New research from the University of New South Wales has called for a $14 billion USD investment in order to protect kelp forests. These marine ecosystems are important carbon sinks, helping to promote ocean health, and they also play a role in many marine-based industries. BUT they're in danger of vanishing due to warming oceans.

We caught up with Dr Aaron Eger, the founder and program director of the Kelp Forest Alliance about why kelp is so vital to ocean health and what we can do to help it.

Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/tunefm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the second year in a row, the ABC is holding it's Australian Insect of the Year competition, with six bugs competing for the crown of Australia's favourite.

We catch up with UNE's very own Dr Anna Probert to discuss insects, bugs, and why people should care about them.

Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/tunefm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Hao Chen and Iser Pena from the Stevens Institute of Technology ran a simulation assessing how different groups performed, depending on the different types of personality traits represented in those groups.

We caught up with Dr Chen to discuss this research, and its implications.

For anyone interested in the study, it's available to read through the open access journal, PLOS: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0332496

Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/tunefm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian Conservation Foundation is challenging a decision by Minister for the Environment, the Hon. Murray Watt, to approve an extension of the North West Shelf Project until 2070.

We spoke with ACF General Counsel, Adam Beeson, about the proceedings.

Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/tunefm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now in it's 4th year, the Platy Project is recording sightings of platypus across east Australia to help collect population data.

We catch up with National Nature Campaigner Jess Abrahams from the Australian Conservation Foundation to talk about the Platy Project and how people can get involved.

The Platy Project Interactive Map can be found here: https://platy-project.acf.org.au/

Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/tunefm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research from Curtin University and published in Physical Review Research, has found that the chemistry of zircons found in Earth’s crust contained a geological archive of Earth’s interaction with the Milky Way.

To learn more about these findings and how this new line of research connects geology and astrophysics, we caught up with lead study author Professor Chris Kirkland.

For anyone interested in the study, it can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1103/98c3-d9j2

Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/tunefm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thanks to Murawin, the Young Tiddas on Country program will see First Nations girls in Armidale, Uralla, and Guyra, supported culturally through years 4 to 9, starting in 2026.

We sat down with Cassie Strong, a consultant for Murawin and Armidale local, to talk about the project and what opportunities it will give these girls.

Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/tunefm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is Climate Change Criminology, and how does it impact the way we engage with crime and harm?

We caught up with Professor Rob White to discuss these topics and more.

Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/tunefm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.