Australia risks being dumping ground for ‘gas-guzzlers’
New policies to boost electric vehicle adoption in the US mean Australian policymakers must introduce new laws quickly, lobby groups warn.
environmental issue
Chemicals in ‘new car smell’ could pose health risk
That new car smell just lost some of its appeal, with scientists finding cabin materials can emit potentially harmful levels of chemicals linked to cancer.
Rubble-loving fish a ‘glimmer of hope’ for Barrier Reef
While the most colourful denizens of a Great Barrier Reef island may have departed, their rubble-loving neighbours endure at the Australian natural wonder.
Mayors and councillors call for electric car change
Local government figures are urging the federal government to change Australia's electric vehicle policies to improve access to zero-emission cars.
Australia should catch more electric buses, study finds
Less than one per cent of all buses on Australian roads are electric models, a new study has revealed, prompting experts to call for a faster adoption.
Farmers come a cropper as mice keep on multiplying
Mice numbers are on the rise nationally, with swarms of the rodents spotted in northern NSW, sparking a warning for farmers to remain vigilant.
Climate may have ‘big impact’ on rainforest fish
New research on the adaptability of rainbowfish living in the freshwater creeks of Australia's wet tropics can help inform effective conservation strategies.
Extra REDcycle plastic stockpiles uncovered
More stockpiles of soft plastics have been uncovered as the full scale of the collapsed of the REDcycle recycling program becomes clear.
Electric vehicles could go further with an AI boost
Software could be the key to addressing range anxiety in electric vehicles, with one company promising artificial intelligence could add 100km to a battery.
Condition of Pete the platypus unknown as man charged
The man accused of taking a platypus from the wild two days ago before travelling to a shopping centre with the animal has been charged.
Irwin pushes to outlaw social media croc-botherers
The son of the late Steve Irwin is leading a push to penalise those who enter crocodile-infested waters for the sake of social media posts.
Electric cars speed up but utes and SUVs dominate sales
Electric vehicles are continuing to make gains in Australia, according to new sales data, but the popularity of big utes and SUVs dominates.
Aussie ute drivers could save money and cut emissions
A new report into Australians' love for utes has found drivers could save $42 million on fuel in a year by choosing the most efficient vehicles.
Study looks for toxic chemicals in food packaging
Scientists believe they'll find a family of toxic, so-called "forever chemicals" in next-generation food packaging used in Australia.
Palmer’s Waratah coal mine denied environmental licence
A major coal mine slated for Queensland's Galilee Basin has suffered another blow after a landmark court ruling recommended it not proceed.
Utes and large SUVs are speeding past emission targets
A report into pollution from Australia's vehicle fleet has found heavy SUVs and light commercial vehicles, including utes, are missing emission targets.
Frog, turtle meat seized in 38 tonne biosecurity haul
Boxes of turtle and frog meat are among 38 tonnes of high-risk goods seized by federal authorities at a western Sydney warehouse.
NSW winery accused of stealing water during drought
NSW authorities have charged a border-region winery after it allegedly stole 161 Olympic pools worth of irrigation water via an illegal pipeline.
Australia to get an electric vehicle drive-in theatre
Australia's first electric vehicle-only drive-in movie theatre is set to launch in Sydney, weeks after the country set a record for battery-powered car sales.
Scientist in awe of Antarctica’s beautiful frailty
Queensland Scientist Olaf Meynecke says a recent trip to study chubby whales in Antarctica has left him with a odd mix of trepidation and determination.
Electric car road trips could face delays this Easter
The number of electric vehicles in Australia is soaring but their popularity could see a repeat of Christmas charging queues this Easter, experts warn.
Turning the blowtorch on national nursing home problem
As aged care homes nationwide struggle to manage incontinence pad waste, an Australia-first trial has propped an oxgyen-less oven as the solution.
Unknown risk in plastic rubbish lining Australian coast
Three-quarters of the waste littering Australia's coastline is now plastic with authorities yet to fully assess the risk posed by the pollution.
Refinery to make greener aviation fuel from farm waste
A refinery turning agricultural by-products such as sugarcane into eco-friendly aviation fuel could open in Queensland next year with a new funding deal struck.
Hundreds more electric vehicles to join rental fleets
Your next hire car could be an electric model after one of Australia's leading rental firms revealed plans to add 500 BYD cars to its fleet this year.
Deep ocean in deep trouble as Antarctic ice melts
A life-sustaining circulatory system for the deep ocean will quickly slow and may collapse entirely without emissions cuts this decade, Australian experts say.
Australia’s love for utes and SUVs driving emissions
Australia is one of the world's biggest petrol consumers but could save $13 billion in petrol costs each year by adopting moderate changes, a new report says.
Aussies asked whether electric cars should make noise
Electric cars could be forced to play sounds at low speeds to protect pedestrians and cyclists in a move supported by the blind community.
Proposed coal mines a climate disaster, experts warn
Experts warn that approving proposed coal mines across the country would cause almost 18 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas pollution to be emitted.
Big wet ‘a stay of execution’ for Aussie environment
Australia's environmental health has improved after a few very wet years but it's unlikely to last in the face of climate change and relentless habitat loss.
Study to probe how electric vehicle drivers recharge
Almost four million electric vehicles could be driving on Australian roads by 2030. A new university study will investigate how drivers charge them.