Showing posts with label year 12. Show all posts
Showing posts with label year 12. Show all posts
Saturday, 19 November 2011
Sunday, 13 November 2011
Kiribati: Pushing against the tide (World Bank)
As one of the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change, Kiribati has been undertaking a range of adaptation strategies.
Read the full article from the World Bank here.
Geographers Follow @WorldBank on Twitter!
Read the full article from the World Bank here.
Geographers Follow @WorldBank on Twitter!
Sunday, 6 November 2011
Stern Review
In 2006, Sir Nicholas Stern carried out the most comprehensive review ever carried out on the economics of climate change.
The following articles and websites provide some excellent sources to research the findings and recommendations of the report...
Stern Review on the economics of climate change Directgov 30th October 2006
Climate change fight 'can't wait' BBC News 31st October 2006
At-a-glance: The Stern Review BBC News 30th October 2006
So what does the Stern Report mean for the world? The Independent 31st October 2006
Saturday, 29 October 2011
Turkey earthquake
On Sunday 23rd October, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit eastern Turkey. The epicentre of the quake was near the city of Van and Ercis.
Useful links (particularly for Unit 4 A2 Geographers!)...
Turkey earthquake death toll passes 500 The Telegraph, 27th October 2011
Turkey earthquake: Teenage boy found after four days BBC News, 28th October 2011
Boy Pulled Uninjured From Turkey's Quake Wreckage NYTimes, 28th October 2011
Turkey Earthquake: building negligence amounts to murder The Guardian, 26th October 2011 (excellent evaluative article - useful for analysis!)
Turkey Earthquake: Government will accept foreign aid BBC News, 26th October 2011
Photographs from National GeographicTurkey earthquake: Death toll passes 430 BBC News, 25th October 2011
Earthquake Adds Even More Pressure to relations between Turks, Kurds Voice of America, 27th October 2011 (good for Unit 4 'values and attitudes' part of the mark scheme!)
Timeline: major earthquakes in Turkey Reuters, 27th October 2011
A Geoglogist's Eye View of Van Earthquake Scientific American, 27th October 2011 (good explanation of tectonics and causes)
New Insights into the October 2011 Van Earthquake Earthquake-Report (CEDIM), 25th October 2011
Turkey Quake casts spotlight on political fault lines Monsters & Critics, 27th October 2011
After quake, Turkey has proven it can get by on its own Haaretz.com, 29th October 2011
Turkey still not ready for next big one The National, 17th August 2009
The Next Big Quake? Foreign Policy, 21st January 2010
Don't forget to check out the 'related articles' that feature in some of the links above. This will broaden your research, whilst still keeping it focused on the Turkey earthquake.Wednesday, 12 October 2011
Climate change in Africa
This is one of the compulsory case studies for Unit 1 Global Challenges. The following articles are particularly useful!
BBC News Climate change 'hitting Africa' 28th October 2006
Christian Aid The economic cost of climate change
The Independent Climate change will be catastrophe for Africa 16th May 2006
World Wildlife Fund Impact of Climate Change
The Guardian Climate change will devastate Africa 28th October 2009
Oxfam Horn of Africa drought: Climate change and future impacts on food security
BBC News Climate change 'will dry Africa' 29th November 2005
BBC News Climate change 'hitting Africa' 28th October 2006
Christian Aid The economic cost of climate change
The Independent Climate change will be catastrophe for Africa 16th May 2006
World Wildlife Fund Impact of Climate Change
The Guardian Climate change will devastate Africa 28th October 2009
Oxfam Horn of Africa drought: Climate change and future impacts on food security
BBC News Climate change 'will dry Africa' 29th November 2005
Monday, 6 April 2009
Earthquake in Italy
At least 27 people have been killed in a powerful earthquake that struck central Italy.
Five children are said to be among the dead and at least 30 people remain unaccounted for as a massive search for the trapped is under way.
The 6.3-magnitude quake struck in the early hours close to the medieval city of L'Aquila, 95km (60 miles) from Rome.
A civil protection official told the BBC that 3,000 to 10,000 buildings in the city may have been damaged.
To see the rest of the BBC report, click here.
Early report from CNN...
And from the BBC...
Sunday, 22 March 2009
Year 12 Fieldwork Weekend: Day One (Urban Rebranding)
THE REBRANDING OF EXETER
1. Haven Banks
The day began with a visit to Haven Banks, a waterfront location along the River Exe that has been redeveloped into small independent retail outlets and a complex of flats/apartments. A 3-bed flat in this area is currently for sale for nearly £300,000. There is also a water activities centre operating from this location. There was still evidence of many redundant warehouses from the 1800s and early 1900s which were used in the trade of wool, cement, oil, timber and other goods. Ironically, we stood discussing some of these issues in front of a building site marketing new-build 1 and 2 bedroom flat, next to an empty and derelict warehouse which was ripe for redevelopment. We carried out Environmental Quality and Housing Quality bi-polar surveys, as well as an assessment of the success of this areas regeneration.
