Previously unknown species of bacteria are helping reduce the environmental impacts of alumina and aluminium production and saving the industries millions of dollars, a researcher at The University of Western Australia has found.

In the minds of many academics pure science and applied research are worlds apart, yet an applied research centre at The University of Western Australia last year produced a third of the University's publications in the top international journals Nature and Science, all from industry co-founded projects, demonstrating that astute research project design can satisfy both academic and industry priorities.

Gaye McMath, The University of Western Australia's Executive Director (Finance and Resources), has been appointed to the Australian Government's $1.5 billion Solar Flagship Council which will assess proposals for the construction of large-scale solar power stations in Australia.

Inspired by the challenges associated with providing energy now and for future generations, the UWA Centre for Energy has been established within the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics.

From monitoring burping sheep to decreasing the amount of laughing gas in the soil, The University of Western Australia (UWA) strongly contributes to the international investigation of climate change.

UWA's Institute of Agriculture (IOA) is the only institution in Australia to receive funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) as part of the Climate Change Research Program for research into all three greenhouse gas areas - Methane, Nitrous Oxide and Carbon Dioxide.

Research at The University of Western Australia and the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia is helping farmers adapt to climate change and improve soil fertility.

By increasing the levels of organic carbon in soil, farmers may be able to benefit from emissions trading schemes to offset greenhouse gas emissions.  Increasing organic carbon levels in soil also has a range of benefits for soil fertility and plant growth.

Are you concerned about climate change, but not totally sure what to conclude?  Worried about attacks on scientists?  What is a valid scientific idea and how is a scientific consensus formed?

The century of cheap energy is behind us, according to an international energy expert visiting The University of Western Australia.

Lord Ron Oxburgh is Chairman of Falck Renewables, and an advisor on environment and energy to the Government of Singapore, Climate Change Capital and Deutschebank.  A geologist, he was Chairman of Shell Petroleum UK.

Australia is following a complex, risky and speculative path on future energy needs when international experience shows a simpler path forward, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Chair Ziggy Switkowski told a conference in Perth today.