In this issue

	ECOS Issue 153

Focus

Protecting biodiversity in an uncertain climate
In 2009, a group of eight leading scientists warned in a report to the Australian Government that climate change presents a threat to our biodiversity 'equivalent to those of the abrupt geological events that triggered the great waves of extinction in the past'. This special Focus highlights extracts from the report, now published as a book.
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Global hotspot under stress While the south-west corner of Western Australia is recognised as a global biodiversity hotspot, its unique ecosystems have suffered land clearing, introduced pests and weeds, a changed fire regime, loss of water and salinisation. Learn more

Features

Sound and rice power to cut black carbon The mating of two brilliant ideas, a low-tech one from the Philippines and a hi-tech one from the US, offers a new route to help cool the planet – fast. Learn more

Making the shift: from consumerism to sustainability The inconclusive outcome of the UN climate conference in Copenhagen highlighted one of the dilemmas of sustainable development – humans will often fail to change their behaviour in the face of scientific evidence about its damaging impacts. Learn more

Progress

Power to the people A new report from CSIRO shows that by adopting low-emission distributed energy, Australia could reduce its greenhouse emissions, save water, and save $130 billion as it moves to a low-carbon economy by 2050. Learn more

Nanosafety and the environment With scientists now able to engineer innovative materials at this incredibly small atomic scale, some potential environmental and health risks are emerging that will require further research. Learn more

Biomimicry to help capture water from air? A team of engineering and chemical researchers from the University of Sydney has been investigating a new technology for capturing water from moist air, inspired by the clever use of surface structuring on the back of a beetle native to the Namib Desert. Learn more

Living atlas … coming to a screen near you Universities, museums, CSIRO and government agencies are working together on a visionary program to link all existing data on Australia's life-forms into an online 'encyclopaedia of life' with single portal access. Learn more

Systems thinking and the 'factor five' payoff Government efforts to help our economy through the global financial crisis could be eroded by the future economic impacts of global warming. The good news is that a 'factor five' approach to productivity will not only help cut greenhouse gas emissions but, done effectively, bring economic benefits. Learn more