Speakers at the first-ever National Climate Emergency Summit came from all walks of life and industries that just a few years ago, you’d have been surprised to see at such an event. 

OXYGEN FILES: Yes, some of the communities devasted by bushfires are in high-risk zones but that’s no reason to not rebuild. We didn’t stop flying, driving or swimming because they are risky, “Instead we manage the risk through the most effective tools available; education, innovation, safety systems, warning systems, engineering, regulation.”

Climate change is set to become an inescapable part of negotiations now underway over an Australia-European Union free trade agreement, and also negotiations over the Australia-UK agreement necessitated by Britain’s exit from the European Union.

Major Australian super funds are not walking the talk on climate action, with news emerging this week that Cbus, UniSuper, Hostplus, HESTA and AustralianSuper are all pouring billions into fossil fuel companies.

As the fires were still raging in the NSW south coast architect and urbanist Don Albert had first-hand view of two shattered communities when he heeded the invitation to tourists to come to the area.

The urban heat island effect impacts people (especially the most vulnerable), buildings, transport operation and infrastructure, energy demand, the economy and trees and animals’ health.

Many Australian businesses, often driven by shareholder or investor expectations, are setting voluntary emission reduction targets or entering voluntary programs.

The European Commission hopes it will be able to cut emissions and create jobs as it moves to a green economy, backed by targeted support and climate laws.

Darwin City Council installed a network of hundreds of new devices across the centre of the city last year. This web of “smart” lights, environmental sensors and video cameras is designed to give the council more power to monitor and manage urban places – and the people who occupy them.

OXYGEN FILES: Opening our national parks to logging, in the wake of the damage done to the timber industry by this season’s bushfires, doesn’t offer anyone a long-term solution.

There’s something deeply iconic about the galvanised water tank in Australian architecture. It’s a practical response to the need to save water, and at the same time a symbol of a growing sensitivity to the need for a more sustainable way of life.

There’s hope to be found in our gardens and on our streets but we need to change the way we design rainwater runoff, and we need to do it now.

Communities in Australia and California share connected experiences as they face climate-related threats, especially fire.  Different continents, connected climates, same challenges. Here are view from two people who had close…

Urban resilience is a goal that’s on the rise along with city growth on the rise. How are Melbourne and Sydney’s resilience teams dealing with this?

OXYGEN FILES: Amidst the smoke and fury of this summer’s bushfire catastrophe, there is a positive note – the growing recognition of the value of Aboriginal fire and landscape management practices. Key among the listeners is the artistic haven of the Bundanon Trust at Shoalhaven south of Sydney, which has embraced indigenous fire practices not long before it was threatened by fire early this month.