Petra Stock
@petrastock.bsky.social
Journalist. Environmental Engineer.
Climate and environment reporter at Guardian Australia.
Previously Cosmos Magazine.
Climate and environment reporter at Guardian Australia.
Previously Cosmos Magazine.
Reposted by Petra Stock
When a whale starts to breach and a sucker-fish flees: that's remora www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘The ultimate free Uber around the sea’: suckerfish find dream solution to transport woes
Not only do remora fish enjoy a sumptuous feast of whale skin by hitching a ride on cetaceans, they even breathe easier
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:14 AM
When a whale starts to breach and a sucker-fish flees: that's remora www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Petra Stock
Bats in the ’burbs: how to give nature’s nighttime acrobats a helping hand
Bats in the ’burbs: how to give nature’s nighttime acrobats a helping hand
Spring marks the start of bat baby season. Even if you can’t see them, small changes can make a big difference for our nocturnal neighbours
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Change by degrees offers life hacks and sustainable living tips each Saturday to help reduce your household’s carbon footprint
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Got a question or tip for reducing household emissions? Email us at changebydegrees@theguardian.com
They’re around our buildings and in our back yards, some as small as walnuts: as the weather warms up, bats become more active.
Australia is home to more than 90 bat species, and for many, spring marks the start of bat baby season – when mothers need more food to support themselves and their pups. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Bats in the ’burbs: how to give nature’s nighttime acrobats a helping hand
They’re around our buildings and in our back yards, some as small as walnuts: as the weather warms up, bats become more active. 🦇
#batweek may have come to an end, but it’s never too late to give nature’s nightcrew a helping hand
#batweek2025
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
#batweek may have come to an end, but it’s never too late to give nature’s nightcrew a helping hand
#batweek2025
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Bats in the ’burbs: how to give nature’s nighttime acrobats a helping hand
Spring marks the start of bat baby season. Even if you can’t see them, small changes can make a big difference for our nocturnal neighbours
www.theguardian.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:58 PM
They’re around our buildings and in our back yards, some as small as walnuts: as the weather warms up, bats become more active. 🦇
#batweek may have come to an end, but it’s never too late to give nature’s nightcrew a helping hand
#batweek2025
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
#batweek may have come to an end, but it’s never too late to give nature’s nightcrew a helping hand
#batweek2025
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
It was “wonderful” for people to see sharks going about their daily lives in such close proximity, Dr Vanessa Pirotta, a wildlife scientist said.
“They were doing it close to shore and people had the opportunity to see them naturally foraging.”
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
“They were doing it close to shore and people had the opportunity to see them naturally foraging.”
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Shark feeding frenzy off popular Australian surf beach captured in chilling footage
‘Wonderful’ for people to see the predators so close and feasting on bait fish at the Gold Coast’s Rainbow Bay, near Snapper Rocks, expert says
www.theguardian.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:15 AM
It was “wonderful” for people to see sharks going about their daily lives in such close proximity, Dr Vanessa Pirotta, a wildlife scientist said.
“They were doing it close to shore and people had the opportunity to see them naturally foraging.”
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
“They were doing it close to shore and people had the opportunity to see them naturally foraging.”
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Reposted by Petra Stock
In our work, we hear everything from genuine concerns about renewables impact on environment, through to blatant untruths. We also see genuine concerns leveraged by people with other agendas.
reneweconomy.com.au
October 23, 2025 at 5:13 AM
In our work, we hear everything from genuine concerns about renewables impact on environment, through to blatant untruths. We also see genuine concerns leveraged by people with other agendas.
