning up after a bushfire that wiped out more than 50 homes and businesses wants fossil fuel companies to pay for climate disaster recovery.
- ['My left foot was in his mouth': Fisher's lucky escape from 3.5m shark](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-26/shark-attack-escape-cape-jaffa-great-white/106496684) - A fisher known as "Lucky Luke" to his mates lives up to his nickname after surviving a great white shark dragging him along the ocean floor while lobster fishing off the South Australian coast.
- [Parks are sanctuaries but can also harbour disease – here’s how to protect yourself](https://theconversation.com/parks-are-sanctuaries-but-can-also-harbour-disease-heres-how-to-protect-yourself-276283) - Parks are vital public spaces. This is especially true if you’re a parent with energetic children, or an office worker searching for a peaceful lunch spot. But parks are also ideal environments for infectious diseases to spread, particularly through critters who carry harmful pathogens. This is because, unlike other public spaces, they are designed to
- [Time to buy local: war fuel price shocks reveal the folly of a long food supply chain](https://theconversation.com/time-to-buy-local-war-fuel-price-shocks-reveal-the-folly-of-a-long-food-supply-chain-278786) - Most of our food travels many thousands of kilometres across Australia to reach our kitchens. We are highly dependent on a vast web of long-haul trucks to move food between growers, massive food distribution hubs and large supermarkets. Of course, trucks need fuel – and lots of it. As war in the Middle East leads
- [Driving in the wrong direction: why NZ’s oil consumption is at a 5-year high](https://theconversation.com/driving-in-the-wrong-direction-why-nzs-oil-consumption-is-at-a-5-year-high-278524) - New Zealand’s latest quarterly energy report shows electricity production was above 90% renewable and emissions from generation fell to the lowest level on record. But it also shows New Zealand’s oil consumption, which had fallen markedly after the COVID pandemic, has crept back up to reach its highest quarterly level in five years. Oil now
- [Australia must brace for clusters of natural disasters, not just isolated fires and floods](https://theconversation.com/australia-must-brace-for-clusters-of-natural-disasters-not-just-isolated-fires-and-floods-272333) - Around the world, communities are battling more extreme weather events. That includes residents in the path of Cyclone Narelle, which is threatening to form again over Western Australia. But another concerning trend is that natural disasters are increasingly arriving in clusters, not in isolation. Fires, storms, floods and heatwaves are are no longer neatly separated
- [US has caused $10tn worth of climate damage since 1990, research finds](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/25/us-climate-damage-research) - US, top carbon emitter in history, has ‘a lot of responsibility’ for causing ‘substantial’ harm globally, scientist saysThe US has caused an eye-watering $10tn in global damages to the world over the past three decades through its vast planet-heating emissions, with a quarter of this economic pain inflicted upon itself, new research has found.By being
- [‘Seriously wrong’: flood-hit Lincolnshire residents at odds with Reform MP over climate](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/25/boston-lincolnshire-flooding-reform-uk-richard-tice-climate) - Constituents’ frustration with Richard Tice reflects growing problem for party and its leaders’ climate-sceptic stance“The worst part of it was the smell,” says Audrey Crook, 58. A full-time carer who lives with her 20-year-old son, Crook woke up at 11pm one night to find a foot of flood water on the ground floor of her
- [We’re letting big corporations gamble with our lives. Act now, or the food could run out | George Monbiot](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/25/big-corporations-global-food-system-war-iran) - The fragility of the global food system fills me with dread – and the war with Iran has exposed just how close to collapse it is The fate of environmentalists is to spend their lives trying not to be proved right. Vindication is what we dread. But there’s one threat that haunts me more than
- [Fake news on everything from whales to wind farms: Australia is flooded with climate misinformation](https://theconversation.com/fake-news-on-everything-from-whales-to-wind-farms-australia-is-flooded-with-climate-misinformation-278989) - Australia is facing a wave of misinformation and disinformation on climate change and energy. This is being fuelled by the growth in artificial intelligence and allowed to spread freely on social media, according to the findings of a Senate inquiry. This misinformation presents a threat to action on climate change, but also challenges the health
- [Drone baiting aims to eradicate mice infestation on remote WA island](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-25/seabird-drone-baiting-browse-island-kimberley-house-mice-mouse/106486150) - Scientists are using "world-first" drone-baiting technology to target thousands of house mice in an effort to bring migratory seabirds back from the brink on Browse Island off Western Australia's north.
- [Cacti confiscated from home garden over fears of another 'prickly pear' disaster](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-25/cactus-confiscated-from-outback-town-garden-over-biosecurity/106492174) - An opal miner's garden plants have been destroyed after it was identified as a prohibited plant, potentially as invasive as one of Australia's most notorious plants.
- [Our interest in electric vehicles has grown due to oil price spikes. And it’s likely to remain](https://theconversation.com/our-interest-in-electric-vehicles-has-grown-due-to-oil-price-spikes-and-its-likely-to-remain-278664) - The US military action in Iran may have an unintended secondary effect – ending the cultural dominance of the internal combustion engine and ushering in the age of electric vehicles. Back in the 1970s, a sudden increase in the price of oil led to the public embracing smaller and more fuel efficient cars; similarly, the
- [US public health groups urge firing of EPA boss Zeldin, saying he ‘brazenly betrayed’ agency](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/24/fire-epa-zeldin-public-health) - Advocates say Lee Zeldin’s EPA has rolled back protections and cut staff and funding, putting health at riskSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxMore than 160 environmental and public health organizations on Tuesday called for Lee Zeldin, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator, to resign or be
- [What are zettajoules – and what do they tell us about Earth’s energy imbalance?](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/24/what-are-zettajoules-earth-energy-imbalance) - When James Prescott Joule lent his name to a unit of energy, he could not have foreseen today’s alarming calculationsThe primary unit of climate collapse is the zettajoule. If you have never heard of this term, you are not alone. Even scientists who work on a planetary scale struggle to relate the immensity of the
- [Eel fisher takes on authorities at Belfast court over pollution in UK’s largest lake](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/24/eel-fisher-authorities-belfast-court-pollution-lake-lough-neagh-declan-conlon) - Declan Conlon will argue officials have failed to act despite clear evidence of the ecological collapse of Lough NeaghAn eel fisher is to argue at the high court in Belfast that the authorities have allowed the ecological collapse of Lough Neagh by failing to take action over pollution.Declan Conlon, whose family have for generations fished
- [Remote town cut off by rain gets 'weird phone call' with anonymous donation](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-24/marree-outback-floodwater-cut-off-donation-of-supplies/106490796) - An anonymous donor funded two planes full of supplies for the outback town of Marree, near Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, after it was cut off by flooding.
