Melting ice leaves sled dogs walking on water
weatherA photo of a pack of sled dogs appearing to walk on water in Greenland has shocked the world, showing the result of a massive ice melt on an unusually warm day last week
Adani coal mine given the green light
environmentAfter nine years, nine legal reviews and $3.7 billion to get it started, the controversial Adani megamine in Queensland has been given the green light to start construction
Lego’s big search for plant-based plastic
environmentBricks made from corn were too soft and wheat-based bricks didn’t absorb colour evenly or have enough shine, but toymaker Lego is still trying to switch to plant-based plastic
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‘Ice pirate’ plots to ‘steal’ a massive iceberg
A cold, bold plan to tow a 113 million-tonne iceberg from Antarctica to South Africa for drinking water is all set to go ahead within months
World Environment Day: reasons to care about air
This year’s World Environment Day theme is air pollution, which is causing ill health and shortening the lives of millions. There are simple things we can all do to help clean up our air
Where is Migaloo, the famous white whale?
As whale watching season begins in Australia, everyone is on the lookout for a very special white humpback whale who has been cruising the east coast every year for up to 30 years
Incredible nature photos are a call to action
It’s a photography contest that aims to inspire the viewer to protect life on Earth and the winning entries are nothing short of breathtaking
Australia to get Eden Project at former coal mine
The creators of the world’s biggest indoor rainforest have unveiled their plans to build a massive international eco-tourism attraction on mining wasteland in Australia
Our paradise islands polluted with plastic
The world may be seriously underestimating the amount of plastic waste along its coastlines, according to researchers who studied Australia’s Cocos Islands
Diver breaks record with deepest submarine trip
Piles of lolly wrappers and other human-made rubbish marred the excitement of a record-breaking dive in a submarine to the bottom of the world’s deepest ocean
World-first ‘zero-waste’ flight takes off in Australia
Qantas embarked on its journey to become a greener airline this week, with every disposable item on board a Sydney to Adelaide flight to be composted, reused, or recycled
Extinction alert for one million species
Report says one million animal and plant species are at risk of becoming extinct because humans won’t put saving the Earth ahead of making money
Dam levels drop as big dry drags on
After little or no rain across much of Australia recently, water levels are going down in our capital city’s dams and more severe water restrictions look likely
Adopt A Farmer to ease drought pain
Farmers, their families and animals across Australia are doing it tough with worsening drought conditions. Students can now Adopt A Farmer to lend a helping hand to those most in need
Kids News explainer: What is drought?
May is likely to be drier than average for most of eastern Australia, which is bad news for the large parts of the country in drought
Antarctica’s emperor penguins go missing
Scientists thought Antarctica’s Halley Bay would be a refuge from global warming for emperor penguins, but many breeding pairs are already missing
Baby koala saved in world-first operation
Hermit the joey koala has been saved by a vet and a surrogate koala mother named Crumble in a daring medical procedure at an Australian wildlife sanctuary
3D printer making recycled plastic fantastic
An Australian hairdresser is turning plastic shampoo bottles into 3D-printed prosthetic limbs, helping repurpose waste and giving a hand to those who need one
Taking selfies with endangered mountain gorillas
Anti-poaching rangers have shared a series of incredible and heartwarming snaps posing and relaxing with the magnificent gorillas they risk their lives to protect
Kookaburra named Thunder for sale in US
An Australian woman has found a lone kookaburra for sale in a cage in a US pet shop. Unfortunately, she’s not allowed to bring it home to its native habitat
Earth Hour: Change the way we live
Join the global movement of hundreds of millions of people all turning off the lights as a way of working together to care for the environment
Big win in fight against extinction
A heat lamp, a feather duster and lots of expert care has helped nine precious plains-wanderer chicks hatch and thrive, an important species-saving step
Australian ‘outback air’ for sale
Canned air from a remote, secret location in South Australia is for sale to anyone who wants to pay $24 for 10 minutes of breathing free of pollution
Lipstick-pink lake a hit for selfies
