The Conversation’s #SetTheAgenda poll has closed and more than 10,000 readers have taken the time to let us know what matters most to them in the lead-up to the federal election.

Climate change is the number one issue. When we asked “What issue is having the greatest impact on your life right now?”, 62.3% of people said climate change. Respondents could choose up to three topics. The next most common answers were: the environment (28.4%); cost of living (19.9%), misinformation (19.3%) and housing (14%).

Climate change, renewable energy and emissions reduction also featured highly in responses to the question “What do you want the candidates to be talking about as they compete for votes?”, along with mentions of integrity, corruption and a federal ICAC.

Over the coming days we’ll spend more time reading and thinking about your individual responses and how we can implement them. In the meantime, it’s very clear climate change and the environment are at the top of many of your “to do” lists.

With that in mind, you might like to tune in on Facebook today at 12.30pm to hear Australian National University paleoclimate scientist Nerilie Abrams and Griffith University climate policy expert Wesley Morgan speaking with The Conversation’s Environment + Energy Editor Nicole Hasham.

They’ll be discussing how climate change is affecting Australia, whether the major parties’ policies are commensurate with the threat, and what climate action the next government should prioritise in 2022 and beyond.

Audience questions are encouraged – so please register to take part.

Misha Ketchell

Editor & Executive Director

4 ways we can change our behaviour to adapt to the climate crisis

Stefan Kaufman, Monash University

How can we, personally, prepare for a future with not only more frequent natural disasters, but one that will also profoundly change the environment, communities and the economy?

A year of hunger: how the Russia-Ukraine war is worsening climate-linked food shortages

Ro McFarlane, University of Canberra; Nenad Naumovski, University of Canberra; Shawn Somerset, University of Canberra

Climate change is already cutting crop yields. War and unrest are likely to compound these issues for food-importing nations.

Who will call out the misogyny and abuse undermining women’s academic freedom in our universities?

Richard Shaw, Massey University; Andrew Dickson, Massey University; Bevan Erueti, Massey University; Glenn Banks, Massey University; John O'Neill, Massey University; Roger McEwan, Massey University

With academic freedom comes moral responsibility. Men within New Zealand universities – and beyond – must challenge misogynistic abuse of their women colleagues and not stay silent.

What will Elon Musk’s ownership of Twitter mean for ‘free speech’ on the platform?

John Hawkins, University of Canberra; Michael James Walsh, University of Canberra

Musk has long touted Twitter’s potential as an open and inclusive ‘town square’ for public discourse – but the reality is social media platforms were never meant to fulfil this role.

There are 4 economic wildcards between now and election day. The first gets played this week

Peter Martin, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University

Of the news on prices, wages, interest rates and unemployment, only the unemployment update looks set to be positive for the Coalition.

Morrison, Dutton go hard on national security - but will it have any effect on the election?

Tony Walker, La Trobe University

Elections where a national security threat have been a major talking point have historically played well for incumbent governments. But this time is different.

Want to cut your chance of catching COVID on a plane? Wear a mask and avoid business class

Thea van de Mortel, Griffith University

All up, your risk of catching COVID on a flight is very low. But there are things you can do to lower that risk even further.

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