- [Australia has dedicated more than 20% of its land to conservation but not where it matters most](https://theconversation.com/australia-has-dedicated-more-than-20-of-its-land-to-conservation-but-not-where-it-matters-most-278543) - On paper, Australia is a conservation success story. Over the past 15 years, we’ve dedicated vast areas of land to conservation. Our primary goal has been to protect our unique plants, animals, and ecosystems. As a result, Australia now has one of the largest protected area estates in the world, covering roughly 22% of the
- [BOM website creator's new $16m contract has climate scientists worried](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-24/company-in-96m-bom-site-redesign-gets-16m-contract/106478264) - The company responsible for the highly criticised BOM website wins a $16 million tender to build a new climate data website for the government.
- [What the coming El Niño climate pattern means for NZ in a warming world](https://theconversation.com/what-the-coming-el-nino-climate-pattern-means-for-nz-in-a-warming-world-278201) - After the planet’s 11 hottest years on record, scientists are warning the return of an El Niño climate pattern could push global temperatures even higher. Today, the World Meteorological Organisation reported that the past decade has been the warmest observed, with rising greenhouse gas emissions driving record ocean heat, melting ice and more extreme weather.
- [Drivers left stranded as WA's EV highway branded 'not fit for purpose'](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-23/wa-ev-network-vulnerabilities-for-electric-vehicle-drivers/106478356) - Constant malfunctions, long repair times and inadequate power supply are causing some EV drivers to rethink long trips in Western Australia.
- [The latest world climate report is grim, but it’s not the end of the story](https://theconversation.com/the-latest-world-climate-report-is-grim-but-its-not-the-end-of-the-story-278886) - It’s no secret our planet is heating up. And here’s the evidence: we’ve just experienced the 11 hottest years on record, with 2025 being the second or third warmest in global history. The annual State of the Climate report, published today by the World Meteorological Organization, suggests we’re still too reliant on fossil fuels. And
- [Earth being ‘pushed beyond its limits’ as energy imbalance reaches record high](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/23/earth-being-pushed-beyond-its-limits-as-energy-imbalance-reaches-record-high) - State of the Climate report finds Earth’s energy has moved dangerously out of balance, with oceans absorbing vast majority of trapped heatOur home planet is struggling with a record energy imbalance, which is warming oceans to unprecedented levels, making weather more extreme and threatening health and food supplies, the World Meteorological Organization has warned.The United
- [Father and son take 1,300km bushwalking 'gap year'](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-22/father-son-bushwalking-year-raising-awareness-for-tourettes/106442694) - Daniel Toole has taken a year off work to walk around the world with his 18-year-old, non-verbal son, Ashton, who is living with autism spectrum disorder and Tourette syndrome.
- [Preserved footprints show Tasmanian tigers in South Australia 120,000 years ago](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-22/footprints-of-tasmanian-tigers-in-eyre-peninsula-south-australia/106467574) - The discovery of ancient footprints shows the carnivorous marsupial once roamed the Eyre Peninsula coastline.
- [Why Scott works with sheep dogs after a day caring for black rhinos](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-22/how-zookeeper-scott-smith-became-a-champion-dog-trainer/105512260) - Scott Smith spends his days caring for black rhinos at Dubbo's Taronga Western Plains Zoo but, after a long day at work, he swaps wild animals for a smaller domestic variety.
- [Queensland's $14m national park track and the fight over using it](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-21/whitsunday-island-hike-ngaro-track-price-public-access-concerns/106461110) - With only 15 walkers a day and costing $150 per person, the new Ngaro Track sparks debate about commercial tourism in Queensland's national parks.
- [Earth's low orbit is becoming cluttered with high-velocity space junk](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-21/space-junk-satellites-low-orbit/106468774) - Thousands of satellites are being launched into space at low Earth orbit, joining hundreds of thousands of pieces of space junk, and it's becoming a real problem.
- [‘Like lighting a cigarette while trying to quit’: Australia approves new coal seam gas expansion](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/20/like-lighting-a-cigarette-while-trying-to-quit-australia-approves-new-coal-seam-gas-expansion) - The expansion in Queensland, which has been approved until 2081, will contribute about 120m tonnes of carbon emissions over its lifetimeGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA major coal seam gas expansion, contributing about 120m tonnes of carbon emissions over its lifetime, has been approved by the federal government until 2081.The
- [More than 1,600 new gas wells approved for rural Queensland until 2081](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-20/federal-government-approves-1695-gas-wells-in-rural-queensland/106462828) - A major multinational gas venture has just secured federal approval to ramp up extraction in rural Queensland — locking in operations for the next 55 years.
- [More than 70 UK councils failed to issue single fine for littering last year](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/20/uk-councils-littering-fines-data-clean-up-britain-campaign) - Exclusive: Lack of enforcement is allowing people to drop rubbish with complete impunity, says Clean Up BritainScores of councils across the UK have in effect ended enforcement of fines for littering, while others are letting litterers off lightly and many more are neglecting to enforce fines for fly-tipping.At least 71 councils failed to issue a
- [People in North Yorkshire town found to have ‘alarming’ levels of toxic Pfas chemicals in blood](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/20/bentham-north-yorkshire-pfas-toxic-forever-chemicals-blood) - Exclusive: Testing in Bentham, home to UK’s highest recorded Pfas levels, finds one in four have blood levels in greatest risk categoryAlarming levels of toxic forever chemicals have been found in the blood of people living in a town previously revealed to be contaminated with the UK’s highest recorded level of Pfas.Pfas, short for per-
- [Why Middle East gas field attacks could send energy prices soaring](https://theconversation.com/why-middle-east-gas-field-attacks-could-send-energy-prices-soaring-278777) - Israel’s bombing of Iran’s South Pars gas field has sent shockwaves through global energy markets. The South Pars gas field is part of the world’s largest gas field, known as North Dome, shared by Iran and Qatar. Until now, nations on both sides of the conflict have confined their attacks to civilian infrastructure, where the
- [Return of the oil shock: lessons from a crisis New Zealand has seen before](https://theconversation.com/return-of-the-oil-shock-lessons-from-a-crisis-new-zealand-has-seen-before-278657) - The world’s energy situation is growing more volatile by the day. The US-Israel war on Iran has effectively shut one of the world’s most important oil choke points, the Strait of Hormuz, sending the price of Brent crude over US $100 a barrel for the first time since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Tit-for-tat attacks
- [Indigenous Australians always come off worst in disasters. This needs to stop](https://theconversation.com/indigenous-australians-always-come-off-worst-in-disasters-this-needs-to-stop-278071) - Indigenous communities are often the worst hit when major disasters strike. The recent floods across the Northern Territory are a case in point. Last week, residents in the regional centre of Katherine were either evacuated or sought shelter at relief centres after the worst flooding in 28 years. Meanwhile, the remote Indigenous communities of Wugularr,
- [We need to be honest about Iran – and how our rampant greed for oil is causing mayhem | George Monbiot](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/19/iran-greed-oil-capitalism-regimes) - Oil has empowered capitalism, and some of the world’s most exploitative regimes. Move away from it and we can solve some of the key issues we faceI realise this is a serious breach of etiquette. But could we perhaps abandon good manners and contextualise Donald Trump’s attack on Iran? The intense western interest in the
- [Stopping gas dictating UK energy price could cut bills by £200, thinktank says](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/19/stopping-gas-dictating-uk-energy-price-could-cut-bills-by-200-thinktank-says) - Iran war has increased gas price, with effects on UK energy bills that could be avoided, Common Wealth saysHousehold energy bills could be reduced by up to £203 a year by stopping expensive fossil gas setting the price of energy in the UK, according to a report.Under the existing system, gas – the most expensive
- [Cyclone Narelle: ‘compact’, dangerous and unusually predictable](https://theconversation.com/cyclone-narelle-compact-dangerous-and-unusually-predictable-278767) - Tropical Cyclone Narelle is currently a very dangerous Category 5 storm, sitting off the Far North Queensland Coast some 350 kilometres northeast of Cooktown. Formed in the Coral Sea, Narelle is packing a punch, with sustained winds near the centre of 205km per hour and wind gusts to 285km per hour. Sea surface temperatures in
- [Island council considers total ban on all new pet cats](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-19/kangaroo-island-pet-cat-ban-invasive-species-council-sa/106469132) - Kangaroo Island Council is considering banning the introduction of all cats to the island, in a move the mayor is calling the "last cat policy". If successful, the ban would make the South Australian island one of the world's biggest inhabited islands to be free of cats.
