Sustainability
Our vision is a future where both people and the planet thrive. Hear from scientists studying human impact and working to predict changes to the natural world.
Find out what measures the Museum is taking for a more sustainable future and how you can get involved.
How you can help
Small changes add up to big differences. Discover what you can do.
Get involved
Help us monitor the effects of change on Britain's sealife. Explore the seashore and record the living seaweeds you find there.
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Science news
Lack of renewable energy metals could hold up net zero goals
Giving communities a greater say over mining could help to speed up the transition to net zero.
22 February 2024 -
News
Coral reefs cover more of Earth’s surface than realised, new estimates reveal
Satellite images have revealed a missing 64,000 square kilometres of coral cover, an area similar to the size of Ireland.
13 February 2024 -
News
Earth has already passed 1.5⁰C of warming, controversial study claims
Has the world already passed a critical level of global warming? A new paper claims so.
5 February 2024 -
Science news
Scientists plan ‘seaweed breakthrough’ to restore threatened species
Seaweeds play a vital role in the modern world, but their existence is under threat.
2 February 2024 -
News
Ban on sandeel fishing to support UK’s struggling seabirds
The fishing of sandeels in the UK’s portion of the North Sea will be banned from April.
1 February 2024 -
News
Underground freshwater levels are declining rapidly around the world
Wells, streams and springs are in danger of going dry as we take water out of the ground faster than it can be replaced.
24 January 2024 -
News
Antarctica’s ozone hole has been growing since 2004
A new study suggests that levels of ozone have declined by as much as 26% over the south pole.
21 November 2023 -
News
Microplastics are carried in clouds and could be affecting the weather
Microplastics in the atmosphere might encourage the formation of clouds.
15 November 2023 -
News
Climate change reaching unprecedented levels as records tumble
Earth’s climate is entering “uncharted territory” – and we have no idea what’s coming next.
24 October 2023 -
News
The world’s last untouched wildernesses are at risk of becoming farmland
The last remaining wildernesses on Earth could be swept away to feed humanity’s growing appetite.
19 October 2023 -
Science news
UK seaweeds face an uncertain future in a warming ocean
Seaweeds are vital for the health of our planet, but we are unaware of just how threatened they might be.
13 October 2023 -
Science news
Loss of tropical pollinators puts chocolate and coffee production at risk
The tropical crops may face an uncertain future amid rising temperatures and habitat loss.
12 October 2023 -
News
Europe’s bumblebees threatened with extinction as their habitats shrink
Rising temperatures and habitat loss could spell an uncertain future for bumblebees in Europe.
13 September 2023 -
News
Invasive red fire ants found in Europe for the first time
Red imported fire ants are one of the world’s most damaging invasive species.
11 September 2023 -
British wildlife
Why we should rewild ourselves and the places we live
When we live alongside nature, we end up happier and healthier. We might even end up rewilding ourselves.
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News
Emperor penguin colonies abandoned after ‘unprecedented’ loss of sea ice
The breeding failure of four emperor penguin colonies is a sign of things to come, researchers have warned.
24 August 2023 -
News
Sperm and bottlenose whales may have learnt to follow trawlers for easy meals
A new study demonstrates the extraordinary ability of whales to develop new ways of feeding.
23 August 2023 -
News
Rainforest leaves feel the burn of climate change as temperature limit approaches
If the worst case predictions of climate change come to pass, rainforests could be at serious risk.
23 August 2023 -
News
Artificial reefs in seagrass meadows could help protect against climate change
Artificial reefs attract fish, which can improve the ability of seagrass to lock up more carbon dioxide beneath the waves.
26 July 2023 -
News
New forests and restoration among proposals for England’s woodlands
A new report offers a path to recover England's woodlands, one that could increase the country's biodiversity from the mid-2040s onwards.
28 June 2023 -
News
Europe warming twice as fast as other continents
A new climate change report reveals that Europe is heating up fast, but expanded use of renewable energy offers some hope for the future.
26 June 2023 -
News
World’s longest fence affecting the development of kangaroos
Kangaroos spring up faster when they’re living with their predators.
6 June 2023 -
News
Endangered chimpanzees contaminated with pesticides and flame retardants
Primate poo is revealing how pollutants are affecting threatened species in the wild.
