Planet Earth stories
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