Latest environment news
Call to shift to zero-carbon as global warming deadline approaches
Peter Hannam 1:56 PM The world must start the shift to zero-carbon sources of electricity as soon as 2018 to avoid adding new fossil-fuel power plants that will lock in dangerous climate change, according to a team of Oxford University researchers.
Fire season extended as summer holds on
![News.
Bungendore RFS Captain, Sheldon Williams, in burnt land near Hazeldell Rd where he worked to save properties last ...](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/i/m/p/l/w/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnvsp3.11u395.png/1459488445306.jpg)
Peter Hannam 2:14 PM Sydney's balmy start to April will continue for most of the coming week but those warm and mostly dry conditions have also prompted the Rural Fire Service to extend the fire season for parts of the state's north.
Giant dragonfly helps end coal mining plans
![Omitted: Commissioners noted impacts on the habitat of the endangered giant dragonfly were not included in the risk ...](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/v/z/x/c/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnvzv9.11u395.png/1459489945483.jpg)
Peter Hannam 4:33 PM The failure of proponents of a coal mine in the Special Areas to take into account the effect of an expansion on the endangered giant dragonfly species may have sealed the fate of 120-year-old mine.
Reef bleaching worse than thought, say surveys
![Photos taken from aerial surveys of the Great Barrier Reef between Cairns and Townsville on Wednesday. On average ...](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/v/3/l/3/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnux7x.11u395.png/1459426810597.jpg)
Tom Arup 10:27 PM Scientists still have yet to find the southern reach of the coral bleaching.
US, China seek to prod nations by signing climate accord this month
![China's president Xi Jinping and US President Barack Obama at the White House in Washington, DC in September last year.](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/b/0/y/o/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnvlla.11u395.png/1459450346594.jpg)
Jennifer A. Dlouhy and Joe Ryan 5:52 AM Both the US and China will formally sign a landmark multinational climate accord on April 22, the very first day they can, paving the way for early enforcement of the deal to slash greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.
Bambi in the firing line
![The AGE Fallow deer head Filed 4th March 2014](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/d/z/f/3/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnuyc6.11u395.png/1459489756404.jpg)
Peter Hannam Feral deer need to be declared pests, aerial shooting of wild horses should be reintroduced and cat owners need to be required to have their pets desexed to curb the rising damage from introduced species on the state's agriculture and natural species, the Natural Resources Commission has found.
Antarctic ice loss could double expected sea level rise by 2100, scientists say
![Antarctic ice sheets may melt faster than currently expected, leading to more rapid sea-level rise.](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/s/d/o/w/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnumtj.11u395.png/1459371197229.jpg)
Brady Dennis and Chris Mooney Sea levels could rise nearly twice as much as previously predicted by the end of this century if carbon dioxide emissions continue unabated, an outcome that could devastate coastal communities around the globe, according to new research.
The heat is on as record temperatures spark fears for future
![Each of the past 10 months has been a record for global surface temperatures, a US agency says.](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/h/3/w/h/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnl7do.11u395.png/1458894788535.jpg)
Peter Hannam The recent spike in global temperatures have brought a two-degree warming world a bit closer, placing in sharper focus what needs to be done to avoid dangerous climate change.
Solar energy battery storage to be rolled out across ACT
![More than 5000 homes and businesses across the ACT could soon have access to photovoltaic battery storage.](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/i/6/q/4/7/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnvn2o.png/1459487384431.jpg)
Katie Burgess 4:09 PM Thousands of homes and businesses across the ACT will soon have access to battery storage for renewable energy with funds from the latest renewable energy auction.
Bob Brown likens Tasmania's salmon industry to logging, mining
![Bob Brown says Atlantic Salmon has big a key part of Tasmania's reputation of producing fine food.](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/w/6/i/e/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnvqrg.png/1459484748484.jpg)
Jared Lynch 3:25 PM Former Greens leader Bob Brown has urged for the creation of independent regulator for Tasmania's salmon farmers, saying the industry is at risk of doing the same environmental damage as mining and logging.
Bull sharks on the bite in hot water, new research suggests
![Bull sharks are thought to be hungrier when the water temperature rises.](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/i/a/8/f/e/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnvs0i.png/1459480469369.jpg)
Rory Callinan 2:14 PM Water temperature could be the trigger for some of New South Wales' deadly shark attacks.
Susie proves human and gorilla genomes diverge by just 1.6 per cent
![Susie, the female Western lowland gorilla, who provided the material for a the reference sample for full-genome ...](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/v/u/6/2/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnvryv.png/1459471433746.jpg)
Will Dunham 11:43 AM A gorilla named Susie is helping provide fresh insight into the genetic similarities and differences between people and these endangered apes that are among our closest living relatives.
One of Kenya's most famous lions was killed because they were out of tranquilisers
!["We lost one of our best lions": Mohawk was shot dead by a ranger in Kenya.](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/v/1/k/s/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnv1bc.png/1459425512811.jpg)
10:57 PM In a country that has invested millions in protecting its wildlife, Kenyans are trying to figure out what went wrong.
'Really good beach days' ahead after record hot March
![Melburnians have been advised to think twice about a Labour Day dip with all but two of Port Phillip Bay's 36 monitored ...](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/2/7/b/4/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnu7me.png/1459320863457.jpg)
Peter Hannam Don't put away those beach towels just yet - there's more warm weather on the way that might lure you back to the beach.
