Exclusive
Climate solutions
From bottled lightning to ‘hempcrete’: The Australian innovations that could save the world
From harnessing the power of lightning to make fertiliser to using yeast to produce forest-friendly palm oil, these start-ups are helping solve big environmental problems.
- by Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Latest
Exclusive
Electric vehicles
The 149 reasons for inner west EV owners like Peter not to fear range anxiety
The Annandale resident will benefit from the 671 kerbside electric vehicle chargers that are being part funded by the NSW government.
- by Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Why one area of Sydney has been swarming with mosquitoes
The mosquito numbers in south-west Sydney are two to three times higher than usual, while the rest of the city is just dealing with a regular spring surge.
- by Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Exclusive
Brumby cull
Total removal of feral horses planned for some national parks
In Kosciuszko National Park, the government must by law retain 3000 brumbies. But in other national parks in NSW and Victoria, the goal is zero feral horses.
- by Bianca Hall and Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Analysis
Electric vehicles
If cars become batteries on wheels, cities become power plants
Australia’s energy system now offers vehicle-to-grid charging, which will make the concept of traditional baseload power redundant.
- by Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Exclusive
Forestry
The government promised a koala national park. Then the loggers moved in
Forests on the North Coast are earmarked for a national park to protect “the best patch of koala habitat in the world”, but the area is still being logged in epic proportions.
- by Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Exclusive
Pollution
Cooking oil, poo and drugs: Mystery of grime balls on Sydney beaches solved
Testing has revealed thousands of balls washed up on Sydney’s beaches are a “disgusting” mix of cooking oil, soap scum, faeces and drugs, including cannabis and ice.
- by Caitlin Fitzsimmons
How you can apply for a subsidised home battery from tomorrow
NSW households can claim up to $2600 towards the cost of installing a battery to store solar energy and as much as $400 to connect to a virtual power plant.
- by Caitlin Fitzsimmons
‘Crippling’ loss of millions of dollars in solar rebates under investigation
Solar panel retailer Carolyn Lee is owed $40,000. She wants the government to step in.
- by Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Apartment dwellers push for the right to air their clean laundry
Millions of Australians live in apartments, but many new developments ban washing from being hung outdoors.
- by Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Exclusive
Renewables
A place in the sun: How to get solar to 2.5m apartment dwellers
Australia has the highest uptake of rooftop solar in the world, but the growing number of apartment dwellers has been left behind. This is how to turn the tables.
- by Caitlin Fitzsimmons and Bianca Hall
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/by/caitlin-fitzsimmons-j7gbf