London’s Natural History Museum has announced a range of events taking place during COP26, both in Glasgow and online.
The Museum is working with The New York Times Climate Hub, which is both a physical and virtual space, allowing leaders and thinkers to join forces with the wider community and to debate and explore actionable climate strategies.
It is also collaborating with David de Rothschild and Voice for Nature to run an event space within the Climate Hub, where guests can connect with the Natural History Museum’s solutions-focused science, as well as a line-up of activists, explorers, artists and business leaders
Meanwhile, the Museum will also host a blog on its website, reporting live throughout the event and featuring deeper dives into some of the topics. Back at the Museum in London, the free display Our Broken Planet: How We Got Here and Ways to Fix It continues, looking at the issues we face and how we can still shape the future.
The impact of biodiversity loss
The Museum, which declared a planetary emergency in 2020, aims to show that biodiversity loss has just as much of an impact on people and the planet as climate change does and that the solutions to both issues are linked.
It has presented a Biodiversity Trends Explorer to allow negotiators at COP26 and COP15 to compare the state of local ecosystem biodiversity among countries, as well as comparing the impacts of different economic futures on nature in developed and developing countries over the coming decade
“Our mission is to create advocates for the planet whether they are policymakers or business leaders, school students or families,” says Doug Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum.
“So, it is fantastic to be joining forces with The New York Times and Voice for Nature to engage decision-makers and delegates on the ground in Glasgow with the twin challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss – whilst also keeping our digital audiences up to speed and providing a dedicated space for these themes in London through Our Broken Planet exhibition.”
The Nature Bar
Ecologist, environmentalist, adventurer and Natural History Museum Ambassador David de Rothschild adds: “When we’re willing to slow down, listen and learn, Nature reveals all. She engages our hearts, moves our emotions and inspires our spirit. She not only provides us with the questions but she also shows us the answers.
“So, it’s with this deep appreciation and mutual respect for Nature and all living systems that The Nature Bar was born as a true collaboration between the Voice for Nature Collective and the Natural History Museum.”
Earlier this year, the Natural History Museum announced Our Broken Planet: How We Got Here and Ways To Fix It, a year-long season of events focused on climate change and biodiversity. This aims to convey a positive message through digital presentations, live events and free displays.
Top image: Climate Hub logo, copyright New York Times