- [Taxpayers could face billion-dollar rehab costs for troubled WA coal miner](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-19/griffin-coal-rehab-wa-taxpayers-liable/106468356) - The WA government insists Griffin Coal's obligations have not changed, but changes to its mining agreement could allow the company to walk away from rehabilitating its Collie mine site.
- [‘Disaster inertia’: why must NZ keep relearning the same lessons from extreme events?](https://theconversation.com/disaster-inertia-why-must-nz-keep-relearning-the-same-lessons-from-extreme-events-278192) - In the aftermath of another summer of weather disasters, there were headlines about a “growing gap” between recovery efforts and preparation for climate change impacts. There were calls for a rethink of how New Zealand approaches natural hazards and for decision-makers to learn from the lives and homes lost in landslides and floods. If this
- [Kangaroos run down in an alleged 'deliberate attempt' to kill](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-19/kangaroos-hit-and-run-lake-macquarie/106468360) - Police are investigating the deaths of kangaroos on suburban streets in Lake Macquarie in what has been described as a "deliberate" hit-and-run attack.
- [Teens suffer the most from e-bike incidents – are stricter rules the answer?](https://theconversation.com/teens-suffer-the-most-from-e-bike-incidents-are-stricter-rules-the-answer-278542) - E-bikes and e-scooters are in the spotlight again. That’s because Queensland, as part of a parliamentary inquiry, is pushing for the nation’s most comprehensive review of the use and safety of e-mobility devices. This includes electric scooters and electric bikes. After months of hearings and more than 1,200 submissions, the inquiry has produced 28 recommendations.
- [England must destine 7% of land to nature and renewables to hit green targets, data shows](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/18/england-land-use-framework-nature-renewables-environmental-targets) - Government’s first published land use framework maps how land is used and how it can be adapted to meet changing needsAbout 7% of England’s land – an area roughly two-and-a-half times the size of Cornwall – will need to be given over to nature, forests and renewable energy, to meet the UK’s environmental targets, new
- [Government to lift paywall from large parts of the Land Registry](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/18/government-to-lift-paywall-from-large-parts-of-land-registry) - Exclusive: finding out who owns land will become simpler under plans to make the best use of green spaces and hit net zero targetsFinding out who owns land in England is to become much simpler because a paywall will be lifted from large parts of the Land Registry, the government is to announce.A small number
- [Electric vehicles: what to know if you’re considering an EV](https://theconversation.com/electric-vehicles-what-to-know-if-youre-considering-an-ev-278419) - Soaring petrol prices are once again making many Australians think seriously about switching to an electric vehicle. As politicians warn Australians not to resort to panic buying, finding constructive ways to reduce your petrol costs and cut carbon emissions has become increasingly appealing. The strikes on Iran have seen prices of Brent crude – the
- [Rangers combine ancient wisdom with modern technology to care for country](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-18/aboriginal-rangers-conference-on-nsw-south-coast/106460538) - The first Aboriginal rangers conference for the NSW South Coast focused on how to best take care of country by combining cultural knowledge from elders with new technology.
- [Deer, rabbits in the crosshairs as farmers and conservationists unite](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-18/farmers-conservationists-form-invasive-species-alliance/106464520) - An unconventional union of environment and farming groups has been announced with a plan to take on a common enemy — invasive pests.
- [Iran oil crisis: why NZ’s car dependence is now a strategic liability](https://theconversation.com/iran-oil-crisis-why-nzs-car-dependence-is-now-a-strategic-liability-278526) - The war in Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz have sent oil prices past US$100 a barrel – and Kiwis flocking to fill up. Petrol just hit NZ$3 a litre and some stations have reported running dry. In response to about 20% of the world’s oil supply being shut off in
- [Australia’s environment minister wants to ban fishers and drillers from more ocean – and avoid a culture war](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/17/australia-environment-murray-watt-ocean-protection-fishers-drillers) - Conservationists hope Murray Watt’s review of national marine parks will ‘right the wrongs’ of previous downgrade of protectionSign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereThe federal environment minister, Murray Watt, has pledged to put an extra half a million square kilometres of Australia’s ocean out of reach of fishers
- [Company ordered to pay $170,000 over grain silo collapse](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-17/shoalhaven-starches-170k-bomaderry-silo-collapse-order/106463822) - The Environment Protection Authority has ordered Manildra to spend $170,000 on community projects after its grain silos collapsed into the Shoalhaven River almost two years ago.
- ['We just want the pollution stopped': Community takes on mining giant](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-17/cadia-goldmine-class-action-nsw-supreme-court/106462950) - A small farming community in central west NSW is taking on mining giant Newmont, alleging a goldmine at Cadia, near Orange, has contaminated their agricultural assets.
