Environment
'Unprecedented dryness' points to busy fire season in Australia's east
Record heat and well below average rainfall has primed forested areas of eastern Australia for an early and busier than usual bushfire season, according to fire authorities and researchers.
- by Peter Hannam
Latest
'Get ready now': Millions at risk from bushfires
Recent rainfalls in NSW have not been enough to abate the high chance of bushfires this season, warns the Rural Fire Service.
Energy
Shell-backed startup creates fuel from carbon dioxide and fake sunlight
A startup company backed by energy giant Shell has developed a method to turn carbon dioxide into fuel by adding fake sunlight.
- by Cole Latimer
Opinion
Gladys Berejiklian
Fishing gone: I hope the oceans will still be there for my son
We all have an interest in healthy oceans - not only as the home of fish for the future but as the life support systems of the planet.
- by Justin Field
Renewables
'Overwhelming' economics favour accelerating shift from coal, reports say
Massive opportunities will come with the transition to low-carbon economies but the costs will also be huge if we don't, two new reports find.
- by Peter Hannam
Marine life
Endangered hammerhead sharks die on baited hooks in Great Barrier Reef
The images show two scalloped hammerhead sharks dangling lifelessly on drum lines used by the Queensland government under its shark control program.
- by Sonia Kohlbacher
Extreme weather
First burst of spring to nudge mercury to high 20s in parts of Sydney
The first notable burst of spring heat will sweep across south-eastern Australia early next week, sending temperatures into the mid- to high-20s in Sydney by Wednesday.
- by Peter Hannam
Marine life
Sydney's marine life turning troppo as coral, other species head south
Tropical corals have been found further south than ever before - and so are many other species as our waters warm.
- by Peter Hannam
Extreme weather
Parrots flock to Sydney amid NSW's record warmth, deepening drought
Sydney's driest start to a year since 1968 appears to be encouraging a trend that has nudged large flocks of parrots to set up home in Sydney's parks.
- by Peter Hannam
Marine life
Angling for a marine park: poll finds support for coastal protection
Backing for a proposed marine park reaches as high as 90 per cent in four coastal electorates, which supporters hope will counter opposition from angler groups.
- by Peter Hannam
Extreme weather
'Christmas-tree effect': Conifers start to conk out in Sydney's big dry
The impact of Sydney's driest start to a year in half a century is starting to spread, with exotic conifers among the first trees to wilt.
- by Peter Hannam