Explainers
Explainer
Future Power
What is the role of gas in a green economy?
In the second part of our series Future Power, we explain why the government wants more gas, and we ask, how clean is natural gas – and what is its future in Australia?
- by Nick O'Malley and Nick Toscano
Latest
Explainer
War
Miniskirts and mujahideen: how did Afghanistan come to be defined by war?
It was once a stop on the hippie trail and inspiration for the Lonely Planet guidebooks. So how did Afghanistan come to be defined by war and terrorism?
- by Maher Mughrabi
Explainer
Trump impeachment
How will a second Trump impeachment work?
Now that the House has voted to impeach Trump, what happens next? And what is the likelihood he will be convicted?
- by Michelle Griffin
Explainer
Technology & democracy
'Wild West': Who regulates social media and what's Parler?
The deadly Washington riot was organised on social media, where more threats are surfacing for Inauguration Day. Who regulates these platforms? Should more be done to rein them in? Is free speech in danger too?
- by Sherryn Groch
Explainer
Water safety
How does drowning happen and how can you prevent it?
The idea that a drowning person splashes and calls for help is mostly a myth. How do you spot someone in trouble? What are their chances of surviving once you do? And how well should a child be able to swim?
- by Julie Power
Explainer
Future Power
What's a 'just transition' and can you switch to green energy without sacking coal workers?
Science says the switch to renewables needs to be fast but workers say it should also be fair. In the first of our explainer series Future Power, we ask how did Germany do it? And could Australia have a 'just transition' too?
- by Sherryn Groch and Nick O'Malley
Explainer
Racism
'They ruled our lives': What impact has slavery had in Australia?
Many Australians might think that slavery never reached our shores but the history books tell a different story. So what did slavery look like in Australia?
- by Ella Archibald-Binge
Explainer
Skin cancer
What exactly does the sun do to your skin?
We know we should be sun smart but what does that mean these days? What actually happens when the sun hits your skin? And is sun damage reversible?
- by Samantha Selinger-Morris
Explainer
Holidays
How did we get four weeks’ annual leave – and are we due a rise?
In the US, workers get two weeks’ leave a year. In Finland, they get six. How do we go about getting more than our four?
- by Jessica Irvine
Explainer
Indigenous culture
What is cultural burning?
Catastrophic bushfires have led to a heightened interest in Indigenous burning practices. How do Aboriginal experts use fire to care for their land?
- by Miki Perkins
Explainer
Swimming
'Euphoric': Why is there a boom in sea swimming, and is it good for you?
During lockdown, chief AFL writer Jake Niall girded his loins and swam in the sea. He and his gang of “aquanauts” were not the only ones. What is the appeal of sea swimming? Is it medically beneficial? And what are the perils?
- by Jake Niall