24 May 2023 -
News
Lack of methane emissions control threatens climate change action
Over 85% of methane emissions aren't being regulated by governments around the world.
19 May 2023 -
News
Climate change set to breach 1.5⁰C limit for first time by 2027
The world is rapidly running out of time to halt rising temperatures.
17 May 2023 -
Science news
Scientists weed out harmful genes to breed better potatoes
An unprecedented look at potato genetics could help to tackle world hunger.
11 May 2023 -
News
Mystery emissions of ozone-damaging gases are fuelling climate change
Levels of some ozone-damaging gases are on the rise, despite a global ban on their production.
3 April 2023 -
News
Microplastics in seabirds linked with increase in illness-causing bacteria
Microplastics aren't just affecting large animals, they're also affecting microscopic species too.
27 March 2023 -
News
Biodiversity at risk as development encroaches into 80% of vital habitats
Development in Key Biodiversity Areas poses a risk to the stability and survival of unique ecosystems.
24 March 2023 -
News
Climate change 'survival guide' finds 1.5⁰C is achievable, but needs urgent action
The latest climate report reveals that the world is more than capable of tackling climate change, but current action simply isn't enough.
20 March 2023 -
News
Calls for a treaty to tackle space pollution in Earth's orbit
With the number of satellites expected to increase by over six times by 2030, there are calls for a new treaty to curb space pollution.
14 March 2023 -
News
Welsh island becomes the first Dark Sky Sanctuary in Europe
As light pollution continues to increase around the world, the stars above Ynys Enlli remain much as our ancestors would have seen them.
23 February 2023 -
News
Increasing light pollution is drowning out the stars
Nights are becoming around 10% lighter each year, which has implications for the health of both humans and wildlife.
19 January 2023 -
Anthropocene
Renewable energy and its importance for tackling climate change
Get the facts about sustainable energy.
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Science news
Underground wildlife is slow to recover from soil damage
Intensively used land isn't just harmful to biodiversity we can see – it's also harming the wildlife living under the ground.
13 December 2022 -
Biodiversity
Indigenous Peoples call for co-operation to conserve the world's biodiversity
Recognising the rights of the world's Indigenous Peoples could be crucial to protecting nature.
9 December 2022 -
Biodiversity
Explained: What is the Convention on Biological Diversity, and what does it do?
Nature faces a series of unprecedented threats in the twenty-first century - and the Convention on Biological Diversity sets the stage to help it fight back.
1 December 2022 -
News
COP27: What to expect from 2022's climate change conference
Demands for climate action are stronger than ever as the world comes together once again to discuss the rapidly warming world.
4 November 2022 -
News
Dams threaten populations of Australia's duck-billed platypus
Dam building in Australia is reducing gene flow between platypus groups, piling pressure on populations whose numbers are already falling.
3 November 2022 -
News
World war shipwrecks are leaking pollutants into the world's oceans
Carcinogenic fuel, explosives and chemical weapons are leaking into the seas from sunken naval vessels.
18 October 2022 -
Science news
New way of understanding Earth's ecosystems could help to restore them
The new Global Typology of Ecosystems provides an important step towards characterising the true diversity of life on Earth at its largest scale.
12 October 2022 -
News
Wax moth caterpillar spit could be used to break down plastic waste
Mass producing the proteins in the saliva could provide a cheap and effective way to break down polyethylene waste.
4 October 2022 -
Science news
Climate change will increase termite activity, releasing more carbon dioxide
Termites could reduce the amount of carbon stored in wood as the world gets hotter and drier.
22 September 2022 -
News
Net zero is cheaper and greener than continuing the use of fossil fuels
Going green is no longer just the smart decision – it's also the most profitable one.
13 September 2022 -
News
The cost of carbon dioxide may be four times higher than thought
Carbon dioxide could be being undervalued by over 70% in the USA, making the cost effectiveness of climate action appear much lower than it actually is.
1 September 2022 -
News
Artificial grass controversy as campaigners call for taxes and bans
Debate over the use of artificial and natural lawns has been rekindled in recent weeks as temperatures surge across the UK.
