The Natural History Museum in London has announced a transformative project aimed at addressing the climate crisis and reshaping its role in society. The museum seeks to shift from being a passive catalog of natural history to an active advocate for environmental change.
This major initiative will involve the renovation of its historic Victorian building and the creation of a new research and storage facility. By doing so, the museum hopes to inspire visitors to become advocates for the planet, raising awareness about the threats to Earth’s biodiversity and climate.
Key elements of the renovation include the overhaul of four existing galleries, such as the popular dinosaur gallery, and the reopening of two long-closed exhibition spaces. The Old General Herbarium, which has not been accessible since 1948, will host a new permanent exhibition called Fixing Our Broken Planet.
This exhibition will deliver the museum’s strongest climate message yet, aiming to influence visitors to adopt more sustainable behaviors and contribute to environmental solutions.
Natural History Museum in London Launches Major Initiative to Combat Climate Crisis and Inspire Environmental AdvocacyA significant portion of the museum’s natural history collection will be moved to a new purpose-built facility at Thames Valley Science Park. This move is designed to improve the care and accessibility of the collection while making its data more available to scientists around the world working on global challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss.
Museum director Doug Gurr highlighted that this shift reflects a change in the museum’s approach, moving from passive observation to active engagement in finding solutions to protect the planet.
The funding for this large-scale project is substantial, with the UK government pledging over £200 million toward the creation of the new research center. Additional funds will be raised through digitization efforts and philanthropic support.
Gurr also emphasized that the museum would be selective in accepting sponsorships, ensuring that partners align with the museum’s commitment to environmental responsibility. The museum has previously declined donations from companies with poor environmental records, including those in the fossil fuel industry.
In addition to the physical changes, the museum recently expanded its outdoor spaces with new gardens focused on evolution and biodiversity. It plans to extend its educational outreach, encouraging schools to use their own outdoor spaces for teaching about climate and nature.
Through these efforts, the museum aims to create a more meaningful experience for visitors, fostering a deeper understanding of environmental challenges and motivating people to take action to protect the planet.