Our Broken Planet

Surveys show that most of us are really worried about climate change and we want something to be done. But what?

This series, we've explored many ways in which nature is changing in response to human activity and the dangers posed to people and planet as a result. In this final episode, Tori and Khalil explore how people are taking action in the face of the planetary emergency. Along the way, you'll find out:

• When has activism been effective?
• How do scientists feel about climate change?
• One thing everyone can do to start making a positive change

Contributors:

• Dr Erica McAlister - Senior Curator for Diptera and Siphonaptera (flies and fleas) at the Natural History Museum
• Professor Tristram Wyatt - Senior research fellow in the Department of Biology at the University of Oxford and Honorary Research Fellow at the Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research at UCL
• The Tyre Extinguishers - A nameless group who deflate the tyres of SUVs in criminal acts of protest
• Alessandra Korap Munduruku - Member of the Munduruku group of Sawré Muybu, an indigenous territory in northern Brazil, and President of the Pariri Indigenous Association
• Dr Rim Saab - Social psychology lecturer at the University of Sussex, who specialises in the psychology of political action

Have your say:

Join the conversation on social media using #OurBrokenPlanet and tag us:

Instagram: @natural_history_museum Twitter: @NHM_London TikTok: @its_NHM

A more sustainable future lies within reach. One where human societies are powered by wind and solar energy, leaving behind dirty, climate-changing fossil fuels in the past. Sounds good right?

But with many tonnes of rare earth metals needed to manufacture just one wind turbine, switching to this greener way of life likely means more mining – and lots of it – at least in the short term. But where and how could we get these metals while causing the least possible harm to people and planet?

Khalil meets scientists and campaigners to find out:

• Why are some people so interested in mining the deep sea?
• What lives on the ocean floor and what would happen to it if mining got the green light?
• How can science help reverse the long-term damage caused by mining?

Contributors:

• Richard Herrington, research lead for resourcing the green economy at the Natural History Museum
• Adrian Glover, Natural History Museum Merit Researcher specialising in deep-sea biodiversity
• Louisa Casson, Global Project Leader for Greenpeace's Stop Deep Sea Mining campaign

Have your say:

Join the conversation on social media using #OurBrokenPlanet and tag us:

Instagram: @natural_history_museum

Twitter: @NHM_London

TikTok: @its_NHM

Nigeria has some of the highest levels of unhealthy air across the African continent – a leading cause of inflammatory illness and premature death. Could its huge and growing cohort of young people have the solution?

Tori & Khalil head to the "Giant of Africa" to find out how one of the world's fastest growing nations – by economy and population – is dealing with rapidly accelerating energy demand and what might happen next.

Join us and find out

• What's the cause of Nigeria's dangerous air pollution – and what can be done about it?
• How can African countries avoid some of the environmental mis-steps made by more industrialised nations?
• What can Lagos teach us about building greener, more liveable megacities of the future?

Contributors

• Dr Rose Alani, head of the Air Quality Monitoring Research Group at the University of Lagos
• Oludayo Yusuf, Consulting Embryologist at Origene Health Services in Lagos
• Joshua Gabriel Oluwaseyi, environmental activist and founder of LearnBlue
• Dr Mofoluso Fagbeja, air quality specialist and co-author of the World Bank-funded report Development of an Air Quality Management Plan for Lagos
• Desmond Appiah, country lead for The Clean Air Fund in Ghana

Have your say:

Join the conversation on social media using #OurBrokenPlanet and tag us:

Instagram: @natural_history_museum

Twitter: @NHM_London

TikTok: @its_NHM

As modern human societies have tried to dominate and organise nature, we have been interacting with other species in some dangerous ways. From encroaching on the territory of wild creatures, to industrially farming other species in unnaturally cramped conditions, human actions are increasing the likelihood of animal nasties jumping the species barrier to infect us.

Tori & Khalil ask whether our extractive relationship with nature could be making us sick and what we can do about it. Along the way, you'll find out:

• Why are bats so full of viruses?
• Could the next pandemic start on a factory farm?
• Which single behaviour has an outsized impact on helping keep nature healthy?

Contributors:

· Dr Emilia Skirmuntt, Evolutionary virologist with the Oxford Vaccine Group, Oxford University.

· Dr Rajib Ausraful Islam, Veterinary researcher with the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research in Bangladesh

· Pak Warman, fisherman and local bat protector with the Alliance for Tompotika Conservation, based in Sulawesi, Indonesia

· Dr David Redding, Biodiversity and health research lead at the Natural History Museum

· Ed Winters (AKA Earthling Ed), vegan educator and co-founder of Surge Activism

Have your say: Join the conversation on social media using #OurBrokenPlanet and tag us: Instagram: @natural_history_museum Twitter: @NHM_London TikTok: @its_NHM