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The Albanese government is preparing to unveil Australia’s 2035 emissions reduction target – a defining moment for both climate action and the economy. The Climate Change Authority’s preliminary advice to government suggested a 65–75% cut. But could Australia go harder?
Yes, say Anna Malos and Anna Skarbek, who have calculated that Australia could cut emissions by up to 85% if all sectors of the economy took decisive action. The states are already moving and business is readying itself, paving the way for bold federal action.
There are challenges. Some communities remain opposed to renewable energy, and international markets for products such as green iron and steel still need to grow. But momentum for change is building, if the government is willing to seize the opportunity.
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Nicole Hasham
Energy + Environment Editor
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Anna Malos, Monash University; Anna Skarbek, Monash University
A strong 2035 target makes sense for the climate and the economy. The challenges for Australia are clear – but so too are the opportunities.
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
While it seems clear that the government in on a path to recognise a Palestinian state, when it will get there remains in limbo.
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Elizabeth Finkel, La Trobe University
Modern science emerged precisely to deal with the way everything can be manipulated – and scepticism over ‘facts’ goes all the way back to Socrates.
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Howard Manns, Monash University; Kate Burridge, Monash University
The dictionary is a living, breathing and evolving record of how language is wrapped up in who we are as Australians. It is vital we protect it.
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Kai Riemer, University of Sydney; Sandra Peter, University of Sydney
If you have decades of work experience, your skills may be exactly what’s needed to harness AI’s power, without falling into its traps.
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Anne Tiedemann, University of Sydney; Cathie Sherrington, University of Sydney
Falls are a common cause of disability and loss of independence in older age. But many falls are preventable.
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Laura Nicole Driessen, University of Sydney
If you’re like most people, you’ve never heard of it. Meet the ringed asteroid-comet hybrid prowling the outer reaches of the Solar System.
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Jo Coghlan, University of New England
Peter Weir’s Picnic at Hanging Rock was released in 1975. Beneath its haunting beauty, the film challenges the idea of colonial control.
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Politics + Society
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
The former five-time Olympic shooter and coal miner wants men of all ages not to be afraid of speaking about their health – as he used to be.
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Health + Medicine
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Lauren Ball, The University of Queensland; Emily Burch, Southern Cross University; Pui Ting Wong (Pearl), The University of Queensland
While instant noodles offer comfort and familiarity, their nutritional profile has room for improvement. You can upgrade your bowl with a few easy additions.
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Business + Economy
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Alexandra Andhov, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Jodi Gardner, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Open banking is already well established in many countries, and saves merchants and consumers much more than NZ’s proposed surcharge ban will.
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Environment + Energy
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Andrew King, The University of Melbourne
What do the next few months hold, weather-wise? For clues, we can look to the oceans around Australia.
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Science + Technology
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Milad Haghani, The University of Melbourne; Ruggiero Lovreglio, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University
Crowd size estimates are part science, part art. When numbers differ, it’s not necessarily because someone is being dishonest.
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Arts + Culture
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Sasha Grbich, Flinders University
North Terrace: worlds in relief is currently showing at the Samstag Museum of Art in Adelaide.
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Lorinda Cramer, Deakin University
Men’s glasses are having a moment, thanks to the internet’s favourite little descriptor.
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Genocide in Gaza?
"As a legal question it matters because of what consequences can follow within that legal framework. But ‘genocide’ also has other common social meanings. Regardless of the legal hairsplitting, this is genocide."
Tom Keller
AI taking jobs
"The article about which jobs will thrive under AI missed out a huge chunk of Australia’s workforce – artists. I’m a cartoonist and graphic designer who was recently made redundant. Why pay a human being to do the work when you can prompt a machine intelligence to spit out something trained on stolen art instead? In my work, I make decisions based on ethics, accessibility, sustainability, and avoiding cultural appropriation – all things that AI can’t do. Just because AI can replace us, it doesn’t mean that it should!"
Briar Rolfe, Mildura (Latji Latji and Barkindji country), VIC 
Reef observations
"I think your article about the Great Barrier Reef is way understated. Fifty years ago, we went to Heron Island on our honeymoon. The reefs were sensational: fish, colour and vegetation beyond our expectations. Over the years we have returned to North Queensland’s inner and outer reefs and have seen nothing but bleached/dead coral. The sad thing is Australia keeps putting up images of the reef as it was, not how it is, to entice tourists."
Dr Paul Hewitt
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