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When Australia’s first Environment Ambassador helped save Antarctica from mining

March 15, 2024

By Professor Caitlin Byrne Published on March 15, 2024 Australia appointed its first-ever Ambassador for the Environment just over 30 years ago, in 1989. Taken up by former High Court judge and Governor-General, Sir Ninian Stephen, the appointment was a surprise to many, including Stephen himself. Sir Ninian Stephen was a surprise appointment as Australia’s inaugural Ambassador for the Environment in 1989. Picture: Commonwealth of Australia / WikimediaIt also represented an important juncture in Australian diplomacy with international cooperation on environmental issues, taking on a new emphasis in the nation’s foreign policy.

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Victoria’s new habitat law fails to protect a tiny endangered species

March 14, 2024

By Eddie Tsyrlin Published on March 14, 2024 Australia’s unique and diverse wildlife is a source of national pride and global fascination. But this reputation is marred by our country’s alarming rate of species extinction. Australia has already earned the dubious title of the world leader in mammal extinction – and invertebrate (animals like spiders, worms, snails, lobsters, crabs and insects) extinctions are likely to follow. Mount Donna Buang Wingless Stonefly is one of only three wingless stonefly species in Australia.

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Could your GP prescribe a Parkrun instead of a pill?

March 13, 2024

By Si\u00e2n Slade Published on March 13, 2024 The old adage is a “pill for every ill”. But what if a GP prescribed you joining an art class, a choir or a Parkrun? Or what if, as well as referring you to medical support services, they also refer you to financial or legal services, or even housing support, all with the aim of improving your health? A GP might ‘prescribe’ an art class to help improve someone’s health.

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Once just a speck of light, now revealed as the biggest known galaxy in the early Universe

March 12, 2024

By Dr Kit Boyett Published on March 12, 2024 Astronomers are currently enjoying a fruitful period of discovery, investigating the many mysteries of the early Universe. The successful launch of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), a successor to NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, has pushed the limit of what we can see. The James Webb Telescope — the largest and most powerful device of its kind ever launched into space — uses a 6.

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Australia’s media isn’t accurately reporting all sides of the Murray-Darling Basin debate

March 11, 2024

By Dr Anna Kosovac Published on March 11, 2024 We have a problem with reporting environmental water issues in the Murray-Darling Basin – and it’s not good for anyone, least of all the environment. Our research team – which includes experts from law, hydrology, planning, policy and media – analysed media reporting in the major Australian print and online news outlets over 20 years and found that the way environmental water is framed is far more likely to be anti- than pro-environmental water.

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