The challenges we face

Our climate is breaking down. Rising seas and extreme weather events are costing lives and putting people at risk. But climate change also presents an opportunity to change the way we live so we improve things for us and the planet.

The environmental crisis doesn't affect everyone equally. Often the worst impacts fall on those who are already most exploited by people in power. The fight for environmental justice is about addressing this unfairness, and making sure green solutions don't add to the problem.

Plastic is everywhere. Useful and convenient, it’s also a massive pollution problem, especially in our oceans. We need to solve this problem at the source, and produce less plastic in the first place.

Forests are home to some of our planet’s most extraordinary biodiversity. They are also essential in the fight against climate change. But forests are all under threat from deforestation for industrial meat, palm oil and logging.

Modern industrial farming practices and the sheer number of animals involved is causing huge environmental damage, squeezing out wild animals and accelerating climate change.

Soya beans are an excellent source of protein but the agricultural industry has also become reliant on these beans for animal feed. The drive to produce greater amounts of cheap meat and dairy is accelerating climate change and destroying forests.

To keep our oceans healthy, we need to use fishing methods that keep fish stocks sturdy and protect other marine creatures.

Our oceans harbour incredible wildlife, provide food for billions and help balance our climate. To keep them healthy, we need a global network of ocean sanctuaries. These will help protect oceans from overfishing, oil drilling and plastic pollution.

Honey isn’t the only thing bees give us. They also provide us with food by pollinating a huge range of crops, not to mention wild plants.

Our world runs on oil – you could even say we’re addicted to it. But using all this oil is causing climate change and threatening our future.

The palm oil industry is responsible for destroying Indonesia’s forests. We need to change the industry and stop palm oil companies destroying forests.

Clean, renewable energy is a vital tool in our plans to reduce the worst effects of climate change. Replacing fossil fuels with wind and solar to power our homes and businesses will dramatically cut our greenhouse gas emissions.

Air pollution is choking our cities and causing a global health crisis. But switching to electric vehicles can help provide us with cleaner air and slash carbon emissions.

Air travel has opened up our world, but it’s flying is also one of the most polluting ways to travel. We need to make train travel cheaper and more efficient, and contain demand for flying.

Coal is the dirtiest, most polluting way of producing energy. But a global movement is demanding an end to our use of coal - and it’s working.

Whales, seals and penguins feast in the Antarctic’s Southern Ocean but commercial fishing and climate change pose a threat. So we need to create a giant ocean sanctuary to protect the Antarctic.

The Arctic is changing fast, and the ice around the North Pole is melting. We need to put the brakes on climate change and protect the Arctic Ocean from drilling and overfishing.

With ‘easy to reach’ oil and gas running out, fracking has been pushed as a way to plug the gap. But climate change means we can’t afford to dig up yet more polluting fuels.

Whales are magnificent creatures, but they also play an important role in keeping our oceans healthy.

Nuclear power is touted as a solution to our energy problems, but it's complex, expensive and creates huge amounts of hazardous waste. Renewable energy is cheaper and can be installed quickly.

There has been some progress towards ridding the world of nuclear weapons. But conventional wars still trap millions of people in ugly conflicts. For a truly peaceful planet, we need to focus on more peaceful objectives such as renewable energy and responding to the climate emergency.