- [Remote communities are more vulnerable to fuel price shocks – could microgrids help?](https://theconversation.com/remote-communities-are-more-vulnerable-to-fuel-price-shocks-could-microgrids-help-278422) - When diesel prices jump, most Australians notice it at the bowser. But in parts of remote Australia, diesel is what keeps the lights on. That makes it indispensable. That’s why the federal government’s decisions to temporarily relax fuel standards and release some of Australia’s domestic reserves matters beyond transport. And these measures raise a broader
- [Reduced physical activity due to global heating will lead to rise in health issues, study says](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/16/reduced-physical-activity-due-to-global-heating-rise-health-issues-study) - Researchers project that reduced activity could contribute to half a million additional premature deaths annually by 2050Rising temperatures are making physical activity undesirable and even dangerous in many parts of the world, and as global heating worsens, it will further affect how much people are able to move.Researchers analysed data from 156 countries between 2000
- [Seabirds struggled to raise chicks in the Hauraki Gulf this summer. What happened?](https://theconversation.com/seabirds-struggled-to-raise-chicks-in-the-hauraki-gulf-this-summer-what-happened-278086) - Some seabirds breeding in New Zealand’s largest marine park struggled to raise chicks this summer, most likely because climate change is forcing them to travel too far in search of food. The Hauraki Gulf T?kapa Moana is a global hotspot for seabirds. About 70 species breed and forage there, and five breed nowhere else in
- [Australia claims it is ‘on track’ to save nature. We disagree](https://theconversation.com/australia-claims-it-is-on-track-to-save-nature-we-disagree-278081) - Without fanfare, the Australian government has published the latest snapshot on its progress toward halting and reversing the loss of Australia’s biodiversity – our unique wildlife, plants and nature – by 2030. This report on Australia’s progress under the Global Biodiversity Framework is a self-assessment, and the Australian government has given itself a glowing report

## Pages

- [Home](https://www.thebeats.org/) - We are championing biodiversity for a thriving biodiversity future. Connecting people, science, and nature, and united for nature by empowering action for restoring Balance. Where science meets nature and action inspires change – Together, We are the Beats of Change
- [Clarence Valley Rehabilitation](https://www.thebeats.org/clarence-valley-rehabilitation/) - A visual journey into community-led healing and environmental restoration
- [Clarence Valley Soil Sampling Project](https://www.thebeats.org/clarence-valley-soil-sampling-project/) - The Clarence Valley Soil Sampling Project marks a vital step toward understanding and protecting the natural foundations of our environment.
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- [Anthropomorphism Campaign](https://www.thebeats.org/anthropomorphism-campaign/) - The following images below were created as part of an Anthropomorphism campaign to highlight biodiversity challenges in Australia, with one image a day for 20 days.
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- [Tommy’s Outback Adventure](https://www.thebeats.org/tommys-outback-adventure/) - From vast red plains to endless horizons, this gallery captures founder Tommy’s journey through the Australian outback — a landscape that defines both the spirit of the country and the values behind The Beats.
- [Restoring Land from Invasive Lantana](https://www.thebeats.org/restoring-land-from-invasive-lantana/) - A visual journey into restoring balance and healing the land from invasive lantana.
- [Restoring Nature in the Clarence Valley: A Team Effort](https://www.thebeats.org/restoring-nature-in-the-clarence-valley-a-team-effort/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Header” _builder_version=”4.16″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_stops=”rgba(165,206,199,0.6) 0%|#151f33 100%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”rgba(165,206,199,0.6)” background_color_gradient_end=”#151f33″ background_image=”https://www.thebeats.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/environmental-nonprofit-36.jpg” custom_padding=”4vw||0||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” background_color_gradient_start__hover=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_start__hover_enabled=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end__hover=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_end__hover_enabled=”#29c4a9″ use_background_color_gradient__hover=”off” use_background_color_gradient__hover_enabled=”off” background_color_gradient_type__hover=”linear” background_color_gradient_type__hover_enabled=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction__hover=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction__hover_enabled=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial__hover=”center” background_color_gradient_direction_radial__hover_enabled=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position__hover=”0%” background_color_gradient_start_position__hover_enabled=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position__hover=”100%” background_color_gradient_end_position__hover_enabled=”100%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image__hover=”off” background_color_gradient_overlays_image__hover_enabled=”off” background_color_gradient_stops__hover=”#2b87da 0%|#29c4a9 100%”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”80%” use_custom_width=”on” width_unit=”off” custom_width_px__hover=”1080px” custom_width_px__hover_enabled=”1080px” custom_width_percent__hover=”80%” custom_width_percent__hover_enabled=”80%” global_colors_info=”{}” gutter_width__hover=”3″ gutter_width__hover_enabled=”3″ parallax_1__hover=”off” parallax_1__hover_enabled=”off” parallax_2__hover=”off” parallax_2__hover_enabled=”off” parallax_3__hover=”off” parallax_3__hover_enabled=”off” parallax_4__hover=”off” parallax_4__hover_enabled=”off”
- [Helping Hands for WIRES Wildlife Pouches](https://www.thebeats.org/helping-hands-for-wires-wildlife-pouches/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Header” _builder_version=”4.16″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_stops=”rgba(165,206,199,0.6) 0%|#151f33 100%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”rgba(165,206,199,0.6)” background_color_gradient_end=”#151f33″ background_image=”https://www.thebeats.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/environmental-nonprofit-37.jpg” custom_padding=”4vw||0px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” background_color_gradient_start__hover=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_start__hover_enabled=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end__hover=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_end__hover_enabled=”#29c4a9″ use_background_color_gradient__hover=”off” use_background_color_gradient__hover_enabled=”off” background_color_gradient_type__hover=”linear” background_color_gradient_type__hover_enabled=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction__hover=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction__hover_enabled=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial__hover=”center” background_color_gradient_direction_radial__hover_enabled=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position__hover=”0%” background_color_gradient_start_position__hover_enabled=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position__hover=”100%” background_color_gradient_end_position__hover_enabled=”100%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image__hover=”off” background_color_gradient_overlays_image__hover_enabled=”off” background_color_gradient_stops__hover=”#2b87da 0%|#29c4a9 100%”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”80%” use_custom_width=”on” width_unit=”off” custom_width_px__hover=”1080px” custom_width_px__hover_enabled=”1080px” custom_width_percent__hover=”80%” custom_width_percent__hover_enabled=”80%” global_colors_info=”{}” gutter_width__hover=”3″ gutter_width__hover_enabled=”3″ parallax_1__hover=”off” parallax_1__hover_enabled=”off” parallax_2__hover=”off” parallax_2__hover_enabled=”off” parallax_3__hover=”off” parallax_3__hover_enabled=”off” parallax_4__hover=”off” parallax_4__hover_enabled=”off”
