© Amphon Jindawatthana/Shutterstock.com
We live in the Anthropocene, a period where human demands and impacts are resulting in unprecedented and extreme change in Earth’s natural systems and biodiversity. We are facing a planetary emergency.
Our expertise in taxonomy, systematics and mineralogy is driving research aimed at securing the future of our food, health and natural materials.
News and information about the Anthropocene
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NewsMind-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 -
NewsClimate change could cause more animals to get divorced
Climate change could lead to an increase in break-ups as it puts pressure on the animal kingdom.
24 November 2021 -
NewsCOP26: 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 -
AnthropoceneWhy climate change is sexist
Climate change is a universal issue, but it's doing disproportionate harm to women and girls.
Our projects
Understanding biodiversity change and finding solutions to help biodiversity recover
PREDICTS
Analysing a global database of ecological communities to understand how human activities, such as land use, affect local biodiversity worldwide.
Plants Under Pressure
Measuring how many plant species are threatened with extinction, where these plants grow and why they are threatened.
Designing sustainable food systems
Future food
Mapping the distribution of wild species of food plants and the insects associated with them to help plant breeders prepare crops for the future.
EXCALIBUR: soil biodiversity in horticulture
Understanding soil biodiversity and dynamics.
Understanding disease biology and improving health outcomes for nature and people
Neglected Tropical diseases (NTDs)
Relieving the suffering of some of the 1.4 billion people infected with NTDs.
Schistosomiasis research group
Understanding and controlling this neglected tropical disease.
Resourcing the green economy
Critical elements research
Working to ensure the sustainable supply of raw materials for future generations in a major new European Commission-funded project.
Mining a sustainable future
Creating a cleaner, greener future at the Royal Society Summer Science exhibition 2021.
Other sustainability projects
Plastic in the Thames
Finding a large volume of unseen submerged plastic flowing into the marine environment.
FAME and fortune
Working to ensure the sustainable supply of raw materials for future generations in a major new European Commission-funded project.
Li4UK: Securing a domestic lithium supply chain for the UK
Demonstrating the feasibility of producing battery-quality lithium compounds from lithium found in UK rocks and geothermal waters.
All Anthropocene and sustainability projects
Scarce Minerals
- Brazilian mangrove forests
- CERCAMS
- COG3 cobalt project
- FAME and fortune
- London Centre for Ore Deposits and Exploration (LODE)
- Mafic and ultramafic rocks in southern Mexico
- Polymetallic nodule biodiversity
- Post-magmatic processes in carbonatitic systems
- Scandium in geological systems
- Te and Se Cycling and Supply (TeaSe)
- The Jadar Li-B deposit, Serbia
- The Serra Verde lateritic REE deposit
- From arc magmas to ores (FAMOS)
- Li4UK: Securing a domestic lithium supply chain for the UK
- LiFT (Lithium for Future Technology)
Image credit: Hand holding soil © Shutterstock/bluedog studio
UK biodiversity
Creating molecular and digital tools to explore undiscovered biodiversity.
Discovery, origins and evolution
Studying our natural history specimens reveals the past, present and future of life, the solar system and Earth.