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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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?
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
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
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
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
Activist says she hopes the win will help get the albino dolphin Angel out of her 'tiny tank'.
Hazard reduction burns harm wildlife
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
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
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
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?
Katie Burgess Having arrived only a few weeks ago, a number of quolls have already escaped.
