Read the latest opinion articles inspired by science.

Aerial photo of a saltpan

Australia just committed $207 million to a major satellite program. What is it, and why do we need it?

Landsat Nextis the next generation of an Earth observation satellite program from which Australia has benefited for over 40 years. Here's what it means for Australia.

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A triptych of images shows a woman photographed in black and white, her facial expressions different in each image. She is wearing glasses and looks both serious and sad.
Mon, 20 Dec 2021

Researchers have found that scientists are experiencing diverse, complex, and often contrasting emotions about the fate of the planet.

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Fire over hills burning red at night.
Mon, 29 Nov 2021

As climate change worsens, bushfires are likely to become more intense and frequent. We must find new ways of managing bushfires to prevent catastrophic events. Satellite data can help in this task.

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Thu, 11 Nov 2021

Australia’s largest parrot, the palm cockatoo, is justifiably famous as the only non-human animal to craft tools for sound. They create drumsticks to make a rhythmic beat. Sadly, the “Ringo Starr” of the bird world is now threatened with extinction – just as many other parrots are around the world.

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Aerial view of ANU campus, showing buildings and ovals.
Wed, 03 Nov 2021

At the United Nations climate summit in Glasgow, more than 90 nations signed a global pledge led by the United States and United Kingdom to cut methane emissions. However, Australia was not among them.

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Large multi storied building on university campus.
Mon, 25 Oct 2021

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is poised to announce Australia will adopt a target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The pledge is long overdue – but the science tells us 2050 is about a decade too late to reach net-zero.

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Aerial view of ANU campus, showing buildings, ovals and Black Mountain.
Tue, 28 Sep 2021

Technologies to harness the power of water are touted as crucial for a low-emissions future. But over many decades, the hydropower industry has caused serious damage to the environment and people’s lives.

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Aerial view of ANU campus, showing buildings, ovals and Black Mountain.
Thu, 23 Sep 2021

Even though earthquakes happen all the time, we still can’t predict when the next one will strike, or where, or how big it will be. Unfortunately, we may never be able to make that kind of prediction.

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Square brick building behind a garden
Fri, 17 Sep 2021

Many native species can all be found in vegetation along fences and roadsides outside formal conservation areas. And yet, the NSW government last week made it legal for rural landholders to clear vegetation on their properties, up to 25 metres from their property boundaries, without approval.

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University avenue through Kambri precinct with buildings and trees.
Thu, 16 Sep 2021

The Australian government has just declared an historic defence agreement with the United States and United Kingdom that will see a new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines patrol our shores and surrounding waters.

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