Merchiston Geography

Coastal erosion landforms

2012-01-24T07:50:00.003Z

Study the diagram of arch and stack formation on p151. Find a photgraph of these formations on the internet and copy the the photograph onto a MS Word document. Use the 'Insert - Shape - Callout' function to label the photograph describing and explaining how it is formed.

Print off your labelled picture and draw a diagram of the landforms underneath.

Unit 3 Section B - worksheet 4 - Ecological footprint senarios

2012-01-23T09:02:00.003Z

Use these links to help you with worksheet 4 on the Ecological footprint and three sustainable technologies

Statoil - CCS

Copenhagen - Urban Transport Technology

Biogas Gothenburg

Whole articles from 'views':

View 1 - subscription only...

Scandinavia - Kyoto Protocol

2012-01-19T20:47:00.004Z

CO2 emissions per capita

Total CO2 emissions

Have a look at these two graphs. Plenty to discuss here.

Norway was one of a number of countries who were allowed to increase their emissions as part of the Kyoto Protocol (the others included Sweden, Iceland and Australia). Although this decision was largely political (as they were dragging their feet over signing), Norway also made the point that as they already produce 42% of their energy from HEP they would find it very hard to cut emissions further - particularly as they were planning three new gas-fired power stations over the next few years. Detail about why their emissions have continued to rise can be found here.

Sweden was also allowed to increase emissions by 4%. This was due to their plans to decomission their nuclear reactors and hence would be relying more heavily on fossil-fuels. However, their overall emissions have fallen dramatically due to huge reduction in coal and oil use and an increase in biomass / biogas (Figure 13). There is plans for a huge incresase in wind power.

Africa to EU migration

2012-01-18T07:41:00.001Z

Thousands of Africans try to make the journey to Europe each year. The BBC News website gives information about the routes they travel, the cause of this movement and some of its impacts as well as personal stories.

Panorama films

IV Form renewable energy task

2012-01-17T07:16:00.002Z

Use the following to help you with your research task

An excellent site which explains clearly each type of source

Wikipedia entry for renewable energy

Wind power in the 'How Stuff Works' website. Other energy sources also on the site

BBC Energy in the UK mini-site - links to lots of relevant stories

Energy on BBC Bitesize

Unit 3 Section B - worksheet 3

2012-01-16T11:58:00.007Z

Use the folowing links to complete the questions on Worksheet 3 - Energy and Carbon Footprint

Norway's energy policy - IEA

Sweden's energy policy - IEA
Denmark's energy policy - IEA

Electric cars' future remains unpredictable - BBC

Think Global bankrupt and bad press

Surviving a recession - Scandinavian style

Wikipedia carbon intensity list

Decoupling

Kyoto Protocol

EU ETS

Largest Nordic companies by turnover

Illegal immigration

2012-01-16T09:17:00.003Z

Use the following links to answer the questions:

Wikipedia - Illegal immigration

Wikipedia - Asylum seeker

Migration Watch - The illegal migrant population of the UK

Migration Watch - The asylum outcome

Panorama - Breaking into Britain

Monitoring Eyjafjallojokull

2012-01-13T11:27:00.002Z

Monitoring Eyjafjallajökull

Wikipedia

Unit 3 Section B - worksheet 2 links

2012-01-13T08:18:00.003Z

Use the following links to help with the second Section B worksheet:

Happy Planet Index

Network Readiness Index

CIA World Factbook

Ecological Footprint

Curitiba - sustainable transport system

2012-01-12T09:35:00.003Z

Use the following links to complete the work on Curitiba.

Wikipedia entry

Video

Video (turn on subtitles to understand)

Unit 3 Section B preparation - the character of Scandinavia

2012-01-10T16:46:00.002Z

Some links to help with the first Section B worksheet

Wikipedia Scandinavia

Scandinavia - the crown of civilisation

Which countries set the best examples?

BedZed - eco village

2012-01-09T23:12:00.002Z

Watch these two video clips about BedZed, an eco-village in south London.

Clip 1

Clip 2

Wikipedia entry for further research

How can urban living be sustainable?

