Australia

Great Barrier Reef hit by its most widespread coral bleaching, study finds

Thursday - More than 40% of individual corals monitored around a Great Barrier Reef island were killed last year in the most widespread coral bleaching outbreak to hit the reef system, a study has found.

Saving the ‘kidneys’ of the Great Barrier Reef

20 Dec 24 - In Queensland, Australia, once-unlivable wetlands are now attracting birds and fish while also reconnecting Indigenous youth with the land.

No glue, chains or locks: Victoria’s antisemitism crackdown a smokescreen to target climate protesters, critics say

20 Dec 24 - The Victorian government has been accused of “shoehorning” new anti-protest measures that could be used to crack down on the climate movement into reforms touted as necessary to combat antisemitism.

As the heat soars, dangers mount in Sydney’s parks and playgrounds

18 Dec 24 - In the state’s far west, the temperature was oppressive on Monday, reaching well into the 40s as residents braced for the prospect of Australian heat records being shattered.

Australia leads the world in arresting climate and environment protesters

17 Dec 24 - Australian police are world leaders at arresting climate and environmental protesters.

Australia accused of undermining landmark climate change case brought by Pacific nations in international court

4 Dec 24 - Vanuatu leads the charge of several nations arguing developed nations have a legal responsibility beyond UN commitments.

‘Unprecedented’ climate extremes are everywhere. Our baselines for what’s normal will need to change

4 Dec 24 - Extreme temperature and rainfall events are increasing around the world, including Australia. What makes them extreme is their rarity and severity compared to the typical climate.

Albanese government says Australia on target to reduce emissions – but campaigners say it could do more

2 Dec 24 - Departmental analysis includes contentious measurements but climate minister says government is cleaning up after ‘decade of denial, delay, dysfunction and utter neglect’.

Carbon footprint of a total knee replacement in Australia on par with driving a car from Brisbane to Sydney

27 Nov 24 - Researchers have calculated the greenhouse gas impact from a single knee replacement. A three-hour operation has similar emissions compared to a 914-kilometre car trip.

170 climate protesters arrested after allegedly disrupting shipping in New South Wales

26 Nov 24 - Two protesters have been granted bail after facing court on charges relating to an anti-fossil fuel demonstration that allegedly disrupted the shipping channel leading into the world's largest coal...

Australia commits additional $50 million to deal with climate change

21 Nov 24 - The Australian government has committed an extra $50 million towards a global fund to deal with the loss and damage caused by climate change.

Australia accused of ‘exporting climate destruction’ on tiny Pacific neighbours with massive gas expansion plans

20 Nov 24 - Pacific governments at a UN climate summit are criticising Australia’s plans for a massive gas industry expansion in Western Australia, saying it could result in 125 times more greenhouse gas...

Is Australia's migration system ready for rising numbers of climate refugees?

19 Nov 24 - Australia is now obligated to help Tuvalu when it calls for help to respond to "the devastating impacts of climate change."

Australian engineer says Elon Musk, JD Vance key to US climate policy under Donald Trump

13 Nov 24 - An Australian engineer says billionaire Elon Musk and vice-president-elect JD Vance could become unexpected climate allies under the Trump administration.

Dams have taken half the water from Australia’s second biggest river – and climate change will make it even worse

7 Nov 24 - The largest wetland on Australia’s second longest river, the Murrumbidgee in the southern Murray-Darling Basin, is drying up. This is bad news for the plants, animals and people who rely on the vast...

Landmark court case sees activist group sue gas giant Santos for allegedly misleading investors

30 Oct 24 - Gas giant Santos told investors it had a clear plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2040 but had no evidence to back it up, the Federal Court has heard during the first morning of litigation against...

COP this – gas is not a climate solution

30 Oct 24 - Hosting COP31 climate talks is an opportunity to showcase South Australia to the world, writes Belinda Noble, but not if we allow it to promote gas.

Why the time is right for Australia’s second shot at carbon pricing

25 Oct 24 - By Ross Garnaut | OPINION: Australia now has a government and parliament wanting to build Australia as the renewable energy superpower of the zero-carbon world economy.

Qantas accused of greenwashing as climate advocates lodge complaint over sustainability, net zero claims

17 Oct 24 - An environmental advocacy group has lodged a complaint with the consumer watchdog over claims Qantas makes on sustainability and climate.