The Our Future Planet exhibition will be showcasing nature based and technological approaches to carbon capture, utilisation and storage.
For more than 50 years, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), its councils and predecessors have supported work to understand, tackle and mitigate the effects of climate change. It has also embedded evidence in decision making and climate policy.
It is clear that reducing greenhouse gas emissions must be the cornerstone of our response to climate change, requiring us to eliminate the use of fossil fuels. However, urgent action is needed to reduce emissions now, so carbon capture will be an important part of the journey.
We are delighted to share our excitement at the opening of Our Future Planet. This pioneering exhibition at the Science Museum will inspire visitors, showcasing global innovations that are paving the way for a green industrial revolution.
Innovative solutions
The free exhibition will take visitors on a journey exploring key areas of scientific and technological innovation. Exploring solutions such as:
- Carbon8 Systems ‘Accelerated Carbonation Technology’, which is being pioneered to engineer valuable, low-carbon products
- research carried out by scientists at Birmingham University and UCL that asks fundamental questions about the ability of woodland to capture carbon dioxide.
This is a pivotal year of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow. UKRI is committed to engaging audiences around the world on how we can best seek to tackle and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Research and innovation have a major role to play in supporting large scale reductions in global carbon emissions, and in reducing the impact of the industries we rely on every day.
Our Future Planet shows us that with global focus and collaboration, by slotting together the many pieces of the solution puzzle, there is hope on the horizon.
Find out more about how UKRI is responding to climate change.
Find out more about the Our Future Planet exhibition (Science Museum).
This free exhibition will open to the public on 19 May, and visitors can pre book a time slot for museum entry at: Events (Science Museum).
The temporary exhibition will be open until September 2022.
Building a greener future
Professor Ottoline Leyser, UKRI Chief Executive, said:
UKRI is committed to bringing the research and innovation community together to build a greener, more sustainable future. The UK is at the forefront of the new, green industrial revolution and this exhibition is an opportunity to celebrate our achievements and inspire future generations to carry this work forward.
While reducing greenhouse gas emissions must be the mainstay of our response to climate change, carbon capture has an important role to play in delivering the reductions we so urgently need. UKRI is excited by the opportunity to shine a light on the breadth and diversity of our research and innovation community and the vital contribution that it is making to climate action.
Igniting curiosity
Sir Ian Blatchford, Director of the Science Museum Group, said:
Climate change takes centre stage in our programme in the run-up to the COP26. As we welcome visitors back to the museum we’ll be inviting them to ignite their curiosity as we explore how science can help humanity take on the existential threat of global heating.
Introduction to technologies
Dr Sophie Waring, Curator of Contemporary Science, said:
Our Future Planet will offer visitors an introduction to technologies that capture carbon dioxide, and explore options for storage and utilisation ranging from the preservation and management of forests to the capture and storage of carbon on an industrial scale in power generation and concrete production.
Objects on display will highlight the importance of this research to help protect our planet from the effects of global warming caused by excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. We hope that visitors will leave feeling inspired by the ambition of scientists and engineers to build a greener future.