Latest news with #FixingOurBrokenPlanet
Irish Examiner
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
David Attenborough to present immersive experience at Britain's Natural History Museum
David Attenborough is to present an immersive experience at Britain's Natural History Museum that delves into the story of humankind. The naturalist and broadcaster, who is known for BBC documentaries including Wild Isles and the Planet Earth series, turns 99 in May and will draw upon his career and hopes for the planet in the immersive display that opens this June. Our Story With David Attenborough, located in the museum's Jerwood Gallery, includes cinematic projection technology that will bring the gallery walls and floor to life with footage of the natural world. My hope is that visitors of all ages will experience our extraordinary journey at the Natural History Museum and come away feeling inspired, informed and most of all, empowered about their integral role in our world Attenborough, 98, said: 'Humanity is the most influential species on Earth. 'We depend entirely on this magnificent planet, yet its future is in our hands. 'My hope is that visitors of all ages will experience our extraordinary journey at the Natural History Museum and come away feeling inspired, informed and most of all, empowered about their integral role in our world. 'This is our story and we can all play a significant role.' Beginning at the start of the planet, more than four billion years ago, Attenborough documents our earliest beginnings and how we came to change the world around us. Sir David Attenborough will turn 99 this year (James Manning/PA) He also reflects on the good and the bad he has witnessed throughout his career and shares his hopes for our planet. Doug Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum, said: 'Our Jerwood Gallery has played host to some of our most unique experiences. ' Our Story With David Attenborough will certainly be one of its most special, as the gallery will be transformed into an immersive escape where the story of our species will come to life around us.' The 50-minute 360 immersive experience has been created in collaboration with Attenborough and production team Open Planet Studios. Jonnie Hughes, co-founder and director of Open Planet Studios, said it was a 'pleasure' to work with Attenborough. 'He is always eager to investigate new ways of telling stories', he said. The Natural History Museum in London (Stefan Rousseau/PA) 'Hence, it was no surprise to us that he jumped at the chance to work on this 360 immersive experience. 'By surrounding the audience with wonderful imagery, music and sound, we can take them anywhere and to any time, from the very birth of life at the bottom of the ocean on the ancient earth, to a rainforest clearing populated by a family of gorillas, to the near future, when we have all played a part in building a better, more stable world.' The new experience adds to a roster of other offerings from the museum following the opening of Fixing Our Broken Planet in April and the imminent arrival of Space: Could Life Exist Beyond Earth?, on May 16.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Fixing Our Broken Planet: Preachy? No, the Natural History Museum's gallery gives you hope
The opening infographic at the Natural History Museum's new 'Fixing Our Broken Planet' gallery doesn't mince its words: the cumulative effects of climate change — the declining condition of oceans and forests, and the number of species facing extinction — amount to 'a planetary emergency' which requires a 'global response'. The one-roomed exhibition which follows this declaration of disaster is the museum's first new permanent gallery since 2016. What begun in 2020 as a temporary display has grown into something more substantial: a collection of specimens nominated and introduced by the museum's impressive team of research scientists. The exhibits — from microscopic fungi to a huge taxidermied bison — tell the story of mankind's relationship with the planet through the food we eat, the materials we use, and the energy we harness. Some of the specimens are bizarrely fascinating. If you've ever wondered whether whales have earwax (or even ears), then here is your answer: a white, triangular 'wax plug' forms inside whales' ear canals, with each new layer revealing the age of the whale — almost like the rings in a tree trunk. The interest isn't purely biological, alas: as scientist Richard Sabin explains, these rings reveal what chemicals a whale is exposed to — including toxic pollutants and common pesticides. Another scientist has chosen to display the huge range of plastic which can be found in the Thames. The wrinkled form of a Hula Hoops packet from 1986 or a crushed Ribena carton from the '90s are unusual exhibits to see framed on the wall of a museum, but they're a tangible reminder that plastic takes decades or even centuries to decompose. Some animals have been creative in re-using plastic: it is often found in birds' nests where, unfortunately, it runs the risk of strangling their young. Urban birds have also been known to use old cigarette butts to keep the nest free of ticks and fleas; innovation which, again, poses a danger to chicks. From chemicals and materials, the exhibition moves to consider the relationship between the health of the planet and the health of humans. Some of the facts are hardly revelatory — continual light pollution is beneficial neither for humans nor nocturnal animals like bats and moths — but others are more surprising. From the 1930s to the 1960s, the most reliable pregnancy test involved injecting a South African clawed frog with urine. There's a possibility, with an exhibition like this, that it could be simultaneously preachy and doom-laden: a gallery of now-extinct species and sanctimonious messaging encouraging everyone to become a vegan. Despite its occasionally subdued approach — some exhibits, like new varieties of corn, are worthy but hardly eye-catching — and some token advice from young environmentalist 'changemakers', 'Fixing Our Broken Planet' manages to avoid both these charges. This is not a gallery which leaves any visitors beaming with joy or with allayed eco-anxiety, but it still gives hope. There are scientists working to find solutions — from turning naturally-occurring granite into Lithium needed for batteries, to rewilding parts of Britain by re-introducing Bison into the countryside. This is an exhibition of expertise; a timely addition to the museum, which shows off the important research work which goes on behind the scenes. Fixing Our Broken Planet opens April 3; Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