People who love pink are flocking like flamingoes to take selfies in front of a lake in Melbourne dyed by a population explosion of algae
One girl starts global climate protest
Students from more than 70 countries are planning to protest this Friday against inaction on climate change, led by Swedish schoolgirl Greta Thunberg
Solomon Islands battling oil spill
A major oil spill in the Solomon Islands is moving towards the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Area, with fears of a looming environmental disaster
Hobart votes to ban single-use plastic
After an 8-4 vote by Hobart councillors, the city is set to become Australia’s first to ban single-use plastics including straws, sauce packets and cups
Australia’s record heat
It’s been a blistering start to autumn with another heatwave across three states, just as we get through what has officially been the hottest summer on record
Snowy Hydro 2.0 starts now
The PM has announced a massive expansion of the Snowy Hydro scheme to start within a week, promising cheaper and more reliable electricity
Aussie floating rubbish bin cleans up oceans
Two Australians sick of seeing rubbish in the ocean identified a problem: there were rubbish bins on land but not in the water. So they invented a solution
Rare baby otters pass first test
Three rare otter pups have passed their first hands-on health checks by vets at Perth Zoo, a big milestone in the international program to save the species from extinction
Pandas may have to leave Australia
Adelaide Zoo’s giant pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni have failed to have a baby panda and will be sent back to China unless the Australian government steps in
Search for Shackleton’s ship abandoned
Explorers have lost their hi-tech autonomous submarine under the ice in the Weddell Sea, forcing them to call off their search for Ernest Shackleton’s famous ship, Endurance
Our insects are in big trouble
The first major review of insect research has revealed the world’s insect populations are disappearing much faster than mammals, birds and reptiles
Ocean colours changing with global warming
Our blue oceans are turning bluer and our green oceans are turning greener as global warming changes the balance of Earth’s ecosystems
Murray cod to be trucked to safety
After pictures of millions of dead fish shocked the world, the NSW government has begun a bold plan to catch trapped Darling River fish and truck them downstream
Little mammals our bushfire heroes
A new study of Tasmania’s forests found that the many small native animals that live there have a vital role to play in reducing the impact of bushfires
People and pets rescued from floodwaters
Townsville’s mayor has urged the city’s residents to “hang tough” as the Army and emergency services personnel work hard to keep everyone safe after record rain in Queensland
Healthy coral found in big Barrier Reef hole
Marine biologists have dived deep into the biggest hole in the Great Barrier Reef and found a haven of healthy coral and a wealth of beautiful fish and other sea life
Predicting drought and bushfires from space
Australian researchers have moved their focus to space to learn more about how to foresee and manage future droughts and bushfires on Earth
World’s rarest shark spotted by fishermen
One of the world’s rarest sharks, the flat-bodied angel shark, has been spotted off the coast of Wales by a group of fishermen
Honour for shark victim turned shark saviour
Lifetime award given to shark victim turned shark saviour Rodney Fox, who overcame his fear of the ocean predators after almost dying in a vicious attack
Sir David Attenborough’s climate change warning
The world’s most famous environmentalist has used his position on the “people’s chair” at the UN climate meeting to warn of disaster on a global scale unless leaders act to slow climate change
We have saved 1.5 billion plastic bags from landfill
Australian shoppers have used 80 per cent fewer single-use plastic bags in the three months since Coles and Woolworths stopped giving them away, but there’s plenty more we can all do
Now is the time to learn about fire safety
More than 130 dangerous bushfires are burning across Queensland, reminding everyone of the importance of knowing how to call for help and stay safe in case of fire
Ten million containers in under two weeks
Australia’s newest container deposit scheme kicked off on November 1 with a massive 10 million bottles and cans collected in just 12 days, benefiting the community and the environment
Human poo study finds microplastics
Waste plastic has been found in human poo. Scientists can’t be sure how it got there or if it’s dangerous, but most people agree they’d rather not eat plastic. What can you do to help?