2. Exeter Quay
We crossed the foot bridge to the other side of the River Exe, to have a look around Exeter Quay. This is an example of an area that has been rebranded for tourism. We were noting any features of the 'old' quayside and how it's 'new' rebranding targeted the tourist visiting Exeter. This ranged from the visitors centre, to cafes, retaurants, the small ferry that links the Quay to Haven Banks and the cobbled streets and pedestrianised areas. It was also worth noting the approach of the rebranding, mixing the history of the quay with the new image - the history of the area is still strongly felt. The slow deterioration of the Quay began in the mid 1800s when the railway started to replace the use of the canal for transporting goods. Here, students repeated their exercise, looking at the housing and the quality of the environment. We established that the housing around this area, known as Shilhay, was a contrast to the relatively more expensive Haven Banks area. There's an array of council owned accommodation and sheltered housing. It was a surprise to see that so many of the clubs on the quay had closed down - this area is well known as the hub of Exeter's nightlife. Some students were looking at the average age of the cars, to make comparisons with other areas later in the day.
3. Princesshay
On 13th February 2009, The Herald reported that 'LAND Securities "in partnership with Exeter City Council" spent £225m to develop the new Princesshay, bringing over 500,000 square feet of retail space, 60 shops, seven restaurants, 123 apartments and 500 parking spaces to our city.' (see the whole report here).
Students continued to collect their data regarding the environment and the housing (part of the redevelopment has included new apartments above the stores). They also carried out perception surveys, asking people using Princesshay what they thought of the redevelopment. Students had also preprepared their own means of assessing the sustainability of the city centre. There's already a notable exodus of shops from the Princesshay centre, including Zavvi, Barratts and USC.
4. High Street
After visiting the new Princesshay, we made a direct comparison with the High Street, which runs parallel to the new development. Many buildings are now empty as a result of both the current economic situation and the fact that the larger chains moved into the new development. Next and Debenhams were the two stores that acted as the anchor to the new Princesshay - with Next having the prime location and iconic design at the entrance to the High Street. However, opposite the Next store is the empty shell of the old high rise Debenhams store, as well as many other empty stores. In 2005, Exeter topped the list of clone towns in the UK, with only one out of 50 stores in the High Street being independent, the rest chain stores. (See the BBC report here.)
5. Sidwell Street
To finish, we went to a street that is in need of some regeneration - Sidwell Street. It does contain many more independent stores and a steet market, but has many visible signs of decline, including buildings in a poor state of repair, damaged pavements and graffiti. This street is only yards away from the iconic Next store, yet is a stark contrast.
When we were returning to the minibus, we went past the new Vue cinema complex and the construction of a new hotel in the same area, both examples of the reimaging of Exeter.
Here is a copy of the fieldwork booklet that we used on the day. I adapted it from various resources shared on the Edexcel Geography Ning (with thanks to those people who shared their primary data techniques).
1. Haven Banks
The day began with a visit to Haven Banks, a waterfront location along the River Exe that has been redeveloped into small independent retail outlets and a complex of flats/apartments. A 3-bed flat in this area is currently for sale for nearly £300,000. There is also a water activities centre operating from this location. There was still evidence of many redundant warehouses from the 1800s and early 1900s which were used in the trade of wool, cement, oil, timber and other goods. Ironically, we stood discussing some of these issues in front of a building site marketing new-build 1 and 2 bedroom flat, next to an empty and derelict warehouse which was ripe for redevelopment. We carried out Environmental Quality and Housing Quality bi-polar surveys, as well as an assessment of the success of this areas regeneration.
2. Exeter Quay
We crossed the foot bridge to the other side of the River Exe, to have a look around Exeter Quay. This is an example of an area that has been rebranded for tourism. We were noting any features of the 'old' quayside and how it's 'new' rebranding targeted the tourist visiting Exeter. This ranged from the visitors centre, to cafes, retaurants, the small ferry that links the Quay to Haven Banks and the cobbled streets and pedestrianised areas. It was also worth noting the approach of the rebranding, mixing the history of the quay with the new image - the history of the area is still strongly felt. The slow deterioration of the Quay began in the mid 1800s when the railway started to replace the use of the canal for transporting goods. Here, students repeated their exercise, looking at the housing and the quality of the environment. We established that the housing around this area, known as Shilhay, was a contrast to the relatively more expensive Haven Banks area. There's an array of council owned accommodation and sheltered housing. It was a surprise to see that so many of the clubs on the quay had closed down - this area is well known as the hub of Exeter's nightlife. Some students were looking at the average age of the cars, to make comparisons with other areas later in the day.
3. Princesshay
On 13th February 2009, The Herald reported that 'LAND Securities "in partnership with Exeter City Council" spent £225m to develop the new Princesshay, bringing over 500,000 square feet of retail space, 60 shops, seven restaurants, 123 apartments and 500 parking spaces to our city.' (see the whole report here).
Students continued to collect their data regarding the environment and the housing (part of the redevelopment has included new apartments above the stores). They also carried out perception surveys, asking people using Princesshay what they thought of the redevelopment. Students had also preprepared their own means of assessing the sustainability of the city centre. There's already a notable exodus of shops from the Princesshay centre, including Zavvi, Barratts and USC.