- [Our Mission](https://www.thebeats.org/our-mission/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Header” _builder_version=”4.16″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_stops=”rgba(165,206,199,0.6) 0%|#151f33 100%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”rgba(165,206,199,0.6)” background_color_gradient_end=”#151f33″ background_image=”https://www.thebeats.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/environmental-nonprofit-19.jpg” custom_padding=”10vw||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” background_color_gradient_start__hover=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_start__hover_enabled=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end__hover=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_end__hover_enabled=”#29c4a9″ use_background_color_gradient__hover=”off” use_background_color_gradient__hover_enabled=”off” background_color_gradient_type__hover=”linear” background_color_gradient_type__hover_enabled=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction__hover=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction__hover_enabled=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial__hover=”center” background_color_gradient_direction_radial__hover_enabled=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position__hover=”0%” background_color_gradient_start_position__hover_enabled=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position__hover=”100%” background_color_gradient_end_position__hover_enabled=”100%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image__hover=”off” background_color_gradient_overlays_image__hover_enabled=”off” background_color_gradient_stops__hover=”#2b87da 0%|#29c4a9 100%”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”80%” use_custom_width=”on” width_unit=”off” custom_width_px__hover=”1080px” custom_width_px__hover_enabled=”1080px” custom_width_percent__hover=”80%” custom_width_percent__hover_enabled=”80%” global_colors_info=”{}” gutter_width__hover=”3″ gutter_width__hover_enabled=”3″ parallax_1__hover=”off” parallax_1__hover_enabled=”off” parallax_2__hover=”off” parallax_2__hover_enabled=”off” parallax_3__hover=”off” parallax_3__hover_enabled=”off” parallax_4__hover=”off” parallax_4__hover_enabled=”off” parallax_5__hover=”off”
- [Contact Us](https://www.thebeats.org/contact-us-2/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_padding=”3vw||3vw||false|false” animation_style=”fade” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Contact Us” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_align=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]At theBEATS.org, we’re always open to hearing from individuals and organisations passionate about protecting and celebrating our natural world. Whether you’d like to collaborate, share a story, support one of our biodiversity
- [Survey](https://www.thebeats.org/sustainability-survey-2021/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Header” _builder_version=”4.16″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_stops=”rgba(165,206,199,0.6) 0%|#151f33 100%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”rgba(165,206,199,0.6)” background_color_gradient_end=”#151f33″ background_image=”https://www.thebeats.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/environmental-nonprofit-37.jpg” custom_padding=”4vw||0px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” background_color_gradient_start__hover=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_start__hover_enabled=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end__hover=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_end__hover_enabled=”#29c4a9″ use_background_color_gradient__hover=”off” use_background_color_gradient__hover_enabled=”off” background_color_gradient_type__hover=”linear” background_color_gradient_type__hover_enabled=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction__hover=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction__hover_enabled=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial__hover=”center” background_color_gradient_direction_radial__hover_enabled=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position__hover=”0%” background_color_gradient_start_position__hover_enabled=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position__hover=”100%” background_color_gradient_end_position__hover_enabled=”100%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image__hover=”off” background_color_gradient_overlays_image__hover_enabled=”off” background_color_gradient_stops__hover=”#2b87da 0%|#29c4a9 100%”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”80%” use_custom_width=”on” width_unit=”off” custom_width_px__hover=”1080px” custom_width_px__hover_enabled=”1080px” custom_width_percent__hover=”80%” custom_width_percent__hover_enabled=”80%” global_colors_info=”{}” gutter_width__hover=”3″ gutter_width__hover_enabled=”3″ parallax_1__hover=”off” parallax_1__hover_enabled=”off” parallax_2__hover=”off” parallax_2__hover_enabled=”off” parallax_3__hover=”off” parallax_3__hover_enabled=”off” parallax_4__hover=”off” parallax_4__hover_enabled=”off”
- [Podcasts](https://www.thebeats.org/podcasts/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” background_image=”https://www.thebeats.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/sunrise_outback_1080-copy.png” min_height=”100%” height=”100%” max_height=”100%” custom_margin=”||40px|||” top_divider_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row admin_label=”Ep 7:Dario our BEATS social media whizz and all-round good guy” _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” border_style_all=”none” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_audio audio=”https://www.thebeats.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dario_podcast.mp3″ title=”Ep 7. Dario Berzosa Sanchez our BEATS social media whizz and all-round good guy” artist_name=”Louise Denver” album_name=”TheBeats” image_url=”https://www.thebeats.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dario_water-240×300.jpg” artist_name_tablet=”Louise Denver” artist_name_phone=”Louise
- [Sustainability learning resource](https://www.thebeats.org/sustainability-learning-resource/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Sustainability & Biodiversity Learning Resource (Yr 5 & 6)” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″ title_text_align=”center”][/et_pb_heading][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]The unit of work shared here is a culmination of many individuals, groups and communities connecting and working
- [Heroes Map](https://www.thebeats.org/local-heroes/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_padding=”3vw||3vw||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Heroes We Work With” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ title_text_color=”#E09900″ title_text_align=”center” title_font_size=”54px”][/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]We honour the heroes we work with who dedicate their time and energy to caring about nature and biodiversity. They range from educators of our
- [Majella Wildlife Rescue Funding Campaign](https://www.thebeats.org/majella-wildlife-resucue-funding-campaign/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Supporting Local Heroes Who Protect Our Wildlife” subhead=”In the heart of outback Queensland lives Majella Stapleton, a true local hero and lifelong wildlife carer. For more than 25 years, Majella has dedicated her life to rescuing and nurturing orphaned and injured native animals.” text_orientation=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https://www.thebeats.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/7.jpg” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″
- [In The Media](https://www.thebeats.org/in-the-media/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Header” _builder_version=”4.16″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_stops=”rgba(165,206,199,0.6) 0%|#151f33 100%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”rgba(165,206,199,0.6)” background_color_gradient_end=”#151f33″ background_image=”https://www.thebeats.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/environmental-nonprofit-22.jpg” custom_padding=”4vw||0||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” background_color_gradient_start__hover=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_start__hover_enabled=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end__hover=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_end__hover_enabled=”#29c4a9″ use_background_color_gradient__hover=”off” use_background_color_gradient__hover_enabled=”off” background_color_gradient_type__hover=”linear” background_color_gradient_type__hover_enabled=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction__hover=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction__hover_enabled=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial__hover=”center” background_color_gradient_direction_radial__hover_enabled=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position__hover=”0%” background_color_gradient_start_position__hover_enabled=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position__hover=”100%” background_color_gradient_end_position__hover_enabled=”100%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image__hover=”off” background_color_gradient_overlays_image__hover_enabled=”off” background_color_gradient_stops__hover=”#2b87da 0%|#29c4a9 100%”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”80%” use_custom_width=”on” width_unit=”off” custom_width_px__hover=”1080px” custom_width_px__hover_enabled=”1080px” custom_width_percent__hover=”80%” custom_width_percent__hover_enabled=”80%” global_colors_info=”{}” gutter_width__hover=”3″ gutter_width__hover_enabled=”3″ parallax_1__hover=”off” parallax_1__hover_enabled=”off” parallax_2__hover=”off” parallax_2__hover_enabled=”off” parallax_3__hover=”off” parallax_3__hover_enabled=”off” parallax_4__hover=”off” parallax_4__hover_enabled=”off”
