The natural world is in crisis. As our demand for food, materials and energy soars, forests are becoming farmland, plastic is filling our oceans and the climate is heating fast.
Find out more below about the consequences of our actions and examine some of the solutions that could help mend our broken planet.
Food for thought
The diets of the world's wealthiest nations are putting the planet in peril, so what are the solutions for a greener, more sustainable food system that could make us - and the planet - healthier?
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AnthropoceneSeaweed farming for sustainable food
Growing food on land can be challenging and costly for the planet. Discover how seaweed farming offers a solution.
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AnthropocenePalm oil: The controversial ingredient that’s in nearly everything
Find out the facts about palm oil and its impact on the health of rainforests.
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AnthropoceneFrom aurochs to burgers
Uncover the past, present and future of cattle and what this means for climate change and nature.
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AnthropoceneWould you eat lab-grown meat?
Would you eat a steak grown by scientists?
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AnthropoceneEleven extraordinary foods we'll be eating more in the future
Discover what could become UK dinnertime staples of the future.
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AnthropoceneThe 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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AnthropoceneSugar: a killer crop?
The world's sugar addiction is destroying tropical rainforest.
Follow the debate
Our Broken Planet: The Podcast
Hear stories from the front line of the planetary emergency, as well as solutions from nature, science and people power.
Watch more events on YouTube
Explore recordings of events where panellists including scientists, farmers, entrepreneurs, fashion designers, journalists, photographers and activists discussed the key challenges we face in building a greener future.
Sustainable living
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AnthropoceneBag 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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AnthropoceneWhat you can do to help the planet: an illustrated guide
Here’s what you can do to help protect nature.
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AnthropoceneClean Air Starts at Home
A surprising amount of air pollution is emitted from our homes. Watch and find out what you can do to help.
Mining for a solution
The catastrophic effects of burning fossil fuels are already beeing seen in melting Arctic ice and raging wildfires. But mining for new metals and minerals is vital to green technologies including solar panels, wind turbines and electric cars.
Discover how mining could bring about a more sustainable future. Take a deeper look at some of the issues.
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Science newsWe need more scarce metals and elements to reach the UK's greenhouse gas goals
To meet UK electric car targets for 2050, we would need just under twice the current annual world cobalt production.
6 June 2019 -
AnthropoceneWhat 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 newsLithium 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 -
AnthropoceneYour mobile phone is powered by precious metals and minerals
The world's rarest mineral resources are in your hands.
Visiting us?
Dive deeper into the role that mining can play in fixing our broken planet thorugh a new display in our Minerals gallery.
Explore solutions to the climate crisis and the vital minerals we need to reduce emissions before its too late.
Hope for the future
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AnthropoceneWetlands: Our hidden climate superpower
Boosting biodiversity and locking away more carbon from our atmosphere than forests, wetlands are incredible ecosystems.
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AnthropoceneFuture proofing with fungi
From helping us grow our food to tackling our plastic waste problem, fungi can help us achieve a more sustainable future.
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AnthropoceneClimate hope, grief and resilience
Activists and scientists share what brings them climate joy and how they stay motivated in the face of the climate and nature crisis.
Our impact on nature
Humans have been around for a very short period of time - but we have still managed to cause a lot of damage. Deforestation, intensive farming and the exploitation of natural resources have plundered the natural world and caused biodiversity to fall dramatically.
Examine the facts and consider the solutions - what can we do to save the natural world?
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AnthropoceneCan seagrass sow hope for the planetary emergency?
Seagrass meadows store carbon, safeguard shorelines and support marine life. But they’re disappearing at a rapid rate.
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AnthropoceneRemembering the Tasmanian tiger or thylacine
Looking back at the story of the Tasmanian tiger, the echoes of colonialism and its impact on Australia’s wildlife today.
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AnthropoceneThe resilient coral reefs surviving ocean warming
Ocean warming is threatening coral reefs but some reefs are surviving the warming waters and offer hope for these vital ecosystems.
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NewsRewilding Scottish Highlands could help UK hit 30 by 30 conservation goal
Northern Scotland is among the quarter of Europe that could be suitable for rewilding.
15 August 2024 -
NewsHuman population boom will increase contact with wild animals
More and more land will be shared between people and wildlife by 2070.
21 August 2024 -
NewsNumber of threatened bird species falls in latest conservation update
We now know more about the threats affecting birds than ever before.
14 March 2024
Take action
Small actions can make a big difference. From creating mini habitats to supporting nature-positive causes in your local area, we can all do our bit to support the natural world.
Use our Discover Biodiversity tool to choose your mission.
Grow wildflower pots for pollinators
Pollinators play a vital role in plant reproduction. Without pollinating insects, many of our crops and wild plants wouldn't survive.
Advocate for green spaces
Make your voice heard by talking to those who have the power to make a change. Help them to understand why parks and other green spaces are important for sustaining biodiversity.
Take part in a bird-watching survey
The RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch is one of the world's largest wildlife surveys. It takes place every January and your findings will help scientists to identify changes in UK bird populations.
A Sustainable Museum
Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Find out how we are making steps to reduce our impact on the planet and help protect nature.