“We often go through life trying to cover up our flaws... But Doug taught me that our flaws can be the very things that define us”
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
My featherless cockatoo Doug looked like a monster – but his flaws only made me love him more | Hannah Parslow
Doug and I were inseparable. He taught me a lot about human relationships, and how we are never too ugly to be loved
www.theguardian.com
October 8, 2025 at 9:37 PM
“We often go through life trying to cover up our flaws... But Doug taught me that our flaws can be the very things that define us”
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
For a fairy-tale ending, vote 🥇 Australian fairy tern for bird of the year #boty 🧚
September 29, 2025 at 12:11 AM
For a fairy-tale ending, vote 🥇 Australian fairy tern for bird of the year #boty 🧚
Kaurna custodian Susan Dixon:
“Our cultural footprint is in that site. We wouldn’t knock down Adelaide’s cathedral. We need to honour this parkland. It should have the same value.”
Story by @henrybelot.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
“Our cultural footprint is in that site. We wouldn’t knock down Adelaide’s cathedral. We need to honour this parkland. It should have the same value.”
Story by @henrybelot.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
‘Wouldn’t knock down Adelaide cathedral’: outrage as golf course upgrade for Saudi-backed LIV tournament threatens burial site
Course upgrade has not been finalised but SA government admits bones in Indigenous site may be disturbed
www.theguardian.com
September 28, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Kaurna custodian Susan Dixon:
“Our cultural footprint is in that site. We wouldn’t knock down Adelaide’s cathedral. We need to honour this parkland. It should have the same value.”
Story by @henrybelot.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
“Our cultural footprint is in that site. We wouldn’t knock down Adelaide’s cathedral. We need to honour this parkland. It should have the same value.”
Story by @henrybelot.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Reposted by Petra Stock
I like big bats and I cannot lie! A cartoon... www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Sadly this adorable cuddly bat is critically endangered. Who do we think we are!? | First Dog on the Moon
Here is my recovery plan to SAVE THIS IMPORTANT BAT
www.theguardian.com
September 24, 2025 at 7:57 AM
I like big bats and I cannot lie! A cartoon... www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Petra Stock
Sadly this adorable cuddly bat is critically endangered. Who do we think we are!? | First Dog on the Moon
Sadly this adorable cuddly bat is critically endangered. Who do we think we are!? | First Dog on the Moon
Here is my recovery plan to SAVE THIS IMPORTANT BAT
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Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
September 24, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Sadly this adorable cuddly bat is critically endangered. Who do we think we are!? | First Dog on the Moon
Reposted by Petra Stock
The federal environment minister has conceded that successive governments acted unlawfully when they failed to create mandatory recovery plans for native species threatened with extinction
Government required to create plan to protect greater glider in major legal win for Wilderness Society
Murray Watt agrees recovery plans for greater glider, ghost bat, lungfish and sandhill dunnart were not made by successive governments
www.theguardian.com
September 23, 2025 at 4:22 AM
The federal environment minister has conceded that successive governments acted unlawfully when they failed to create mandatory recovery plans for native species threatened with extinction
A/Prof Kaempf said he was "absolutely gobsmacked" when told his position would be axed, along with experts in coastal erosion, whale and dolphin research.
"The skills that you lose is understanding algae blooms, mass strandings of whales and marine heatwave impacts.”
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
"The skills that you lose is understanding algae blooms, mass strandings of whales and marine heatwave impacts.”
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
Flinders University jobs under threat as news of proposed restructure spreads
Six internationally recognised marine scientists who are researching South Australia's toxic algal bloom are set to lose their jobs at Flinders University, the ABC understands.
www.abc.net.au
September 22, 2025 at 10:19 PM
A/Prof Kaempf said he was "absolutely gobsmacked" when told his position would be axed, along with experts in coastal erosion, whale and dolphin research.
"The skills that you lose is understanding algae blooms, mass strandings of whales and marine heatwave impacts.”
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
"The skills that you lose is understanding algae blooms, mass strandings of whales and marine heatwave impacts.”
