Thursday 31 December 2009

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2010 - the International year of Biodiversity

The United Nations has declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity. It is a celebration of life on earth and of the value of biodiversity for our lives. The world is invited to take action in 2010 to safeguard the variety of life on earth: biodiversity

Find out more on the official website.

Monday 21 December 2009

Merry Christmas



Dont forget to track Santa on this link.

Friday 11 December 2009

Paying to keep the Rainforests

A UN-backed scheme to reduce carbon emissions from the burning of forests could be one of the big winners of the Copenhagen climate summit, with the possibility of a big injection of funds. The BBC's Paulo Cabral has been to the Amazon to visit one of the most advanced pilot projects.A UN-backed scheme to reduce carbon emissions from the burning of forests could be one of the big winners of the Copenhagen climate summit, with the possibility of a big injection of funds. The BBC's Paulo Cabral has been to the Amazon to visit one of the most advanced pilot projects.

Read the full report on this link.

Wednesday 9 December 2009

Television programme to watch

BBC 2 - Wednesday 9 December - 9pm
Horizon - How many people can live on Planet Earth?

Sunday 6 December 2009

Copenhagen Summit 2009

The UN's top climate official has given an upbeat assessment on the prospects of a global deal at a climate summit which opens in Copenhagen tomorrow.

Read more about the summit and other climate change information on this link.


Or go to the official Summit Website by clicking here.

Tuesday 24 November 2009

Rain, Rain, Rain, Rain, Beautiful Rain!!!!!!


Heavy rain has returned to Cumbria, days after record-breaking rainfall swept away bridges and flooded homes.
Up to 100mm (3.9in) of rain is forecast over high ground and 15 flood warnings remain in place in England and Wales.

Click links:
BBC news
Environment Agency Flood Warnings

Sunday 22 November 2009

Smos Data!

Europe's latest Earth observation satellite has returned its first data.
Smos was launched earlier this month on a quest to help scientists understand better how water is cycled around the Earth.
The spacecraft will make the first global maps of the amount of moisture held in soils and of the quantity of salts dissolved in the oceans.
For more details click this link to the Smos Website.

Wednesday 18 November 2009

6C Warmer?

Average global temperatures are on course to rise by up to 6C without urgent action to curb CO2 emissions, the lead author of a new analysis says.
Emissions rose by 29% between 2000 and 2008, says the Global Carbon Project.
All of that growth came in developing countries, but a quarter of it came through production of goods for consumption in industrialised nations.

Read more by clicking this link to the BBC.

Or go to the home page of the Global Carbon Project.

Time to evacuate

Residents of the Aberdeenshire village of Pennan are going to have to evacuate their homes while a section of cliff threatening to collapse is repaired. Engineers have been assessing the 25m crack above the village's only access road, after heavy rain.

Read more and watch the clip on this link.

Monday 9 November 2009

The future energy supply?

The government has approved 10 sites in England and Wales for new nuclear power stations, most of them in locations where there are already plants.To find out why these sites read more on this link.


Why not have a go at trying to make your own energy policy be playing on the Electricity Calculator

Sunday 8 November 2009

Hurricane Ida

At least 91 people have been killed in El Salvador by flooding following days of heavy rain, the government says. Read more at the BBC.

Track Ida's progress at the National Hurricane Centre in Miami by clicking the image above.

Tuesday 27 October 2009

Photograph Competition

Congratulations to all the winners in this years competition. The standard was very high and there was no little debate among the staff (judges) as to the eventual winners.

The unusual geology and reflection was an excellent capture by Sophie, while the beach scene from Jonathan is an intriguing composition, juxtaposing physical geography with human, the ephemeral imprint of mankind, on a serene landscape.

Both are top quality shots of a very high standard, Sophie's with the difficult contrast and Jonathan's with the low light setting.

Well done to all the entrants.

Monday 26 October 2009

Happy thoughts for half term - Not!