16 August 2022 -
Science news
Pandemic face masks could harm wildlife for years to come
The protective equipment that kept us safe during from COVID-19 could pose a lethal threat to nature.
4 August 2022 -
News
40⁰C heatwaves could happen every few years because of climate change
Records for the highest UK temperature have been set three times already in the twenty-first century and could continue to do so as global warming takes its toll.
25 July 2022 -
News
Risks to human health are increasing because of climate change
The effect of rising global temperatures on human health may require changes in our behaviour, mindset and the spaces we live in.
15 July 2022 -
News
Drug pollution is threatening the water quality of the world's rivers
Over 40% of the world's rivers could contain harmful levels of pharmaceuticals.
6 July 2022 -
Science news
The solutions to climate change and plastic pollution are linked
Despite vast investment in climate change, much less attention is being paid to plastic pollution - and we need to fight both together.
5 July 2022 -
News
Climate change report lays out what the UK must do to achieve net zero
The UK is on track to cut just 40% of the emissions required to reach net zero, the country's top climate body has warned.
29 June 2022 -
News
Saving British bumblebees needs a range of habitats
A new report lays out how we can prioritise the best selection of habitats to give the UK's 24 species of bumblebee a boost.
24 May 2022 -
News
Demand for exotic pets risks spider and scorpion extinctions
Scientists have called for greater protections for species which are at risk of being collected into extinction.
19 May 2022 -
News
UK set to miss pledge to protect 30% of territory by 2030
A new report from the British Ecological Society warns the UK needs to change how it looks after biodiverse areas of the country.
25 April 2022 -
News
Avoiding the worst of climate change is possible if we act now
We have just three years to keep the dream of 1.5⁰C of global warming alive.
4 April 2022 -
News
Wildfires can damage the ozone layer
As climate change intensifies, a greater number of wildfires will increase the risk from ultraviolet radiation.
26 March 2022 -
News
Beavers reintroduced to London after 400 years
The reintroduction is another step forward for campaigns to return the aquatic rodent to the UK.
17 March 2022 -
News
Artificial whale poo could help restore ocean biodiversity
While it could provide a useful stopgap, there is no guarantee the technique, or whales, will ever fully restore what has been lost.
9 March 2022 -
News
Treaty to end plastic pollution moves a step closer
175 countries voted to start preparations for a new treaty aimed at regulating and controlling plastics last week.
8 March 2022 -
News
New climate change report shows that 'nature can be our saviour'
The second IPCC report is looking at the effects of climate change on extreme weather, floods and temperature rises.
28 February 2022 -
News
Reintroducing large mammals could restore the world's ecosystems
Just 20 large mammals, including beavers, bears and bison, could bring back communities across a quarter of the planet.
17 February 2022 -
Science news
Nanofoam discovered in pollen could power cars and save lives
Structures inspired by pollen could make electric car batteries cheaper and more efficient.
9 February 2022 -
News
Crocodiles prefer aquatic meals after toxic toad invasion
Scientists believe that the behavioural change may help the reptiles wash away poison from the cane toad, an amphibian which has decimated Australian biodiversity.
26 January 2022 -
News
Bees, butterflies and moths 'confused' by air pollution
Air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides can cause as much as a 90% decline in pollinator visits to flowers.
24 January 2022 -
News
UK must adapt to climate change now, report warns
The UK faces more deaths, higher costs and greater disruption if preparations to adapt to climate change aren't taken now, the government's climate advisors have warned.
18 January 2022 -
News
The last eight years have been the hottest on record
2021 is tied as the sixth hottest year on record
14 January 2022 -
News
The conservation success stories of 2021
Scientists, activists and members of the public fought to ensure that 2021 won't be remembered as all bad for conservation.
29 December 2021 -
News
Mind-controlling fungus could cause more crop damage in warmer climates
The combination of a common fungal disease with climate change on ladybirds could cause aphids to become more of a problem.
26 November 2021 -
News
COP26: the second week's headlines
Here's a roundup of the important announcements that have been made at COP26 over the past week amid plenty of promises but also harsh reality checks.
12 November 2021 -
News
COP26: the first week's headlines
Read a summary of the major headlines coming out of the climate summit.