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
Reposted by Petra Stock
For all those folk in Vic, you might be interested to know that the wild winds we've had last few days has resulted in the lowest 24hr period of brown coal generation on record 🎉
September 16, 2025 at 11:20 AM
For all those folk in Vic, you might be interested to know that the wild winds we've had last few days has resulted in the lowest 24hr period of brown coal generation on record 🎉
It’s the last native mammal on the island, but the “incredibly cute and fluffy” Christmas Island flying fox is critically endangered with no recovery plan and severely outdated conservation advice.
Scientists fear this ‘cute’ and ‘chonky’ flying fox could be one cyclone away from extinction
Scientists fear this ‘cute’ and ‘chonky’ flying fox could be one cyclone away from extinction
Christmas Island flying fox numbers have declined as endangered species left without recovery plan
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It’s the last native mammal on the island, but the “incredibly cute and fluffy” Christmas Island flying fox is critically endangered with no recovery plan and severely outdated conservation advice.
The flying fox is smaller and fluffier than many of Australia’s mainland flying fox species, according to animal ecologist Dr Annabel Dorrestein, from Western Sydney University, who has studied the species for nine years. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
September 14, 2025 at 9:06 PM
It’s the last native mammal on the island, but the “incredibly cute and fluffy” Christmas Island flying fox is critically endangered with no recovery plan and severely outdated conservation advice.
The toy swap is a community event that aims to shift consumption practices and normalise climate action. It also aims to bring people together and support them in a cost-of-living crisis.
Outgrown but not outworn: how toy swaps are tackling waste in Australia, one teddy at a time
Outgrown but not outworn: how toy swaps are tackling waste in Australia, one teddy at a time
About half of new toys sold are thrown away within a year. Here’s how families and communities are tackling toy waste
*
Change by degrees offers life hacks and sustainable living tips each Saturday to help reduce your household’s carbon footprint
*
Got a question or tip for reducing household emissions? Email us at changebydegrees@theguardian.com
Australians throw away about 27m toys each year. It’s not just a niche issue – about 87,000 tonnes are sent to landfill every year.
About half (51%) of new toys sold become waste within a year, according to research commissioned by the Australian Toy Association and Sustainability Victoria. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
August 30, 2025 at 1:57 AM
The toy swap is a community event that aims to shift consumption practices and normalise climate action. It also aims to bring people together and support them in a cost-of-living crisis.
A bumper season for southern right whales in South Australia - a “sign of hope”
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Bumper whale calving season a ‘sign of hope’ for South Australia’s oceans
Almost 200 endangered southern right wales have been spotted off state’s coastline this year, amid concerns about impact of algal bloom
www.theguardian.com
August 22, 2025 at 5:08 AM
A bumper season for southern right whales in South Australia - a “sign of hope”
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Western treatment plant is definitely on my to-do list! 🪶
Would you like to know some of Australia’s best places to see wildlife and tips for success and ensuring animals and their homes, and you, aren’t harmed? Well, @pattfinnerty.bsky.social, Rhys Cairncross and I wrote this 👉 in the @theconversation.com
theconversation.com/want-to-see-...
theconversation.com/want-to-see-...
Want to see Australia’s rare and remarkable species for yourself? Here are 10 standout spots
It’s entirely possible to see shy mountain pygmy-possums, alpine dingoes or furry cuscus with your own eyes – if you know where to go and how to look.
