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Murray-Darling Basin water theft laws suck more than river irrigation pumps

Murray-Darling Basin

Water is one of Australia’s most valuable commodities. Rights to take water from our nation’s largest river system, the Murray-Darling Basin, are worth almost A$100 billion. These rights can be bought and sold or leased, with trade exceeding A$2 billion a year. But water is also being stolen (no-one knows how much) and the thieves usually get away with it.

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Defining the potential for mangrove-based agribusiness transformation in the coastal Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Project kick off meeting

The Mekong Delta region in Vietnam is facing several development challenges but the Government of Vietnam (GoV) is committed overcoming these and support the growth of the agricultural sector in the region. The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) recently awarded Environment Institute’s Future Making Fellow, Dr Pham Thu Thuy, $471,200 for a project on ‘Defining the potential for mangrove-based agribusiness transformation in the coastal Mekong Delta’.

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Scientists seek your soil for century-chemical study

Scientists seek your soil for century-chemical study

University of Adelaide researchers are calling on South Australian citizen scientists to donate soil samples from their backyard gardens for a study examining how widely spread per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are in our home gardens.

[Read more about Scientists seek your soil for century-chemical study]

Adelaide is losing 75,000 trees a year. Tree-removal laws must be tightened if we want our cities to be liveable and green

Adelaide

Large areas of concrete and asphalt absorb and radiate heat, creating an “urban heat island effect”. It puts cities at risk of overheating as they are several degrees warmer than surrounding areas.

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Heat stress from ocean warming harms octopus vision

A newly hatched Octopus berrima

While climate change has led to an increase in the abundance of octopuses, heat stress from projected ocean warming could impair their vision and impact the survivability of the species.

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Exploring ancient DNA for environmental insights

Exploring ancient DNA for environmental insights

Ancient environmental DNA (aeDNA) has revolutionised the study of ancient environments and the evolution of living things. It helps researchers unlock secrets found in sediments, ice, and water and has transformed our understanding of past biodiversity across different timescales, from decades to thousands of years ago. The Environment Institute is privileged to support the training of highly specialised experts in these cutting-edge techniques.

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When it comes to happy kids, it’s natural

When it comes to happy kids, it’s natural

Today, March 20th, marks the International Day of Happiness 2024, a day which aims to make people around the world realise the importance of happiness within their lives.

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Wildlife in our homes: Australian reptiles in the global exotic pet market

A shingleback skink

On March 3rd we celebrate World Wildlife Day, and the theme for 2024 is "Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation." We are thrilled to feature the research of our guest blogger, Sebastian Chekunov, a PhD candidate from Dr. Phill Cassey's Invasion Ecology research group. Dr Cassey is an ARC Industry Laureate Fellow, Combatting Wildlife Crime and Preventing Environmental Harm.

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Rainy day ice age in the global south

Rainy day ice age in the global south

An international study of the mineral deposits in stalactites in South Australia’s Naracoorte Caves, has shed new light on climate conditions in the Southern Hemisphere during ice ages.

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Event: WOMADelaide The Planet Talks program live

Photo of speakers

The Planet Talk program is now live. As a proud sponsors, the Environment Institute is eagerly looking forward to WOMAD’s The Planet Talk. We believe that The Planet Talks is a great platform to discuss critical environmental issues and create awareness among people and are excited to be a part of this significant event. Don’t forget to check it out!

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