Climate & Environment
A snowy week doesn't change the climate, but decades of patterns do. Explore the important difference between what happens in the atmosphere today and the trends that unfold over many years. Watch the BBC videos below, then take the Kahoot to test your knowledge.
Examine how weather describes short-term atmospheric conditions while climate reflects long-term patterns across regions and ecosystems. Learn about climate zones, seasonal trends, and the data scientists use to understand Earth's changing environment.
In this lesson, students will collaborate to understand how marine life is affected by human actions. The Dive into this engaging lesson where your students will uncover how human actions affect marine life. Kick things off with a fun game of Three Truths and a Lie about the ocean to spark curiosity and get everyone talking. Then, break into small groups and tackle a jigsaw activity as students watch short, thought-provoking videos about ocean animals and human impact. Together, they’ll share insights, tackle discussion questions, and use their newfound knowledge to create eye-catching infographics. These creations will inspire others to take action and protect our incredible oceans!
In this lesson, students will explore the effects that humans have on the world’s oceans. The lesson will begin with a game of Three Truths and a Lie about the ocean to activate students’ prior knowledge about this enormous biome. Next, students will work with a partner to watch two videos and explore the relationship between various ocean animals and human activity. Students will then share what they learned with their peers and create ocean conservation posters that educate viewers about the impact of human activities on ocean animals.
In this lesson, you’ll help your students explore the impact humans have on the world’s oceans. Start things off with a fun game of Three Truths and a Lie about the ocean to get your class thinking about this incredible biome. Then, guide your students through two engaging videos that highlight the connection between ocean animals and human activities. Wrap up the lesson with a creative activity where your students design ocean conservation posters to show how we can all work together to keep our oceans clean.
In this lesson, your students will step into the shoes of Antarctic scientists! They'll dive into the fascinating world of Antarctic research stations and unique wildlife with video clips from BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet and Frozen Planet. After exploring the videos and researching more about this frozen continent, your students will write a creative journal entry from the perspective of a research scientist sharing their experiences in Antarctica. You’ll wrap up the lesson with a meaningful class discussion about why studying Antarctica matters and how the discoveries made there could shape our world.
Take your students on a research journey to Antarctica! In this lesson, students will become Antarctic scientists as they explore the continent’s unique wildlife using video clips from BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet and Frozen Planet. Students will watch the videos, then research an Antarctic animal of their choice. They will explore what is known about the animal, identify gaps in scientific knowledge, and suggest future research areas. Finally, students will present their findings in a class display to inspire others to learn more about this amazing environment!
In this activity, students will step into the boots of Antarctic research scientists as they uncover the secrets of penguin life! They’ll start by sharing what they already know about Antarctica before "traveling" there through a BBC Frozen Planet video, which will let them experience the continent up close. Then, each student will select a penguin species to research and they will use a BBC video from Seven Worlds, One Planet or Frozen Planet to gather their observations. Students will synthesize their notes as they create a research journal page, and they will then wrap up by discussing what new questions they’re curious to investigate next!
In this activity, your students will watch captivating BBC videos from Andy’s Baby Animals and Go Jetters and then create their own Antarctic penguin character! They'll begin by learning about the coldest continent — Antarctica — and the penguins that live there. Then, students will be challenged to create their own penguin cartoon characters based on what they have learned about the characteristics and behavior of real penguins.
In Churchill, Manitoba — often called the “polar bear capital of the world” — polar bears are facing a changing home. As the Arctic warms, sea ice is forming later and melting earlier. That’s a big problem, because polar bears rely on the ice like a hunting platform to catch seals.
Now, they’re stuck on land for longer periods, waiting for the ice to return. And while they wait, hunger builds. Some bears are wandering closer to towns in search of food, digging through garbage and sometimes coming into conflict with people.
Scientists say the situation is serious: polar bear populations in some areas have dropped sharply in the last generation. As the ice keeps shrinking, the challenge of sharing space between humans and polar bears is only getting harder.
This summer, the largest wildfire ever recorded in Spain swept across the country. But the damage doesn’t end when the flames go out. For years, Spain’s sunshine and warm weather have helped its farms and its tourism industry thrive. Now extreme heat, drought, wildfires, and floods are putting both at risk.