Transport for NSW puts brakes on Voiceless kangaroo bus ad campaign
![Animal protection institute Voiceless' campaign challenging Australians to consider the fate of kangaroos.](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/t/w/d/s/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gntwuq.png/1459400166689.jpg)
Steve Jacobs The government agency vetoed a bus advertising campaign without seeing the ads, says Voiceless.
Great Barrier Reef 'has fried' in worst bleaching event
![The worst coral bleaching on record has occurred on the Great Barrier Reef.](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/n/n/2/n/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gntnvz.png/1459290636785.jpg)
The worst coral bleaching event on record is destroying the most pristine part of the Great Barrier Reef in a "slow-motion train wreck", a reef expert has warned.
Scientists investigate the weird genetics of bat wings
![A southern bent-wing bat in flight.](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/s/o/o/c/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnsnnf.png/1459197131340.jpg)
Leigh Cowart A bat in flight is a marvelous sight – but we don't really know how they got their wings.
Cans, bottles, now shells? Mussel recycling gives Port Phillip a boost
![At the Little Creatures brewery in Geelong the restaurant is recycling the used mussel shells for use in a project to ...](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/r/q/e/4/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnr1g7.png/1459132749120.jpg)
Tom Arup These days bottles, cans, newspapers, printer cartridges, even mobile phones, can be recycled. Now it seems shells can be added to the list.
Qld lists contaminated defence base as investigation continues
![Queensland Health has advised Oakey residents not to eat eggs or drink milk from animals raised within the contamination ...](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/y/j/p/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnrtjq.png/1459071180516.jpg)
Amy Remeikis Queensland acts as investigations into contamination stemming from chemicals used on defence sites continues.
Has Victoria's moment in the sun finally arrived?
![Phil Galloway, managing director of Syncline Energy, has big plans to bring solar energy to Bannerton in Victoria and ...](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/r/s/l/q/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnrs6l.png/1459136476553.jpg)
Tom Arup Phil Galloway stands in an open field between vast stretches of almond trees. The empty land is marginal and the sun above it bright.
Baby wombat's miraculous survival
![Volunteer wildlife carer Lindy Butcher cares for a baby wombat, Jack](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/p/f/q/6/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnpmhd.png/1459120818078.jpg)
Clare Sibthorpe He survived the force of a car, a brain injury, a misaligned spine and severe shock, all while weighing just 400 grams.
Rain threatens Easter Sunday lunches
![The rains are coming to put an end to the fine Easter weather.](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/m/u/j/7/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnrpnz.png/1459025798069.jpg)
Eryk Bagshaw Rain will threaten Easter Sunday lunches around Sydney on Sunday, as the long-weekend's run of perfect weather looks to come to an end.
Easter no excuse for ignoring dogs' fatal chocolate threat
![Veterinary surgeon Amanda Nott with her colleague's 8-year-old whippet Tilda, who was saved from a likely lethal amount ...](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/q/w/8/t/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnqila.png/1458977819086.jpg)
Matthew Raggatt Lauren Grey had done almost everything right – the 200 grams of dark chocolate was inside its own bag, inside a bigger shopping bag, stored one metre off the ground in a wardrobe in her bedroom.
Court rules Japanese aquarium had no right to stop Australian activist from entering
![An albino dolphin swims in a tank at the Taiji Whale Museum.](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/r/d/b/z/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnrdbl.png/1458914550084.jpg)
Activist says she hopes the win will help get the albino dolphin Angel out of her 'tiny tank'.
Hazard reduction burns harm wildlife
![The ANU's Dr Annabel Smith has found current approaches to controlled hazard-reduction burns could have adverse effects ...](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/q/i/w/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnq1p4.png/1458892224048.jpg)
Clare Sibthorpe An 11-year study has found burns to protect humans could be stopping our four-legged friends from making babies.
Wind farm commissioner insists he's providing good value for taxpayers
![The national wind farm commissioner, Andrew Dyer.](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/n/1/e/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnl6du.png/1458862405488.jpg)
Tom Arup Australia's wind farm commissioner insists taxpayers are getting good value for money out of his $200,000 a year salary.
Japan's whaling fleet returns from Antarctic hunt with 333 whales
![The Japanese whaling fleet operating in the Southern Ocean in 2013.](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/q/r/s/x/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnqrrf.png/1459219314319.jpg)
Japan's whaling fleet returned on Thursday from its Antarctic hunt after a year-long suspension with a take of more than 300 whales, including pregnant females.
Ten things you should not feed your dog
![Vet Dr Cherlene Lee and her dogs, (black dog) Obi-Wan-Kenobi and Siao Chuwho has twice needed treatment after eating ...](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/q/0/v/r/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnmy61.png/1458782816553.jpg)
Kim Arlington It's a time of year kids love: Hunting down chocolate Easter eggs. But for your pooch, it can be fatal.
Have you seen this quoll?
![An eastern quoll put on a show for the cameras when it was released at Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary by Meegan ...](/web/20160401060908im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/7/v/l/e/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnq08s.png/1458887084067.jpg)
Katie Burgess Having arrived only a few weeks ago, a number of quolls have already escaped.