A map designed to show the predicted effects of a 4C rise in global average temperature has been unveiled by the UK government.
It shows a selection of the impacts of climate change on human activity.

Read more on this link.

Thursday 22 October 2009

Year 7 - Welcome to the blog

To help you with you map work skills take a look at this website.
There are bits of advice, practice questions and games all aimed at improving your map skills.
Click on this link: Map Zone

Wednesday 14 October 2009

One billion are undernourished


Targets to cut the number of hungry people in the world will not be met without greater international effort, UN food agencies have warned.
The UN's annual report on global food security confirms that more than one billion people - a sixth of the world's population - are undernourished.
Read more at the BBC.
Or read the actual report by clicking this link.

Sunday 11 October 2009

The Geography of Food Competition - Answer

The ingredients travelled:
Welsh Lamb - 152.26km
Pembrokeshire Potatoes - 281.06km
Scottish Broccoli - 288.21km
Lincolnshire Carrots - 110.66km
Kenyan Peas - 7071.24km
Peruvian Mangetout - 9489.69
Lincolnshire Oxo Cubes (for gravy) - 112.66

The roast dinner travelled a total distance of: 17505.78km
How close did you get?


From a geographical perspective what are the consequences of this?
Perhaps we should look for this symbol from now on?!

Friday 9 October 2009

A little competition for open day!

Here are the ingredients for a traditional roast dinner:
Welsh Lamb
Pembrokeshire Potatoes
Scottish Broccoli
Lincolnshire Carrots
Kenyan Peas
Peruvian Mangetout
Lincolnshire Oxo Cubes (for gravy)

All you have to do is to estimate how far the ingredients have travelled! (In kilometres)
Send your estimates to us via the comment link.
There will be prizes for those of you who get close.


Thursday 8 October 2009

EOn pause building plan

Controversial plans to build a new coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth in Kent have been put on hold for up to three years, energy firm E.On has said.
It said it would be delayed until about 2016 because electricity demand had fallen during the global recession.

Read more on this link.

Wednesday 7 October 2009

Human Development Index

The world’s countries continue to record substantial improvements in human development but vast inequalities still exist between rich and poor States, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) warned on Monday as it unveiled its annual measure of progress in human well-being.
The Human Development Index (HDI), which combines measure of life expectancy, literacy, school enrolment and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, was this year calculated for 182 countries and territories – a record number – and released as part of the annual Human Development Report.

River Trent polluted

The deadly chemical cyanide and a quantity of sewage have leaked into a 30-mile stretch of the River Trent in Staffordshire.
Thousands of fish have died and people were being warned to stay away from the river while the incident is controlled.

To read more click this link.

Wednesday 30 September 2009

Southern Pacific Rocks

At least 75 people are dead and thousands are trapped under rubble after a strong earthquake shook western Indonesia, officials say.
Watch news clips and read more on the BBC.
A tsunami triggered by a strong quake in the South Pacific has killed more than 100 people in several islands.
Watch news clips and read more on the BBC.

Sunday 27 September 2009

Recession Accentuates Impacts of Decentralizing of Retailing

The number of vacant shops in Rochdale is more than 10 times higher than it was a year ago.
In June 2008, 1.63 per cent of shops stood empty, compared to 17.43 per cent this June.
The figures were compiled by market analysis firm the Local Data Company, which studied shop vacancies in 675 town centres across England and Wales.
Of all the town centres studies, Rochdale had the 15th highest number of empty shops.
Since last June, the town centre has suffered a number of retail losses, with both high profile national chains and small independent businesses shutting up shop forever.
Several estate agents and the Toni and Guy hair salon in Yorkshire Street have also either relocated outside of Rochdale or folded.
Many of the closures are the result of national chains collapsing under the pressure of the recession, such as Principles, which had been trading in the Exchange Centre for more than 20 years before the firm slid into administration earlier this year.
In January, 53 people lost their jobs and a flagship Yorkshire Street store closed its doors forever with the national demise of Woolworths.

