Our Planet for Kids
Our planet gives us air, water, food and homes, and looking after it is everyone's job. These lessons explain climate change, recycling, renewable energy and conservation in simple terms, with practical ideas for families, schools and communities.
All 109 Our Planet topics
Recycling
Recycling turns used materials like paper, glass and metal into new things.
Climate Change
Burning fuels adds greenhouse gases that trap heat, making Earth warmer.
Renewable Energy
Solar, wind and hydro power use resources that don't run out.
Saving Water
Turn off taps, fix leaks and take shorter showers.
Trees and Forests
Trees give us oxygen, wood, shade and homes for animals.
Ocean Plastic
Plastic that reaches the sea harms animals like turtles, which may mistake bags for jellyfish.
Water Pollution
Water pollution happens when waste, chemicals and rubbish get into rivers, lakes and oceans.
Soil
Soil is made from broken rock and decayed plants and animals.
Deforestation
Deforestation is cutting down large areas of forest.
Wildlife Conservation
Conservation protects wild animals and their habitats using national parks, laws and community programmes.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
The three Rs save resources.
Wind Power
Wind turbines turn the energy of moving air into electricity.
Solar Power
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity using special cells.
Hydropower
Hydropower uses flowing water to spin turbines and make electricity.
Fossil Fuels
Coal, oil and natural gas are fossil fuels, formed from ancient plants and animals over millions of years.
The Greenhouse Effect
Gases in the atmosphere trap some of the Sun's heat, keeping Earth warm enough for life.
The Ozone Layer
The ozone layer is a layer of gas high above Earth that blocks most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet rays.
Carbon Footprint
Your carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gas your activities produce.
Gardening
Gardening is growing plants like flowers and vegetables.
Saving Energy at Home
Turn off lights and devices when not in use, use LED bulbs, close doors to keep heat in and wear a jumper instead of turning up heating.
Overfishing
Overfishing is catching fish faster than they can reproduce.
Air Pollution
Air pollution happens when harmful substances enter the air, from smoke, vehicle exhaust and factories.
Smog
Smog is a thick, smoky fog that forms when pollution mixes with sunlight and still air.
Acid Rain
Acid rain forms when gases from burning fuels mix with water in the air.
Noise Pollution
Noise pollution is loud, unwanted sound that disturbs people and animals.
Light Pollution
Light pollution is too much artificial light at night, from street lamps and buildings.
Plastic Bags
Plastic bags can take hundreds of years to break down and often end up in oceans.
E-Waste
E-waste is discarded electronic equipment such as old phones, computers and batteries.
Composting
Composting turns food scraps and garden waste into rich soil.
Sustainable Fashion
Sustainable fashion means making and buying clothes in ways that protect the environment and workers.
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy uses heat from deep inside the Earth to produce electricity or warm buildings.
Tidal Energy
Tidal energy uses the rise and fall of ocean tides to turn turbines and generate electricity.
Biofuels
Biofuels are fuels made from plant materials or waste, such as corn, sugar cane or used cooking oil.
Nuclear Energy
Nuclear energy creates electricity by splitting atoms in a process called fission.
Electric Cars
Electric cars run on batteries that are charged from electricity rather than petrol or diesel.
Urban Parks
Urban parks are green spaces in cities where people can relax, play and see nature.
Green Roofs
A green roof is a roof covered with plants and soil.
Bee Conservation
Bees are vital pollinators for many crops and wild plants.
Coral Bleaching
Coral bleaching happens when corals lose the algae living in their tissues, usually because the water is too warm.
Sea Level Rise
Sea levels are rising because warming water expands and ice on land melts into the ocean.
Melting Glaciers
Glaciers are huge slow-moving rivers of ice.
Drought
A drought is a long period with much less rain than usual.
Flood Defences
Flood defences include walls, dams, embankments and wetlands that help control rising water.
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting means collecting rain from roofs and storing it in tanks or barrels.
Community Gardens
Community gardens are shared plots of land where neighbours grow fruit, vegetables and flowers together.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variety of life in a place, including plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms.
Battery Recycling
Batteries contain metals and chemicals that can harm the environment if thrown away.
Sustainable Farming
Sustainable farming grows food in ways that protect soil, water and wildlife for the future.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency means using less energy to do the same job.
Water Footprint
A water footprint is the total amount of water used to make the things we consume, including food and clothing.
Plastic-Free Lunches
A plastic-free lunch uses reusable containers, cloth bags and metal bottles instead of single-use wrap and bags.
Walking and Cycling
Walking and cycling are clean ways to travel.
Litter Picking
Litter picking means collecting rubbish from streets, parks and beaches.
Reforestation
Reforestation means planting new trees in areas where forests were cut down.
Natural Pest Control
Natural pest control uses other living things, like ladybirds that eat aphids, to keep harmful insects under control.
Ocean Currents
Ocean currents are large flows of water that move around the world.
Reusing Clothes
Reusing clothes means passing them on, mending them or swapping with friends.
Repair Cafes
A repair cafe is a community event where volunteers help people fix broken items, like toasters or bikes.
Food Miles
Food miles measure how far food travels from where it is grown to where it is eaten.
Ocean Cleanups
Ocean cleanups collect plastic and rubbish from the sea, using nets, boats and sometimes machines.
