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Editor's note
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Federal energy minister Angus Taylor this week unveiled a shortlist of electricity projects under consideration for government dollars. On the list are six pumped hydro projects, five gas plants… and one refurbishment of an old coal station. Energy analyst Mark Diesendorf points out, pumped hydro is exactly the right focus because this technology can cover gaps in wind and solar energy that are too long to be handled by batteries. But he
wonders why coal is anywhere near the list, given wind and solar will soon be cheaper (and of course greener) even than existing, paid-for coal plants, let alone ones that need hefty cash injections.
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Michael Hopkin
Editor: Energy + Environment
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Top story
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Energy Minister Angus Taylor has six pumped hydro projects on his list, and most are better taxpayer investments than the already announced Snowy 2.0 project.
AAP Image/Lukas Coch
Mark Diesendorf, UNSW
Twelve power projects are in the running for federal government dollars: six pumped hydro, five gas and one coal. It's clear which one shouldn't be on the list, for economic and environmental reasons.
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Environment + Energy
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Belinda Medlyn, Western Sydney University; Brendan Choat, Western Sydney University; Martin De Kauwe, UNSW
Climate extremes are killing Australian trees, but we don't know where they're dying. Scientists are asking the public to use their phones to help.
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Benjamin Scheele, Australian National University; Claire Foster, Australian National University
Chytrid fungus has caused declines in 501 amphibian species, according to a new analysis. Most of the damage happened in the 1980s, before the fungus itself was even discovered.
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Business + Economy
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Warren Hogan, University of Technology Sydney
Money has been pouring in, and on Tuesday the government will spend it almost as fast, leaving little for its successors.
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François Lévêque, Mines ParisTech
The humble zipper has some profound things to tell us about innovation, competitive advantage and international trade.
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Politics + Society
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
Deep Saini speaks to Michelle Grattan about the week in politics.
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Chris Salisbury, The University of Queensland
One Nation, particularly in Queensland, has attracted voters who feel "left out" of mainstream politics. But the Coalition's intermittent courting of the party may end with this week's revelations.
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Eric Windholz, Monash University
Online trolling is a workplace health and safety issue. The AFL must expose and sanction those responsible – anything less would not only be morally debatable, but also legally questionable.
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Health + Medicine
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Jack Collins, University of Sydney; Andrew McLachlan, University of Sydney; Carl Schneider, University of Sydney; Rebekah Moles, University of Sydney; Stephen Carter, University of Sydney
A greater number of medicines may soon be available without a prescription. Under the right circumstances, this would mean you could bypass the doctor and access the treatments you need more quickly.
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Michelle Stratemeyer, University of Melbourne; Adriana Vargas Saenz, University of Melbourne; Elise Holland, University of Melbourne
Traditional notions of masculinity affect the health and well-being of men and those around them. Here's how we can challenge these stereotypes.
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Cities
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Rachel Carey, University of Melbourne; Jennifer Sheridan, University of Melbourne; Kirsten Larsen, University of Melbourne
City fringe foodbowls supply much of our fresh produce and can increase climate resilience by making better use of wastewater and organic waste. A new roadmap outlines how to protect these foodbowls.
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Rhonda Itaoui, Western Sydney University; Kevin Dunn, Western Sydney University
Muslims need places where they feel safe from Islamophobia. And being made to feel unwelcome has lasting impacts – Muslims still avoid Cronulla beach, the scene of anti-Muslim riots in 2005.
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Arts + Culture
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Alice Gorman, Flinders University
This year the Apollo 11 mission turns 50 - but what does the future hold for the Moon? The ephemeral shadows cast by human artefacts may soon be joined by more permanent scars of lunar mining.
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Richard Colledge, Australian Catholic University
Cult film The Matrix was released 20 years ago this month. From Plato to Baudrillard, the film explored philosophical dilemmas we are still wrestling with today.
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Education
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Jeffrey Gil, Flinders University
The government is asking universities to register the Confucius Institutes they host under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme. So, what are these institutes and what do they teach?
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Science + Technology
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James Parker, University of Melbourne
Smart speakers can listen out for more than just your voice commands at home. They can hear what's going on around you and react, security systems can even listen out for gunshots.
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Daniel Natusch, Macquarie University; Grahame Webb, Charles Darwin University; Rick Shine, University of Sydney
When small regional communities see economic value in animals like snakes and crocodiles, people are motivated to invest in their protection.
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Featured jobs
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University of Tasmania — Rozelle, New South Wales
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RMIT University — Melbourne, Victoria
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University of Melbourne — Parkville, Victoria
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Monash University — Caulfield East, Victoria
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Featured events
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The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia — University of Sydney
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Level 17 - 133 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia — University of Sydney
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The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia — University of Sydney
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1 Convention Centre Place South Wharf , Melbourne, Victoria, 3006, Australia — MCEC/Club Melbourne
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