2012-01-09T12:53:00.003Z

Use these links to help you comlpete the worksheet on sustainable urban living:

Examples of sustainable cities

Edinburgh greenbelt policy

Tesco reducing packaging on its products

Edinburgh Open Space Strategy

Glaciation

2011-12-08T09:23:00.001Z

Use this link to complete the worksheet on glaciation

Globalised population change

2011-11-30T15:27:00.003Z

Population change linked to globalisation

World population growth

UK population growth

Demographic transition model

DTM II

DTM UK

Using the Wikipedia page and the other links, complete a study of the Demographic Transition Model. Include a copy of the model and the corresponding population pyramids for each stage. For each stage detail the following information:

How BR / NR / total population changes during that stage

Why this is occuring

Examples of countries currently at this stage

UK specific examples and timeline

Issues / limitations with the model

UK Climate Change programme

2011-11-23T08:53:00.003Z

Link for the UK Climate change programme

More information on carbon emissions reduction

No let up in climate change emissions - BBC

Key players in climate change

2011-11-18T11:32:00.004Z

Use these links to complete the sheet on what businesses are doing to help address climate change:

ASDA cutting it's carbon footprint
Tesco aiming for a greener business

Explore the Edinburgh Council environment pages to note some of the initiatives that are happening in our local area to address some of the climate change isses we have studied.

Tar sands

2011-11-18T08:23:00.003Z

To the last drop - video
To the last drop - part II - video

Guardian video
National Geographic video
The Alberta oil sands
Greenpeace Canada

New oil shale plant in Jordan

Shale gas in UK

Edinburgh traffic

2011-11-17T09:48:00.003Z

Use the following links to complete the sheet on traffic issues in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Park and Ride Schemes

Cycling in Edinburgh

Go to p15 of the Edinburgh 2030 Transport Vision for an overview

Climate change timeline

2011-11-16T16:54:00.002Z

Use this website to complete the climate change timeline.

Primary energy sources

2011-11-16T09:47:00.001Z

Use the following to help you with your research task:

A good summary of all the Primary Energy Sources

Wikipedia entry for renewable energy

Wikipedia entry for fossil fuels

Data on amounts of renewable sources used to generate electricity.

Good section of BP website on alternative energy

Good section on Shell website about energy diversity

Greenpeace site on renewable energy

Wind power in the 'How Stuff Works' website. Other energy sources also on the site

BBC Energy in the UK mini-site - links to lots of relevant stories

Energy on BBC Bitesize

Gas pathways

2011-11-13T23:18:00.002Z

Gas pathways into the EU are vital for energy security. Problems in Russia and the former Soviet states threaten this supply.

Nabucco pipeline

South Stream pipeline

Nord Stream pipeline

Russia - Ukraine gas disputes

Russia Today report - Nabucco

Videographic from The Economist

Russia-Ukraine gas dispute report 1 and 2

What is your carbon footprint?

2011-11-13T23:10:00.000Z

Calculate your carbon footprint using the ‘Act on CO2’ web site

Draw a divided bar chart to show your footprint

Draw a divided bar chart for the national average footprint

Create a ‘plan’ to begin to reduce your carbon footprint

Sort the actions by ‘Easiest to do’. Complete the table to show three actions you could take in each of the categories – Home, Appliances and Travel

The business case studies are here.

Supervolcano

2011-11-09T11:43:00.003Z

Link for the case study on Yellowstone

The truth about Yellowstone - BBC

UK energy security

2011-11-09T08:03:00.003Z

Use the following links to help with your report:

BBC Panorama programme

The Energy Security report by Malcolm Wicks MP (just read the Executive Summary)

The Governement response

This entry on the 'Oil Drum' blog

Government energy security research paper (just read the Summary)

Guardian article - there are many more similar

Latest update of the ESI from June 2011

Coping with climate change

2011-11-07T16:14:00.001Z

Use these two sites to add examples onto your mitigation / adaption table:

Adaption to climate change

Mitigation against climate change

Volcanic activity

2011-11-07T10:47:00.002Z

Use this link to complete the worksheet on volcanic activity.

Urbanisation

2011-11-04T16:01:00.000Z

Complete the urbanisation maps using this link.

Volcano on Montserrat

2011-11-03T07:49:00.002Z

Go to the Montserrat volcano monitoring web site.

Copy the latest photo of the volcano from the web cams and label it with features of the volcano

What is the current hazard level? what does this mean?

Read the latest volcano report. What was happening last week?

Go to 'Education', 'Junior Scientists', 'For kids' and use the Glossary to look up the following terms:

Ash

Dome

Igneous rock

Lava

Pyroclastic flow

Vent

Stern Review

2011-11-02T10:29:00.001Z

Investigate the Stern Review using the following guidelines

What was the Stern review?

