Posts – Page 64 – ECOS

The water underground: the future of water in Perth

The aquifers below Perth and its surrounds store an important source of water for the city that is running low. Researchers are now exploring the potential of these aquifers to store, transport and even further treat wastewater that is currently being discarded, to provide a secure source of water into the future.

FactCheck Q&A: Did coal seam gas or the economic downturn cause US carbon emissions to level off?

CSIRO's Pep Canadell fact checks statements made on ABC program Q&A, 31 August 2015, about what caused US carbon emissions to level off. Reviewed by Allan Layton.

It’s all ‘bout the bats, ‘bout the bats, just published

A look at the recent and rapid progress of research into bats and the viruses they harbour and the role bats play as hosts to many major zoonotic viruses.

Living on air: uncovering bacterial mysteries for agriculture and climate

Scientists have solved one of the mysteries of certain soil bacteria that allows them to persist without an apparent source of sustenance. It might lead to solutions for improving agricultural production while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Diving for treasure to help protect the world’s great reefs

Amid growing demand for seafood, gas and other resources drawn from the world’s oceans, and growing stresses from climate change, we examine some of the challenges and solutions for developing “the blue economy” in smarter, more sustainable ways. For example, could the diving industry, long criticised as contributing to declines in coral reef health around the world, better contribute to reef conservation?

2015-16 is shaping up to deliver a rollercoaster from strong El Niño to La Niña

The anticipation is growing that this year’s newly formed El Niño will turn out to be very big. All climate models surveyed by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology are currently predicting a strong event later this year.

Protecting Australia’s Lake Eyre basin means getting our priorities right

Taking into account the rivers that drain into it and where they come from, the Lake Eyre Basin is one of largest inland draining systems in the world, the size of Germany, France and Italy combined.

Nanopesticides: a promising new pesticide solution?

Nanopesticides are being hailed as an emerging technology that will minimise the adverse effects of pesticides on people and the environment, but is there sufficient evidence to convince the regulators?

Putting Australian Indigenous knowledge on the world map

Indigenous knowledge could soon sit side-by-side with western science in the world’s most comprehensive repository of information about Australia’s plant and animal species—the Atlas of Living Australia. Pilot projects in Arnhem Land and Cape York are revealing how the Atlas might support the needs and aspirations of different Traditional Owner groups.