As the energy revolution gains pace, huge numbers of PV panels are already going to landfill. Many are still usable and even those that aren’t contain valuable materials that shouldn’t be discarded.
Energy poverty puts people’s health and wellbeing at risk, but many vulnerable households go undetected. Trusted intermediaries, such as doctors and community workers, can help solve this problem.
Improving the performance of nearly 11 million existing homes will make a much bigger difference to housing energy costs and emissions than an incoming 7-star energy standard for new homes.
In parts of Sydney, families occupy half the apartments and many value their convenient location. Yet, despite a surge in development, most apartments are one or two bedrooms and not family-friendly.
Australia’s transition to electric vehicles has been much slower than in many other developed nations. But the country is actually well placed to catch up fast.
Soaring electric vehicle production is giving new life to old manufacturing plants that were all but written off in the United States. Australia is also in a position to revive its carmaking industry.
Timothy Welch, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
The original plans for Auckland’s harbour bridge included tolled cycle lanes. A version of that is a better plan than the second crossing options now on offer.
Very hot days in Western Sydney are typically 5 degrees hotter than parts of the city close to the coast and are becoming more common, but only in the west. Four climate drivers explain the difference.
The autonomous vehicle revolution was, according to its proponents, meant to have transformed daily travel by now. But they underestimated the task of developing a safe, truly driverless vehicle.
Rent assistance can ease rental stress, but it won’t help low-income earners find secure and affordable housing when it’s in such short supply, nor stop disadvantage being concentrated in some areas.
In any given town, community and neighbourhood there will be homeless children, sometimes as young as 10, who are surviving without the effective care and protection of parents or guardians.
A study of 230 electric vehicles found only 25% of charging happens during peak demand periods. Their patterns of use also mean spare battery capacity could be fed into the grid at these times.
Brisbane rents are up nearly 50% more than the national average and homelessness in Queensland is increasing at the fastest rate in the country. The state can take several steps to turn things around.
Ensuring public transport vehicles comply with the laws on disability access is just the tip of the iceberg. Access issues across the transport system point to the need for on-demand services.
Almost half of the participants in a study of bedrooms said they have or might have a sleep problem and they would prefer not to use the room for multiple activities.
Speed limits are coming down to improve road safety. Expanding the policy to target high-carbon emission vehicles would be a simple and effective climate strategy.
A big reason the idea is gaining momentum globally is that the benefits for the health of individuals, communities and the environment are clear and almost immediate.
The very people most in need of the cost savings from installing solar panels are missing out. Better policies are needed to make home solar systems accessible to all Australians.