A fur seal lays beneath a cement mixer
Shared Planet explores the complex and growing interface between people and the natural world.
As the world population increases by approximately 200,000 people per day and our demand for resources rises year by year, is there enough room for nature?
Each programme in the series will concentrate on one theme and invited guests, the world’s greatest thinkers on the environment, will explore the topic with Monty, looking at the economic, political and social drivers that affect our relationship with nature.
Field reports will illustrate the issues and what is being done on the ground to help solve the problems.
Kelvin Boot, the Shared Planet correspondent, will summarise points of view, and actions taken, from around the world.
Shared Planet will wrestle with the economics, political, human and wildlife issues generated by the needs of 7 billion people on one natural world.
It all starts on Tuesday 11 June at 11:00am on BBC Radio 4. Read more on the BBC's Shared Planet pages.
What's new from the series
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Shared Planet – What is sustainability?
This week's episode asks if it is possible for seven billion people to live with nature in a sustainable way.
Read nowShared Planet – What is sustainability?Level: 1 Introductory
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Managing impacts on nature with economics
We've been freewheeling across the economic superhighway, says Sukhdev, but not accounting for the costs.
Listen nowManaging impacts on nature with economicsLevel: 1 Introductory
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Oil and wildlife: understanding the issues
With a foot in the conservation and oil camps, David Paterson is the perfect person to discuss some of the issues that affect both groups.
Listen nowOil and wildlife: understanding the issuesLevel: 1 Introductory
Catch up on the series
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OU on the BBC: Shared Planet – All the episodes
All the episodes so far from BBC Radio 4's Shared Planet.
Read nowOU on the BBC: Shared Planet – All the episodesLevel: 1 Introductory
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OU on the BBC: Shared Planet – Extended interviews
Each week we publish an extended interview from the BBC Radio 4 series Shared Planet. Catch up here.
Read nowOU on the BBC: Shared Planet – Extended interviewsLevel: 1 Introductory
Explore local habitats with OpenLearn
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Coastal habitats
Explore our UK coastal habitats through three distinct habitats: mudflats, Bass Rock and sandy shorelines.
Take part nowCoastal habitatsLevel: 1 Introductory
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Woodland habitats
What are the intricate connections under the leaves of a British woodland? Explore the relationships between woodland organisms.
Take part nowWoodland habitatsLevel: 1 Introductory
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Meadow habitats
Stories from a floodplain meadow; a habitat once widespread in Britain, but now only surviving in isolated patches.
Take part nowMeadow habitatsLevel: 1 Introductory
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Urban habitats
How do wild animals adapt to survive in our cities? We take a look at the food chains in urban environments.
Take part nowUrban habitatsLevel: 1 Introductory
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iSpot
Learn more about the species in your local area; enter your observations of UK wildlife at iSpot.
Read moreiSpot
Ready to learn more?
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BSc (Honours) Environmental Science
This interdisciplinary degree combines aspects of biology, ecology, geography, chemistry, technology and social science to help you understand the whole picture. This course will develop the scientific and technical knowledge and skills required to investigate ecosystems; to understand fundamental environmental patterns and processes; and to address local and global environmental issues. You'll study the problems we face in understanding our natural environment and living sustainably.
Learn moreBSc (Honours) Environmental Science -
BA (Honours) Environmental Studies
Environmental change affects us all, and the challenge of how human society can – and should – respond to environmental problems is likely to be one of the most pressing issues of the twenty-first century. The BA (Hons) Environmental Studies is an original and topical qualification that provides a lively and engaging treatment of a broad range of environmental issues. It integrates the social sciences, technology and sciences to help you develop a comprehensive understanding of the environment. While studying towards this degree course you’ll learn about the political, economic, social and scientific conflicts that are at the heart of important contemporary environmental problems and debates. You’ll explore subjects such as climate change; air pollution; waste management; genetically modified food; over-fishing; renewable fuels; sustainability; and global trade. Throughout your studies, you’ll have specialist, subject-based academic support and the chance to join in online communities of other social sciences students for teaching, learning and peer support.
Learn moreBA (Honours) Environmental Studies -
BSc (Honours) Environmental Management and Technology
How can we best manage the environment, given the pressures that threaten its future? How do we design more sustainable practices and use technology effectively while doing so? The BSc (Honours) Environmental Management and Technology is a must for anyone with an interest in this critical subject. You’ll explore the complexities of the natural and built environments; how our activities influence them both; and how they influence what we do, whether at home, in communities or in organisations. This interdisciplinary degree combines aspects of science, management, technology and social science to help you understand the environmental systems in which we live and work, and how we can improve the way we act within them. You’ll gain the knowledge and skills needed to understand and manage local, national and international environmental problems more sustainably, as well as developing your analytical, design and systems thinking skills.
Learn moreBSc (Honours) Environmental Management and Technology
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