Australia’s plan to bring fuel efficiency standards up to par with the US and Europe could see us say goodbye to regular unleaded, and hello to a useful way of cutting our rising greenhouse emissions.
An Arctic iceberg, pictured in 2015. This year, ice coverage has reached record lows for the early northern winter.
AWeith/Wikimedia Commons
The end of 2016 has brought balmy Arctic temperatures and record low ice extent for the time of year. It’s a freak event even by modern standards, and climate models point the finger firmly at humans.
Rice paddies are one of the major sources of methane in agriculture.
Amir Jina/Flickr
If Donald Trump turns away from climate action as George W. Bush did, Europe and China can respond by forming an alliance that will turn the United States from a climate leader into a follower.
Cape Grim, on the northwest tip of Tasmania, is exposed to some of the cleanest air in the world.
CSIRO/Bureau of Meteorology
An international meeting looks set to approve a mandatory system of carbon offsetting for international flights - a big step forward but one that might be hard to integrate with the Paris Agreement.
Yallourn Power Station in the Latrobe Valley is one of the emissions intensive power stations that remains open.
AAP Image/David Crosling
Environment and energy minister Josh Frydenberg said that eight out of Australia’s 12 most emission intensive power stations closed in the last five years. Is that right?
With the right help, ARENA can help deliver many more solar farms.
AAP Image/Lukas Coch
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency has survived, amid a groundswell of domestic and overseas support. Its budget has been chopped, but here’s how it can still drive the renewable energy revolution.
The Climate Change Authority’s latest report has divided its membership.
Shutterstock.com
Two members of the Climate Change Authority offer an alternative view on its latest report, arguing that the recommendations are not in line with Australia’s international climate obligations.
What does it mean to be a citizen in today’s world?
Christopher Kennedy / Cassie Thornton
Civic intelligence describes what happens when people work together to address problems efficiently and equitably. It could help address many societal challenges.
The suggested new scheme aims to cut emissions from the electricity sector while sidestepping the political poison of increased power prices.
AAP Image/Julian Smith
A new “toolkit” of suggested climate policies looks politically feasible, but it’s too complicated and not ambitious enough to drive a real move to a low-carbon economy.
Nne-star-rated ‘Catalyst’ houses built to maximise passive solar principles were evaluated against seven control houses built to DHHS standards.
Trivess Moore
Emerging research challenges the idea that sustainable housing is unaffordable. It shows sustainability and good design can be affordable when analyses include social, health and wellbeing benefits.
Britain, one of the European Union’s most consistent backers of climate action, is poised to walk out.
AAP Image/Newzulu/Paul Alfred-Henri
Britain was among Europe’s most progressive voices on climate policy. Its imminent withdrawal leaves the European Union grappling with voices of dissent from member states such as Poland.
The Greens are the party of climate action - but do they embrace enough technologies to get there?
AAP Image/Julian Smith
The Greens have successfully cast themselves as the party of climate science. But to hit their climate goals they may need to become even more radical, by embracing technologies like nuclear power.
A singular focus on divestment from oil and gas companies to counter climate change could be detrimental.
Joe Brusky/Flickr
The broad principle of companies, government bodies and universities divesting from oil, gas and coal companies is sound. But its application needs more sophistication.