Summarise its findings

Include a table similar to that on p62 of the text book detailing the possible effects of temperature rises on life on earth

The whole report is available here, but as it is hundreds of pages long, I suggest looking at the Executive Summary.

The BBC Business pages summarised the findings. Wikipedia also has it's review.

The Guardian newspaper (among others) reported on the release of the review extensively.

What would a 4C warmer world look like?

2011-11-02T09:05:00.001Z

In the build up to the Copenhagen Conference in December 2010, the UK Governement released a new map showing the predicted impacts of a 4oC global temperature increase worldwide. View the map here. The Guardian followed the launch of the map closely.

Use the map to complete the sheets you have been given.

Seven billion - so what?

2011-11-02T08:00:00.002Z

An interesting take on the population 'issue'. 'Seven billion people is nothing to be scared of' - The Times

Africa to EU migration

2011-11-01T09:23:00.000Z

Panorama films

Putin's Cold Rush

2011-10-27T13:02:00.003+01:00

An article from The Times about the Russian land grab - focus on energy resources. Ask if you need the School Times login.

Impact of climate change in Africa and the Arctic

2011-10-26T08:04:00.001+01:00

AS Geography requires two compulsary case studies of the impacts of climate change - Arctic and Africa.

Create case study sheets for each using the following headings:

Introduction to the region

Evidence for climate change in the region

Why is the region vulnerable?

Physical impacts

Human impacts

Your text book offers a starting point (p53-56), but you will need to supplement this with your own research. Some links below to help you:

Arctic

There is a large amount of information on the internet which can help you with this compulsary case study. The Natural Resources Defence Council answers some key questions, as does the Pew Centre on Global Climate Change. More information is given by the Centre for International Environment Law. A search in some of the newspaper sites can be productive. For example, the Guardian which has articles such as this and this. Finally, the BBC is always a good source of information. There are a number of good articles - for example: here and here.

Africa

The BBC has articles which would be a good starting point. The WWF has written two very good papers on the impacts in East Africa. The Stern Report into climate change also had a chapter referencing the impacts of climate change on Africa. It is very long - but try just reading the Executive Summary.

Kobe earthquake

2011-10-24T21:34:00.002+01:00

An excellent 'Seconds from disaster' episode about the Kobe earthquake.

Fold mountains

2011-10-07T11:03:00.002+01:00

Use these links to help you research into the importance of fold mountains and the Andes case study.

Detail about ocean trenches

Russia - superpower?

2011-10-06T19:41:00.004+01:00

Unreported World - Channel 4 - Russia: Railway of bones

The truth behind Putin's Russia.

Some articles to help with the essay:
An Economist article on the Russian economy
An article on the population problem in Russia
Wikipedia - Demographics of Russia
Should Russia be a BRIC? BBC
Will Russia ever reduce its reliance on oil? BBC

Rare earth minerals

2011-10-06T19:21:00.003+01:00

The control of resources is vital to maintaining superpower status. As well as energy resources, rare earth minerals are becoming more and more important for renewable technologies and hi-tech devices. China control 95% of the world supply of these rare earth metals. The following resources introduce this interesting topic.

BBC - Has China missed a 'rare' opportunity?

BBC - Rare earths - Newsnight

The Times - Digging for victory - includes resource maps

Scotland's hazards

2011-10-04T22:04:00.002+01:00

Investigate recent hazard events and risk of Scotland. Use the links below to help you:

Extreme weather in Scotland

Reports from 'big freeze' 2011

Flooding July 2011

Landslide risk

Hurricanes hit Scotland

Sea-level change / flood risk

Earthquakes

Bam earthquake 2003

2011-09-30T11:10:00.001+01:00

Almost 30000 people died in the Bam earthquake in December 2003. Below are an number of links to help you with your newsletter piece of work.

Wikipedia reference

BBC background

BBC report

BBC problems with aid

BBC photos

Images from The Guardian

Interactive Special Report from The Guardian

Why was the death toll so high?

Hazard hotspots

2011-09-28T16:57:00.001+01:00

You need to know about both the Philippines and California as examples of multiple hazard hotspots. Use the template provided to create case study sheets for these two areas.

