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What happened to winter? Crisp, cool days have given way to scorching, searing heat across large parts of Australia, with unseasonal weather set to continue into the coming week.
On Friday, parts of South Australia and the Northern Territory were 15°C above average. Oodnadatta in outback SA broke the state’s winter temperature record. More records tumbled over the weekend.
A 40°C heatwave in August sounds like a joke, except it’s not funny. As Andrew King explains: “Climate change is already increasing the frequency and intensity of this kind of winter heat – and future warm spells will be hotter still, if humanity’s greenhouse gas emissions continue.”
Meanwhile, a devastating new report reveals what is at stake for the Great Barrier Reef if human greenhouse emissions continue unabated. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority concedes the reef will continue to deteriorate, largely due to climate change, and the window to secure its future is rapidly closing.
As Ove Hoegh-Guldberg writes, we are “failing the Great Barrier Reef and indeed, coral reefs across the planet”.
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Clare Peddie
Deputy Environment + Energy Editor
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Andrew King, The University of Melbourne
Record-breaking winter warmth has been felt across large parts of Australia, with more to come in coming days. A climate scientist explains what’s going on.
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Rolf Gerritsen, Charles Darwin University
The CLP has won majority government in an election that saw the Labor Chief Minister lose government and her own seat.
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
An “aviation industry ombuds scheme with a disability will be among measures the federal government will announce on Monday to force airlines to address the extensive public discontent.
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Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, The University of Queensland
Humanity risks losing the beautiful, complex reefs that have existed on Earth for millennia. Governments and officials have now acknowledged this devastating fact.
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Adrian Esterman, University of South Australia
For the majority of the population, the risk appears to be very low. And for the higher-risk groups, we should be able to manage any outbreaks.
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Emmanuel Josserand, University of Technology Sydney; Martijn Boersma, University of Sydney
Having a law that allows the right to disconnect is one thing, commitment to that right is another.
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David Levinson, University of Sydney; Andres Fielbaum, University of Sydney; Emily Moylan, University of Sydney
Between them, the Queensland and ACT trials of almost free and free public transport could change how fares are set in Australia.
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Nils Birkholz, University of Otago
Viruses known as ‘phages’ might become an essential tool, as antibiotic-resistant bacteria threaten conventional remedies.
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Susanne Lloyd-Jones, UNSW Sydney; Kayleen Manwaring, UNSW Sydney
An ‘80s-style accord may be the best way to find consensus in the uncertain and divided arena of quantum technology.
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Ian Parmeter, Australian National University
Middle East expert Ian Parmeter has been Australia’s ambassador to Lebanon. In his charming, deeply informed review of a new book, Lebanon Days, he draws on his own memories and experiences.
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Politics + Society
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Adrian Beaumont, The University of Melbourne
Kamala Harris continues to gain over Republican rival Donald Trump. Meanwhile, the Country Liberal Party thrashes Labor in the Northern Territory election.
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Emma Shortis, RMIT University
The Democratic nominee used her speech to tell her story and distinguish herself from Donald Trump - but it also hinted at issues that may yet cause the Democrats trouble.
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Paula Gerber, Monash University
In Tickle vs Giggle, the court had to consider where gender identity sits in the Sex Discrimination Act. The landmark decision sets up a precedent to protect transgender people nationally.
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Health + Medicine
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Nial Wheate, Macquarie University; Tina Hinton, University of Sydney
People with illnesses that can’t be cured are often in intense pain and discomfort. They rely on opioids such as morphine for relief.
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Lauren Ball, The University of Queensland; Emily Burch, Southern Cross University
Cottage cheese has had a glow up. Forget bland and boring, and embrace the social media trend.
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Gergely Toldi, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Mariana Muelbert, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
The infant formula market in Australia and New Zealand is valued at about AU$500 million annually. But far less money goes towards supporting mothers to breastfeed.
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Science + Technology
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Bangle Wu, Australian National University; Ehsan Nabavi, Australian National University
There are more so-called “forever chemicals” than you might know of. And although they may have already contaminated our environment, we don’t need to continue using them.
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Environment + Energy
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Euan Ritchie, Deakin University; Kate Umbers, Western Sydney University
Engaging and scientifically accurate children’s books on Australian animals are sorely lacking. Fostering more collaboration between authors and scientists can enrich children’s literature.
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Graham Edgar, University of Tasmania
We studied 230 fisheries around the world, and found populations of many overfished species are in far worse condition than has been reported.
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Education
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James Pengelley, Murdoch University; Anabela Malpique, Edith Cowan University; Nina Rovis-Hermann, Murdoch University
Our two recent studies suggest the way students respond to test questions on computers may not be the same as on paper.
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Arts + Culture
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Jacqueline Burgess, University of the Sunshine Coast
China could be considered the sleeping lion awakening in the global gaming industry. And there’s plenty of ‘soft power’ to be exerted through its ventures.
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Books + Ideas
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Jenny Grigg, RMIT University
Jenny Grigg is the talented book designer behind The Luminaries and Gerald Murnane’s last book. We asked her to explain how covers communicate – and how they can fall short.
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Business + Economy
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Geetanjali Saluja, University of Technology Sydney; Nitika Garg, UNSW Sydney
And will it help or harm them? As the looming US presidential election brings these questions into sharper focus, here are some things companies should keep in mind.
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Auckland University of Technology
Auckland, New Zealand
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