Carp control solution still a year away
Cane toads aren’t Australia’s only introduced pest. Australia has a problem with carp, a species of fish that degrades river and creeks and makes life tough for native species
Large hole swallows part of Aussie beach
A large hole has appeared overnight and swallowed part of a popular Queensland beach at Inskip Point
Whale hunting ban win
Forty countries have voted to ban whale hunting around the world, but some countries are fighting to continue. How do you feel about whaling?
Rubbish trap to the rescue for oceans
One young inventor’s school project has led to an ambitious goal to clean the world’s oceans of plastic by 2050. The first stage is underway
Camels for Australian drought trial
Camels may be big and hungry, but they’re used to dry conditions and eat differently to cattle, so they could help care for drought-affected Australian farmland
UNESCO bid for ancient art gallery
The traditional owners of Australia’s largest rock art gallery have fought for years to have this sacred site protected. Finally, it will be nominated for UNESCO World Heritage listing
Rising temperatures in colour
It looks like a piece of art, but it’s a picture of Australia’s average temperatures and shows it really is getting hotter
Hurry up science, we need this
It’s important research that could help the planet and it could stop parents complaining about ironing
Eat school lunch to help cut food waste
Woolworths stores have launched new Discovery Tours to help children learn about food waste and how to reduce it as well as encouraging kids to love fruit and vegetables
Council bans Christmas glow sticks
Single-use plastics are being banned around the world. One of the latest examples is on glow sticks at an Australian Christmas lights festival. Do you agree?
Denim jeans to repair knee joints
In an incredible medical breakthrough, Australian scientists have found a way to repair knee joints with jeans, also helping to solve a big environmental problem
Reef survival gets stamp of approval
A new Great Barrier Reef stamp series from Australia Post aims to raise awareness of the fight to save our natural wonder while also celebrating Stamp Collecting Month
Penguin population collapses
Last time scientists visited this island, it was crowded with around two million king penguins. Alarmingly, there aren’t many left but no one is sure what has happened
Screen time can be green time
Research tells us we love technology and it’s nature that makes us feed good, but you don’t have to choose one or the other. How could you use your screen time in nature?
Record-breaking northern summer
Australians are used to heatwaves and our gardens, houses, schools and clothes are designed to help us keep comfortable. When heat hits in cold places, it’s hard to keep cool
Massive iceberg sparks tsunami fears
Large and frequent icebergs off the Greenland coast are making life difficult for residents. The latest iceberg is very big and could be very dangerous
Taj Mahal, a Wonder of the World, is turning green
Indian judges have threatened to close the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, as it turns green, yellow and black because of environmental damage and neglect
Avoid illness: wash reusable bags
Single-use plastic bags are on their way out. But we need to remember to keep our reusable shopping bags clean, or risk serious illness
Turning plastic into something precious
Australians are getting together in their backyards to turn the world’s plastic pollution into beautiful, valuable new things
Secret “dinosaur tree” experiment a success
Everyone thought this species was extinct and all we knew about it was from 200-million-year-old fossils. But an amazing discovery and a top-secret program mean the Wollemi pine will survive
Kids campaign to save orang-utan habitat
Australian children have shown their commitment to the environment, writing more than 50,000 letters to politicians to campaign for labelling of palm oil
African’s oldest, biggest baobab trees die
An international study to find out how African baobab trees grow so big made an unexpected discovery: all the biggest and oldest trees died during the study
Antarctic ice melting faster than expected
Scientists have discovered Antarctic ice is melting much faster than expected, leading to higher than predicted sea-level rises
Big dry hitting farmers hard
Assistance is badly needed as farmers battle another dry autumn, some enduring their seventh year of drought
People power builds Australia’s electric highway
Tired of waiting for the government, electric-car owners of Australia have united to build a massive “electric highway” of charging stations right around the country
Study shows going vegan reduces impact on Earth
A landmark global study has revealed that becoming vegan is the one simple thing we can all do to massively reduce our impact on the planet. Would you be prepared to give up all animal products?
