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Peter Hannam covers broad environmental issues ranging from climate change to renewable energy for Fairfax Media.
Climate future: fewer but more intense cyclones predicted in aftermath of Pam
Peter Hannam A warming world means oceans will have more energy to tap for cyclones but the frequency - for Australia at least - may decrease.
Cyclone Nathan strengthens with 'hot towers' as it heads towards Queensland coast
Peter Hannam Cyclone Nathan is closing in on the north Queensland coast, with US space agency NASA identifying “hot towers” at its core as a signal that the storm is intensifying.
AGL tops list of big carbon emitters after merger, ACF report finds
Peter Hannam and Lisa Cox AGL has emerged as Australia's biggest greenhouse gas emitter by far after its purchase of NSW assets added to its fleet of brown coal-fired power stations in Victoria.
Cyclone Pam lifts chance of El Nino this year in Australia, forecasters says
Peter Hannam Cyclone Pam’s impact may not be restricted to devastating the island nation of Vanuatu – it may also have boosted the likelihood of an El Nino event for later this year, the Bureau of...
Thirty years of consecutive warmth: the heat really is on
Peter Hannam Last month capped 30 years in which average monthly temperatures worldwide have been warmer than the average for the 20th century.
Cyclone Pam: Is it time for a category-6 cyclone rating?
Peter Hannam The unusual strength of Cyclone Pam, which devastated Vanuatu over the weekend, could enliven debate about the need for a category 6 reading for storms to reflect their increasing severity.
Hotter, harder times forecast for the farm as climate changes food production
Peter Hannam Australia's agricultural sector faces profound challenges from climate change over coming decades forcing the migration of some crops and the new varieties of others, a new report by the University...
AGL mum over toxic CSG chemicals discharged into Hunter Water sewers
Peter Hannam Hunter Water has declined to disclose details disclosed by Transpacific about toxic chemicals contained in wastewater from AGL’s coal seam gas operations near Gloucester. Peter Hannam reports.
Oyster Bay highly polluted with heavy metals, study finds
Peter Hannam The idyllic and exclusive southern suburb of Oyster Bay is awash in heavy metals.
El Nino declared as climate scientists watch on with 'amazement'
Peter Hannam Scientists differ over the definition of an El Nino event but the ambiguity doesn't end there.
NSW Election 2015: CSG exploration permit for Sydney area cancelled by Baird government
Peter Hannam The Baird government has cancelled a coal seam gas exploration licence covering part of the Sydney Basin in its latest bid to defuse the issue ahead of the March 28 election
AGL slapped with $15,000 fine for Camden coal seam gas release
Peter Hannam AGL’s troubled coal seam gas operations have suffered another setback, with the NSW Environment Protection Authority fining the energy giant $15,000 for a gas leak at its field on...
Rio Tinto wins planning nod for controversial Warkworth coal mine
Peter Hannam Mining giant Rio Tinto has scored a major victory in its bid to extend its controversial Mount Thorley-Warkworth coal mine in the Upper Hunter, with the Planning Assessment Commission recommending it...
NSW Planning blasted over Camberwell coal mine secrecy
Peter Hannam The NSW Department of Planning has been accused of operating under a cloak of secrecy, with senior bureaucrats working closely with a mining company to overturn the rejection of a coal mine expansion...
Emissions from power sector still climbing as coal use rises
Peter Hannam Carbon emissions from the country’s main electricity network continue to rise, undermining the Abbott government’s efforts to curb the global warming pollutants, according to Pitt &...
Australia posts second hottest February as warm run continues
Peter Hannam Australia’s run of abnormally warm weather has continued with the country recording its second-hottest February in data going back to 1910, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Senators move to give CSG whistleblower air
Peter Hannam Efforts will resume this week to make public documents and comments by a Queensland whistleblower about the controversial approval process involving two giant coal seam gas projects worth almost $50...
Revealed: Major new coal mines planned for the Upper Hunter
Peter Hannam Leaked reports show that mining companies have prepared plans for as many as 16 new or expanded coal mines in the NSW Upper Hunter Valley.
Sydney weather: A summer for night owls not beach towels
Peter Hannam It may not have felt like summer but Sydney has had another warmer-than-average season with nights particularly balmy.
Global warming: Australian deserts to expand as tropical circulation changes
Peter Hannam Australia’s deserts will expand southward and dry periods will lengthen, according to new research on global warming.
