Climate & Health: The UN and WHO are warning that stronger El Niño will “add fuel to a planet already on fire,” with more extreme heat, drought and rainfall risks worldwide, while wildfire smoke is flagged as a major killer because tiny particles can worsen heart and lung conditions and mental health. Wildfire Science: New reporting highlights how Australia’s burned area has climbed over recent decades, and why smoke impacts can spread far beyond the flames. Marine & Reef Protection: Researchers and partners are pushing coral recovery work at Ningaloo Reef, using conservation genetics and high-performance computing to understand how corals respond to heat stress after major bleaching. Biodiversity & Oceans: Coral reef experts from 90+ countries met in Auckland to tackle climate-driven reef decline, including better mapping and stronger Indigenous knowledge integration. El Niño Outlook for Australia: Forecasts point to a grim spring/summer setup for parts of Australia and the wider Indian Ocean region, with drought and wildfire risk rising alongside flood threats. Energy Transition & Industry: A new pre-feasibility push for Australia’s first large oil refinery in decades is reigniting debate about whether the country should keep exporting raw resources or build more domestic value. Data Centres & Power: Firmus has won approval for a $2.9b capital raising to expand AI data centres in Tasmania and South Australia, as the race for power and “green” claims intensifies.