Environment
Sustainability
'River debt' means Barwon-Darling recovery likely to lag rain's return
The recovery in the health of major rivers such as the Barwon-Darling is likely to be delayed well after the return of good rainfall because of policy changes.
- by Peter Hannam
Latest
Pollution
'Drives me insane': lack of information exposes Sydney's river users
Calls for Sydney's waterways to be treated the same as our beaches in terms of telling the public when it's safe - or not - to take a dip.
- by Peter Hannam
NSW votes
'Disappointing': Last-minute pipeline, land-clearing changes rile foes
The final Berejiklian government moves before entering caretaker mode included easing the way for a gas pipeline to the proposed Narrabri coal seam gasfield and easing the rules of clearing native vegetation.
- by Peter Hannam
Pollution
'Elevated concentrations of methane' in Sydney Park
One of the largest recreational areas in Sydney has been declared to be "significantly contaminated land".
- by Peter Hannam
Darling disaster
'Travesty': fourth fish kill looms as study finds phantom water savings
Residents at Menindee are bracing for a fourth mass fish kill in the Darling River in about three months, as a new paper finds water savings in the Murray Darling Basin may be just one-tenth the amount modelled.
- by Peter Hannam
Opinion
Disability
Watch who draws the short straw in war on plastic
Plastic drinking straws have become a political wedge issue, with environmentalists and disability rights advocates at odds.
- by Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Renewables
'Blows others out of the park': High hopes for new type of battery
If Sydney University's frenetic inventor Thomas Maschmeyer is right, a new type of battery he has developed will help bring electricity to millions.
- by Peter Hannam
Darling disaster
'Lot of grief' as acute water shortages threaten drought-hit NSW towns
As dam levels dive and rivers wither, towns are scrambling to drill new bores and preparing to truck in water if the drought fails to break, officials say.
- by Peter Hannam
Darling disaster
Fish kill report calls for review of key basin plan project, climate impact
Murray-Darling basin governments should 're-evaluate' a costly plan to alter the Menindee Lakes, introduce real-time monitoring to cut water theft.
- by Peter Hannam
Plastic
Life without plastic is possible - it's just very hard
Like many who aim to live plastic free, Dianna Cohen, a founder of California advocacy group Plastic Pollution Coalition, never leaves home without her eco-survival kit.
- by Steven Kurutz
Darling disaster
'Shocking' lack of preparation exposed Darling River to fish kills: study
The "viability of the Darling" is at risk without urgent action, a report by the Australian Academy of Science has found.
- by Peter Hannam