Monday 21 September 2009

Has the worm turned?

The global recession and a range of government policies are likely to bring the biggest annual fall in the world's carbon dioxide emissions in 40 years.

For more information click this link to the BBC.

Alternatively, go direct to the International Energy Agency website.

Wednesday 9 September 2009

You think it is wet in the Uk?


Take a look at these images of Istanbul in Turkey as flash floods hit the city.

Monday 31 August 2009

Photo Comp Reminder


As there are just a couple days left of your summer hols a reminder about the photograph competition.

Entries need to be given to your Geography Teacher by the end of school on Monday 14 September.

The photograph needs to have been taken this summer by you and it must have a geographical scheme.

If you have not taken one yet get snapping!

Thursday 27 August 2009

61 Million and rising.

The UK population grew by 408,000 in 2008 - the biggest increase for almost 50 years, according to the Office for National Statistics.
The total number of people passed 61m for the first time, with changes in birth and death rates now a bigger cause of growth than immigration.
For information go to the Office of National Statistics.

GCSE Results Day!

Well done to you all for passing your GCSE Geography.

Watch out world there's whole new set of qualified geographers going out their to make a difference.

We look forward to seeing most of you next week at the start of your AS year. For those of you leaving us - best wishes for your futures.

Thursday 20 August 2009

A-level results day!


Well done to you all for passing your A-level Geography. Enjoy life at university and we hope to see you at the presentation evening in December.

Wednesday 29 July 2009

No surprise there then!?

You will need your brolly at the start of August in the UK - the Met Office is issuing a revised forecast for more unsettled weather well into the month. Read more at the BBC by clicking this link.
We have just bought a bucket barbecue as well! I wonder if you can use it in the garage?

Monday 27 July 2009

Back from hols!




Back from two weeks in Menorca. Let me know where you have been this summer and we will create a map of visists this summer.

Thursday 9 July 2009

Green Britain Day


Tomorrow is Green Briatin Day!
Everyone's eyes will be on London in 2012. It’s our one chance to show that Britain is leading the world in the race against climate change. Whether you are an eco-beginner or an eco-warrior, we’re here to support each other in one goal: coming together as a team to make Britain greener.
Go to the home page by clicking this link and see how you can get involved.

Wednesday 8 July 2009

G8 Summit begins in Italy

The 2009 G8 Summit begins today. It is to be held in L'Aquila in Italy, the country that currently holds the presidency. For more information go to the official G8 website by clicking this link.

Saturday 4 July 2009

74th in the HPI

HPI stands for Happy Planet Index and the UK comes 73 places below Costa Rica.

The HPI is an efficiency measure: the degree to which long and happy lives (life satisfaction and life expectancy are multiplied together to calculate happy life years) are achieved per unit of environmental impact.
To find out what that means click this link and read more from Mark Easton.
Alternatively go to the UN's home of the Happy Planet Index.
Calculate your own Happy Planet Index by clicking here.

Summer time and the livings .........

Hoorah! The summer hols are here again and we've got eight weeks of taking it easy. But, should you get itchy feet then take a look at the Visit Manchester Website to see what you can do in your local environment. Don't just sit and watch tele or play on your games console get out and about and visit places.

Monday 29 June 2009

Heatwave?!


A heatwave - it can't be, but the met office say it is so read this article to see ten ways to keep cool!

Sunday 21 June 2009

A couple of things to keep you busy.

One in six homes in England is at risk of flooding, says the Environment Agency, and climate change will raise that number without better protection. Read more by clicking this link.

The UK needs to plan now for a future that will be hotter and bring greater extremes of flood and drought, says Environment Secretary Hilary Benn. Read more by clicking this link.

Normal service resumed

Appologies for the lack of postings in recent weeks but with AS marking, reports and internal examinations the blog was put on the back burner! But now normal service is resumed!

