Environment
Conservation
Go with the flow: desalination plant study finds 'amazing' ocean impact
The Sydney desalination plant's biggest effect on the ocean is unlikely to be from the release of highly saline brine, according to the first peer-reviewed study into the industry's marine impacts.
- by Peter Hannam
Latest
Water
'Absolute disgrace': Adani pipeline plan won't activate water trigger
Adani's proposed giant coal mine has cleared another hurdle with the federal government waiving the requirement for a full environmental assessment for a pipeline that will extract billions of litres of water in drought-ravaged central Queensland.
- by Peter Hannam
'Prepare to get your legs broken': MP threatened over fishing ban
MP targeted with online abuse and even death threats for supporting plan to introduce lockout zones to protect fish.
- by Nick O'Malley
Animals
Powerful friends in low places rescue and release disoriented owlet
A recorded trilling, a Woolies bread tray and a clutch of determined bird lovers turn out to be the ideal combination to rescue a disoriented powerful owlet.
- by Peter Hannam
Whales
Japan's bid to end commercial whaling moratorium defeated
The International Whaling Commission has rejected Japan's proposal to end the global moratorium on commercial whaling, which has been in place since the 1980s.
- by Steve Jacobs
Whales
Whales seen as 'ecosystem engineers', get protection from noise and fishing nets
The IWC has adopted resolutions recognising the crucial role of whales in ecosystems and mitigating threats such as noise pollution.
- by Steve Jacobs
Whales
Plan for whale sanctuary in South Atlantic defeated
There is an ongoing clash between countries that think whales can be hunted sustainably and others that want more conservation measures.
Marine life
'Giant Pac-Man' prepares to eat into the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
The world's first bid to retrieve thousands of tonnes of plastic floating in giant ocean gyres has begun with the launch of a huge floating barrier.
- by Peter Hannam
Marine life
'Gone too far': anglers spear government over proposed marine park
For spearfishing champions Ian Puckeridge and his daughter Lara, the Berejiklian government's plan to limit fishing at 25 key sites would put an unnecessary halt to a healthy pastime.
- by Peter Hannam
Opinion
Great Barrier Reef
Banking on the reef
Australia should take care to avoid the same mistakes with our national treasures so the tragedy of Brazil's national museum is not repeated.
- by Ebony Bennett
Animals
'Revved up': Land being cleared at the rate of 14 football fields a day in northern NSW
The rate of land clearing in northern NSW more than tripled after the Berejiklian government eased native vegetation protection in 2017.
- by Peter Hannam