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 50 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.
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.