02-04-2025
- Science
- Telegraph
Fixing Our Broken Planet: Preachy? No, this Natural History Museum gallery gives you hope
The opening infographic at the Natural History Museum's new 'Fixing Our Broken Planet' gallery doesn't mince its words: the cumulative effects of climate change — the declining condition of oceans and forests, and the number of species facing extinction — amount to 'a planetary emergency' which requires a 'global response'. The one-roomed exhibition which follows this declaration of disaster is the museum's first new permanent gallery since 2016. What begun in 2020 as a temporary display has grown into something more substantial: a collection of specimens nominated and introduced by the museum's impressive team of research scientists. The exhibits — from microscopic fungi to a huge taxidermied bison — tell the story of mankind's relationship with the planet through the food we eat, the materials we use, and the energy we harness. Some of the specimens are bizarrely fascinating. If you've ever wondered whether whales have earwax (or even ears), then here is your answer: a white, triangular 'wax plug' forms inside whales' ear canals, with each new layer revealing the age of the whale — almost like the rings in a tree trunk. The interest isn't purely biological, alas: as scientist Richard Sabin explains, these rings reveal what chemicals a whale is exposed to — including toxic pollutants and common pesticides. Another scientist has chosen to display the huge range of plastic which can be found in the Thames. The wrinkled form of a Hula Hoops packet from 1986 or a crushed Ribena carton from the '90s are unusual exhibits to see framed on the wall of a museum, but they're a tangible reminder that plastic takes decades or even centuries to decompose. Some animals have been creative in re-using plastic: it is often found in birds' nests where, unfortunately, it runs the risk of strangling their young. Urban birds have also been known to use old cigarette butts to keep the nest free of ticks and fleas; innovation which, again, poses a danger to chicks. From chemicals and materials, the exhibition moves to consider the relationship between the health of the planet and the health of humans. Some of the facts are hardly revelatory — continual light pollution is beneficial neither for humans nor nocturnal animals like bats and moths — but others are more surprising. From the 1930s to the 1960s, the most reliable pregnancy test involved injecting a South African clawed frog with urine. There's a possibility, with an exhibition like this, that it could be simultaneously preachy and doom-laden: a gallery of now-extinct species and sanctimonious messaging encouraging everyone to become a vegan. Despite its occasionally subdued approach — some exhibits, like new varieties of corn, are worthy but hardly eye-catching — and some token advice from young environmentalist 'changemakers', 'Fixing Our Broken Planet' manages to avoid both these charges. This is not a gallery which leaves any visitors beaming with joy or with allayed eco-anxiety, but it still gives hope. There are scientists working to find solutions — from turning naturally-occurring granite into Lithium needed for batteries, to rewilding parts of Britain by re-introducing Bison into the countryside. This is an exhibition of expertise; a timely addition to the museum, which shows off the important research work which goes on behind the scenes.
Sky News
11-02-2025
- Science
- Sky News
Whale earwax and parasitic worms go on display at Natural History Museum as part of 'broken planet' exhibition
Whale earwax and parasitic worms are going on display at the Natural History Museum in a new exhibition about the "broken planet". The free new gallery is designed to "explore the biggest challenges facing our planet" and provide visitors with solutions and positive actions they can take. It is the first new, permanent gallery to open at the famous London museum since 2016. 'Fixing our Broken Planet' will feature bacteria that can be used to extract valuable copper from mine waste, show how bison are redesigning British forests for the better and explain how DNA analysis is fighting mosquito-borne diseases like malaria. Specimens like a Sumatran rhinoceros, parasitic worms and whale's earwax will be on show, curated to tell the story of the relationship between people and the planet. It comes amid mounting warnings about humans' impact on the natural world, including via "dangerous climate breakdown". Visitors will be given "practical, evidence-based choices they can take to combat the planetary emergency" as demand for food, materials and energy soars. Museum director Dr Doug Gurr said: "Our scientists have been working to find solutions for and from nature. Fixing Our Broken Planet places this research at the heart of the Museum... showing that we all have the power to make change." Opening in April, it is part-funded by the government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The gallery will "[demonstrate] how we can all make a difference", he added. Last week, the museum crowned a photo of a badger looking at graffiti as the winner of the wildlife photographer people's choice award.
