Manchester Votes - Have your say.

Ballot papers asking people to vote on the introduction of a congestion charge as well as other public transport improvements are arriving in the post. How would you vote?

Here is your chance!

Use the poll option opposite and tells us how you would vote.

If you would like more information before voting click this link - GM Future Transport

Worldmapper

Worldmapper is a collection of world maps, where territories are re-sized on each map according to the subject of interest. It is excellent for research.

Click the link for the website: Worldmapper

Thanks to Mrs M for bringing this page to our attention.

Carbon Footprint Calculator

How environmentally friendly are you?
Click on the image above to see calculate your carbon footprint.

Hot Stuff

Okay year 9 here is your mission:

Produce a project (booklet, power point presentation, video clip or slide show) that informs people about the adaptions animals have made to survive in the Hot Deserts.

You must choose one mammal, one amphibian/reptile and one insect/spider.

Your project must include:

• A photograph of your animal
• An explanation of how they survive the heat
• An explanation of how they get water
• An outline of what they eat to survive.

A starting point for this work would be the Desert USA site

UK Energy

Some energy experts asked by BBC News warn the UK could face an unacceptable risk of major blackouts in less than 10 years unless policy is improved.
They said the government has dithered for too long over policies vital to energy security and climate security.
But they added that forecasts of an imminent power crisis were far-fetched.
The possible energy gap is being created because of the impending closure before 2015 of nine of our major coal and oil-powered plants.

Read more on the BBC Webpage

Mapping Crime

Sixth form students will find the following link useful to supplement their AS studies. It will add even more evidence to contrast inner and outer suburbs of Rochdale.

Other towns can also be viewed. Please follow the link. http://www.mindyourstreet.com/rochdale-crime.html

California fires

Three separate wildfires in southern California have destroyed hundreds of homes and forced thousands of people to flee the fast-moving flames.
The fires, to the north, north-west and south of Los Angeles have burnt through dry brush and forest in the suburban canyonlands around the city.

For more detail, video clips and photos click this link to the BBC.

Geo Challenge

For those of you with a Facebook account why not spend some time playing this - it's good fun.

Tsunami Warning

Indonesia has launched a new tsunami early warning system, designed to give people in coastal areas enough time to escape tsunamis before they reach land.

For more details follow this link to the news article on the BBC.

Urbanisation

Rapid urbanisation in developing nations threatens to trigger a water and sanitation crisis in quickly expanding slums, a report has warned.
Charity WaterAid said chronic water shortages in many of the world's slums were being exacerbated by the arrival of millions of people each week.

Read more on the BBC - click here

To learn more about WaterAid UK click this link.

Shakeout Day

On the 13th November over 5 million people in California will take part in the largest earthquake drill ever held.

Click this video link to show you the scenerio:



For more details follow this link to The Great Southern California Shakeout site.

How do you think you would cope in a 7.8 Earthquake? Why not have a go at the Beat the Earthquake Game.

Africa's Green Revolution

From the begging bowl to the bread basket: in just two years, Malawi has gone from famine to food surplus - according to national statistics.

Smallholder farmers are being given access to new crop breeds; fertilisers; irrigation systems; and new techniques in crop rotation and soil management.

Agro-science is helping families to cope with climate change and helping Malawi to buck the trend in neighbouring African countries.

Hurricane hits the Caribbean

Hurricane Paloma has strengthened to a Category Three storm and is lashing the Cayman Islands with winds of up to 185km/h (115mph.

For more information click this link to the BBC news page. To track Hurricane Paloma click this link to the National Hurricane Centre in Miami.

Geography Department Calendar

The summer geography photographic competition has prompted the creation of a calendar for 2009. Each month has a photograph taken by a pupil, the pictures here are just a sample, from Claire Vassallo (left), Heather Lacey (lower left) and Jonathan Lobley(lower right). Other contributors include, Eleanor Bridge, Fraser Bradley, Georgina Bennett, Jack Glynn, James Wright, Julia Ward, Matthew Stocker, Natasha McLean, Sam O'Hare and Will Lacey.

Samples shown do not reflect the resolution on the actual calendar; copies are available to buy direct from the Geography Department. Please see Dr Sutherland for details.

Man made eruption

The eruption of the Lusi mud volcano in Indonesia was caused by drilling for oil and gas, a meeting of 74 leading geologists has concluded.

Lusi erupted in May 2006 and continues to spew out boiling mud, displacing around 30,000 people in East Java.

Drilling firm Lapindo Brantas denies a nearby well was the trigger, blaming an earthquake 280km (174 miles) away.

Around 10,000 families who have lost their homes are awaiting compensation, which could run as high as $70m (£43m).

After debating new evidence at a conference in South Africa, most geologists voted drilling as the cause.

For more details follow this link to the BBC page.

Life Expectancy Rises

Life expectancy at birth in the UK has reached its highest level on record for both males and females. A newborn baby boy could expect to live 77.2 years and a newborn baby girl 81.5 years if mortality rates remain the same as they were in 2005–07.

Females continue to live longer than males, but the gap has been closing. Although both sexes have shown annual improvements in life expectancy at birth, over the past 25 years the gap has narrowed from 6.0 years to 4.3 years.

Reasons for the changes include a reduction in smoking and better coronary health advice and care.

This data came from the Office of National Statistics.

Are you a Flat-Earther?

Aristotle first described the possibility that the Earth was spherical in 330BC.

Despite all modern technology there are still a group of people who believe the Earth is not round; they are called Flat-Earthers.

Click on the link below and see if you are convinced?

Flat-Earth Society