When James Lovelock and Lynn Margulis came up with the Gaia hypothesis in the 1960s to explain the way life on Earth has survived over billions of years, it was considered controversial and, despite being beloved of environmentalists, remains hard to prove. But James Dyke and Tim Lenton believe they have come up with a way to put the theory to the test.

Seventy years ago, when the NHS was created by Nye Bevan, the organisation consumed 2% of GDP. Today, that share is 7%, and the NHS is now as vast as it is complex. Maria Goddard has eight simple charts that will help you get your head around everything from where the NHS budget is spent, to changes in demographics.

In the 1960s, scientists opened the door to inventions such as solar panels and LEDs using crystals made of different chemical compounds that could be built up layer by layer. As Brian Geradot explains, the realisation that something similar, and more sophisticated, can now be done with substances like graphene could open the door to yet more technological possibilities.

It’s been six years since Freetown Christiania in Copenhagen secured its survival from speculation by developers. Helen Jarvis looks back on a remarkable social experiment that embodies the values of “degrowth” – allowing its residents to escape the earn-to-spend treadmill of city living.

Contact us here to have your event listed.

For sponsorship opportunities, email us here