If you’re reading this, you probably already carry a reusable bottle that weighs as much as a small toddler and you’ve felt the distinct "paper-straw-disintegrating-in-your-mouth" sadness. You’ve been mindful. You’ve been diligent. I feel you. But according to the 2026 documentary The Plastic Detox and a wave of new research, our "best efforts" are currently being outpaced by a world that is, quite literally, shedding plastic into our breakfast. The "Forensic" Wake-Up Call T

Just as many older generations seem convinced that “kids these days” are somehow worse than the generation prior to them, many proponents on the commercial fishing side have long repeated another familiar refrain: that shark populations are “out of control”, “in plague proportions”, or in many cases “a menace”. Like the timeless complaints about youth, the tone often suggests a new crisis, an unprecedented surge in sharks threatening swimmers or fisheries. But history tells a

A comprehensive analysis published in Nature on March 4, 2026, has revealed that global sea levels are significantly higher than previously understood. The study, led by Dr. Philip Minderhoud of Wageningen University and PhD researcher Katharina Seeger, indicates that a widespread reliance on inaccurate land elevation models has led to a consistent underestimation of ocean levels worldwide. The research examined 385 pieces of peer-reviewed scientific literature released betw

The release of Queensland’s drone trial report last year marks a turning point in the shark safety debate. The report provides clear evidence that drones are a priceless beach safety tool, not only excelling at spotting sharks, but also beachgoers in distress. The raw data behind the report however also gave us new damning evidence regarding the lack of effectiveness of shark nets. We can now finally move beyond speculation, and examine verifiable evidence regarding the effi

On February 12, 2026, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) finalised the rescission of its landmark 2009 Endangerment Finding. This is not just a standard policy rollback; it is the single largest deregulatory action in US history. By revoking this scientific and legal cornerstone, the US federal government has effectively dismantled the mandate to report and regulate greenhouse gases (GHGs) under the Clean Air Act. The Legal "Vanish" of Greenhouse Gases

The latest annual Horizon Scan of biological conservation issues for 2026, conducted by a panel of 26 scientists, practitioners, and policymakers, has identified 15 emerging issues that could significantly impact global biodiversity in the next decade. What is a Horizon Scan? Horizon scanning is a systematic approach used since 2009 to anticipate and identify emerging and novel trends that are likely to affect biological conservation. The goal is to highlight issues that are

For decades, the New South Wales and Queensland Governments have run lethal shark-control programs under the banner of ‘beachgoer safety’, despite clear evidence that culling does nothing to reduce shark-bite risk . The continuation of these programs is seemingly only to protect politicians from media backlash, not to protect beachgoers from sharks. Thousands of animals are killed annually, and millions of people given a false sense of security, for the political comfort of a

For the first time in human history, the "high seas", the two-thirds of our ocean that lie beyond any national border, will have a legally binding set of rules. On January 17, 2026, the UN High Seas Treaty (officially known as the BBNJ Agreement ) officially enters into force, marking the most significant shift in maritime law in over forty years. Why This Matters Now Until this moment, the high seas were essentially a "no man's land." While they cover half the planet’s surf

As the world races to decarbonise its energy systems, one uncomfortable truth continues to slip through the cracks: even if we eliminated fossil fuel use entirely, our current food systems alone would still push global temperatures past the critical 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement. That’s the stark reality laid out in The Climate Movement’s Biggest Weakness , a recent and sobering piece by journalist Kenny Torrella, published by Vox October 2025. Drawing on the lat

The recently published Queensland SharkSmart drone trial report confirms what the science behind shark interaction mitigation has long asserted : non-lethal aerial surveillance (drones) are substantially more effective at spotting sharks than catch-and-kill equipment such as shark nets and drumlines. During the trial, conducted under the Queensland Government’s Shark Control Program (SCP), drones recorded 676 shark-sighting events, compared to just 284 sharks caught in adjac

Last week, the long-awaited EPBC Act reforms were finally passed in the Senate. Despite 165,000 signatures collected on our Change.org page , overwhelming community support, countless expert recommendations, and a clear opportunity to modernise outdated policies, the final bill did not include the removal of Section 43B. This archaic loophole that allows the QLD and NSW shark culling programs to kill unlimited amounts of protected wildlife without any formal environmental ass

The NSW Government’s 2025 Shark Meshing Program began in September, and hidden Government files obtained regarding the first month of operation have already exposed a troubling reality. Images obtained under the state’s Freedom of Information Act (GIPA) reveal that on the first fortnight of the shark nets being redeployed, a tiger shark, one of the DPI’s ‘target species , was caught and killed on the Central Coast’s Shelly Beach, and left to attract larger sharks to the area.

When we talk about animal suffering, our minds usually drift to farmed mammals like pigs or cows, maybe chickens if we’re thinking in numbers. But the biggest number of all? Shrimp. Yes, shrimp, the tiny crustaceans we mindlessly toss into paella, pad Thai, and party platters, may be enduring some of the worst and most overlooked suffering in the animal agriculture system. And not in small numbers. Each year, it’s estimated that more than 440 billion shrimp are killed on farm

A juvenile humpback whale has tragically drowned after becoming entangled in a shark net at Coledale Beach, NSW, marking yet another failure of the NSW Shark Meshing Program. The young whale, like thousands of others migrating along Australia’s east coast, was on its southerly journey back to Antarctica when it became ensnared. This whale never made it home. Despite the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) claiming to remove shark nets during the whale migration season,

In the age of ancestral diets, wellness influencers, and “clean girl” aesthetics, there’s a growing trend toward beauty products made from unexpected sources: cow fat, snail slime, and even salmon sperm. Promoted as “natural,” “non-toxic,” or “ancestral,” these animal-derived products are quickly gaining traction, often in response to public distrust of synthetic ingredients and concern over microplastics, parabens, and so-called “forever chemicals.” But behind the glossy cla

Imagine Sydney in 1937, before World War II, before modern technology, and before we understood marine ecosystems the way we do today. That year, Charlie Chaplin was captivating cinema audiences, the Hindenburg airship tragically exploded in New Jersey, and Sydney’s roads had only just started seeing traffic lights. It was also the year the New South Wales Shark Meshing Program (SMP) was introduced, a lethal strategy to reduce the number of sharks at popular beaches following

Queensland's Fisheries Minister, Tony Perrett, recently asserted that "Traditional [shark culling] methods, such as nets and drumlines, are scientifically proven to be the most effective tool in protecting swimmers." This statement stands in stark contrast to well established scientific evidence and expert consensus, casting doubt on the government's commitment to evidence-based policy.  In other words, it is blatant misinformation. Thermal imaging drone footage from Envoy Fo

Reducing meat consumption is widely recognised as a key strategy in tackling both environmental degradation and public health burdens. Yet despite growing awareness, meat remains deeply entrenched in daily diets across high-income countries. A new study published in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems offers fresh insight into why, and how to change it. Authored by Chris MacDonald of the University of Cambridge, the paper explores the psychological barriers that keep consu

The Queensland’s Department of Primary Industries has been issuing near-identical letters to those who raise concerns about the recent...

Every year across New South Wales, a silent killer seeps through the bush: sodium fluoroacetate, more commonly known as 1080 poison....