Saturday 23 May 2009

What you've missed this week

Internal exams are over - hoorah! - and you have a week of rest and recuperation - so what have you missed this week whilst revising?
Britain's largest wind farm was switched on - hear more at this link or fly over it by clicking this link.

The oldest and largest trees within California's world famous Yosemite National Park are disappearing - find out why by clicking this link.

Britain's beaches are getting dirtier - so look at the Marine Conservation Society web page to check out the quality of the beach you plan to go to.

Other than these it's been quite quiet!

Have a good half term.

Sunday 17 May 2009

Coral calamity

The world's most important coral region is in danger of being wiped out by the end of this century unless fast action is taken, says a new report.
The international conservation group WWF warns that 40% of reefs in the Coral Triangle have already been lost.
The area is shared between Indonesia and five other South East Asian nations and is thought to contain 75% of the world's coral species.

Read more on the BBC website

Saturday 16 May 2009

Can you tell what it is?

So what is this a picture of? Honey Comb, Peanut Brittle, or Bananas?

You've heard of "green" fuel. Now get ready for yellow as scientists have found a way to turn banana waste into a sustainable fuel source that could be relevant to many countries across Africa. The simple, low-tech idea, was developed by researchers at Nottingham University.
They used banana skins to create briquettes that can be burned for cooking, lighting and heating. It could alleviate the burden of gathering firewood, the dominant energy source in many parts of the continent. This would help reduce deforestation, which makes a significant contribution to global climate change.

This article was found on the BBC News Channel

Health and Climate

Climate change is "the biggest global health threat of the 21st Century", according to a leading medical journal.
The Lancet, together with University College London researchers, has published a report outlining how public health services will need to adapt.

To read their findings click this link to the Lancet

We're doomed, all doomed!!!

The collapse of a major polar ice sheet will not raise global sea levels as much as previous projections suggest, a team of scientists has calculated.
Writing in Science, the researchers said that the demise of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) would result in a sea level rise of 3.3m (10 ft).
Previous estimates had forecast a rise in the region of five to six metres.
However, they added, the rise would still pose a serious threat to major coastal cities, such as New York.

For more information click this link to the BBC or check out the article in Science.

Wednesday 13 May 2009

Happy Birthday


Happy Birthday to us,
Happy Birthday to us,
Happy Birthday to the Hulme Geog Blog,
Happy Birthday to us!
Just trips of the tongue?
Hard to believe but it's our first Birthday - and what a geographical year it has been, but what is in store for us in the future?

Saturday 9 May 2009

California Fires

This week fires have been raging north of Santa Barbara in California.
For detailed information and some amazing images click this link to the Santa Barbara News.

Sunday 3 May 2009

How do you miss 3000km?

The Great Wall of China is even greater than previously thought, according to the first detailed survey to establish the length of the ancient barricade.
A two-year government mapping study found that the wall spans 8,850km (5,500 miles) - until now, the length was commonly put at about 5,000km.
For more detail click this link.

Globalisation at its worse?

You will not have been able to avoid the headlines regarding the concern of "swine flu". This week the World Health Organisation (WHO) claimed that it would be of pandemic proportions and raised there level of concern to a grade 5.
As Geographers we study the spread of disease at A-level and so Swine Flu will be an excellent case-study to monitor.

Click this link to the BBC to watch the way the disease has spread and will spread.

Saturday 25 April 2009

Water Footprint

Some of you may remember the website that enabled you to calculate your Carbon Footprint at this site. Well now you have the opportunity to calculate your Water Footprint.
You can see how much water you use every day and see how much of this valuable resource you, literally, flush away!
Click this link to Water Footprint.Org

Coal for the future?

Aswell as the new generation of Nuclear Power Stations the government has given the go-ahead for a new generation of coal-fired power plants - but only if they can prove they can reduce their emissions.
Up to four new plants will be built if they are fitted with technology to trap and store CO2 emissions underground.

For more information, including how they aim to bury the Cardon click this link.