Sharks, shrimp and seagrass are all valued parts of our coastal ecosystems, but they are also at the centre of conflicts over how people use the coasts. In this talk,…
We can’t save everything from climate change – here’s how to make choices
Recent reports have delivered sobering messages about climate change and its consequences. They include the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C; the fourth installment of…
Why we don’t know if Irukandji jellyfish are moving south
Reports that Irukandji jellyfish might be moving south may be panicking people unnecessarily. It’s almost impossible to tell where the tiny jellyfish are along our coast, but that could change with new technology that…
The Darling River is simply not supposed to dry out, even in drought
The deaths of a million of fish in the lower Darling River system over the past few weeks should come as no surprise. Quite apart from specific warnings given to…
Billions invested in Australia’s water reform – but is the journey over?
In the past 12 years, Australian governments have invested more than $13 billion in water reforms designed to tackle increasing water demands, ageing water infrastructure, inefficient water use and uncertain…
Can buying up fishing licences save Australia’s sharks?
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) recently raised over A$200,000 to buy shark fishing licences in Queensland’s waters. They estimate the licences, for operating nets in and around the Great Barrier…
A One-Stop Shop for Riparian Vegetation Management
The vegetation that grows alongside creeks and rivers, known as the riparian–zone, is one of our most valuable ecosystems. Dr Samantha Capon from Griffith University’s Australian Rivers Institute (ARI) has…
How Universities fit into the Paris Climate Agreement
A landmark agreement to cut the world’s reliance on fossil fuels and thus slow the pace of global warming presents an important opportunity for universities, says Griffith University’s Professor Brendan…
A solution for the ailing Great Barrier Reef
Our team from Griffith University’s Australian Rivers Institute has identified thousands of hectares of rapidly eroding gullies in the rivers that feed fine sediment into the waters of the ailing…
Shark culls could affect climate change
If you knew that there was zero percent chance of being eaten by a shark, would you swim more often? Rhetorical questions aside, the fear of being eaten has a…