Environment

Ancient secretsAncient soils key to rich ecology

An Albany scientist’s research on ecological evolution has revealed the world’s richest ecosystems grow in ancient soils, such as those on WA’s south coast.

Kellie Balaam

EnvironmentEU energy plants oozing planet-warming gas

With the EU poised to act a study has found natural gas infrastructure across Europe is sending large amounts of the greenhouse gas methane into the atmosphere.

Kate Abnett and Shadia Nasralla

EnvironmentWorkers hit coal seam at Adani mine in Qld

The company formerly known as Adani Australia has struck coal at its controversial Queensland mine and is on track to begin exports later this year.

Tracey Ferrier

EnvironmentNT agricultural water licence revoked

The Northern Territory has revoked a massive agricultural project's water licence after finding the original assessment didn't account for climate change.

Aaron Bunch

ExclusiveToy giant LEGO’s ground-breaking change to bricks

Australian children could soon be playing with a very different kind of LEGO as the toy giant expands its green credentials.

Zoe Smith

EnvironmentUNESCO urges hold on Tas wilderness plans

Tourism development in Tasmania's World Wilderness Heritage Area should be put on ice until a comprehensive cultural assessment is completed, UNESCO has urged.

Ethan James

forest managementSubmissions open on forest logging plan

Margaret River’s forest activists will be sharpening their pencils at news consultation is about to get underway for the next South West forest management plan.

headland horrorGroup demands action on contamination concerns

The Preserve Gnarabup protest group continues to raise warnings about the capacity and alleged contaminated run-off into Gas Bay.

Holistic concernsMiners shuffle deck on risk

Community relations and maintaining a social licence to operate are a rapidly growing risk for the mining industry, while the COVID-19 pandemic has also emerged as a new threat.

Danielle Le Messurier

firewood ain’t freeCold snap brings out illegal tree cutters

Residents are on notice they face serious penalties for illegally clearing trees for firewood from thick forest inland from Margaret River.

Coral bleachingGreat Barrier Reef ‘in danger’ UNESCO says

Australia has been "blindsided" by a recommendation to list the Great Barrier Reef as a world heritage site "in danger" and says it will contest the decision.

Nick Gibbs

EnvironmentFree trees to green up and cool Sydney

The NSW government is giving away more than 25,000 trees to homes in Greater Sydney to make suburbs greener and reduce heat build-up.

Sian Phillips

Climate pressureOil and gas industry needs to lift its talking game

As pressure from climate change activists and investors grows, energy companies have to convince their critics they have a future in a decarbonising world.

Sean Smith

EnvironmentJuukan inquiry looks into Glencore NT mine

Traditional owners of the country around Glencore's McArthur River Mine in the Northern Territory have testified to the Juukan federal parliamentary inquiry.

Aaron Bunch

EnvironmentUS ends Cambodia aid over deforestation

Worsening deforestation and the silencing of those who speak out about the destruction of natural resources has led the US to withdraw a Cambodian aid program.

AAP

Environmental meetingGovernment urged to change burning practices

A host of top environmental academics, community members and traditional owners have spoken passionately about alternative methods for prescribed burning in WA.

Ben Loughran

EnvironmentMinister seeks win on economy, environment

The federal environment minister is guardian of one of Australia's most polarising portfolios and is holding firm on laws to speed up approvals and investment.

Marion Rae

APPEA conferencePitt clashes with ‘green activists’ over fossil fuels

Greenpeace has returned fire after Federal Resources Minister Keith Pitt singled the group out as he railed against the “activism” opposing the development of new gas fields.

Sean Smith

EnvironmentSA irrigators get full water allocations

South Australia has set water allocations for irrigators along the Murray at 100 per cent for the start of the new water year in July.

Tim Dornin

EnvironmentNZ Milford Track sells out in record time

New Zealand's Department of Conservation has opened bookings for its 2021-22 Great Walk season, including the Milford Track.

Ben McKay

eco-friendly missionPraise flows down to group for water-quality vision

The not-for-profit group was last year granted $904,000 to manage seven waterways in the region until 2024 and last week gave State Government representatives an update on the progress of the project.

Kasper Johansen

Emissions take-offPerth Airport targets net zero by 2030

Perth Airport will push towards achieving 50 per cent renewable energy across its operations as part of an ambitious plan to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.

Geoffrey Thomas

EnvironmentPlastic coffee cups out by late 2022 in WA

Single-use plastic takeaway coffee cups and lids will be phased out in Western Australia by the end of 2022 as the state expedites its plastics program.

AAP

Green pushWA goes early on single-use plastic ban

WA had originally planned to end to the use sale of plastic straws and plastic takeaway coffee cups by 2026 but now an ambitious new date has been set.

Briana Fiore