- [Help](https://www.thebeats.org/help/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blog posts_number=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”link_option_url” _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” link_option_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wb3N0Iiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjE3ODEifX0=@” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_blog][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
- [Trees4Nature Deloitte activity](https://www.thebeats.org/greendotjoin/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#000000″ background_image=”https://www.thebeats.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/outback_square_3xx.png” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”Featured Story Divider” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_image=”off” border_color_all=”#E09900″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#ffffff” link_option_url=”https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=8UXaNizdH02vE1q-RrmZIQOmgzeh30RBjlVZWI1PMs9UNFU4SUNEVk1EODVNSEJXWFFNNVJVRFpQRS4u” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]Step 1: Click here to Sign up to our Trees4Nature campaign[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#ffffff” link_option_url=”https://link.goodempire.org/tZ7bykYK12n1TrK38″ link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]Step 2: Click here to Install the Good
- [Landing](https://www.thebeats.org/landing/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header header_fullscreen=”on” header_scroll_down=”on” scroll_down_icon=”%%10%%” scroll_down_icon_color=”#E09900″ button_one_text=”Learn more” button_one_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjEzOTgifX0=@” background_overlay_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” logo_image_url=”https://www.thebeats.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/beats_logo_txt_yellow.png” image_orientation=”bottom” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_one_url” _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_font=”Alegreya Sans SC|700|||||||” title_text_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” content_font=”|300|||||||” content_font_size=”22px” subhead_text_align=”left” subhead_text_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” subhead_font_size=”25px” content_quote_font=”|300|on|on|||||” background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” background_image=”https://www.thebeats.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/sunrise_outback_1920_square-100.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”on” custom_button_one=”on” button_one_text_color=”#E09900″ button_one_icon=”I||divi||400″ button_one_icon_placement=”left” custom_button_two=”on” button_two_icon=”C||divi||400″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” child_filter_opacity=”87%” animation_style=”fade” global_colors_info=”{}”] We are beating the drum to inform 1,000,000 minds to
- [Newsletter October 2023](https://www.thebeats.org/newsletter-october-2023/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” top_divider_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#E09900″ header_text_color=”#E09900″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Newsletter October 2023[/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_divider][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]We’ve had heaps of fun over the past two months – in the field and behind the desk. Meet
- [Newsletter Jun-Jul 2024](https://www.thebeats.org/newsletter-june-2024/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” top_divider_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#E09900″ header_text_color=”#E09900″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Newsletter June-July 2024[/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_divider][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https://www.thebeats.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/unnamed.png” title_text=”unnamed” admin_label=”Image” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Getting our
- [Newsletter February 2024](https://www.thebeats.org/newsletter-february-2024/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” top_divider_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#E09900″ header_text_color=”#E09900″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Newsletter February 2024[/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_divider][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https://www.thebeats.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Seals-pic-1.png” title_text=”Seals pic” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _dynamic_attributes=”link_option_url” _module_preset=”default” link_option_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wb3N0Iiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6Ijg0NjkifX0=@” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]‘We are
- [Newsletter December 2023](https://www.thebeats.org/newsletter-december-2023/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” top_divider_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#E09900″ header_text_color=”#E09900″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Newsletter December 2023[/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_divider][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https://www.thebeats.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/rid_d7b2000b-297b-4f55-bd02-38adbbebd924-qc8ed4kemwa-1024×512.png” title_text=”rid_d7b2000b-297b-4f55-bd02-38adbbebd924-qc8ed4kemwa” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _dynamic_attributes=”link_option_url” _module_preset=”default” link_option_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wb3N0Iiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6Ijg0NjkifX0=@” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Paint & Sip –
- [Newsletter August 2023](https://www.thebeats.org/newsletter-august-2023-2/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” top_divider_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#E09900″ header_text_color=”#E09900″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Newsletter 2023[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Welcome and Thanks!!! Welcome to our first newsletter where we give you an update on what thebeats.org has been up to and share
- [Newsletter April 2024](https://www.thebeats.org/newsletter-april-2024/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” top_divider_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#E09900″ header_text_color=”#E09900″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Newsletter April-May 2024[/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_divider][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https://www.thebeats.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/wombat-stew-4-300×300.png” alt=”An AI generated photo of a Wombat dressed as a chef making a stew in an old kitchen. A caption
- [Survey 2023](https://www.thebeats.org/survey-2023/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Introduction Section” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”Header” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] The State of Australian Sustainability Education Oct 2023[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Intro” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”31px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”] We have opened the gates to hell. Climate change, biodiversity loss and sustainability are some of
- [Trees4Nature Campaign](https://www.thebeats.org/trees4nature-campaign/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#000000″ top_divider_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||21px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#E09900″ header_text_color=”#E09900″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#E09900″ header_text_color=”#E09900″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Anthropomorphism Campaign[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]As part of theBEATS.org, we’re starting an Anthropomorphism campaign to highlight biodiversity challenges in Australia. One image a day
- [animals](https://www.thebeats.org/animals/)

## Episode

- [Ep 7. Dario our BEATS social media whizz and all-round good guy](https://www.thebeats.org/podcast/ep-7-dario-our-beats-social-media-whizz-and-all-round-good-guy/) - theBEATS.org volunteer, social media whizz, music lover is also a drone maestro, keep fit king and a Senior Manager in Governance, Risk and Compliance in a global professional services firm. Today he shares how he fits all this into one day. And why he’s passionate about nature. “I’m just an ordinary kinda guy…” he says. “Oh really?” says I! “Well,” he demurs, “You just do the things you are passionate about,” he explains. “With a little help from nature, your friends and a big bunch of luck.” And “A heap of talent!” I add.
