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, will tackle key issues at the heart of the earth summit's green economy agenda.

Your questions and comments will form an important part of these discussions, which will be webcast live from the Natural History Museum early in 2012. Find out about the 4 debate themes below and get involved.

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? Watch the video of the live debate and continue the discussion online.
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 the Earth Debates live online or visit our video archive. The next debate, Green cities in a green economy – how to pioneer a sustainable transition? will be broadcast on 14 March 2012 at 19:00 GMT.
About the Earth Debates panel members

Background information about the panel members taking part in 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.
Watch the Earth Debates

Watch the next live debate online today from 19:00 - 20:00 GMT.