The rapid advance of remote sensing technology is now allowing the collection of continuous ocean data on an unprecedented scale. The national Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) program uses a wealth of distributed marine devices, services and expertise, within a world class marine monitoring framework designed to detect changes in ecosystems and deliver data through one system to many potential users. James Porteous spent time on a rolling sea with participating scientists.

The polar regions are sensitive barometers of environmental change – what we see at both the poles foreshadows what we can expect elsewhere on the globe in a changing climate, and right now they are experiencing some of the most rapid rates of environmental change in the world. Jess Tyler explains how pooling resources in an ambitious polar oceans program, called CASO, will be a watershed in our understanding of the relationship between ocean, atmosphere, ice and climate.

Whether it is the centrepiece of Australia's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as the government claims, or just one of a raft of measures as others argue it should be, Australia's emissions trading scheme (ETS) is taking shape. Robin Taylor provides perspective on what and who is involved.

While permaculture has had a low profile in the West, it has been the key to self-sufficiency for many people in the developing world. Given that climate change and sustainable development are dominating world headlines, the concept is finally beginning to get mainstream recognition in Australia – the home of permaculture. Rachel Sullivan spoke to co-originator David Holmgren.

Vietnam was once a land of dense forest. But nearly two-thirds of its tree cover was destroyed by war, overharvesting and clearing for agriculture. Today, trees are on the way back with the Vietnamese Government committed to planting five million hectares of trees on denuded land. Australian species and forestry expertise have played an important role.

CSIRO's Dr Steve Hatfield-Dodds and Anthea Coggan argue that insights from research into happiness and well-being are important to achieving sustainable development in its broadest sense.

War time style rationing is one of the solutions proposed for slashing our carbon emissions, in a new book calling for the most radical transformation of the economy and society since the Industrial Revolution. We've only got 10 years to do it – but it's possible.

As increasing numbers of people move to the region, Brisbane City Council is assessing the feasibility of using asset-based management processes, traditionally used for managing infrastructure such as bridges and roads, to help define and manage natural assets such as wetlands, parks and water quality. It's an approach that puts the value of ecosystem services on the same level as other key infrastructure.

The National Land & Water Resources Audit and its partners have made significant recent progress in building the basis of an enduring information system to report on the status of Australia's natural resources and changes to the environment. The program's future, however, is undecided.