There is a lot of information on the web to help you. A sample to start with is here:

Detail from the recent typhoon in the Philippines

Disaster information from the Philippines
An excellent map of the Philippines
Specifics on the natural hazards faced by California
A good summary of the issues facing California
More from USGS on California
Search here for the region you have chosen and you will get a list of hazards
Go here for excellent maps for ALL countries and the hazards which affect them

Have fun with population pyramids!

2011-09-27T11:44:00.002+01:00

Yes... population pyramids can be fun! You just have to animate them, to appreciate what they show a little better.

Try this website, for instance: http://populationpyramid.net/.

Try looking at several different pyramids. Select the first letter of the country you are interested in, and then select the country from the list that appears. Try comparing the UK, Sweden, Italy with some from the Middle East (Saudi Arabia and Quatar?), with some from Africa (Kenya, Nigeria, Mali?). Can you explain why they look so different?

Pakistan floods 2010

2011-09-22T23:08:00.004+01:00

Use the following links to help complete the worksheet on the Pakistan floods 2010

IV Form earthquakes

2011-09-21T16:54:00.003+01:00

Use the links below to help answer the questions on the sheet:

Latest earthquake map

Europe earthquake map

Earthquakes with 50 000 or more deaths

Largest earthquakes by magnitude

UK earthquakes

Cultural imperialism

2011-09-16T16:10:00.003+01:00

Use these links to complete the worksheet on cultural imperialism.

Top 10 global brands

Highest grossing films

Best selling albums

TV events

Newscorp

Earthquakes and volcanoes

2011-09-16T16:07:00.000+01:00

LVI - Use this interactive link to complete the worksheet on earthquakes. Use this one for the first section of the volcano questions and then this BBC link for the last section.

Population pyramids

2011-09-15T07:45:00.003+01:00

Use this link from the US Census Bureau to complete the exercise on population pyramids.

Big boost for Bangladesh's economy

2011-09-08T14:58:00.004+01:00

Bangladesh, one of the world's poorest countries, has seen a steady rise in the importance of one of its formerly most important export, earning the country much needed cash! Jute - a natural fibre that can be used to make sacks and other useful items - was superseded all over the world as plastic bags became the norm for packaging and carrying items, but now there has been a noticeable shift back to the organic and natural material, that bio-degrades rather than pollutes. Read about it here.

Mcdonalds

2011-06-07T07:04:00.001+01:00

Article in Sunday Times about McDonalds. AS TNC case study.

Three Gorges Project

2011-06-01T21:37:00.004+01:00

Use the following websites to help you with the research project on the impacts of the Three Gorges Project.

'What the dam builders didn't want you to know'

Wikipedia article

International Rivers Network - Three Gorges Project

IRN factsheet

Official Three Gorges Project site

Iceland: devastating changes at Jokulsarlon

2011-05-28T18:04:00.003+01:00

During the recent Geography trip to Iceland in April, Merchiston boys visited the much-heralded beauty spot at Jokulsarlon, where icebergs calve off the edge of the Breidermerkajokull outlet glacier, and float lazily across the proglacial lake. However, we may have been very fortunate to see this site in the sunshine, as the recent eruption of the volcano Grimsvotn has changed the area dramatically! Click on this link to see a real-time webcam of the area, now covered in volcanic ash, and the icebergs all but wasted away. Will it ever be the same again?

FARM Africa

2011-05-06T14:37:00.003+01:00

Using the 'What we do' section of the FARM Africa website, complete the table showing examples of projects in East Africa.

Mt. Nyriangongo, DRC

2011-03-28T10:09:00.002+01:00

Article from National Geographic - included images and interactive graphic.

Studland Beach sand dune management notes

2011-03-28T09:54:00.003+01:00

Problems and solutions at Studland Beach Problems:

Dune erosion caused by walkers - threatens plants and animals

Traffic congestion in the car parks leads to parking on the dunes and damage

At least once a year, heath fires destroy plants and animals. The most common cause is a discarded cigarette end. Lizards and snakes can escape by burrowing, but may not escape predators once the vegetation cover has gone

The National Trust has:

Enlarged the four main car parks to increase capacity by 800

Built a visitor centre with shop, café and information point

Closed some paths and fenced off parts of the sand dunes

Planted marram grass

Placed litter bins on paths and at the back of the beach

Placed fire beaters and water hydrants on the heather and gorse heath, and made fire breaks

Erected information boards and provided leaflets to educate people about the area

Surviving the Japanese tsunami

2011-03-23T16:59:00.002Z

Dramatic amateur footage (about 6 mins), catching the very start of the tsunami as it flowed into and through the city of Kesennuma in Miyagi prefecture, north-east Japan. It starts as a trickle, then slowly builds up, forcing the intrepid cameraman to retreat higher and higher...

