EarthThese hungry insects chomp on plastic as foodWriggling critters armed with enzymes can break down plastics that would otherwise take decades, or even centuries to degrade.UK court case launched over mining project in BrazilOrange Sahara dust haze descends over AthensFuture Earth: Sign up to our newsletterHow Earth Day was bornFutureThe 1968 photo that changed the worldFutureThe rivers cleared by conveyor belt in EcuadorFutureThese are the neighbourhoods in most urgent need of treesFutureThis is how you make the world's oldest beerFutureFuture PlanetCalifornia's beaches are home to wild fish orgiesMillions of small fish fling themselves on Californian beaches to have sex – strictly under the full or new Moon.FutureTexan skyscrapers go dark to save birds' lives About two billion birds fly through Texas in the spring – and lit-up buildings pose a deadly risk. A growing campaign seeks to save birds with darkness.FutureWorld of WonderNasa reveals giant lava lake on Jupiter's volcanic moonNew research suggests the fiery moon Io has been spewing lava for billions of years.See moreVideoWhy giant hailstones are on the riseAlthough huge hailstones are still rare, there are signs that their frequency and size are increasing.Weather & scienceListen to world's first 'chat' between humans and whalesScientists had a conversation with Twain, the humpback whale. It's the first ever recorded chat of its kind.Natural wondersEngland's 'largest gold nugget' discoveredA metal detectorist has uncovered something pretty unexpected and highly valuable on farmland in rural England.Natural wondersPhotos from the deep sea show 'exciting' new speciesScientists exploring the ocean off the New Zealand coast believe they have discovered 100 new marine species.Natural wondersWhat 'zombie fires' are and why they pose a risk for CanadaOver 100 fires in one province alone have been burning under the Canadian snow at an unprecedented rate.Weather & scienceAlaska's melting glaciers that rip homes apartQasa Alom meets a team conducting research on Alaska's changing environment.Weather & scienceMesmerising life in the deep seaExplore depths where volcanic fluids meet near-freezing seawater, creating a dynamic clash below.Natural wondersWhat happens when it rains space debrisA bus-sized satellite has become the latest piece to fall to Earth. How often does that happen?Weather & scienceWhy electric vehicles struggle in extreme coldFreezing temperatures affect electric vehicles in two major ways. Watch to discover how and why.Weather & scienceThe spongy creatures cleaning Zanzibar's oceansAs ocean temperatures rise, women in Zanzibar turn to natural sea sponge farming to stay afloat.Sustainable businessThe race to fix clean energy's waste problemWhile wind electricity is clean, this green industry has a waste problem. Now there's a race to solve it.Climate solutionsGiving fashion from upcycled scrapsWant to gift sustainably, dress stylishly, and help the planet? Scraps might be the answer. Green living'It's like being in a farm from outer space'Tech-loving traveller Paul Carter visits a new kind of farm - one that has to be accessed via an airlock.Climate solutionsJapan's testbed for future sustainabilityHow a project near Fukushima has become a lab for demonstrating sustainable ideas for Japan and the wider world.Climate solutionsHow to ship solar power from sea to shoreOne company is developing a new way of transferring energy from sea to shore, and it's all powered by the wind.Climate solutionsThe sacred birds of longevity revered in BhutanThe black-necked cranes are a revered species across the Himalayas.Weather & scienceHow to live a zero-waste life in a wasteful worldLiving a zero-waste life is great for the environment and your wallet. How does it work?Green livingSouth Africa's all-female ranger squadA day in the life of the Black Mambas.Climate solutionsIntense beekeeping and wildfires are harming Turkey’s beesTurkey’s bee populations are dwindling due to intense beekeeping practices and wildfires.Green livingThe luxury cars going electricLara Lewington visits car manufacturer Bentley to find out how it is making the shift to electric.Green livingEditor's picksThe cute flying fox that's gone foreverThe Little Mariana fruit bat slipped into oblivion before scientists even had the chance to learn about its biology or behaviour.See moreMore EarthThere's no need to shower every day - here's whyIs washing ourselves very frequently necessary? Some experts believe that everyday showering is based more on a 'social contract' than actual need.CultureRunaway horses filmed racing through central LondonVideo on social media shows two horses, one covered in blood, running through central London.LondonBug splat survey shows decline in insect numbersThe annual Bugs Matter survey is compiled by hundreds of volunteers across Kent and the UK. Science & EnvironmentLucky move that led to a love of marine wildlifeSteve Truluck swapped engineering in London for whale and dolphin expertise in north east Scotland.NE, Orkney & ShetlandBerkshire Big Picture: Wednesday's image of the countyShowcasing the best images sent to us from around Berkshire.BerkshireDorset Big Picture: Wednesday's image of the countyShowcasing the best images sent to us from around Dorset.DorsetOxfordshire Big Picture: Wednesday's image of the countyShowcasing the best images sent to us from around Oxfordshire.OxfordHampshire & Isle of Wight: Wednesday's Big PictureShowcasing the best images sent to us from around Hampshire & Isle of Wight.Hampshire & Isle of Wight'Male' hippo in Japanese zoo found to be femaleA DNA test was carried out because Gen-chan did not display typical male hippo behaviour.Asia