4. High Street
After visiting the new Princesshay, we made a direct comparison with the High Street, which runs parallel to the new development. Many buildings are now empty as a result of both the current economic situation and the fact that the larger chains moved into the new development. Next and Debenhams were the two stores that acted as the anchor to the new Princesshay - with Next having the prime location and iconic design at the entrance to the High Street. However, opposite the Next store is the empty shell of the old high rise Debenhams store, as well as many other empty stores. In 2005, Exeter topped the list of clone towns in the UK, with only one out of 50 stores in the High Street being independent, the rest chain stores. (See the BBC report here.)
5. Sidwell Street
To finish, we went to a street that is in need of some regeneration - Sidwell Street. It does contain many more independent stores and a steet market, but has many visible signs of decline, including buildings in a poor state of repair, damaged pavements and graffiti. This street is only yards away from the iconic Next store, yet is a stark contrast.
When we were returning to the minibus, we went past the new Vue cinema complex and the construction of a new hotel in the same area, both examples of the reimaging of Exeter.
Here is a copy of the fieldwork booklet that we used on the day. I adapted it from various resources shared on the Edexcel Geography Ning (with thanks to those people who shared their primary data techniques).
Exeter Rebranding Fieldwork Booklet
View more presentations from JoBlack.
Thursday, 18 December 2008
Planet Earth Online
Planet Earth Online
An excellent resource from the Natural Environment Research Council full of relevant articles for the World at Risk unit.
An excellent resource from the Natural Environment Research Council full of relevant articles for the World at Risk unit.
Friday, 12 December 2008
20/20/20
Some useful geography in the news today on the issue of global warming. EU leaders have reached a deal to cut carbon emissions by 20% by 2020, compared with 1990 levels. Take a look at the BBC article here.
Whilst you are on that BBC page, check out some of the other links, especially with reference to the IPCC. There's also an animated guide to the greenhouse effect and a great link to 'state of the planet, in graphics'.
Whilst you are on that BBC page, check out some of the other links, especially with reference to the IPCC. There's also an animated guide to the greenhouse effect and a great link to 'state of the planet, in graphics'.
Seeing this in the news reminded me of one of my favourite images...
Saturday, 22 November 2008
Figure 3 Future changes in the Arctic region
Here's the colour figure for your current exam question practice...
Thank you very much for your excellent efforts in Thursday's lesson. Very much appreciated!
Thank you very much for your excellent efforts in Thursday's lesson. Very much appreciated!
Sunday, 16 November 2008
Year 12 practice exam question on climate change
On Tuesday afternoon you will have your first experience of the new assessment materials/exam questions for the World at Risk unit. As promised, these are your key areas of revision...
- short, medium and long term methods of investigating climate change
- the arguments for natural or human causes of climate change/global warming
Here are two absolutely fantastic learning zone clips from the BBC which support everything we covered when learning about the above two bullet points...
1. Evidence of climate change: This clip looks at two main pieces of evidence for climate change; the effects of temperature on tree ring widths over the shorter term and ice cores as evidence of longer term fluctuations. It finishes by sugeesting that continental drift has a part to play over the longest time scale.
2. Causes of climate change: The clip covers climate change over a range of timescales Long term changes include changes in the suns output, the orbit of the earth, the tilt of the earths axis, wobble in the earth's axis of rotation. The clip finishes by looking at how changes in albedo and increased urbanisation and industry have influenced global warming through increased pollution.
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Climate change in our World: A new vision of climate change through Google Earth
Explore and learn about the impacts of climate change and find out how you can make a difference with Climate Change in our World. The Met Office Hadley Centre, British Antarctic Survey and UK Government have harnessed Google Earth technology to present you with an interactive animation showing how climate change and global temperature rises could affect our world over the next 100 years.
Find the KML file that will create the layer for Google Earth here. (Make sure you have Google Earth installed on your computer!). This video demonstrates how to use layer.
When you click on the Met Office or DFID icons, a boxes appear providing various information on how people in that place are coping with the effects of climate change.
Find the KML file that will create the layer for Google Earth here. (Make sure you have Google Earth installed on your computer!). This video demonstrates how to use layer.Saturday, 1 November 2008
Smart choices for the carbon conscious...
Brought to you by the BBC
Experts at the BBC have studied over 50 things you can do to tackle climate change (with many more to follow soon). Each action is represented by a seed. Their 'gardener' will ask questions to identify which ones suit you best. When you find an action you plan to do, or one you've already done, plant the seed and watch it bloom. Your collection of Blooms shows the progress you've made!
Want to know what actions can have the biggest impact on your carbon emissions? Bloom helps you choose actions tailored to your home and lifestyle, then lets you compare them by how much CO2 they save, how cheap they are or how easy other Bloomers have found them.
Experts at the BBC have studied over 50 things you can do to tackle climate change (with many more to follow soon). Each action is represented by a seed. Their 'gardener' will ask questions to identify which ones suit you best. When you find an action you plan to do, or one you've already done, plant the seed and watch it bloom. Your collection of Blooms shows the progress you've made!Click on the image to go to their site...perhaps you can could have a go as a household?
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