theconversation.com
August 19, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Western treatment plant is definitely on my to-do list! 🪶
Beautiful sunrise in Melbourne this morning (if only photographs could fully capture it)
August 14, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Beautiful sunrise in Melbourne this morning (if only photographs could fully capture it)
Reposted by Petra Stock
It’s #NationalScienceWeek! 🐦
Our HANZAB encyclopaedia is now online & free – covering every bird ever recorded in Aus, NZ & Antarctica. Updated with the latest taxonomy & threat statuses, it’s a game-changer for bird lovers & researchers alike
🔗 hanzab.birdlife.org.au
#BirdLifeAustralia #Birds
Our HANZAB encyclopaedia is now online & free – covering every bird ever recorded in Aus, NZ & Antarctica. Updated with the latest taxonomy & threat statuses, it’s a game-changer for bird lovers & researchers alike
🔗 hanzab.birdlife.org.au
#BirdLifeAustralia #Birds
August 12, 2025 at 12:19 AM
It’s #NationalScienceWeek! 🐦
Our HANZAB encyclopaedia is now online & free – covering every bird ever recorded in Aus, NZ & Antarctica. Updated with the latest taxonomy & threat statuses, it’s a game-changer for bird lovers & researchers alike
🔗 hanzab.birdlife.org.au
#BirdLifeAustralia #Birds
Our HANZAB encyclopaedia is now online & free – covering every bird ever recorded in Aus, NZ & Antarctica. Updated with the latest taxonomy & threat statuses, it’s a game-changer for bird lovers & researchers alike
🔗 hanzab.birdlife.org.au
#BirdLifeAustralia #Birds
"After watching cockatoos voluntarily begin dancing ... it was difficult to reach any conclusion other than cockatoos most likely dance because it’s fun."
Study by Charles Sturt University researchers finds cockatoos have more than 30 dance moves.
theconversation.com/body-rolls-a...
Study by Charles Sturt University researchers finds cockatoos have more than 30 dance moves.
theconversation.com/body-rolls-a...
Body rolls and headbanging: we found cockatoos have 30 different dance moves
Cockatoo owners often record their pets dancing to music. Now, researchers have catalogued many of their complex dance moves.
theconversation.com
August 6, 2025 at 8:54 PM
"After watching cockatoos voluntarily begin dancing ... it was difficult to reach any conclusion other than cockatoos most likely dance because it’s fun."
Study by Charles Sturt University researchers finds cockatoos have more than 30 dance moves.
theconversation.com/body-rolls-a...
Study by Charles Sturt University researchers finds cockatoos have more than 30 dance moves.
theconversation.com/body-rolls-a...
Reposted by Petra Stock
Stick insects! Everyone loves stick insects. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
A giant insect that looks like a stick! What is not to love? | First Dog on the Moon
Even more amazing – it is not even Australia’s longest stick insect!
www.theguardian.com
August 6, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Stick insects! Everyone loves stick insects. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Can't decide! They're all superb
www.abc.net.au/news/science...
www.abc.net.au/news/science...
Velvet worm vs ghost bat. Vote now for Australia's most underrated animal
Move over, roos and emus — this National Science Week, we're looking for the most underrated Australian animal. Meet the contestants, and vote for who you think should win.
www.abc.net.au
July 31, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Can't decide! They're all superb
www.abc.net.au/news/science...
www.abc.net.au/news/science...
Decades on and can still so easily recall the words to Each peach pear plum and Peepo!
🥧🧸
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...
🥧🧸
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...
Allan Ahlberg, beloved children's author, dies aged 87
Working first with his wife Janet, and later with illustrators including Raymond Briggs and Bruce Ingman, he wrote more than 150 books
www.theguardian.com
July 31, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Decades on and can still so easily recall the words to Each peach pear plum and Peepo!
🥧🧸
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...
🥧🧸
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...
Wood heaters are so polluting, it only takes a relatively small number of homes burning wood to expose millions of people in a city to pollution, said Professor Johnston from the Centre for Safe Air.
www.abc.net.au/news/science...
www.abc.net.au/news/science...
Map reveals where 'silent killer' wood heater smoke is worst
Wood heaters are estimated to be responsible for more pollution-related deaths than all the cars on our roads. This national map shows which areas are affected the most.
www.abc.net.au
July 28, 2025 at 4:16 AM
Wood heaters are so polluting, it only takes a relatively small number of homes burning wood to expose millions of people in a city to pollution, said Professor Johnston from the Centre for Safe Air.
www.abc.net.au/news/science...
www.abc.net.au/news/science...