New baby chimp photos
Rockhampton Zoo’s female chimp Leakey and her baby chimp girl are getting along well and Capri is going great guns, as new photos and video reveal
Food waste to become 100 million meals
Coles supermarkets will greatly cut the amount of food waste going to landfill to make 100 million meals for the hungry
Feathered frenzy comes to town
A usually sleepy town in South Australian is being overrun with visitors — of the feathered kind — as dry conditions make food and water scarce
Is a bigger Australia better?
As Queensland’s population hits five million, debate continues over whether a big, fast-growing Australia is best
High hopes for Aussie invention
UPDATED STORY Schoolgirl Angelina Arora’s new bioplastic invention has won her a scholarship to a US university
Big reef rescue on the way
The Federal Government has promised to spend half a billion dollars trying to save our damaged Great Barrier Reef. It’s the biggest ever environmental protection project.
Learning life lessons from a very old spider
The world’s oldest spider, from Western Australia, has died aged 43. Scientists believe it can teach us a lot about how to live sustainably
Great Australian Bight world heritage bid
An ambitious bid will be launched today to have the Great Australian Bight listed on the World Heritage register to provide added protection against oil and gas drilling
Mice, rabbits and creepy crawlies invade homes
Mice, rabbits, locusts and other creepy crawlies are invading our homes in huge numbers
Shocking find in dead whale’s stomach
Scientists have found 30kg of plastic inside a dead sperm whale’s stomach. It is just one of thousands of animals killed each year as our oceans become clogged with rubbish
This man didn’t put the bin out for two years
It’s been two years since waste warrior Justin Lang has put his rubbish bin out for collection. Find out how he reduces his waste
Greens want only electric cars by 2030
Greens announce policy to ban petrol and diesel cars on Australian roads in favour of only electric vehicles by 2030
Our 20 most endangered mammals
Australia has the worst mammal extinction rate in the world with 20 animals in real danger of dying out. But you can help save them. Find out how.
Seed vault could one day feed the world
The Doomsday Vault near the North Pole is holding more than a million seeds to help feed the world in case we run out of food after a natural or man-made disaster
King Penguins at risk of dying out
King Penguin populations are at risk of dying out by the end of this century due to climate change. VIDEO
School lunches searched for fruit fly
Students are having their lunchboxes searched for infected fruit as Tasmania tries to rid the state of its unwanted fruit fly crisis
Fighting fires from the air at night
Fighting fires from the air at night will be tested for the first time in Australia this week. If successful, it will help firefighters tackle blazes early and save many lives
Turn your rubbish into electricity
A new bioenergy plant in Adelaide will turn farm and household waste into electricity. And the idea came from a Hollywood movie.
Making dirty water clean to drink
Australian scientists have discovered a new way to turn dirty water into clean drinking water using vegetable oil commonly used on the BBQ
Push to ban helium balloons
Victor Harbor Council in South Australia is the latest to consider banning helium balloons to help protect native and marine wildlife. Are you allowed to have them where you live?
Divers are wild about protecting sharks
Study finds the more people interact with sharks in water the more they want to save them. VIDEO
Climate change could ruin holidays
Extreme weather events caused by climate change are expected to make Queensland holidays less attractive for tourists
Millions of maggots invade beaches
Beachgoers in Sydney have been shocked at the sight of millions of maggots washing up on the northern beaches
Scientists want global glitter ban
Environmental scientists want to take some of the sparkle out of the world with calls for a global glitter ban
Our cities could be too hot to live in
Centuries-old heatwave records have fallen across Australia raising concerns cities like Darwin could soon be too hot to live in
20 years of weather in two minutes
NASA captured 20 years of changing seasons in a striking new global map of our home planet. VIDEO
Kids teaching kids at conference
Kids are turning the tables and taking on teaching duties for two days at a national conference in Melbourne. VIDEO
