Planet Earth stories
Saving the forest on a shoestring
Around 80% of the Atlantic Rainforest has been lost as growers of crops like sugar cane have cleared trees to make way for plantations. But a low-cost method could help restore biodiversity.
28 Nov 2018
Tags: Biodiversity, Conservation, Farming, Forests
The Goldilocks effect: Weighing the world's forests
It is an old complaint: not being able to see the wood for the trees. But the grumble is being smashed thanks to a new dimension from a European Space Agency mission soon to launch.
26 Nov 2018
Tags: Atmosphere, Biodiversity, Climate, Earth observation, Forests, Space, Technology
Smoother and safer flying
Flying through a patch of severe and unexpected turbulence is an unforgettable, unsettling and sometimes painful experience for tens of thousands of passengers each year.
22 Nov 2018
Tags: Atmosphere, Climate, Environmental change, Technology, Weather
Uncovering energy hidden in the cracks
The discovery of an alternative source of oil in the Scottish Highlands could help the UK meet its spiralling energy needs.
20 Nov 2018
Tags: Environmental change, Geology, Natural resources, UK
Protecting biodiversity in palm oil
News that chocolate, bread and dried fruit all share a common ingredient with household detergents and cosmetics might sound both unlikely and unappetising. However, palm oil is used in each of these and many more everyday products.
15 Nov 2018
The plastics journey: Where are we now?
While plastics have many benefits, plastic waste is a serious form of pollution, particularly in our oceans. Here we take a look at the history of plastics and where we are now.
8 Nov 2018
Tags: Conservation, Marine life, Microplastics, Oceans, Pollution, UK
From "trivial issue" to primetime TV: A researcher's journey through plastic
It is a rare TV programme that has the instant impact of David Attenborough's Blue Planet II.
8 Nov 2018
Tags: Conservation, Health, Marine life, Microplastics, Oceans, Pollution, UK
I'm a bat biologist
Contrary to popular belief, bats are friendly creatures that play an important role in many environments around the world.
2 Nov 2018
Tags: Animals, Biodiversity, Biology, Conservation, Pollinators
Better cocoa crops for better livelihoods
Chocolate may be one of life's little pleasures, but in Ghana, for many, it is the very means of life.
31 Oct 2018
Flood research by numbers
NERC flood science saves lives, homes and businesses. Here are a few fast facts on some of our successes.
19 Oct 2018
Tags: Adaptation and mitigation, Flooding, Hazards, UK, Water
How can we work with nature to reduce flood risk?
Our new video explores how using nature to manage flooding can make a real difference to protecting communities.
19 Oct 2018
It is a tale of survival for plants and insects
Insect pollinators that have survived the impacts of intensive agriculture may be more able to resist future environmental changes than previously thought.
9 Oct 2018
Clear biodiversity commitments made by nearly one third of the world's biggest companies
Some of the world's biggest private sector companies are committing to address their environmental impacts and factoring biodiversity into their sustainability reports.
4 Oct 2018
Tags: Biodiversity, Business, Climate, Conservation, Sustainability, UK
Tiny fossils reveal how shrinking was essential for successful evolution
Scientists have discovered that mammals successfully evolved over the years by getting smaller in size.
18 Sep 2018
Scientists closing in on source of Shetland tsunamis
Shetland has been hit by at least two more tsunamis in the past 10,000 years than previously thought, and scientists are working to identify where the giant waves originated.
17 Sep 2018
Keeping satellites in the sky
As part of a series of interviews with new NERC Independent Research Fellows, Ingrid Cnossen talks about the beauty of flexible working and how understanding the weather can help to keep satellites in orbit.
29 Aug 2018
Under the faultlines
As part of a series of interviews with new NERC Independent Research Fellows, Craig Magee tells us about the portability of being a fellow and why he's going underground to uncover the science behind volcanic eruptions.
29 Aug 2018
Tags: Earth observation, Earthquakes, Geology, Hazards, Volcanoes
Unlocking the mysteries of life giving microbes
As part of a series of interviews with new NERC Independent Research Fellows, Katherine Helliwell tells us about what motivated her to apply for the scheme and the benefits of getting to grips with phytoplankton.
29 Aug 2018
Tags: Biology, Earth system, Ecology, Marine life, Water
New technology models cities' air quality in under 10 minutes
Dr Nicola Masey has found that a new system can accurately model air quality in large cities like London in minutes, within five metres of any given location using just a standard office computer.
21 Aug 2018
Tags: Atmosphere, Climate, Earth observation, Hazards, Health, Mapping, Pollution, Technology, UK
Sydney rock oysters shrinking due to coastal acidification
Sydney rock oysters, found only in the waters of Australia and New Zealand, are getting smaller due to coastal acidification, a new report has found.
16 Aug 2018
Tags: Climate, Environmental change, Farming, Fish, Food, Marine life, Oceans, Pollution
Genetic toolkit gives periwinkles seashore advantage
Periwinkles, struggling to survive the seashore battleground, have developed a genetic toolkit to help them adapt to different environments, a new study shows.
10 Aug 2018
Tags: Adaptation and mitigation, Animals, Biodiversity, Biology, Ecology, Evolution, Genetics, Marine life, UK
Scientists take to the skies to measure emissions from Greater Manchester moor fires
Scientists flew through the plumes of smoke rising from the Greater Manchester moor fires to sample pollution levels.
11 Jul 2018
Tags: Atmosphere, Climate, Ecology, Environmental change, Health, Pollution, Weather
Why is the UK's honeypot shrinking?
An innovative monitoring scheme could provide a better understanding of the factors that impact on the size and health of honeybee populations, and on honey yields.
9 Jul 2018
Tags: Bees, Biodiversity, Farming, Pollinators, Sustainability, UK
Sea robots show Arctic climate change
Underwater robots have uncovered new evidence about life in the Arctic and, for the first time, revealed the moment the region's marine ecosystem springs into life after the dark winter season.
8 Jun 2018
Tags: Arctic, Climate, Environmental change, Ice, Marine life, Oceans, Sustainability, Technology, UK
How much time is left to meet the Paris climate agreement?
Dr Phil Goodwin and Professor Ric Williams ran 100 million simulations of carbon emissions and warming to find out.
4 Jun 2018