Do these places need a rebrand?

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/aug/21/english-seaside-towns-deprivation

UK net migration increase over last year!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23878689

 

 

Russia endangering it's Arctic wildlife!!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23794232

Cuba- economically richer but culturally poorer as doors open????

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23863675

Excellent look at a country which previously has had closed doors to 'Americanisation' and the 'global culture'

Fukushima leak worse than thought?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23779561





Some experts in the nuclear field are saying that the levels of radioactivity in the water leaking from the Earthquake damaged Fukushima nuclear plant are much greater than previously thought, some are saying it could be that there is a crack in the walls of the storing facilities!!!
However it is not possible to get close enough to check!!!

Badger culling necessary or not?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23845851

The badger cull has begun, at the moment it's just a trial in 2 areas where TB is prevalent (see map above!)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23852979

The video in this link gives reasons for the badger cull to go ahead!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22614350

question and answer session about badgers!

What do you think about culling badgers?


Here's an update....
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/sep/01/24-hours-badger-cull-somerset

Bangladesh- Victim of it's Geography?

http://www.preventionweb.net/english/countries/statistics/?cid=14

Excellent graph to show the number and type of natural disasters that have hit Bangladesh between 1980 and 2010.

The whole site might be worth a look also!!!

Does Population matter?

An excellent video about population, for A level UNIT 1- global challenges and Yr 10 topic 1 population dynamics.

What the Frack?

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/shale-gas



We cannot hide from FRACKING!!!!
It is all over the news now and has been for the Summer!!

This link has many different articles on the subject, I love it because you can make so many catchy headlines from FRACKING
How about FRACK OFF?   Will hopefully make for some catchy essays!!!!!!

What is FRACKING?
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/aug/19/fracks-figures-big-questions-hydraulic-fracturing

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-23320540   animated guide



ECONOMY or ENVIRONMENT?
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/20/earth-overshoot-day-environmental-deficit

Does it damage 'Gods creation'?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-23693106

Does it degrade water quality?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23724657

Who is in favour? against it?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-23521863
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23794663
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23730308
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23662583

Can we restore the world’s coral reefs?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23773672

An excellent article about the state of coral reefs and ways they can begin to be restored!

Future fuel?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22455024



Lots of energy articles on here all about how the world will power itself in the future

Move over ice.... ships coming through....

http://www.theguardian.com/world/interactive/2013/aug/18/arctic-northern-sea-route-map

This link shows the Arctic northern sea route that will open up (through ice melt) during our (northern hemisphere) summer if the current climate change continues....

What are the negatives of this...
Well polar bears, indigenous Inuit cultural practices damaged, mineral exploitation increase and ensuing arguments over whose land it is...

Positives-
Decreased shipping times from Far east to Europe, cheaper transport costs, cheaper goods for us over here, more shipping= more goods transported,

Any other positives or negatives you can think of?

TAR SANDS....TO DRILL OR NOT TO DRILL???

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/true-north/2013/aug/22/canada-oil-pipeline-swindle

A recent look at the age old TAR SANDS debate in Canada, one area of North America where there is debate over whether oil should be extracted or the natural landscape sacred to the local indigenous communities should be protected, but not just that- if the oil is extracted how should it be transported out of the country and across the region, this is a massive named example you will study, very synoptic as it covers the energy and water security units, the USAs SUPERPOWER status is in part reliant on this area and it is a question of ENVIRONMENT V ECONOMY so the BIODIVERSITY of the region is threatened by the situation too.


For further information on this watch this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmpdlfArtkQ
This is a chunk of the episode

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00ydbl9#clips
This link gives you information on the episode

I have the full episode which you can borrow to watch on DVD at anytime

Arsenic risk in China...

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/aug/22/china-arsenic-contamination-risk-water

This is not a shock, the poor environmental regulation and increase in factories is bound to lead to this....

A BBC article on the same topic
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23794644

however there is another side here..
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/chinas-choice/2013/aug/14/china-investment-energy-saving-pollution

China is becoming GREENER, and considering the impact of it's massive industrial plants ans chemical use on the ENVIRONMENT

In praise of … charging for plastic bags

The big apple (New York City) is set to begin charging people for plastic bags (10 cents/ 6p) to reduce their use, such a strategy has worked in the Republic of Ireland, where plastic bags have been charged for since 2002 (use is down 90%).

Will it work in New York City?
Should London follow suit?

THE DEVIL SET FOR RETURN TO OZ....

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/aug/23/tasmanian-devils-release-onto-mainland

Australia is a BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT region, that is considered a MEGA-DIVERSE location, due to it's ISOLATION and RANGE of CLIMATES, the nation boasts many ENDEMIC FAUNA and FLORA.

It is also a NATION well known for its CONSERVATION efforts, the above link exemplifies one of their strategies- reintroducing species into areas where they have been lost.

Is this a good idea? What impact will these species have on other species?
Should humans interfere?

We will study this in BIODIVERSITY UNDER THREAT unit later this year!!!

Britain's rundown seasdie towns- need a rebrand??

