Donate

New South Wales

Several brown-colored mice are shown overrunning an Australian farm.

Plague of ravenous, destructive mice tormenting Australians

Environment

Vast tracts of land in Australia’s New South Wales state are being threatened by a mouse plague that the state government describes as “absolutely unprecedented.” Just how many millions of rodents have infested the agricultural plains across the state is guesswork.

Firefighters control a spot fire near Bredbo, south of the Australian capital, Canberra, Feb. 2, 2020.

California and Australia look to Indigenous land management for fire help 

The Big Fix
A restaurant posts a closed sign in Melbourne

Returning travelers in quarantine hotels may have triggered Melbourne’s latest lockdown

COVID-19
A close up photograph of a woman wearing a white protective face mask with the words, "I can't breathe" written on it.

Citing COVID-19, Australian court bans George Floyd protests in Sydney

Protest
A car is shown in the distance driving on a road and entirely surrounded by dark yellow smoke.

Thousands flee fires in Australia, navy helps evacuate the stranded

Natural disasters
Several people are shown standing on a beach with many holding cloth to their faces to protect from the smoke.

Thousands trapped on Australian beaches by dangerous bushfires

Environment

Thousands swarmed to beaches on Australia’s east coast Tuesday to escape fierce wildfires bearing down on several seaside towns, as the government readied naval vessels and military helicopters to aid firefighting and evacuations.

A radio telescope dish at sunset.

How Australia helped show the world the live moon landing

Arts, Culture & Media

It’s thanks to the Parkes Observatory in Australia that people around the world got to see the moon landing on television screens in 1969.

pigs and calves

Hugs, drugs and choices: Helping traumatized animals

Environment

Researchers at the University of Western Australia have developed non-invasive means for measuring stress and mood in animals and are now working with sheep farmers to improve the well-being of their animals. PTSD has been identified in elephants, dogs, chimpanzees and baboons, for example.

Southeastern and southwestern Australia have experienced some of the country’s most severe rainy season droughts over the last two decades (L). These are also some of the country’s most productive agricultural regions (R).

Faced with dire climate change, denial may actually help Australian farmers cope

Environment

Despite growing evidence that the earth’s climate is changing, many people remain skeptical. This denialism is often seen as a political response to the issue, but some mental health experts in Australia say it can also be a beneficial coping mechanism.Despite growing evidence that the earth’s climate is changing, many people remain skeptical. This denialism is often seen as a political response to the issue, but some mental health experts in Australia say it can also be a beneficial coping mechanism.

Australia smoke

In Australia, raging early spring wildfires have rekindled a raging debate over climate change

Environment

Australia has had a rash of wildfires caused by unseasonably hot and dry weather. Scientists say the risk of fires is growing with climate change, but the country’s new prime minister says they’re just a normal part of life down under.