Lesley Hughes
Lesley Hughes is professor emerita at Macquarie University. She is a founding councillor of the Climate Council of Australia and was recently appointed as a member of the Climate Change Authority.
Opinion
Energy
Gas is burning our climate faster, and Australia’s part of the problem
Gas will be part of our energy mix but, despite industry claims, new gas production and infrastructure is not needed in the transition to renewable energy.
- by Lesley Hughes
Latest
Opinion
Extreme weather
We’ve entered the era of unnatural disasters. Here’s what we must do
We have long been warned that climate change would intensify the severity and frequency of extreme weather. That future has now arrived.
- by Lesley Hughes
From designing clothes to refashioning cow burps: Sam’s $40 million career switch
After hearing of ground-breaking Australian research into how seaweed could reduce planet-warming methane emissions in cows, Sam Elsom left fashion behind.
- by Lesley Hughes
Opinion
Great Barrier Reef
The worst has happened to the Great Barrier Reef - again - and my heart is breaking
Though the news of this latest disastrous bleaching event is shocking, we shouldn’t be surprised.
- by Lesley Hughes
Opinion
IPCC
‘We can’t wait to fix this’: Why the latest IPCC report should spur action
In some ways, this latest report says much the same thing as the last report. The difference is that the impacts are happening even faster now.
- by Greg Mullins and Lesley Hughes
Opinion
Great Barrier Reef
Reef report fails to acknowledge this precious natural landmark is at risk
The government’s report to UNESCO is a classic case of spin over substance. It makes you wonder: what alternative universe is our federal government living in?
- by Lesley Hughes
Opinion
Global warming
Good COP, bad COP: Climate wins and losses from Glasgow
Glasgow’s COP26 was not a total success, nor was it an abject failure and, despite Australia’s poor contribution, there is some cause for cautious optimism.
- by Lesley Hughes and Wesley Morgan
Opinion
Climate policy
Coalition fighting to stop Great Barrier Reef being declared ‘in danger’
Instead of heeding early warnings that the reef was at risk, the government is working hard to ensure it isn’t embarrassed by an adverse UNESCO ruling next week.
- by Lesley Hughes