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2398822/How-Britains-coastal-towns-deprived-country.html

Some statistics and evidence to show some of the UK's seaside towns are some of the most deprived places in the country.

The city of 2050.....

BBC series on future cities, what will cities of the future be like?

Rio- cleaning up for sport!

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/20/rio-cleans-up-brazil-olympics-world-cup

 

 

Rio is sorting itself out ready for the (arguably) most important 3 years ahead, during which it will play host to (again arguably) the Olympic games and football world cups!

 

 

They are using a stick approach to litter, to try and ensure their city is clean in time!

 

Do you think this idea is the right idea to solve their issues?

Can you think of a better one?

 

 

Also in Rio, they are using technology to make the city more sustainable-

 

 

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/08/29/world/americas/rio-big-brother-control-room/index.html?hpt=ila_t3

 

The link above has an article detailing the strategy and a video that explains how it works. 

Fukushima leaks on...

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/20/fukushima-leak-nuclear-pacific

Fukushima leaks on...
radioactive waste into the ocean- this is an excellent story for A2 unit 3, as it is a very synoptic example that links all of the topics together!!!!
An example we need to keep an eye on!!!!!!

Update- 2nd September 2013
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/interactive/2013/sep/02/fukushima-japan-nuclear-cleanup-interactive

This link is an interactive guides to what is happening now at the fukushima plant!

Living walls are the next big thing!!!!!

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/picture/2013/aug/21/london-largest-living-wall-big-picture

 

This is a living wall near London Victoria!

Built to take in CO2 and moisture to help green the city,  these are excellent in the 'fight' against climate change and for encouraging wildlife and therefore biodiversity!

 

New York has had these for a while as have other cities, do you think they will catch on?

What do you think about them?

 

Awwwww!

 

A brand new species is discovered!!!http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/08/130815-olinguito-new-species-rare-mammal-science-animals/
                                                                            

The olinguito is the first carnivore species to be discovered in the Western Hemisphere in 35 years
 

RASCAL GEOGRAPHY!!!!1

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/aug/19/stand-up-tall-dizzee-rascal-grime-extract

Interesting article about Dizee Rascal and his views on the London cultural landscape! Who new this was Geography?

"Welcome to the Kingdom of Women".

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/19/visitors-flock-chinas-kingdom-of-women-luga-lake

Cultures to explore 1- the Amish

This post is for A2 geographers, studying cultural Geography-
All these links are relevant, you can scan through and find necessary information about the Amish culture- how is it different to 'mainstream' American culture? Is it a subculture? Are the Amish all American rejects?

REMEMBER to make a note in your BIBLIOGRAPHY of all the pages you visit- and REMEBER to consider the BIAS of the information.  Ask yourself who wrote it? Why? Who would disagree? Is the source RELIABLE?

http://www.welcome-to-lancaster-county.com/amish-culture.html
Lancaster county in Pennsylvania, USA is one of the largest and most traditional of the world's remaining Amish communities

http://www.everyculture.com/multi/A-Br/Amish.html

A really good overview website not just for Amish but for all the other cultures we will study too!!!!


http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/subdivisions/amish_1.shtml

This is a BBC site (religion) calls the Amish a separatist group, do you agree?

http://www.amish.net/lifestyle4.asp

A page from the 'Amish' themselves

TV shows and films (valid research sources- as you must source your information from a range of sources)

http://www.tvrage.com/Breaking_Amish_Brave_New_World

How unrealistic a portrayal of the 'true' Amish?

Also try these programmes-

The world's squarest teenagers (channel 4- watch on youtube)
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/amish-worlds-squarest-teenagers/episode-guide
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R87CGp09wCw

Meet the Amish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6BWcaW77_I

Living with the Amish
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/living-with-the-amish/4od

and the film
Amish Grace (channel5- watch on demand 5)

Lighting up the world- without electricity!!!!!

This is Alfredo, from Brazil- a man who bas improved the quality of life of numerous people in some of the world's poorest places- by developing a light that runs without electricity- perfect for slums across the globe, from Dhaka to Rio!
Read the article to find out more!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23536914
 

BHUTAN- AT ONE WITH NATURE!!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23618588

This is very useful for those studying cultural geography at A2 level, Bhutan is a very traditional nature, one where they respect their natural landscape and environment, a country where visitors are limited, as is trade and where they are trying to be even greener!!!

Sakurajima volcano erupts in Japan!!!! Ash everywhere!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23751191

The GCSE case study volcano Sakurajima has erupted again for the 500th time this year!!!!

Namibia- wipes colonialism off its maps!!!

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/09/namibia-colonialism-renames-caprivi-strip
http://www.theguardian.com/world/audio/2013/aug/09/Namibia

So Namibia has changed place names and regions of its nation, named after its German colonisers and replaced them with names in local languages- this can help to preserve the languages and enhance a national pride and promote a 'national' culture

Ecuador reverses it's decision to protect its valuable share of the Amazon!!! Good idea?????

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/16/ecuador-approves-yasuni-amazon-oil-drilling

For culture A2 and Biosphere, year 11 and 13