Andrew R. Leitch, Queen Mary University of London There are eight species of baobab in the world, and they have a surprising distribution. Six are found in Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean; one is found on the continent of Africa; and the last is far away in Australia. The origin of
Australia has set a target to increase its clean energy generation by 2030, aiming for 82% of it to come from renewable sources, a significant rise from the current 27%. The International Energy Agency’s report indicates Australia is making progress in renewable energy, thanks to successful rooftop solar installations, ambitious goals, and increased
Recent Monash graduate Dr Victoria Gentile is a perfect case study to show the rapid increase in the University’s Indigenous healthcare students, and also to show why more and more are needed. Her mentor, Professor Karen Adams, says: “Victoria is an inspirational Yorta Yorta woman from the northern suburbs of Melbourne. She’s got
Jacqueline Peel, The University of Melbourne Australians relish being at the top of international league tables in sport. But few would know we’re a global champion when it comes to using the courts to hold governments and companies to account on climate change. A new report from the United Nations Environment Programme found
In energy circles, all eyes have been on the Australian government’s goal of reaching 82% renewable energy by 2030, and whether or not it’s possible to achieve. But this masks the fact that the goal is 82% of a growing electricity system. Achieving net zero means not just decarbonising the National Electricity Market (NEM),
Welcome to “News of the Week. In today’s episode, we discuss China’s expanding presence in the South Pacific, particularly the Solomon Islands, and the concerns raised by Australia. China and the Solomon Islands recently pledged to enhance their security cooperation, sparking alarm over China’s growing influence in the region. Australia demands transparency and
New research found that most Australian shallow reef species, including fish, corals, seaweeds and invertebrates, experienced population declines over a decade, mainly in response to warming events driven by human-induced climate change. While scientists recorded species decline across Australian waters, some of the most pronounced changes occurred on the temperate reefs of southern
Julia Morris, University of North Carolina Wilmington One afternoon in mid-June, I sat with Ethan*, a local islander, at Nauru’s boat harbour. He was speaking about how life had changed in the country since an asylum deal with Australia. Just a few years before my arrival in 2016, the small Pacific island had
Australian PM Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden seal the AUKUS deal in San Diego, March 13. Getty Images Nicholas Khoo, University of Otago Former Australian prime minister Paul Keating’s recent strident criticism of the A$368 billion nuclear-powered submarine deal announced under the AUKUS security pact will have little effect on Australian
A recent Australia Institute report has shown that profiteering is the source of the country’s high inflation. This is in contrast to the Reserve Bank of Australia’s fearmongering claims that higher wages are the main threat to economic growth and security. The report highlights the need to control excess profits and artificially increased