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Professor Melissa Nursey-Bray selected as Australian Government Representative for Global IPBES Workshop
Congratulations to Professor Melissa Nursey-Bray, Environment Institute member and research initiative lead for people, nature, climate, who has been selected by the Australian Government to represent Australia at a global IPBES workshop.
Learning fiery lessons for durable law reform: Recruiting now for a fully funded PhD project
This project will help to address a significant knowledge gap by examining what ‘better’ bushfire laws could look like in Australia. This PhD position is fully funded and includes a ‘top up’ stipend.ÌýApplications open until 30 July 2025 (or until position is filled). Candidate must commence by 30 September 2025.
Deputy Director Damien Fordham Joins Screening and Panel Discussion for OCEAN with David Attenborough Event
Environment Institute Deputy Director Associate Professor Damien Fordham will be a guest panellist for OCEAN with David Attenborough. Presented by Wild Earth Oceania (WEO), the event will take place on May 15 at 6:00 PM at The screening will be followed by a Q&A panel discussion.
How Urban Greening is Shaping the Cities of Tomorrow
Environment Institute member and Lead of the Green Urban Futures Initiative, Professor Veronica Soebarto, has contributed to the recently published paper in Frontiers in Sustainable Cities journal Urban greening for climate resilient and sustainable cities: grand challenges and opportunities.
[Read more about How Urban Greening is Shaping the Cities of Tomorrow]
South Australian Biodiversity Under Threat from Ongoing Drought Crisis
Three Environment Institute members have featured in The Guardian, shedding light on how South Australia’s historic dry spell is impacting ecosystems. Dr Stefan Caddy-Retalic spoke on widespread tree dieback across the Adelaide Hills, Dr Jess Marsh raised alarms for the critically endangered Kangaroo Island assassin spider, and Dr Katja Hogendoorn warned of a looming collapse in native bee populations.
[Read more about South Australian Biodiversity Under Threat from Ongoing Drought Crisis]
Is Australia Ready for a 20-Year Megadrought?
Australia’s droughts are becoming longer and more intense, new research from Dr Georgy Falster at 91×ÔÅÄ suggests the country could face megadroughts lasting 20 or more years. Supported by an ARC DECRA Fellowship, Dr Falster is taking a holistic approach by combining historical data from tree rings, weather records, and climate models to better understand past droughts and predict future risks. Her work aims to improve national preparedness and ensure droughts don’t become disasters.
[Read more about Is Australia Ready for a 20-Year Megadrought?]
New Methods Discovered to Repurpose Lignin
Environment Institute member Dr Fiona Whelan and Associate Professor Stephen Bell, have developed a new sustainable method to repurpose lignin waste. Using an enzyme from the bacterium Amycolatopsis thermoflava, they’ve created a more environmentally friendly way to break down lignin, a common by-product from forestry.Ìý
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[Read more about New Methods Discovered to Repurpose Lignin]
Rising Temperatures Linked to Growing Mental Health Burden in Australia
Environment Institute member Professor Peng Bi has led a landmark study that links rising temperatures to an increasing burden of mental and behavioural disorders in Australia, including depression and anxiety. The data highlights the urgent need for climate adaption, as it projected up to a 50% increased in mental health impacts by 2050 if no action is taken.ÌýThe peer-reviewed study was published in Nature Climate Change and featured in ABCÌýOnline.
[Read more about Rising Temperatures Linked to Growing Mental Health Burden in Australia]
2024 Resilient Youth Report Finds Concerning Decline in Students Connection to Nature
The recently released 2024 Resilient Youth Report by WiLDLab reveals a concerning decline in students' connection to nature. For the first time, the report links this disconnection to student wellbeing, as highlighted by project lead and Environment Institute member Dr Mark Kohler.
'Steering Sustainability' a FAME Podcast
Join Professor Melissa Nursey-Bray and Dr Ariane Gienger as they dive into the complexities of building a sustainable future in their podcast, Steering Sustainability. Each episode features engaging conversations with leading experts, offering both sobering and hopeful insights into how we can create lasting positive change.
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