Recycling Glass
Glass can be recycled again and again without losing quality.
Leaving No Trace
Leaving no trace means taking your rubbish home, staying on paths and leaving plants and animals undisturbed.
Upcycling
Upcycling means turning old items into something new and more useful, like making a plant pot from an old tin.
Native Plants
Native plants grow naturally in an area and have adapted to its soil and weather.
Shower Timers
A shower timer helps you keep track of how long you spend in the shower.
Eco Packaging
Eco packaging is designed to use fewer materials, be recyclable or be made from plants.
Energy Monitoring
An energy monitor shows how much electricity a home uses.
Green Schools
A green school takes action to reduce waste, save energy and grow gardens.
Beach Cleanups
A beach cleanup is an event where volunteers collect rubbish from sand and shorelines.
Refill Stations
A refill station lets people fill their reusable water bottles for free or at low cost.
Biogas
Biogas is a fuel made when food waste and animal waste break down without air.
Eco-Friendly Cleaning
Eco-friendly cleaning uses products that are less harmful to the environment, such as vinegar, baking soda and lemon.
Bike Sharing
Bike sharing lets people rent a bicycle for a short trip from a docking station and return it to another station.
Plastic Alternatives
Plastic alternatives are materials that do the same job as plastic but break down more easily or come from plants.
Ocean Acidification
When the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide from the air, it becomes more acidic.
Wildfire Prevention
Wildfire prevention includes clearing dry leaves near homes, putting out campfires completely and following local fire warnings.
Ecosystem Restoration
Ecosystem restoration means helping damaged natural areas recover, such as replanting forests, cleaning rivers and bringing back native…
Peat Bogs
Peat bogs are wetlands where dead plant material builds up slowly over thousands of years.
Coral Restoration
Coral restoration helps damaged coral reefs grow back by growing coral fragments in nurseries and placing them on the reef.
Urban Trees
Urban trees are trees that grow in towns and cities.
Vertical Gardens
A vertical garden grows plants up a wall or on a frame instead of on the ground.
Wildflower Meadows
A wildflower meadow is a field of mixed flowers and grasses that supports bees, butterflies and other insects.
Solar Cookers
A solar cooker uses the Sun's energy to cook food without burning fuel.
Green Transport Choices
Green transport choices include walking, cycling, taking the bus or train and sharing car journeys.
Bottle Recycling Deposit
A bottle deposit scheme gives people money back when they return used bottles or cans.
Responsible Consumption
Responsible consumption means buying only what you need, choosing sustainable products and reusing things where possible.
Pollinator Gardens
A pollinator garden is planted with flowers that attract bees, butterflies and other insects.
Energy-Saving Lights
Energy-saving lights, such as LED bulbs, use much less electricity than old incandescent bulbs and last far longer.
Keep Cups
A keep cup is a reusable cup that you bring to a cafe to fill with a drink.
Tap Water Taste
Tap water is safe to drink in many places and is a low-waste alternative to bottled water.
Second-Hand Shopping
Second-hand shopping means buying items that have already been used by someone else, such as clothes, books and toys.
Air Quality Monitoring
Air quality monitoring measures pollutants in the air, such as dust and gases.
Bicycle Lanes
Bicycle lanes are marked paths on roads for cyclists.
Rewilding
Rewilding means restoring natural habitats and bringing back native plants and animals.
Rain Barrels
A rain barrel collects rainwater from a roof or gutter.
Clean Rivers
Clean rivers support fish, plants and wildlife, and they provide safe water for people.
Upcycled Fashion
Upcycled fashion turns old clothes or materials into new and stylish items.
Plant a Hedge
A hedge is a row of shrubs or small trees planted close together.
Carbon Offsets
A carbon offset is a way of balancing out emissions by funding projects that reduce or capture carbon elsewhere, such as tree planting.
Solar Roof Panels
Solar roof panels are installed on rooftops to capture sunlight and turn it into electricity for homes.
Sustainable Seafood
Sustainable seafood is fish and shellfish caught or farmed in ways that protect fish populations and the wider ocean.
Fair Trade
Fair trade means buying goods from producers who are paid a fair price and treated fairly.
Organic Farming
Organic farming avoids most synthetic pesticides and fertilisers and relies on natural methods, such as compost and crop rotation.
Zero Waste
Zero waste is a lifestyle that aims to send as little rubbish to landfill as possible.
Sustainable Tourism
Sustainable tourism is travel that protects the environment, supports local communities and respects culture.
Recycled Playgrounds
Recycled playgrounds are built using materials such as old tyres, wood and plastic.
Clean Air Zones
Clean air zones are areas where the most polluting vehicles are restricted or charged to enter.
Electric Buses
Electric buses run on batteries and produce no exhaust fumes.
Solar Lanterns
Solar lanterns use a small solar panel to charge a battery during the day and provide light at night.
Frequently asked questions about Our Planet
What can children do to help the planet?
Recycle, save water and energy, plant trees or flowers, reduce waste, walk or cycle where possible and tell others what you have learned.
Is climate change happening now?
Yes. Scientists have measured rising global temperatures over the past century, mainly because of greenhouse gases from human activities.
Can one person make a difference?
Yes. Individual choices add up, and people working together in schools and communities can achieve major changes.