Earth Debates

Discuss the big issues for the Rio+20 earth summit

How do we plan a future that nurtures a healthy world alongside the needs of a growing population?

Have your say in the run up to the Rio+20 earth summit by getting involved in the Earth Debates and help shape the future of our planet.

In June 2012, experts will meet to set the agenda for a sustainable future at the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development. The summit is known as Rio+20 because it is being held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 20 years on from the first momentous earth summit which also took place there. It is also known as Earth Summit 2012.

What are the Earth Debates about?

At 4 themed debates, a panel of leading experts chaired by Richard Black, the BBC's environment correspondent, discussed key issues at the heart of the earth summit's green economy agenda.

The debates were webcast live from the Natural History Museum early in 2012. Footage is available to watch online. Find out about the 4 debate themes below, watch videos of the debates and continue the discussions by sharing your views in our Earth Debates forum.

Ecosystem economics – can we put a price on nature?

25 January 2012. Nature supplies us with clean air, pollinates our crops, and provides many other natural services. Can we calculate their value? Will doing so promote sustainable development? What are the risks?
Beyond GDP – how can we measure progress?

22 February 2012. If businesses and governments are to invest in a green economy, we need to be able to measure progress. But the traditional measure of economic growth, GDP, doesn’t take into account the wellbeing of people or the environment. What are the alternatives?
Green cities in a green economy – how to pioneer a sustainable transition?

14 March 2012. Nearly 60% of the world's population is expected to live in towns and cities by 2030. So future cities will play a key role in the welfare of both people and the environment. How can we make them greener?
Food security – how do we feed 9 billion people in 2050?

11 April 2012. How can we balance the demands of feeding our growing population with maintaining an environment that can provide the other essential services, water and raw materials that we need?
Watch the Earth Debates

Watch short clips of debate highlights or watch the debates in full in our video archive.
About the Earth Debates panel members

Background information about the panel members for the 4 Earth Debates.
About the Earth Debates organisers

Find out more about the Stakeholder Forum for a sustainable future, British Council and the Natural History Museum.
What is the Rio+20 earth summit?

Discover what Rio+20 sets out to achieve.