Click here.

Fair Trade

2011-03-23T15:03:00.002Z

Guardian report

Cocoa farmers in Ghana

Banana farmers in Dominican Republic

Development in the EU

2011-03-23T00:11:00.004Z

Information on Bulgaria

BBC country profile

EU urges crime reform

Corruption

EU welcomes Bulgaria

Information on Ireland

BBC country profile

Migration

Irish bail out

Environmental impacts of globalisation

2011-03-22T10:08:00.001Z

Use these links to complete your notes on some of the solutions to the environmental impacts of globalisation

–Carbon offsetting
–Biofuels
–Green taxes
–Cutting food miles
–Recycling / reusing / refusing
–Organic food

What is your carbon footprint?

2011-03-21T14:30:00.000Z

Calculate your carbon footprint using the ‘Act on CO2’ web site

Fair Trade

2011-03-21T09:09:00.002Z

Who are Fair Trade?

Choose an exaple of a producer from this page.

Studland Beach

2011-03-18T10:33:00.002Z

Video showing the features of the area

Photos of some of the management strategies

Haiti - one year on (Impact of a natural hazard on development)

2011-03-18T08:04:00.003Z

One year on - BBC

One year on 2 - BBC

Cholera outbreak - BBC

Rubble - BBC

Human Development Indicators - Haiti

Haiti - one year on BBC articles

Progress of NGOs in Haiti - Guardian

London Plan

2011-03-16T16:09:00.003Z

Use this introduction to the London Plan to complete the sheet detailing the six objectives of the plan.

The full London Plan website is here.

Event profile of hazards

2011-03-14T10:44:00.001Z

Tectonic hazards can be described in terms of their frequency, magnitude, duration and areal extent. Use the following links to complete the worksheet:

Earthquake scales

Richter Scale

Mercalli Scale

Magnitude calculator

Volcanic explosivity index

VEI

Frequency and magnitude

Frequency

Last hour / day / week

An animated explanation of climate change

2011-03-12T16:42:00.002Z

Click here for a useful summary of the climate change due to human factors. It is shown as an animation of climate change through the ages, with a commentary (so you'll need speakers or headphones!).

Japanese earthquake and tsunami

2011-03-12T08:32:00.002Z

Map of earthquakes in this region

BBC latest

iPlayer Friday night BBC news

Guardian map

Small scale development projects

2011-03-07T12:20:00.002Z

The Grameen Bank

Using the handout and the web link create a case study sheet on how the Grameen Bank works and how it allows people to improve the quality of their own lives. Describe the project and explain how people benefit from it.

Explain the term 'micro-credit'

Holderness coast

2011-03-07T08:04:00.003Z

Use this site to begin your research. Answer the following questions:

Copy a map showing the location of the Holderness coast. Label it.

How fast is the coastline eroding?

Describe the geology of the area

Click on the link about Hornsea

Describe the Location, Geology, Coastal Features and Coastal Management at Hornsea

Copy three of the pictures from the bottom of the page and add a note describing what they show.

Complete the same exercise for Mappleton.

Copy the map from this page and add your own labels describing some of the issues on this stretch of coast.

Development indicators

2011-03-03T22:47:00.004Z

A video showing the development of 200 countries using the software Gapminder

Another showing how statistics can be used to disprove myths about the 'third world' and one showing population growth using IKEA boxes!

Use Gapminder to illustrate some of the development indicators you researched in your Prep. Use the countries you selected to illustrate the changes. Copy the graphs into a MS Word document and describe what they show.

Illegal migrants

2011-03-02T06:59:00.001Z

There are a series of excellent Panorama films here.

PSE - Mortgages

2011-02-21T14:10:00.002Z

Watch the video on the BBC site about 'How to buy your first home'

Choose a possible first home on the ESPC website

Use the mortgage calculator to calculate how much it will cost you - don't forget to include the tax, soliciter's fee, survey etc. Think about how much deposit you would be able to afford. Use 3.5% as an interest amount.

