BBC News

BBC News - Science & Environment

Meet the 19-metre octopus that prowled the ancient seas

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 18:04:39 GMT

Giant octopuses may have ruled the oceans 100 million years ago, according to fossil evidence.

How sunburn inspired a new way to store energy

Sat, 09 May 2026 08:28:23 GMT

Molecules that can capture heat could be a useful technology to decarbonise heating.

Is this the real face of Anne Boleyn?

Fri, 01 May 2026 23:01:44 GMT

A computer science team believes they have discovered a previously unknown sketch of King Henry VIII's second wife - but not everyone is convinced.

Study looks at reintroduction of storks in Britain

Sun, 10 May 2026 06:20:47 GMT

PhD student Sophie Rabone is considering the impact of reintroducing the species more widely.

Is this actually what Anne Boleyn looked like?

Fri, 01 May 2026 14:44:02 GMT

An algorithm has suggested images of what were thought to be Anne Boleyn might not be.

From blast off to splashdown: My days following Nasa's historic mission to the Moon

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 23:17:07 GMT

BBC Science Editor Rebecca Morelle reflects on how it felt to watch history being made.

Butterfly numbers are dropping but here are five species you may see more of

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:14:24 GMT

A warming climate has helped some to flourish, researchers say, but the outlook is troubling.

'Only so much' voters can worry about - are attitudes to net zero changing?

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:46:26 GMT

Recent studies show a decline in the public's sense of urgency around reaching net zero.

First ever talks to ditch fossil fuels as UN deadlock deepens

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 05:42:44 GMT

Some 60 countries are meeting in Colombia as frustration grows with lack of progress in tackling climate change

BBC Inside Science

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Creating and manufacturing a novel vaccine capable of combatting bird flu.

Ban 'forever chemicals' in uniforms and frying pans, MPs urge

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 23:11:24 GMT

School uniforms and non-stick pans are some of the everyday products that should stop using chemicals called PFAS, MPs say.

The Interview

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 23:30:00 GMT

Rebecca Morelle speaks to astronaut Jeremy Hansen ahead of the Artemis II Moon mission.

Why is NI facing a growing threat from wildfires?

Wed, 06 May 2026 05:18:27 GMT

Figures show that spring drought events are happening more often while there has been a sharp rise in "fire weather".

BBC Inside Science

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 20:00:00 GMT

We explore the mechanisms causing Europe's warming twice as fast as the global average.

Massive Alaska megatsunami was second largest ever recorded

Wed, 06 May 2026 12:00:25 GMT

New research suggests glacier melt driven by climate change is increasing the risk of giant waves.

First stop, the Moon. Next stop, Mars? Why Nasa's mission matters

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 23:50:21 GMT

Lunar discoveries and a space race with China is seeing the US invest time and money to get to the Moon - and beyond.

The debate about whether the NHS should use magic mushrooms to treat depression

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 15:47:15 GMT

Many clinical trials to test the use of psychedelic medicines for conditions such as depression have been underway since 2022 - with surprising results

£20m mystery gift buys London Zoo new hospital where you can watch vets work

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 23:20:26 GMT

Visitors will be able to watch live veterinary procedures inside a state-of-the-art new animal hospital.

Electricity bills targeted in planned shakeup to energy pricing

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:53:27 GMT

The war in the Middle East has brought renewed attention to Britain's vulnerability to energy price shocks.

How to see the Eta Aquariid meteor shower

Mon, 04 May 2026 12:11:23 GMT

How to see the Eta Aquariid meteor shower

A 17th Century 'supercomputer' once owned by Indian royalty sells for record in auction

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 13:19:12 GMT

The astrolabe - or astronomical computer - is possibly the largest in existence and had never been exhibited before.

'We're living in a shed because of river pollution'

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 06:20:08 GMT

Jane and Tony Coyle spent seven years waiting for planning permission due to River Lugg pollution.

Nature recovery zones inspired by Attenborough

Sat, 09 May 2026 10:27:38 GMT

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust says the campaign, focusing on nature recovery, is its biggest yet.

BBC Inside Science

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:00:00 GMT

What was learnt from the Chernobyl disaster and how has it shaped UK energy production?

BBC Inside Science

Thu, 07 May 2026 20:00:00 GMT

We explore whether Pluto should regain its title as the solar system’s ninth planet

Global forest loss slows but El Niño fires could threaten progress

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:26:08 GMT

The loss of tropical rainforests eased last year, according to new analysis, but scientists warn they are still disappearing rapidly.

Artemis II crew: 'We left as friends - we came back as best friends'

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:49:38 GMT

The four crew members gave their first press conference since they splashed down nearly a week ago, and emphasised hope and unity.

How tiny 'backpacks' and sniffer dogs could save hedgehogs from extinction

Sat, 09 May 2026 23:06:38 GMT

The project uses GPS 'backpacks' to track the hedgehogs as they become an increasingly rare sight.

The 40 minutes when the Artemis crew loses contact with the Earth

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 23:02:53 GMT

As the astronauts pass behind the Moon they will experience a moment of silence and solitude as communication with the Earth is blocked.

Hovering objects and flashing lights: what we learned from UFO documents released by the Pentagon

Fri, 08 May 2026 22:04:55 GMT

The US has published transcripts, video clips and audio recordings about unidentified flying objects.

Dumped goldfish endangering native carp in lake

Sun, 10 May 2026 04:47:21 GMT

The Environment Agency is seeking the abandoned pets in order to protect native fish.

UK's biggest ever environmental pollution claim reaches High Court

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 23:01:47 GMT

One of the UK's largest chicken producers and a water company accused of polluting three rivers including the River Wye

COP30: Trump and many leaders are skipping it, so does the summit still have a point?

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 00:09:19 GMT

The US president is notably absent from these UN climate talks, as are other world leaders, all of which prompts questions about the purpose of COP today.

Sewage and agricultural pollution having 'alarming' impact on UK's underwater forests

Sat, 02 May 2026 10:46:54 GMT

Scientists found seagrass meadows affected by sewage had far fewer small invertebrates, like crabs.

Walkers urged not to trample fragile bluebells

Sun, 10 May 2026 06:30:42 GMT

The Woodland Trust urges people to "stick to the path" when visiting and photographing bluebell woods.

Higgs boson breakthrough was UK triumph, but British physics faces 'catastrophic' cuts

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 19:40:16 GMT

Britain is preparing to cancel its contribution to one of the Large Hadron Collider's next major upgrades.

Award for scientist who brought space to millions

Sun, 10 May 2026 06:27:25 GMT

James O'Donoghue, from the University of Reading, is awarded the 2026 Carl Sagan medal.

Student uses space cosmic rays to make photographs

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 05:23:12 GMT

Blank negative photographic film sealed in a bag is sent to edge of space using a helium balloon.

The science of soulmates: Is there someone out there exactly right for you?

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:01:47 GMT

For many, the idea of soulmates still shapes how love is understood.

Why cheap power could matter more than clean power in the push for net zero

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:20:22 GMT

The question of how important making our electricity clean is to going green is coming under increasing scrutiny

Artemis II: Nasa targets early April for Moon mission

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 21:21:11 GMT

Nasa says technical problems that have delayed the rocket are fixed and it is ready for launch.

Massive Alaska megatsunami was second largest ever recorded

Wed, 06 May 2026 12:00:25 GMT

New research suggests glacier melt driven by climate change is increasing the risk of giant waves.