New cement-free sewerage concrete prevents fatbergs and corrosion
The cement used to construct concrete sewerage systems around the world does a mighty job of helping wash away our waste but does have its shortcomings. Scientists in Australia have developed a new cement-free solution they say is better equipped to handle the corrosive nature of these Read More...
Extremely rare “walking” fish discovered in the Great Barrier Reef
After the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel plunged deep beneath the Pacific Ocean, it came back with a treasure trove of high-resolution footage featuring rare deep-sea creatures. The remote operated vehicle (ROV), which explored Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, spotted and took Read More...
South Australia becomes first Aussie state to ban single-use plastics
Although bans on single-use plastics have been enforced in countries all around the world, such policy has yet to be implemented in Australia. But that is about to change after South Australia became the first Australian state to introduce laws banning some single-use plastics including cutlery, Read More...
Meet the animals that came back from “extinction”
While animals and plants have always come and gone, we have seen a huge increase in the number of vertebrate animals that have disappeared since the 16th century—almost all because of human-related changes such as loss of habitat or over-hunting. Now with climate change, more species than ever Read More...
Australia is minting coins that are designed to be given away
Australia has created a coin unlike any other in the world. It is a new Australian $1 coin that can be spent like any other money but is intended to be given away to people in need. With an image of Queen Elizabeth II on one side of the coin, the other side is stamped with the message: “Donation Read More...
Water treatment plant uses expired beer to produce green energy
As restaurants and bars in Australia were forced to close due to the pandemic, millions of liters of unsold beer went stale. But instead of going to waste, some inventories of expired beer are being turned into renewable energy to power a water treatment plant in the state of South Australia. In Read More...
Victoria will offer free menstrual products in all public schools
In a big win for women’s health, the Victorian state government in Australia has announced that it will offer free menstrual products in all public schools. The initiative is a first for Australia and will make tampons and pads available across all 1,500 government schools. The initiative aims Read More...
Australia dedicates $190 million AUD to improve recycling efficiency
Recycling systems are great in theory, but a portion of what is tossed into the recycling bin never makes it to a second life as another product. Australia is attempting to make their recycling systems more efficient and reduce waste with a $190 million AUD investment toward overhauling the Read More...
The City of Sydney is now powered by 100% renewable electricity
The City of Sydney, the central borough of the larger Australian metropolis, will now be powered using 100 percent renewable energy, a switch expected to save it $500,000 and 200,000 tons of CO2 emissions from entering the atmosphere over the next 10 years. Two solar farms and one wind farm Read More...
NSW buys large piece of land to protect over 25 threatened animal species
In a major win for threatened species and habitats, the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) has recently taken under refuge a massive piece of the country’s outback by purchasing it from a private owner. Called the Narriearra, the new national park covers an area of 1,534 sq km (392 sq Read More...