- [Ep 6. Superhero Teacher Zane Osborn and his kids go Bush](https://www.thebeats.org/podcast/ep-6-superhero-teacher-zane-osborn-and-his-kids-go-bush/) - Assistant Principal Zane Osborn and his primary school kids have heaps of fun learning Maths, English, History, and Science in the garden, up trees and in the bush. In this podcast the nature-loving charity – theBEATS.org’s – Louise Denver chats with Zane about his passion for the environment and how Zane factors sustainability into his
- [Ep 5. Songlines of the Future aka ‘Knowledge Papers’ with Artist Bibi Barba](https://www.thebeats.org/podcast/ep-5-songlines-of-the-future-aka-knowledge-papers-with-artist-bibi-barba/) - A theBEATS.org podcast with Artist Bibi Barba, a saltwater woman, a First Nation’s elder, and cultural warrior. In a first for NSW schools, Bibi is creating murals of local dreaming and totems with the kids. She calls the striking murals, ‘Knowledge Papers’. They connect the schoolchildren to country and nature. And together they share stories
- [Ep 4. Eat Dirt](https://www.thebeats.org/podcast/ep-4-eat-dirt/) - Eat Dirt - A podcast with Educator Melanie Tyas (also Community of Practice Coordinator for Landcare NSW) In a radical education program at Bellingen High School – Mel transformed how and where a class of Year 8 kids learn one amazing day a week.
- [Ep 3. A Sense of Humus with Kate Spry and Charlotte Drinnan](https://www.thebeats.org/podcast/ep-3-a-sense-of-humus-with-kate-spry-and-charlotte-drinnan/) - A Sense of Humus – Educating, Celebrating and Advocating A podcast with Regenerative Farmers and Educators – Kate Spry and Charlotte Drinnan Celia Cavanagh gives us a quick SOIL 101 as she sets up the podcast conversation with two courageous women – both traditional turned regenerative farmers and both educators. And both passionate about soil. Soil –
- [Ep 1. A conversation with Dr Anika Molesworth](https://www.thebeats.org/podcast/ep-1-a-conversation-with-anika-molesworth/) - Farmer, agroecologist, citizen scientist, and the 2015 Young Farmer of the Year, Dr Anika Molesworth, shares how agriculture can really support biodiversity and is a huge part of how we can tackle climate change as well. She’s also a great storyteller. Your hosts for this episode of Beating the Drum for Biodiversity are Celia Cavanagh
- [Ep 2. A Connection with Nature with Guy Williams](https://www.thebeats.org/podcast/ep-2-a-connection-with-nature-with-guy-williams/) - Ecologist, primatologist and director of biodiversity and nature, Guy Michael Williams, connects us to the forest, delights us with stories of nature, and strategies that can work for all of us wanting to save the planet. A key part of his work is to connect biodiversity and business to understand the immeasurable value of e.g.

## Categories

- [In the Media](https://www.thebeats.org/category/in-the-media/)
- [Beats of Change](https://www.thebeats.org/category/beats-of-change/)

## Tags

- [Quiz](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/quiz/)
- [#Biodiversity](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/biodiversity/)
- [#environment](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/environment/)
- [#sustainability](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/sustainability/)
- [#future](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/future/)
- [#farming](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/farming/)
- [#agrochemicals](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/agrochemicals/)
- [#regenerative #agriculture](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/regenerative-agriculture/)
- [#climate-smart agriculture](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/climate-smart-agriculture/)
- [#habitat](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/habitat/)
- [The BEATS](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/the-beats/)
- [science](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/science/)
- [education](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/education/)
- [landcare](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/landcare/)
- [land care](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/land-care/)
- [life science](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/life-science/)
- [earth science](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/earth-science/)
- [soil](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/soil/)
- [dirt](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/dirt/)
- [Habitat restoration](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/habitat-restoration/)
- [Reforestation projects](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/reforestation-projects/)
- [Fire-affected landscapes recovery](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/fire-affected-landscapes-recovery/)
- [Sustainable land management](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/sustainable-land-management/)
- [Climate resilience Australia](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/climate-resilience-australia/)
- [Ecological restoration success stories](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/ecological-restoration-success-stories/)
- [Community-led conservation](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/community-led-conservation/)
- [the black cockatoo](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/the-black-cockatoo/)
- [saving the black cockatoo](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/saving-the-black-cockatoo/)
- [From Little Things](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/from-little-things/)
- [Big Things Grow](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/big-things-grow/)
- [little things](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/little-things/)
- [saving animals](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/saving-animals/)
- [saving Australian biodiversity](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/saving-australian-biodiversity/)
- [how farmers survive the fire](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/how-farmers-survive-the-fire/)
- [surviving the fire](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/surviving-the-fire/)
- [how farmers survive](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/how-farmers-survive/)
- [trees for nature](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/trees-for-nature/)
- [protecting trees](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/protecting-trees/)
- [keeping it green](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/keeping-it-green/)
- [the benefits of trees](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/the-benefits-of-trees/)
- [biodiversity projects around Australian](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/biodiversity-projects-around-australian/)
- [the best biodiversity projects](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/the-best-biodiversity-projects/)
- [campaigns for biodiversity](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/campaigns-for-biodiversity/)
- [Wilderlands](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/wilderlands/)
- [Clarence Valley soil samples](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/clarence-valley-soil-samples/)
- [successful soil sample ceremony at clarence valley](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/successful-soil-sample-ceremony-at-clarence-valley/)
- [Clarence Valley biodiversity](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/clarence-valley-biodiversity/)
- [ode to Jane Goodall](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/ode-to-jane-goodall/)
- [hommage to jane Goodall](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/hommage-to-jane-goodall/)
- [in memory of Jane Goodall](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/in-memory-of-jane-goodall/)
- [Jane Goodall](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/jane-goodall/)
- [remembering Jane goodall](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/remembering-jane-goodall/)
- [koalas have returned back to Clarence Valley](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/koalas-have-returned-back-to-clarence-valley/)
- [the success of Clarence Valley biodiversity](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/the-success-of-clarence-valley-biodiversity/)
- [Australia Finally Acts on Deforestation](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/australia-finally-acts-on-deforestation/)
- [huge win for Australian nature](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/huge-win-for-australian-nature/)
- [australian nature wins finally](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/australian-nature-wins-finally/)
- [koalas protected](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/koalas-protected/)
- [A Weekly Roundup of What’s Happening in Climate](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/a-weekly-roundup-of-whats-happening-in-climate/)
- [Policy](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/policy/)
- [and Biodiversity Across Australia](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/and-biodiversity-across-australia/)
- [weekly round up](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/weekly-round-up/)
- [whats happening with biodiversity in Australia this week](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/whats-happening-with-biodiversity-in-australia-this-week/)
- [biodiversity in australia](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/biodiversity-in-australia/)
- [latest biodiversity news in Australia](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/latest-biodiversity-news-in-australia/)
- [latest updates on Australian biodiversity](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/latest-updates-on-australian-biodiversity/)
- [whats new in biodiversity in Australia this week](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/whats-new-in-biodiversity-in-australia-this-week/)
