Fossil fuel phase-out, climate funds top pre-COP agenda
A Pacific event will set the agenda for the United Nations' global climate summit and groups are calling for Australia to push ambitious goals.
nature
Antarctic blind spot emerges as major sea-level threat
Australia could lead an international research mission to go where no ship has gone before: an enormous ice basin capable of raising global sea levels.
Counting the cost: tool estimates fossil fuel impacts
From additional heat to the loss of coral and glaciers, an online tool promises to calculate the effect of coal, oil and gas developments.
‘Not all good news’ amid whale conservation anniversary
Global delegates have descended on an Australian city to mark a major whale conservation anniversary and discuss new threats to the marine mammals.
What a croc: 2032 rowing report slammed as ‘fake news’
A UK report on a regional river selected to host 2032 rowing events has been slammed as fake news amid accusations it used incorrect crocodile footage.
‘Desert rangers are deadly’: Aussies up for world prize
Indigenous desert rangers caring for an area the size of Argentina will compete for a prestigious environmental award and worldwide attention.
Mother whale’s heartbreaking moment with stillborn calf
A heartbreaking interaction between a humpback whale mother and her stillborn calf suggests a deep and little understood maternal connection.
First pelican falls to bird flu, another sea lion dies
An Australian pelican has been confirmed to have bird flu, with concerns the far-ranging species could carry the virus well inland.
‘Bloody dangerous’: world to exceed 1.5-degree warming
Earth is on track to exceed 1.5 degrees of warming within years, the United Nations has warned, exposing communities to more extreme weather.
Australia’s coral reefs retreat as heatwaves intensify
Marine heatwaves are threatening coral reefs, including those in Australia, but research shows they could recover if given a break between bleaching events.
‘One ocean’: Australia exporting seafood impact
While Australia prioritises its own marine environments, the country's reliance on imported seafood might just be shifting the impacts elsewhere.
Fears for seals grow after second flu detection
There are fears for the viability of Australia's seal populations after another detection of bird flu, while critically endangered birds will be vaccinated.
Race to vaccinate after deadly bird flu milestone
An ambitious effort to vaccinate wild penguins against bird flu is ramping up as Australia recorded a distressing milestone in the worsening outbreak.
Environment rules promise protection but raise concerns
Tougher rules to protect Australia's environment have been welcomed by developers, but conservation groups say they fall short of the changes needed.
‘Don’t wait’: hot, dry conditions raise bushfire risk
With dry spring conditions and warmer-than-average temperatures, parts of the country are facing an increased risk of spring bushfires.
Progress and poor marks: Reef earns a mixed report card
Efforts to cut pollution in waterways feeding Australia's Great Barrier Reef are making progress but still falling short of targets.
Coral returns to Great Barrier Reef but risks remain
The world's largest coral reef system is showing positive signs of recovery but experts warn severe climate challenges lay ahead.
Bird flu fears prompt ‘proactive’ poultry farms order
Preventative measures are set to be enforced on poultry farms to prevent the spread of a deadly strain of bird flu as more cases are detected.
Rare humpback birth caught in Australian drone footage
A humpback whale has been captured giving birth off the Australian coastline in what is believed to be just the fourth public film of its kind.
Bird handling ‘confusion’ as new case confirmed
A suspected bird flu case in Queensland has been cleared, but wildlife rescuers have complained of mixed messages and scarce facilities regarding sick birds.
Seabird negative for bird flu, quarantine centre grows
Fears Australia's bird flu outbreak had spread to a fourth state have been allayed after a petrel suspected of carrying a deadly strain tested negative.
Flat out: even geckos cook in warming climate
Two reptiles confined to one of the hottest parts of the country are threatened with extinction by global warming.
Going ballistic: spider spins a spring-loaded trap
A bizarre new species of spider has been discovered in the rainforests of far north Queensland that spins a unique trap to snare a single species of ant.
environmental issue
environmental politics
global warming
international organisation
mining
nature
politics (general)
In danger: more reef funding amid dreaded ruling threat
Another rescue plan for the Great Barrier Reef has been unveiled as critics warn new mining approvals are fuelling destructive marine heatwaves.
Humpback whale clocks new record after mega migration
A humpback whale has travelled a distance further than Sydney to London, in a record for longest proven migration by the species.
Snakes alive! Nature’s greatest storyteller turns 100
Nature-lovers across Australia are planning remarkable displays to celebrate renowned naturalist Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday.
‘Elvis of birds’: clue found in hunt for elusive parrot
Researchers are racing against time to find and protect a critically endangered parrot after a decade-long search led to audio of the rare bird's call.
Smelly spawning heralds new life on fragile reef
Scientists have harvested millions of coral babies in a bid to help a bleached reef regenerate after it was lashed by a destructive cyclone.
Cyclone-hammered reefs can take many years to recover
Coral reefs and their fish populations can take many years to recover after being hammered by severe tropical cyclones, researchers say.
Tiny frogs making themselves at home in concrete jungle
Tiny frogs that usually call the rainforest floor home are moving up into man-made concrete dwellings as the perfect tropical retreat, a study has found.
Wet year brings on-land nature wins but oceans suffer
Australia's environment has enjoyed another above-average year of rainfall, though climate change has been stressing oceans and vulnerable species.