Energy and the Planet

Our home. Our responsibility.
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Our research

Rivers and oceans are essential for life on Earth. Their beauty captures our imagination; they support tourism and trade. But the marine environment is under threat from climate change and pollution. Population growth is stretching vital resources to a critical point.

Experts estimate that by 2030, the world will need

Source: International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook 2010. 2015 UN report “The United Nations World Water Development Report 2015: Water for a Sustainable World. Paris, UNESCO". 2007 World Bank report “World Bank. 2007. World Development Report 2008: Agriculture for Development. Washington, DC: World Bank.

At Hull, we’re getting on with solving some of these problems. Making a difference to people here on our doorstep and all over the globe.

Here’s what we’re working on now. If you think you can help, we’d love to hear from you.

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#DelveDeeper

"Our planet is a blue planet. Over seventy percent of it is covered by the sea. The Pacific Ocean alone covers half the globe. You can fly across it non-stop for twelve hours and still see nothing more than a speck of land."

David Attenborough, BBC Blue Planet series 1

Facing the threat of flooding

Modelling climate change

How tiny cress forests and matchstick log jams are helping our scientists predict the impact of climate change.

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From the Humber to the Mekong

Our experts are taking a lead role in a study which suggests the changing patterns of tropical storms poses a threat to the world’s river deltas.

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Helping children recover from floods

Research at the University is exploring how to help children recover from the trauma of natural disasters including floods.

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DEFENDING ENDANGERED ECOSYSTEMs

Facing a new hazard in the Antarctic

We found that pollution from microplastics – tiny pieces of plastic – was five times worse than thought in the once-pristine Antarctic.

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Ocean acidity threatens marine life

Our scientists discovered how ocean acidification is making it harder for marine creatures to find a mate, locate food or sniff out predators.

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Chemicals in our waterways

How everyday products, like toothpaste and the contraceptive pill, are having a 'gender bender' effect on wildlife in our rivers.

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New energy

Leading research into low carbon future

Professor Xudong Zhao is forging collaborations between the UK and China to help progress new energy.

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Improving safety for workers

Our experts are leading a new international study to reduce the impact of choppy seas on workers in the offshore wind industry.

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Offshore wind centre of excellence

We are working with the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult on a £2 million project to improve the way that offshore wind farms are operated and maintained.

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