Sydney health alert as mercury set to pass 40 degrees
The first large heatwave of summer has prompted a fire weather warning and a public health alert with only modest relief forecast for the next few days before the heat starts to build again.
Environment
'A little bit goes a long way': The people trying to ban glitter
Glitter is not good for the environment, and some people are trying to ban it.
'Unusually intense': big heatwave may not crest until mid-next week
The first major heatwave of the summer will start to lap Sydney's suburbs on Wednesday and is unlikely to fully recede for another week.
The surprising way to stay cool in a heatwave
Public health guidelines that recommend turning off fans when temperatures exceed 35 degrees are likely flawed and may unnecessarily expose vulnerable people to health effects during heatwaves, researchers at the University of Sydney say.
Dog walker leaves pet inside vehicle, owner finds it dead hours later
A dog walker has left a dog locked in a car for most of the day in Sydney's east, with the owner later finding her pet dead in the vehicle.
No steam over coal plant's closure, PM says
Energy giant says it will meet the baseload power shortfall through a new mix of gas and renewables while reducing carbon emissions by 17.6 per cent.
Push for North Stradbroke and Moreton islands to be named on World Heritage List
Queensland groups want North Stradbroke and Moreton islands to be World Heritage Listed to boost tourism, but it could delay another site's nomination.
You're 100 times more likely to die from drowning than a shark bite
The NSW and Queensland governments should phase out shark nets and immediately replace lethal drum lines with more-sophisticated gear to limit unnecessary harm to marine wildlife, a Senate inquiry has concluded.
Baby quokka Cinnamon takes her first hops
The first baby quokka to be born at the Australian Reptile Park has taken her first hops just in time for the Christmas school holidays.
France awards climate grants to US scientists
Emmanuel Macron plans to award multi-year grants for several US-based scientists to relocate to France.
Summer's first big heatwave to send mercury, fire risks soaring
The first big heatwave of the summer will scorch inland Australia this week and reach the east coast by Thursday, sending the mercury and fire risks soaring.
Park rangers on high alert for tossers these summer holidays
With tourists comes trash.
Review of controversial emissions fund finds 'significant risk'
The reversal of carbon captured under a controversial $2.5 billion fund set up by the Abbott-Turnbull government from bushfires is a "significant risk", among other challenges, according to a review by the Climate Change Authority.
Science finds pigeons not so bird-brained
Pigeons understood concepts of space and time long before the birth of Albert Einstein, scientists have shown.
Great Barrier Reef dead by 2100: David Attenborough
The Great Barrier Reef will be dead by 2100, David Attenborough's Blue Planet II has declared.
Calls to ban 'inhumane rodeos' after bull snaps leg
Footage captured at the event shows the bull bucking frantically before its back leg snaps.
'I bought the zoo,' says the man who fell in love with the devil
The devil made him do it. Animal behaviouralist Bruce Englefield emigrated to Australia after falling in love with Tasmanian devils, working with others to save them from the facial cancer that was threatening them with extinction.
Starving polar bear a defining image of climate change impact
A video released this week of an extremely emaciated polar bear has served as a rallying cry and stand-in for a largely unmitigated environmental disaster.
Canine medicine: A million-kilometre dog called Bundy
How do you teach an Australian stumpy-tailed cattle dog to ride 1 million kilometres behind the wheel of a motorcycle?
'Perfect rubbish only': picky rules undermine recycling scheme
Over the past six months, nine-year-old Tom Burke has spent hundreds of hours picking up bottles and cans from his Kogarah neighbourhood.
'Super corals' may offer reefs some 'breathing space'
New evidence of the prospect of "super corals" offers the prospect of more time for the world's coral reefs hard-hit by climate change.
Climate change risks finally grab Australia's attention
This year is closing with a flurry of activity on the climate front - including the release of the Turnbull government's review of climate policies.
South coast seabirds have stomachs full of plastic
"There is no doubt that trash is a problem, and plastic is a major problem for oceans."
NSW gives way on Snowy as wild rivers flow again
Three years after abolishing an independent oversight body for the Snowy scheme, the government may finally be getting around to its replacement.
Storms expected today before summer heat hits next week
Temperatures are forecast to hit 40 degrees in Sydney's west in the coming week, reaching a peak on Thursday.
Paying double: Water bills headed 'same way as energy'
Rising population and climate change could translate into much higher water bills without action being taken now.
NSW makes first large-scale renewable power purchase
The Berejiklian government has its first move into large-scale renewable energy, signing a decade-long contract to help underpin a new solar hub in the state's central west.
ACCC asked to investigate Adani jobs claim
Adani says the mine will create about 10,000 jobs, but the Queensland Land Court puts the figure at just 1464.
Plans to curb green groups dropped but doubts remains
Environment groups have welcomed the Turnbull government's retreat from plans to curb environmental advocacy but concerns remain about other proposals to restrict the charity sector.
NSW Greens MPs arrested in Queensland coal mine protest
Two Greens MPs have been arrested in central Queensland and charged with trespass, following a protest against the Adani mine.
'Super corals' may offer reefs some 'breathing space'
New evidence of the prospect of "super corals" offers the prospect of more time for the world's coral reefs hard-hit by climate change.
South coast seabirds have stomachs full of plastic
"There is no doubt that trash is a problem, and plastic is a major problem for oceans."
NSW gives way on Snowy as wild rivers flow again
Three years after abolishing an independent oversight body for the Snowy scheme, the government may finally be getting around to its replacement.
Climate change risks finally grab Australia's attention
This year is closing with a flurry of activity on the climate front - including the release of the Turnbull government's review of climate policies.
Storms expected today before summer heat hits next week
Temperatures are forecast to hit 40 degrees in Sydney's west in the coming week, reaching a peak on Thursday.
NSW makes first large-scale renewable power purchase
The Berejiklian government has its first move into large-scale renewable energy, signing a decade-long contract to help underpin a new solar hub in the state's central west.
Paying double: Water bills headed 'same way as energy'
Rising population and climate change could translate into much higher water bills without action being taken now.
ACCC asked to investigate Adani jobs claim
Adani says the mine will create about 10,000 jobs, but the Queensland Land Court puts the figure at just 1464.
Plans to curb green groups dropped but doubts remains
Environment groups have welcomed the Turnbull government's retreat from plans to curb environmental advocacy but concerns remain about other proposals to restrict the charity sector.
NSW Greens MPs arrested in Queensland coal mine protest
Two Greens MPs have been arrested in central Queensland and charged with trespass, following a protest against the Adani mine.
Chinese money will not fund 'dirty' Adani mine
The controversial Adani coal mine project in Queensland will not be funded by Chinese banks, the Chinese Embassy has confirmed, with former foreign minister Bob Carr and prominent opponent of the mine Geoff Cousins claiming partial credit.