Environment
Eureka gong for uncovering a dirty secret blighting the Great Barrier Reef
New techniques to identify and reduce the sources of sediment blanketing parts of the Great Barrier Reef have landed Andrew Brooks and his team at Griffith University's this year's Eureka Prize for environmental research.
- by Peter Hannam
Latest
Heritage listing for Cliefden Caves puts stopper in dam plan
The spectacular Cliefden Caves in central west NSW have been granted state heritage listing, almost certainly sparing them from a dam proposed for the region.
- by Peter Hannam
In a world swamped by plastic waste there's a tonne for every single one of us
Last week's huge, and still smouldering garbage fire in Melbourne is symptomatic of a growing global problem.
- by Darryl Fears
Warm, dry winter prompts RFS to bring forward fire season in nine areas of NSW
The unusually warm and dry winter across much of NSW has prompted the Rural Fire Service to bring forward the official start to the fire season for nine local government areas including the Blue Mountains.
- by Peter Hannam
'Not impressed': Berrima pollution a warning for other mines, scientist says
The paucity of independent monitoring of waste water from coal mines in NSW is leaving communities exposed to decades of pollution, long after mining operations have ceased, Ian Wright, a leading water ecologist, said.
- by Peter Hannam
'Concerning': Sydney's water catchment faces rising loss to mining, contaminants
Coal mining in Sydney's catchment is having a "cumulative and possibly accelerated" impact on water flows but its full effect is unknown because of a lack of data and monitoring.
- by Peter Hannam
Incinerator boss Ian Malouf defends pollution record
The controversial waste management magnate behind plans to build a massive "energy from waste incinerator" near homes in western Sydney defended his environmental track record before a fiery parliamentary inquiry into the safety of the proposal on Thursday.
- by James Robertson
'Staggering': NSW emissions rule to be tested in court for the first time
NSW planning rules that require greenhouse gas emissions be taken into account when approving major projects will be tested in court in a challenge to a coal mine extension.
- by Peter Hannam
'No warning': Calls for earlier pollution alerts after smoke cloaks Sydney again
A second day of heavy pollution levels over Sydney caused by controlled fires in the Blue Mountains has prompted calls for earlier warnings and a review of the costs and benefits of hazard-reduction burns.
- by Peter Hannam
'Black hole': Pollution from coal-fired power worse than overseas, survey finds
Australia's biggest coal-fired power stations are permitted to dump toxic pollutants on nearby populations far in excess of overseas counterparts, even those in China, a survey by Environmental Justice Australia reveals.
- by Peter Hannam
Falling moisture levels and rising mercury point to risk of major fires in NSW
Forest regions of NSW, including areas around Sydney, are rapidly drying out, raising the risk of early and significant fire activity.
- by Peter Hannam