Rise in plastic trash reflects worrying consumer trend
An annual report that details what clean-up volunteers are finding in the environment is further proof that Australia's plastics crisis is worsening.
environmental pollution
Mess still unfolding after plastic recycling scandal
The catastrophic failure of Australia's soft plastics recycling scheme shocked customers. Months on, the mess is unfolding as a fight brews over the clean up.
Push to wind up company behind plastic recycling scheme
A court will be asked to wind up the company behind a soft plastics recycling scheme that's left mountains of waste across the country.
Global plastics crisis deepens despite rising concerns
The world's plastics crisis continues to worsen as manufacturers pump out vast amounts of new, single-use items and shun more costly recycling, a report says.
Lab leads nanoscopic hunt for plastic in human bodies
Aussie scientists are hard at work trying to determine if the world's plastic pollution crisis extends to the innermost reaches of the human body.
Fireworks deliver long-term hit for wildlife: study
Fireworks can cause breeding and other long-term problems for wildlife and it's time to move to lower-impact spectacles, a new study says.
disaster and accident
emergency incident
environmental issue
environmental pollution
hazardous materials
health
nuclear accident
Radioactive capsule hunt a tough gig
A high-stakes hunt for a capsule of radioactive material won't be easy or quick, experts say.
Winter on death row as climate warms
Winter could vanish as a season for much of Australia, according to a new tool that shows what climate change might mean for cities, suburbs and towns.
New way to rid water of toxic chemicals
University of Queensland researchers have worked out how to harness the power of magnets to strip toxic PFAS chemicals from contaminated water.
Adelaide rivers dump microplastics in sea
Adelaide's rivers and creeks are acting as conveyor belts for microplastic pollution and fast fashion could be a big part of the problem, a study has found.
Waste grows as recycling stagnates: report
A new report says the mountain of waste Australia produces is continuing to grow but the proportion of what's recycled is not, compounding the landfill problem.
Warehouses found chock-full of plastics
About 3000 tonnes of soft plastics have been discovered in six Melbourne warehouses after the REDcycle recycling program was halted a month ago.
Firies fearful over water contamination
Firefighters who drank contaminated water at a major Victorian airport have elevated levels of toxic chemicals in their blood.
Queensland mulls gas wells near leak site
The Queensland government says a decision on plans to drill for gas near the contaminated site of Linc Energy's failed coal project is up to the regulator.
No peak in sight for carbon emissions
Carbon emissions are at record levels and the task of warding off catastrophic climate change has never been greater, a global stocktake report warns.
environmental politics
environmental pollution
natural gas
oil and gas - upstream activities
politics (general)
Qld urged to speed up Lake Eyre protection
Activists are calling on the Queensland government to publicly release its assessment of plans to protect the Lake Eyre Basin before Christmas.
Qld changes concern coal, gas producers
Changes to Queensland's environmental laws have been criticised by gas and coal producers as a costly imposition of more "green tape".
Viruses hitchhike on microplastics: study
Australian researchers have discovered viruses can get a free ride by latching onto tiny particles of plastic regularly taken in by humans.
Firefighters tested for forever chemicals
Firefighters are being tested for toxic PFAS chemicals after unsafe levels were found in drinking water at a Victorian airport.
Insect apocalypse looms as world warms
A major new study says there's mounting evidence the world's insect populations are in rapid decline and it's cause for profound concern.
Incontinence pads dwarf nappy waste
Incontinence pads are now a bigger waste problem than nappies, and Australia needs to turn its mind to solutions, a new study says.
Qld mining lobby applauds govt backflip
Proposed Queensland laws will make it easier for communities to object to mines, but existing mines won't be subject to modern environmental rules.
Carpets pollute Aussie homes with plastic
Carpets are contributing to microplastic pollution in Australian homes, a new international study has found.
Battery recycling scheme powers ahead
A new battery recycling scheme is off to a flying start in Australia in a win for the environment and the reuse of precious resources.
Australia’s next step on forever chemicals
The federal government has just released a new draft plan to manage so-called forever chemicals but some say not enough is being done to turn off the source.
agriculture
arable farming
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
livestock farming
New push to limit PFAS farm contamination
The federal government has proposed new limits to protect Australian farms from being further contaminated with so-called forever chemicals.
Cotton composting to solve clothing crisis
The historical technique may be the solution to Australia's textile waste problem, one scientist says.
Shark nets take toll on threatened species
About a fifth of the 376 marine animals caught in NSW shark nets last season were threatened species, a government report has revealed.
Environment shock also warning for humans
Australians must understand this week's grim report about the state of the environment is also a report about them, a leading environmental health expert says.
conservation
endangered species
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
global warming
nature
Plibersek’s plan to fix sick environment
Australians have been promised a radical overhaul of environmental laws after a shocking report on the state of the country's natural assets.
conservation
endangered species
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
global warming
nature
Environment sick, getting sicker: report
Australia's environment is in poor condition and will deteriorate further as climate change compounds pollution, land clearing and other threats, a report says.