How much will you have to earn to be able to afford this property?!

Plate tectonics

2011-02-04T11:28:00.000Z

Use the USGS online text book - This Dynamic Earth to complete the research task.

Life in Japan

2011-02-04T11:24:00.002Z

Use this link to help answer the questions.

StatPlanet

2011-01-25T23:50:00.002Z

Use StatPlanet to answer the questions

Energy revolution

2011-01-18T10:23:00.002Z

Research the Energy Revolution report set up by Greenpease and the European Renewable Energy Council. It is one of the websites referenced on the pre-release material.

IV form renewable energy task

2011-01-14T16:03:00.003Z

Use the following to help you with your research task

An excellent site which explains clearly each type of source

Wikipedia entry for renewable energy

Wind power in the 'How Stuff Works' website. Other energy sources also on the site

BBC Energy in the UK mini-site - links to lots of relevant stories

Energy on BBC Bitesize

McDonalds - a TNC

2011-01-14T09:01:00.004Z

You are producing a case study sheet on McDonalds as an example of a TNC.

There is plenty of information on Wikipedia, including a section on legal cases against the company.

There are also whole websites dedicated to critising McDonalds.

Players in the North American energy security issue

2011-01-09T22:40:00.009Z

President Obama's energy pledge
Clear comparision of the Republican and Democrat energy plan
Canadian energy policy and see here - especially the Conclusion
NAFTA
Look at this presentation. Information on Mexico is from slide 56 onwards. See also here.
Natural Resources Canada
Friends of the Earth USA
Greenpeace USA energy proposals
WWF USA's position on oil and gas drilling in the Arctic
US Fish and Wildlife Service position on drilling in ANWR
Vision of American Council on Renewable Energy
The State of American Energy report from the American Petroleum Institute
Chevron's view of Energy Supply and Demand
How the US Energy Lobby works
Gwich'in Indian involvement in ANWR
Pemex - just note the nature of the business
How OPEC keeps America hooked and ending America's dependence on OPEC
Matthew Simmons
Somali pirates hijack US oil tanker

Other import options for North America

2011-01-08T09:47:00.006Z

Increasing imports from the Niger delta is one option to improve the energy security of North America. Here are some articles to help you investigate the feasibility of this:

Crude oil imports into US

Nigeria overtakes Venezuela

Conflict in the Niger delta

Photos depicting issues in the Niger delta

Environmental issues in Nigeria

Transcript of a talk about the reliance of the US on imported oil

Chinese competition

Another option is more deals like was seen recently with Azerbaijan:

Complex deal

Demand and risk

2010-12-09T23:24:00.001Z

Use these links to help complete the worksheet on 'Demand and risk'.

Arctic Refuge drilling

Piracy in Somalia

Modern piracy in Strait of Malacca

US Cap and Trade scheme and BBC article

Unit 3 pre-release January 2011

2010-12-09T21:43:00.007Z

Use the links below to help complete the worksheet on 'Future options to address energy demand for North America'.

Nuclear power in USA

Oil shale

Oil shale reserves in North America

Environmental impact of the oil shale industry

Offshore drilling

Deepwater Horizon oil spill

Biofuel in USA

Issues associated with biofuel production

Renewable energy in USA

Carbon capture and storage in the USA

Clean coal technology

What is your carbon footprint?

2010-11-26T11:53:00.000Z

Calculate your carbon footprint using the ‘Act on CO2’ web site

Draw a divided bar chart to show your footprint

Draw a divided bar chart for the national average footprint

Create a ‘plan’ to begin to reduce your carbon footprint

Sort the actions by ‘Easiest to do’. Complete the table to show three actions you could take in each of the categories – Home, Appliances and Travel

The business case studies are here.

1953 Storm Surge, SE England

2010-11-17T09:58:00.004Z

Use the following links for further investigation into the 1953 storm surge.

BBC weather - The 1953 East Coast Flood
BBC news - Devastating Power of the 1953 Tide
1953 UK Floods

History of climate change and mitigation and adaption

2010-11-10T15:19:00.001Z

Use this website to complete the climate change timeline.

Use these two sites to add examples onto your mitigation / adaption table:

Adaption to climate change

Mitigation against climate change

Oil sands

2010-11-10T09:38:00.004Z

To the last drop - video

Guardian video
National Geographic video
The Alberta oil sands
Greenpeace Canada

Gas pathways

2010-11-09T09:38:00.003Z

Gas pathways into the EU are vital for energy security. Problems in Russia and the former Soviet states threaten this supply.

