Chief scientist backs CSIRO case against 'expensive' nuclear power

Australia's chief scientist Cathy Foley has backed a renewables-led path to net zero emissions over the "expensive technology" of nuclear energy.

On a climate rollercoaster: how Australia’s environment fared in the world’s hottest year. Our emissions per person are the tenth-highest in the world and more than three times those of the average global citizen. The main reasons are our coal-fired power stations, inefficient road vehicles and large cattle herd.

Australia's largest cultural and science festival for the ocean lands in Sydney this week. Can seaweed save humanity? What’s next if no shark nets? Are whales talking to us? Some big questions and brilliant answers will be shared when the annual Volvo Ocean Lovers Festival returns to Bondi on March 23 and 24 with a jam-packed program of events and experts to discuss the ocean, artists to celebrate their love of it and heaps of ocean-friendly activities - free for the public.

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Chief scientist backs CSIRO case against 'expensive' nuclear power
Australia's chief scientist Cathy Foley has backed a renewables-led path to net zero emissions over the "expensive technology" of nuclear energy.

On a climate rollercoaster: how Australia’s environment fared in the world’s hottest year
Our emissions per person are the tenth-highest in the world and more than three times those of the average global citizen. The main reasons are our coal-fired power stations, inefficient road vehicles and large cattle herd.

Australia's largest cultural and science festival for the ocean lands in Sydney this week
Some big questions and brilliant answers will be shared when the annual Volvo Ocean Lovers Festival returns to Bondi on March 23 and 24 with a jam-packed program of events and experts to discuss the ocean, artists to celebrate their love of it and heaps of ocean-friendly activities - free for the public.

Australia’s big electricity generators say nuclear not viable for at least a decade
Australia’s big private electricity generators have dismissed nuclear energy as a viable source of power for their customers for at least a decade. They say they will remain focused on developing renewable sources as coal and gas plants exit the grid.

How badly do Tasmanians want to protect nature? The state election may provide answers
By late last week, the incumbent Liberal party had issued more than 220 press releases since the campaign kicked off on Valentine’s Day. None included an environment policy. Labor, which is attempting to return to power after 10 years in the political wilderness, had sent out 130 press releases without mentioning nature.

Why corporate Australia won't touch nuclear power
For the past month or more, the argument rejecting nuclear energy has overwhelmingly been about cost and to a lesser extent the time involved in building large-scale nuclear power plants. Even the World Nuclear Association admits that, as interest rates rise, nuclear power plants become far and away the most expensive form of electricity generation to construct.

‘Message must be sent’: Jail terms almost tripled for climate activists who shut down West Gate Bridge
Two climate activists who blocked peak-hour traffic on the West Gate Bridge, causing a woman to give birth on the side of the road, have had their jail terms almost tripled on appeal.

Independents move to ban mega donations in far-reaching political transparency overhaul
Mega donations of more than $1.5m would be banned under a crossbench plan to get big money out of politics.