Over the past few months, farmers have lost buildings and animals to the fires. Rebuilding would be hard enough in good conditions, but things are getting tougher. Summers are getting hotter, there’s less rain, and the wet season is ending earlier.
Tourism is feeling the effects too. Around 100 million foreign visitors are expected in Spain this year, and tourism makes up about 13% of the country’s economy. But some travelers are now choosing other destinations to avoid extreme temperatures and frequent heatwaves. For those who do visit, tour guides are changing schedules to avoid the hottest part of the day, sticking to shady routes, and making more stops for water.
Heat isn’t the only danger. In 2024, flash floods in the Valencia region of eastern Spain killed more than 230 people and damaged hundreds of businesses. The cost of the damage was equal to about 12% of the region’s GDP, which is the total value of everything the region produces in a year.
Spain’s problems aren’t unique. Climate change shows up in different ways in different places, from heatwaves in one country to floods or drought in another, and no part of the world is untouched.
This BBC video playlist travels from forests and wildlife habitats to communities developing new solutions to environmental challenges. Discover how healthy forests support life on Earth, see conservationists working to protect endangered species and restore damaged habitats, and explore how renewable energy can help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
Along the way, meet people taking action to address real environmental problems and discover how science, technology, conservation, and everyday choices can all play a role in protecting the planet.
Earth Day is a chance to appreciate the natural world, understand the challenges it faces, and imagine what a healthier future could look like. Whether it’s Earth Day or any day of the year, these BBC videos show that caring for our planet starts with understanding how it works — and how our actions can make a difference.
Explore the striking red rock formations of Arches National Park in Utah, travel among the majestic peaks of the Rocky Mountains, and stand beneath some of the tallest and oldest trees on Earth in California’s redwood forests. Along the way, encounter wildlife such as grizzly bears and bobcats and discover how animals have adapted to life in dramatically different environments.
See why ancient forests are so important, how people are working to protect threatened habitats, and what happens when changing conditions put pressure on wildlife and ecosystems. Discover how climate change is reshaping some of these landscapes and the challenges facing the plants and animals that depend on them.
From desert arches to giant trees and rugged mountain peaks, these BBC clips reveal the incredible variety of America’s natural landscapes — and why these wild places are worth understanding and protecting.
A snowy week doesn't change the climate, but decades of patterns do. Explore the important difference between what happens in the atmosphere today and the trends that unfold over many years. Watch the BBC videos below, then take the Kahoot to test your knowledge.
Examine how weather describes short-term atmospheric conditions while climate reflects long-term patterns across regions and ecosystems. Learn about climate zones, seasonal trends, and the data scientists use to understand Earth's changing environment.
In this lesson, students will collaborate to understand how marine life is affected by human actions. The Dive into this engaging lesson where your students will uncover how human actions affect marine life. Kick things off with a fun game of Three Truths and a Lie about the ocean to spark curiosity and get everyone talking. Then, break into small groups and tackle a jigsaw activity as students watch short, thought-provoking videos about ocean animals and human impact. Together, they’ll share insights, tackle discussion questions, and use their newfound knowledge to create eye-catching infographics. These creations will inspire others to take action and protect our incredible oceans!
In this lesson, students will explore the effects that humans have on the world’s oceans. The lesson will begin with a game of Three Truths and a Lie about the ocean to activate students’ prior knowledge about this enormous biome. Next, students will work with a partner to watch two videos and explore the relationship between various ocean animals and human activity. Students will then share what they learned with their peers and create ocean conservation posters that educate viewers about the impact of human activities on ocean animals.
In this lesson, you’ll help your students explore the impact humans have on the world’s oceans. Start things off with a fun game of Three Truths and a Lie about the ocean to get your class thinking about this incredible biome. Then, guide your students through two engaging videos that highlight the connection between ocean animals and human activities. Wrap up the lesson with a creative activity where your students design ocean conservation posters to show how we can all work together to keep our oceans clean.
In this lesson, your students will step into the shoes of Antarctic scientists! They'll dive into the fascinating world of Antarctic research stations and unique wildlife with video clips from BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet and Frozen Planet. After exploring the videos and researching more about this frozen continent, your students will write a creative journal entry from the perspective of a research scientist sharing their experiences in Antarctica. You’ll wrap up the lesson with a meaningful class discussion about why studying Antarctica matters and how the discoveries made there could shape our world.
