A group of Australia’s leading water scientists has released an independent statement setting out what the Murray-Darling Basin Plan must achieve to secure a sustainable future for the severely degraded ecological assets of the Basin

Australian agriculture needs to urgently adapt to climate change according to a CSIRO book launched this month titled “Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change: Preparing Australian Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry for the Future.” The book covers numerous types of agriculture, aquaculture and forestry practices, proposing options for how practitioners can adapt.

Dr Ken Henry, head of the national Treasury, says experts from the government and other sectors are undervaluing the importance of the environment and biodiversity for future generations, for example the potential to develop “new or improved food crops, medicines and industrial products from our biological diversity.”

A population of yellow-spotted bell frogs, a species believed extinct for over 30 years, has been discovered in the Southern Tablelands region of NSW. A small number of the tadpoles and frogs have been moved to Taronga Zoo, with plans for breeding a back-up population and reintroducing them into the wild.

Environmental groups have condemned a deal that locks in the use of brown coal to power the Alcoa aluminium smelter until 2036. According to Environment Victoria’s Mark Wakeham, Alcoa should be pursuing opportunities to incorporate renewable energy sources in its electricity supply if it is serious about providing jobs in regional Victoria.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has been placed under scrutiny and will undergo independent review following a mistake found in a 2007 report. UN member states are calling for a fully independent board of scientists, which should bring out a report by August. The review will also decide whether the use of non [...]

The Auditor General has agreed to immediately commence an audit into the mismanagement of the Green Loans Scheme, following referral of the issues to him by Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne.

The proportion of Bristish adults who believe climate change is “definitely” a reality dropped by 30% over the last year, from 44% to 31%, according to a recent survey. Negative publicity about climate science is thought to be a major reason behind the decline, and is expected to make the task of persuading the public to [...]

Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett is introducing a household renewable energy bonus scheme, reportedly to replace the troubled home insulation rebate program. The Government has also announced changes to regulations in an effort to increase safety for both households and installation workers involved in programs to improve household energy efficiency.

While so much of Australia is suffering from drought, the Sunshine Coast has an oversupply of water with most dams at near capacity and two overflowing after heavy recent rains. The situation may cast Queensland’s water management plans in a new light.