How America courted increasingly destructive wildfires − and what that means for protecting homes today 
We combed through old botanical surveys to track how plants on Australia’s islands are changing 
Rise of the Zombie Bugs takes readers on a jaw-dropping tour of the parasite world 
AI-Driven Inflation Raises U.S. Consumer Prices, Goldman Sachs Says 
Swimming in the sweet spot: how marine animals save energy on long journeys 
Fertile land for growing vegetables is at risk — but a scientific discovery could turn the tide 
Fungi are among the planet’s most important organisms — yet they continue to be overlooked in conservation strategies 
How ongoing deforestation is rooted in colonialism and its management practices 
Australia has just had its driest September on record, and the second driest month ever: the only drier month was April 1902.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s tropical cyclone outlook is out today. It’s predicting a weaker-than-normal tropical cyclone season this year but if one hits – and it’s likely one will – it’ll bring water to rain-starved soil that will soak it up and reduce the flooding risk.
Wes Mountain speaks to forecaster Andrew Watkins, who explains how the forecast works, why a cyclone could help some farms, and how to keep safe this cyclone season.
We’ve never gone through a tropical cyclone season without at least one hitting our coast, but Australia’s past may no longer be a reliable guide to our future.
In her book Sunburnt Country: the history and future of climate change in Australia, scientist Joelle Gergis maps Australia’s climate over thousands of years. While we’ve always been a land of extremes, rapid warming since 1950 is starting to alter our weather patterns.
Dr Gergis told Madeleine De Gabriele about creating the most comprehensive history of Australia’s climate ever, and why she still has hope for the future.
Credits
Free Music Archive: Podington Bear, Clouds, Rain, Sun
ABC: Morrison talks drought relief on first day as PM
Free Music Archive: Blue Dot Sessions - El Tajo
Free Music Archive: Blue Dot Sessions - Arizona Moon
