Nature needs us!

In series 3 of Unearthed, Dr Mya-Rose Craig begins the journey into what biodiversity loss means and why it matters to protect what we have left.

We find out what might happen if we continue to ignore the impacts of climate change and habitat destruction in terms of its impacts on our lives, along with future life on the planet. We also explore how human action has brought us to the current dual crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.

But there is still plenty of hope that we can slow down or halt these destructive processes thanks to scientific research and action across different levels of society.

Kew’s Steven Bachman shares insights into the technology helping us map and prioritise conservation research and work across the planet and Dr Isabel Larridon explains how data from Kew’s State of the World’s Plants and Fungi report is the wake-up call we need.

We hear from participants in the Global Biodiversity Standard: the world’s first international certification recognising and promoting the protection, restoration and enhancement of biodiversity.

And we travel to Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, to follow researches on a ‘bioblitz’ to identify species. Then Sonia Dhanda explains how ‘wildlife trade policy’ is an important part of balancing how we utilise and conserve species around the world and across borders.

Dominique Palmer is joined by guests Sophie Pavelle and Camila Duarte Ritter to discuss what it means to ‘act now’ and why a combined effort from governments to scientists, community organisations and individuals is necessary to create positive, systemic change for nature.

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You can find out more about Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and support their cutting-edge conservation research and training at Kew.org.

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Wildlife is becoming extinct at an alarming rate and habitats are under strain. What can nature itself teach us about how to heal our planet and support biodiversity?

In Unearthed, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew invites you to explore how plant and fungal knowledge can be harnessed to change our world for the better.

“Unearthed: Nature needs us”, takes us on a journey from soil to sky, scaling the tangle of nature’s systems and interactions to help us tackle the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.

From Wednesday 22nd May, Dr Mya-Rose Craig (AKA “Birdgirl”) hears from Kew experts, as well as communities and organisations across the world who are combining learnings in science, wildlife, conservation and restoration to work within the bounds of nature and help halt the devastating impacts of unsustainable human activity.

From farming practises and food production to land use, pollinators, traditional techniques, tech and forestry to tackling poverty and inequality through environmental policy, join us as we untangle the secrets of nature and seek solutions to our world’s problems.

Subscribe to all episodes, and catch up on earlier series of Unearthed from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew here on this channel.

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To round off this series, we’re heading into our own kitchens and examining how our food choices can make for better health and a better world. 

Advolly Richmond is joined by plant scientists and top chefs to ask how the food industry can help challenge inequality and imbalances in our food systems, and how we can all make a difference, starting in our own kitchens. 

Plant medicine expert Dr Melanie Jayne Howes explains how the chemicals in some plant foods have long served to ease ailments and improve health, and how we can look to the wild as a living medicine cabinet. 

And Dr Megan Rossi, the Gut Health Doctor, unveils the incredible power of plants to support our gut microbiome, which we’re only just starting to realise can play a big part in great mental health. And the good news is that she doesn’t believe in cutting out the foods you love – just add plants! 

When it comes to global and national food trends and fashions, our restaurants and industry leaders have a big responsibility and influence. That's why we wanted to talk to some top chefs for their perspectives.

Chef Tom Hunt is author of “Eating for Pleasure, People and Planet” and an advocate for growing whatever you can to help connect with the origins of food – even if all you have is a windowsill. He explains how beans and pulses can improve your carbon footprint and discusses a future where we can prioritise both people and the environment in our food systems.

Chantelle Nicholson owns Apricity restaurant in London. She shares her ethos for using regenerative food and embracing a circular economy all the way through to the supply chain of what goes on diner’s plates.  

Founder of West African Food Brand Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen, Zoe Adjonyoh shares her story of starting an ethical food business. From its roots cooking her Dad’s Ghanaian dishes, she tracks the story of supper clubs to sustainable and decolonised food, whilst educating people from outside food communities to embrace and enjoy world food and flavours. 

And low-waste, planted-based chef Max La Manna invites us into his kitchen to hear about the 5 most wasted foods in the UK, and how you can turn them into some delicious, easy recipes! 

You can find out more about how Kew Science is helping to protect global food security by visiting kew.org. 

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