Nabucco pipeline

South Stream pipeline

Nord Stream pipeline

Russia - Ukraine gas disputes

Russia Today report - Nabucco

Videographic from The Economist

Russia-Ukraine gas dispute report 1 and 2

Urbanisation

2010-11-08T07:44:00.002Z

Complete the urbanisation maps using this link.

What would a 4C warmer world look like?

2010-11-04T12:27:00.002Z

In the build up to the Copenhagen Conference in December, the UK Governement has released a new map showing the predicted impacts of a 4oC global temperature increase worldwide. View the map here. The Guardian followed the launch of the map closely.

For more detail, also go to the Met Office site.

Use the map to complete the sheets you have been given.

Energy demand in China and India

2010-11-04T09:46:00.004Z

A series of links to help with the question on energy demand in China and India.

A summary of a recent report

Wikipedia - world energy resources

Wikipedia - energy policy in India

India's energy dilema

Energy in India over the coming decades

Energy demand and supply in China

China and India energy demand

Stern Review - impacts of climate change

2010-11-01T14:26:00.002Z

Investigate the Stern Review using the following guidelines:

What was the Stern review?
Summarise its findings
Include a table similar to that on p62 of the text book detailing th epossible effects of temperature rises on life on earth

The whole report is available here, but as it is hundreds of pages long, I suggest looking at the Executive Summary.

The BBC Business pages summarised the findings. Wikipedia also has it's review.

The Guardian newspaper (among others) reported on the release of the review extensively.

Submit Friday 5 November

Natural causes of climate change

2010-11-01T14:02:00.003Z

The impact of volcanoes on climate:

Article from Scientific American

Article from the MetOffice

The impact of solar output on climate:

Independent article

Wikipedia

UK energy security

2010-11-01T09:25:00.002Z

Use the following links to help with your report:

The Energy Security report by Malcolm Wicks MP (just read the Executive Summary)

The Governement response

This entry on the 'Oil Drum' blog

Government energy security research paper (just read the Summary)

A report from IPPR

Guardian article - there are many more similar

Migration into the EU

2010-10-28T22:53:00.001+01:00

Panorama films

Primary energy sources

2010-10-26T11:41:00.002+01:00

Use the following to help you with your research task:

A good summary of all the Primary Energy Sources

Wikipedia entry for renewable energy

Wikipedia entry for fossil fuels

Data on amounts of renewable sources used to generate electricity.

Good section of BP website on alternative energy

Good section on Shell website about energy diversity

Greenpeace site on renewable energy

Wind power in the 'How Stuff Works' website. Other energy sources also on the site

BBC Energy in the UK mini-site - links to lots of relevant stories

Energy on BBC Bitesize

Impacts of climate change in Africa and the Arctic

2010-10-26T09:38:00.002+01:00

AS Geography requires two compulsary case studies of the impacts of climate change - Arctic and Africa.

Create case study sheets for both the Arctic and Africa using the following headings:

Introduction to the region

Evidence for climate change in the region

Why is the region vulnerable to climate change?

Physical impacts - animals and the environment

Human impacts

Each case study should be at least 2 sides. You should try and include maps and diagrams.

Your text book offers a starting point (p53-56), but you will need to supplement this with your own research. Some links below to help you:

Arctic

Africa

Brewing at sea...

2010-10-12T17:26:00.001+01:00

Brewing at sea to save water and energy.
From the Times

UK energy crisis

2010-10-12T17:17:00.003+01:00

Some articles from The Times:
UK forced to import 75% of gas by 2015
A letter to the editor on the same topic
The importance of natural gas

Earthquakes and volcanoes

2010-10-05T10:02:00.003+01:00

Use this interactive link to complete the worksheet on earthquakes. Use this one for the first section of the volcano questions and then this BBC link for the last section.

Philippines verging on disaster

2010-09-30T20:59:00.002+01:00

The AS Unit 1 course has a compulsory case study which needs to be researched: the Philippines as a disaster hotspot. Look at the following links when researching the topic...

A good site with maps of various hazard risks can be accessed here.

The PHIVOLCS website has some general information here.

This report is very comprehensive, and you will have to dig around a bit, selecting the most relevant data, but includes a good overview (pp. 1-2)