Planet Earth stories
The Arctic
The Arctic is beautiful and awe-inspiring. It is also a vital element of the Earth's climate system, helping to regulate global temperatures.
9 Jul 2019
Tags: Arctic, Climate, Environmental change, Ice, Marine life, Oceans, Pollution, Sea level change
Following the ocean's flow
The dramatic sight of Atlantic waves crashing onto UK shores from the vast, surging ocean illustrates perfectly the joke behind its nickname of 'The Pond'.
20 Jun 2019
Tags: Climate, Modelling, Oceans, Technology
Get to know the UK's new polar research ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough
Once you have set eyes on the RRS Sir David Attenborough, you won't forget her. From rock drills and marine robots to the intriguingly named moon pool, take a closer look at everything the ship has to offer.
11 Jun 2019
What happened to Helike?
There is little to see today of Helike, just a few walls and artefacts scraped clean by archaeologists. The great Greek city, famed across the classical world, sunk into the coastal mud of the Gulf of Corinth in 373 BC during a terrible earthquake.
6 Jun 2019
Tags: Archaeology, Earthquakes, Geoengineering, Geology, Hazards
Cliffs, clams and coral reefs: Looking below the sea's surface
The ocean covers more than two thirds of the world, but we have a detailed map of less than 20% of its floor. But slowly, marine geoscientists are filling in the gaps.
24 May 2019
Tags: Biodiversity, Mapping, Marine life, Oceans, Reefs, Robotics, Technology, UK
Change of tune for Hawaiian crickets?
Crickets that lost their song in an evolutionary bid to escape predators could hold the key to understanding how bursts of new species can form so quickly.
10 May 2019
From childhood ambition to ocean explorer: Looking back on a life at sea
Over the years, I've explored unvisited areas of ocean floor. I've discovered new ecosystems and described weird and wonderful species and even had the honour of having some named after me.
26 Apr 2019
Tags: Antarctic, Biodiversity, Marine life, Oceans
Copepods: The unsung heroes of the ocean
We all know the amazing job that bees and birds, as pollinators, do for the planet. But have you heard about the humble copepod?
24 Apr 2019
Tags: Animals, Arctic, Climate, Ecology, Environmental change, Marine life, Oceans
Widespread British pollinator losses
Insects that play an important role in pollination are disappearing from areas of Great Britain.
27 Mar 2019
Tags: Bees, Biodiversity, Conservation, Ecology, Environmental change, Farming, Insects, Pollinators, UK
Listening in: Sounds of minke whales recorded for first time
The minke whale is one of the largest marine species regularly visiting the Scottish coast, but its secretive and unpredictable lifestyle means much of its behaviour remains a mystery.
12 Mar 2019
Tags: Animals, Marine life, Oceans, Technology, UK
How are plankton changing?
Scientists are one step closer to understanding how plankton communities are changing in coastal waters and shelf seas around the UK.
1 Mar 2019
Working with China to find a solution to pollution
Scientists are delving underground to study the agricultural impacts to soil and water, and are one step closer to finding a solution to land degradation and pollution.
7 Feb 2019
Tags: Farming, Food, Pollution, Soils, Technology
Plastics are being glued together in the ocean
Glue-like substances secreted by bacteria are sticking tiny particles of plastic together in the ocean to form larger masses.
5 Feb 2019
Tags: Marine life, Microplastics, Oceans, Pollution
Loch Ness trees to help Scotland's carbon store
Thousands of trees planted near Loch Ness could help grow a new income stream for Scotland's forestry industry while removing thousands of tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere.
15 Jan 2019
Tags: Climate, Conservation, Forests, Natural resources, Soils, Sustainability, UK
Climate change spells disaster for small businesses in southern Africa
What do you picture when you think about climate change? Perhaps you see failing crops, rising sea levels or melting glaciers. But what about struggling small businesses?
10 Jan 2019
Tags: Climate, Environmental change, Hazards, Weather
Missing ocean monitoring instrument found after five years at sea
Early Christmas present for the National Oceanography Centre as missing deep-ocean lander is found after five years lost at sea.
14 Dec 2018
Tags: Antarctic, Climate, Oceans, Sea level change, Technology
Trees can help mitigate ammonia emissions from farming
Scientists have developed a new online calculator and guidance to help farmers and others to design woodland to capture airborne ammonia, reducing pollution.
11 Dec 2018
Tags: Atmosphere, Biodiversity, Farming, Forests, Plants, Pollution, UK
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