Nature and the world around us have inspired generations of artists over the centuries. The landscape has remained a major and popular theme in art from the 17th Century to the present day; it’s something that can connect us with our locality and give us a sense of home.

Contemporary art has often highlighted environmental issues, as the world we live in changes. Artists tell the story of the here and now, offering us a narrative for our experiences. So how does art raise awareness of the dangers facing the planet? Can it offer a way of forcing us to think differently about the way we exploit it?

The selection of artworks below looks at the human impact on our world, and the ways contemporary artists have responded to nature and the environment.