5 November 2021 -
News
COP26: this week's headlines
With COP26 starting in just a few days time, here's a roundup of the key headlines ahead of the upcoming climate summit.
29 October 2021 -
News
Extreme heat and flooding risk in London due to climate change
Thousands of homes, schools and hospitals in London are at risk from climate change, the Mayor of London has said.
23 September 2021 -
Anthropocene
Bag your next sustainable fashion haul on a budget
Eco-fashion can seem expensive and overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. Here are nine ways to forget fast fashion and shop sustainable instead.
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Anthropocene
How to make a worm composter
Turn your kitchen food scraps into fantastic fertiliser by making a wormery.
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Anthropocene
The future of eating: how genetically modified food will withstand climate change
Future farmers face a big challenge: feeding everyone on Earth while being kind to the planet. Could genetically modified food be the answer?
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Anthropocene
Will the ocean really be dead in 50 years?
The oceans are facing down three huge threats: overfishing, pollution and climate change.
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Anthropocene
Sugar: a killer crop?
The world's sugar addiction is destroying tropical rainforest.
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Science news
Lithium carbonate has been produced from UK rocks for the first time
A breakthrough in domestic production could bring down the carbon footprint of lithium-ion batteries.
19 January 2021 -
Science news
New insights will help the world protect future wheat supplies
The world needs wheat crops that are bountiful, disease resistant and able to thrive in soil without fertilisers.
25 November 2020 -
Science news
More ambitious targets needed to prevent the destruction of nature
A series of 'safety nets' are needed to prevent the next set of goals from failing.
22 October 2020 -
Anthropocene
Your mobile phone is powered by precious metals and minerals
The world's rarest mineral resources are in your hands.
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Anthropocene
What is e-waste and what can we do about it?
The UK is one of the largest producers of household e-waste in the world.
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Science news
40% of plants are threatened with extinction
The extinction risk to plants could be worse than previously thought, according to a landmark report.
30 September 2020 -
News
Beekeeping in cities is harming other wildlife, study finds
Enthusiasm for beekeeping in the UK's major cities is threatening other local wildlife, according to a new report.
30 September 2020 -
Science news
UK has 'led the world' in destroying the natural environment
Centuries of farming, building and industry have made the UK one of the most nature-depleted countries in Europe.
26 September 2020 -
Anthropocene
Nature: liberated by lockdown?
What really happened to nature in 2020?
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British wildlife
Why road verges are important habitats for wildflowers and animals
They cover an enormous area of the UK and are home to many rare and declining wild plants, insects, amphibians and more.
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Science news
New Guinea is home to more plant species than any other island
The first taxonomically verified checklist of the plants of New Guinea is complete.
5 August 2020 -
Science news
Bullets, bombs, cans and plastic litter the bottom of the Pacific Ocean
Human waste was found 2,000 metres below the ocean surface.
8 June 2020 -
Science news
Why you should care about scientists sequencing the wheat genome
Sequencing the wheat genome could help to protect food supplies in the future.
22 April 2020 -
Biodiversity
What is biodiversity and why does its loss matter?
Biodiversity is the name we give to the variety of all life on Earth.
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Science news
Almost half of butterfly species in Singapore have disappeared
Singapore is losing its butterflies as forests decline and building programmes boom.
22 January 2020 -
News
We are declaring a planetary emergency
Earth's natural systems are struggling to support us.
20 January 2020 -
Anthropocene
How to make beeswax wraps
Making these reusable food wraps will help you reduce your single-use plastic waste.
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Anthropocene
What you can do to help the planet: an illustrated guide
Here's what you can do to help protect nature.
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Science news
Over 600,000 hermit crabs die in plastic bottles on two remote islands
As the crabs die, they release a signal attracting other crabs causing a gruesome chain reaction.
5 December 2019 -
Anthropocene
Hans Zimmer: 'The Earth is in a terrible situation'
Composer Hans Zimmer is speaking up for nature.
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Anthropocene
Three ways to go eco-friendly at Christmas
Here are three ways to reduce plastic waste during the festive season.
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Collections
Examining the body of one of the world's most elusive porpoise species
Museum scientists have dissected a spectacled porpoise specimen to discover more about these little known animals.