9 things you can do to protect the natural world

From species extinction to soil degradation, the natural world faces many threats. But what can be done to protect it? 

The natural world faces many threats, including pollution, deforestation and species extinction, and while large-scale action is needed to address them it is easy to underestimate the value of our own individual voice and actions.

"...individual actions can make a meaningful contribution towards protecting and restoring nature - from reducing meat consumption, to buying less, to creating bee-friendly spaces in our gardens." Dr Bonnie Waring Senior Lecturer at the Grantham Institute

The Grantham Institute spoke with world-leading scientists and experts at Imperial College London and beyond to highlight some of the most effective and achievable ways to protect the natural world.

The nine tips highlighted in our digital feature, include making your home a haven for wildlife, sustainable shopping, saving water, choosing to be a nature-friendly tourist and of course using the power of conversation with local councillors and friends and family to spread positive change. To help spread the word, we’ve created an explainer video together with a digital feature and flyer.

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"As leaders prepare for the 15th United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15), it's more vital than ever to let our elected representatives know how much we care about the future and fate of our natural world – and encourage them to make decisions that protect and enhance biodiversity", says Dr Bonnie Waring, Senior Lecturer at the Grantham Institute – Climate Change and the Environment.

"In September 2021, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service declared 23 more species officially extinct, including the beloved ivory-billed woodpecker. Such bleak news about accelerating species loss and habitat degradation could make us feel hopeless."

"But these individual actions can make a meaningful contribution towards protecting and restoring nature - from reducing meat consumption, to buying less, to creating bee-friendly spaces in our gardens."

Dr Tilly Collins, Deputy Director at Imperial’s Centre for Environmental Policy, said: "The natural world is wonderful at all scales, from small gardens to National Parks, and the services it provides us with are irreplaceable. We should seize this opportunity to do what we can ourselves and in concert with others to understand and protect nature both for its benefit, and ours. The UN Biodiversity Conference presents an opportunity to bring the issue of biodiversity loss and environmental degradation to the world stage and for the commitment to protect nature to progress substantially."

This list will help you to do what you can to protect the natural world, as well as securing a future for humanity. By following the nine achievable actions in our digital feature you can create positive and lasting change for ourselves and the environment.

Read our digital feature or download the flyer.

Graphics and animations created by Fat Panda.