In this issue


ECOS ECOS
Issue 153



Focus

Protecting biodiversity in an uncertain climate
In 2009, a group of eight leading scientists warned in a report to the Australian Government that climate change presents a threat to our biodiversity 'equivalent to those of the abrupt geological events that triggered the great waves of extinction in the past'. This special Focus highlights extracts from the report, now published as a book.
Learn more
 
Global hotspot under stress
While the south-west corner of Western Australia is recognised as a global biodiversity hotspot, its unique ecosystems have suffered land clearing, introduced pests and weeds, a changed fire regime, loss of water and salinisation.
Learn more
 

Features

Sound and rice power to cut black carbon
The mating of two brilliant ideas, a low-tech one from the Philippines and a hi-tech one from the US, offers a new route to help cool the planet – fast.
Learn more
 
Making the shift: from consumerism to sustainability
The inconclusive outcome of the UN climate conference in Copenhagen highlighted one of the dilemmas of sustainable development – humans will often fail to change their behaviour in the face of scientific evidence about its damaging impacts.
Learn more
 

Progress

Power to the people
A new report from CSIRO shows that by adopting low-emission distributed energy, Australia could reduce its greenhouse emissions, save water, and save $130 billion as it moves to a low-carbon economy by 2050.
Learn more
 
Nanosafety and the environment
With scientists now able to engineer innovative materials at this incredibly small atomic scale, some potential environmental and health risks are emerging that will require further research.
Learn more
 
Biomimicry to help capture water from air?
A team of engineering and chemical researchers from the University of Sydney has been investigating a new technology for capturing water from moist air, inspired by the clever use of surface structuring on the back of a beetle native to the Namib Desert.
Learn more
 
Living atlas … coming to a screen near you
Universities, museums, CSIRO and government agencies are working together on a visionary program to link all existing data on Australia's life-forms into an online 'encyclopaedia of life' with single portal access.
Learn more
 
Systems thinking and the 'factor five' payoff
Government efforts to help our economy through the global financial crisis could be eroded by the future economic impacts of global warming. The good news is that a 'factor five' approach to productivity will not only help cut greenhouse gas emissions but, done effectively, bring economic benefits.
Learn more
 

Editorial


Editorial: Learning to share and save our one and only planet

PDF file Download Article
 
 

In Brief - Round-up of sustainability news

Review suggests improvements to key environment act
 
 
Hot water power to cool a city?
 
 
Software controlling energy efficiency and comfort
 
 
Energy body calls for cooperation
 
 
'Sharks' a highlight of prince's visit
 
 
Outcrops 'oases' in a changing climate
 
 
Indonesia embraces Landcare
 
 
Much-needed extra water for the Murray River's Lower Lakes
 
 
Coastal 'bioshields' no defence against tsunamis
 
 
Software could save 800 billion litres a year
 
 
Let rubber hit the roads, says automotive industry
 
 

Climate Change Bulletin - Our brief on global warming

Warmest decade on record: Bureau's 2009 review
 
 

Profile

Campaign to trim Australia's CO2 footprint by a million tonnes
 
 

Reviews

Assessing how well we've cared for country
 
 
Lessons from living on the edge
 
 

Research

Renewable energy to power fridges in rural India
 
 
Ozone layer, wind shift may create 'moment of grace'
 
 
Traffic noise wiping out Melbourne's frogs?
 
 
Theory meets reality in Northern Prawn Fishery
 
 
Location key to marine science hub's value
 
 

Events


Events calendar

PDF file Download Article
 

Past Issues

 

2015

January 2015

2014

December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014


Past Years

2010 to 2013
2000 to 2009
1990 to 1999
1980 to 1989
1974 to 1979



ECOS Archive

Welcome to the ECOS Archive site which brings together 40 years of sustainability articles from 1974-2014.

For more recent ECOS articles visit the blog. You can also sign up to the email alert or RSS feed