- [new year](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/new-year/)
- [new biodiversity for 2026](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/new-biodiversity-for-2026/)
- [international biodiversity news for 2026](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/international-biodiversity-news-for-2026/)
- [biodiversity update for 2026 so far](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/biodiversity-update-for-2026-so-far/)
- [logging issues across Australia](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/logging-issues-across-australia/)
- [serious logging issues in Tasmania](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/serious-logging-issues-in-tasmania/)
- [Tasmanian biodiversity news](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/tasmanian-biodiversity-news/)
- [stop the logging of out native forests](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/stop-the-logging-of-out-native-forests/)
- [2026 biodiversity wins for australia](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/2026-biodiversity-wins-for-australia/)
- [latest in biodiversity news australia](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/latest-in-biodiversity-news-australia/)
- [the Great Barrier Reef success stories](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/the-great-barrier-reef-success-stories/)
- [latest news about Australia's reef](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/latest-news-about-australias-reef/)
- [latest news about the great barrier reef](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/latest-news-about-the-great-barrier-reef/)
- [A renewed wave of forest protection gains momentum as community pressure challenges increased native logging across Tasmania](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/a-renewed-wave-of-forest-protection-gains-momentum-as-community-pressure-challenges-increased-native-logging-across-tasmania/)
- [logging in tasmania](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/logging-in-tasmania/)
- [Tasmanian logging update](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/tasmanian-logging-update/)
- [costal emus making a comeback](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/costal-emus-making-a-comeback/)
- [the new coastal emus are coming back](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/the-new-coastal-emus-are-coming-back/)
- [The Coastal Emus of NSW](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/the-coastal-emus-of-nsw/)
- [successful community support to save the coastal emus of nsw](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/successful-community-support-to-save-the-coastal-emus-of-nsw/)
- [Biodiverse News Across Australia](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/biodiverse-news-across-australia/)
- [biodiversity news](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/biodiversity-news/)
- [australian biodiversity news](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/australian-biodiversity-news/)
- [news on biodiversity in australia](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/news-on-biodiversity-in-australia/)
- [how to reduce your data and help the planet](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/how-to-reduce-your-data-and-help-the-planet/)
- [steps on reducing data](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/steps-on-reducing-data/)
- [what does huge data storage mean](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/what-does-huge-data-storage-mean/)
- [how you can help the earth](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/how-you-can-help-the-earth/)
- [saving the bees](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/saving-the-bees/)
- [bee saving](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/bee-saving/)
- [save the bees](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/save-the-bees/)
- [France is saving the bees](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/france-is-saving-the-bees/)
- [the bee program of Paris](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/the-bee-program-of-paris/)
- [the bee program of France](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/the-bee-program-of-france/)
- [waste management in australia](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/waste-management-in-australia/)
- [the issues of waste management in australia](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/the-issues-of-waste-management-in-australia/)
- [need to improve waste management in australia](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/need-to-improve-waste-management-in-australia/)
- [Carl’s Cockatoo Corridor](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/carls-cockatoo-corridor/)
- [One Man’s Mission to Save Hollow Trees and Australia’s Black Cockatoos](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/one-mans-mission-to-save-hollow-trees-and-australias-black-cockatoos/)
- [black cockatoos](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/black-cockatoos/)
- [saving the black cockatoos](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/saving-the-black-cockatoos/)
- [Concerns over the EPBC Act reforms](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/concerns-over-the-epbc-act-reforms/)
- [National Environmental Standards and approval governance continue to intensify as industry and environmental groups push for stronger clarity and accountability](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/national-environmental-standards-and-approval-governance-continue-to-intensify-as-industry-and-environmental-groups-push-for-stronger-clarity-and-accountability/)
- [Australian law reforms on the environment](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/australian-law-reforms-on-the-environment/)
- [environmental law reforms australia](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/environmental-law-reforms-australia/)
- [From endangered species recoveries to reef restoration projects and Indigenous-led conservation efforts](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/from-endangered-species-recoveries-to-reef-restoration-projects-and-indigenous-led-conservation-efforts/)
- [Australia is still finding moments Environmental Victories in the fight to protect nature.](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/australia-is-still-finding-moments-environmental-victories-in-the-fight-to-protect-nature/)
- [environmental victories in australia](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/environmental-victories-in-australia/)
- [Conservation Wins](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/conservation-wins/)
- [Challenges and Nature News Across Australia](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/challenges-and-nature-news-across-australia/)
- [national biodiversity strategies](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/national-biodiversity-strategies/)
- [what shaped Australia's environmental landscape during May 2026.](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/what-shaped-australias-environmental-landscape-during-may-2026/)
- [nature news across australia](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/nature-news-across-australia/)
- [From landmark environmental reforms and protected habitats to reef conservation and species recovery](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/from-landmark-environmental-reforms-and-protected-habitats-to-reef-conservation-and-species-recovery/)
- [discover the positive biodiversity stories shaping Australian conservation](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/discover-the-positive-biodiversity-stories-shaping-australian-conservation/)
- [australian conservation news](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/australian-conservation-news/)
- [As debate over wild horse management intensifies](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/as-debate-over-wild-horse-management-intensifies/)
- [many Australians are questioning whether aerial brumby culling is the only solution—or whether there are more humane ways to protect both biodiversity and our iconic Australian brumbies](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/many-australians-are-questioning-whether-aerial-brumby-culling-is-the-only-solution-or-whether-there-are-more-humane-ways-to-protect-both-biodiversity-and-our-iconic-australian-brumbies/)
- [protecting the Australian brumbies](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/protecting-the-australian-brumbies/)
- [should we stop culling the Australian brumbies](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/should-we-stop-culling-the-australian-brumbies/)
- [why we should protect the australian brumbies](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/why-we-should-protect-the-australian-brumbies/)
- [what to do about logging in Tasmania](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/what-to-do-about-logging-in-tasmania/)
- [the issues with logging in Tasmania](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/the-issues-with-logging-in-tasmania/)
- [should we be logging the ancient trees of Tasmania](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/should-we-be-logging-the-ancient-trees-of-tasmania/)
- [hot o stop the logging of ancient trees in Tasmania](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/hot-o-stop-the-logging-of-ancient-trees-in-tasmania/)
- [ania](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/ania/)
- [what is going on in Tasmania](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/what-is-going-on-in-tasmania/)
- [what sort of logging is going on in australia](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/what-sort-of-logging-is-going-on-in-australia/)
- [ban the logging in Tasmania](https://www.thebeats.org/tag/ban-the-logging-in-tasmania/)

## Podcasts

- [The BEATS - Beating the drum for biodiversity](https://www.thebeats.org/series/the-beats-beating-the-drum-for-biodiversity/)