In this issue

	Issue 172

Features

Quiet on board please: science underway The first massive pieces of the hull of Australia's new scientific research ship, RV Investigator, were winched into place last month in a Singapore shipyard. CSIRO's Dr Brian Griffiths and ECOS writer Michele Sabto give readers a preview of the impressive technology mounted in and on the hull. Learn more

Science arms islands for a changing climate The projected effects of climate change may seem abstract to those of us living in Australia, where changes like sea-level rise will take time to manifest. But for those living on small Pacific island nations, the impacts of climate change are predicted to be more serious and happen sooner. In some cases, they have already started. Learn more

Energy efficiency matters: an interview with Alan Pears Alan Pears is a pioneer of energy-efficiency policy in Australia, having worked in the area since the late 1970s. Learn more

'Printed power' to light the world's darkness?
In too many parts of the world, grid-connected electricity remains an unattainable luxury. However, the rise in living standards in some developing countries has brought with it access to decentralised power generation – mainly solar power. The latest solar cell technology, flexible solar cells based on thin plastics, heralds a new generation of ultra-low-cost lighting for poor communities in remote areas.
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Savanna bird abundance deceives Flocks of brilliant emerald budgerigars are an iconic image of the Australian outback, signifying seasonal renewal. But, are large numbers of nomadic parrots really a sign of landscape health and good management? Learn more