Take your students on a research journey to Antarctica! In this lesson, students will become Antarctic scientists as they explore the continent’s unique wildlife using video clips from BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet and Frozen Planet. Students will watch the videos, then research an Antarctic animal of their choice. They will explore what is known about the animal, identify gaps in scientific knowledge, and suggest future research areas. Finally, students will present their findings in a class display to inspire others to learn more about this amazing environment!
In this activity, students will step into the boots of Antarctic research scientists as they uncover the secrets of penguin life! They’ll start by sharing what they already know about Antarctica before "traveling" there through a BBC Frozen Planet video, which will let them experience the continent up close. Then, each student will select a penguin species to research and they will use a BBC video from Seven Worlds, One Planet or Frozen Planet to gather their observations. Students will synthesize their notes as they create a research journal page, and they will then wrap up by discussing what new questions they’re curious to investigate next!
In this activity, your students will watch captivating BBC videos from Andy’s Baby Animals and Go Jetters and then create their own Antarctic penguin character! They'll begin by learning about the coldest continent — Antarctica — and the penguins that live there. Then, students will be challenged to create their own penguin cartoon characters based on what they have learned about the characteristics and behavior of real penguins.
In Churchill, Manitoba — often called the “polar bear capital of the world” — polar bears are facing a changing home. As the Arctic warms, sea ice is forming later and melting earlier. That’s a big problem, because polar bears rely on the ice like a hunting platform to catch seals.
Now, they’re stuck on land for longer periods, waiting for the ice to return. And while they wait, hunger builds. Some bears are wandering closer to towns in search of food, digging through garbage and sometimes coming into conflict with people.
Scientists say the situation is serious: polar bear populations in some areas have dropped sharply in the last generation. As the ice keeps shrinking, the challenge of sharing space between humans and polar bears is only getting harder.
This summer, the largest wildfire ever recorded in Spain swept across the country. But the damage doesn’t end when the flames go out. For years, Spain’s sunshine and warm weather have helped its farms and its tourism industry thrive. Now extreme heat, drought, wildfires, and floods are putting both at risk.
Over the past few months, farmers have lost buildings and animals to the fires. Rebuilding would be hard enough in good conditions, but things are getting tougher. Summers are getting hotter, there’s less rain, and the wet season is ending earlier.
Tourism is feeling the effects too. Around 100 million foreign visitors are expected in Spain this year, and tourism makes up about 13% of the country’s economy. But some travelers are now choosing other destinations to avoid extreme temperatures and frequent heatwaves. For those who do visit, tour guides are changing schedules to avoid the hottest part of the day, sticking to shady routes, and making more stops for water.
Heat isn’t the only danger. In 2024, flash floods in the Valencia region of eastern Spain killed more than 230 people and damaged hundreds of businesses. The cost of the damage was equal to about 12% of the region’s GDP, which is the total value of everything the region produces in a year.
Spain’s problems aren’t unique. Climate change shows up in different ways in different places, from heatwaves in one country to floods or drought in another, and no part of the world is untouched.
This BBC video playlist travels from forests and wildlife habitats to communities developing new solutions to environmental challenges. Discover how healthy forests support life on Earth, see conservationists working to protect endangered species and restore damaged habitats, and explore how renewable energy can help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
Along the way, meet people taking action to address real environmental problems and discover how science, technology, conservation, and everyday choices can all play a role in protecting the planet.
Earth Day is a chance to appreciate the natural world, understand the challenges it faces, and imagine what a healthier future could look like. Whether it’s Earth Day or any day of the year, these BBC videos show that caring for our planet starts with understanding how it works — and how our actions can make a difference.
Explore the striking red rock formations of Arches National Park in Utah, travel among the majestic peaks of the Rocky Mountains, and stand beneath some of the tallest and oldest trees on Earth in California’s redwood forests. Along the way, encounter wildlife such as grizzly bears and bobcats and discover how animals have adapted to life in dramatically different environments.
See why ancient forests are so important, how people are working to protect threatened habitats, and what happens when changing conditions put pressure on wildlife and ecosystems. Discover how climate change is reshaping some of these landscapes and the challenges facing the plants and animals that depend on them.
From desert arches to giant trees and rugged mountain peaks, these BBC clips reveal the incredible variety of America’s natural landscapes — and why these wild places are worth understanding and protecting.