The Wonderful World of Geography!

Scientists have completed their mission to map one of the most extraordinary mountain ranges on Earth. The Gamburtsevs are a set of peaks equal in size to the European Alps, but they are hidden deep under the ice in the middle of the Antarctic continent. The survey data gathered by the multi-national team working in harsh, sub-zero temperatures will help resolve the mystery of why the range exists at all. Their presence, when first discovered in the 1950s, was totally unexpected. Scientists thought the interior of the continent would be relatively flat. Modern-day remote-sensing technology reveals quite the opposite - a very jagged landscape. Read the full story here. Miss M.

CO2 Hunter fails

2009-02-25T07:53:00.001Z

Nasa's first dedicated mission to measure carbon dioxide from space has failed following a rocket malfunction. Officials said the fairing - the part of the rocket which covers the satellite on top of the launcher - did not separate properly. Data indicates the spacecraft crashed into the ocean near Antarctica. The Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) was intended to help pinpoint the key locations on our planet's surface where CO2 is being emitted and absorbed. Nasa officials confirmed the loss of the satellite at a press conference held at 1300GMT. John Brunschwyler, from Orbital Sciences Corporation, the rocket's manufacturer, told journalists: "Our whole team, at a very personal level, is very disappointed in the events of this morning." Read the full story here. Miss M.

Google - Carbon emissions

2009-01-12T10:38:00.001Z

Two search requests on the internet website Google produce as much carbon dioxide as boiling a kettle, according to a Harvard University academic. US physicist Alex Wissner-Gross has conducted research into the environmental impact of "googling". Environmental physicists are worried about the environmental impact of information technology. In a statement, Google said it took the issue "seriously", adding "the energy used per Google search is minimal". A recent study estimated the global IT sector generated as much greenhouse gas as the world's airlines put together. Mr Wissner-Gross's study found a typical Google search on a desktop computer produces about 7g (0.25oz) of carbon dioxide. If you enter another request you obviously end up with double that amount, which is the roughly the equivalent of boiling an electric kettle for a cup of tea.

The Harvard academic argues that these carbon emissions stem from the electricity used by the computer terminal and by the power consumed by the large data centres operated by Google around the world. Although the American search engine is renowned for returning fast results, Mr Wissner-Gross says it can only do so because it uses several data banks at the same time, producing more carbon dioxide than some of its competitors on the net. Mr Wissner-Gross says for every second we stay connected to the internet, we produce 0.02g of carbon emissions. This may not sound like a lot but each day an estimated 200 million internet searches are carried out. In a statement, Google said that as computers became a bigger part of more people's lives, they consumed an increasing amount of energy - "and Google takes this impact seriously". It said it had designed and built "the most energy efficient data centres in the world". "In fact, in the time it takes to do a Google search, your own personal computer will use more energy than we will use to answer your query." Read the original BBC story here. Miss M.

UFO & wind turbines - just for my Year 11s!

2009-01-08T11:56:00.002Z

The turbine is one of 20 at the Lincolnshire site UFO researchers are claiming damage to a Lincolnshire wind farm turbine was caused by a mystery aircraft. The turbine at Conisholme lost one 66ft (20m) blade and had another badly damaged in the early hours of Sunday. Local ufologists said they had received many reports of activity in the area and had teams searching for clues. Ecotricity, which owns the site, said while investigations continued they were not ruling anything out - but the extent of damage was "unique". Read the full story here. Miss M.

Coral decline - due to climate change?

2009-01-03T23:39:00.002Z

Coral growth in Australia's Great Barrier Reef has slowed to its most sluggish rate in the past 400 years. The decline endangers the species the reef supports, say researchers from the Australian Institute of Marine Science. They studied massive porites corals, which are several hundred years old, and found that calcification has declined by 13.3% since 1990. Global warming and the increasing acidity of seawater are to blame, they write in Science journal. Read the full story here. Miss M.

Global warming & humans

2008-11-02T15:40:00.002Z

The rise in temperatures at Earth's poles has for the first time been attributed directly to human activities, according to a study. The work, by an international team, is published in Nature Geoscience journal. In 2007, the UN's climate change body presented strong scientific evidence the rise in average global temperature is mostly due to human activities. This contradicted ideas that it was a result of natural processes such as an increase in the Sun's intensity. At the time, there was not sufficient evidence to say this for sure about the Arctic and Antarctic. Now that gap in research has been plugged, according to scientists who carried out a detailed analysis of temperature variations at both poles. Their study indicates that humans have indeed contributed to warming in both regions. Researchers expected this result for the Arctic - because of the recent sharp increase in the melting of sea ice in the summer in the region - but temperature variations in the Antarctic have until now been harder to interpret. Today's study, according to the researchers, suggests for the first time that there's a discernable human influence on both the Arctic and Antarctica. Read the full story here. Miss M.

Climate change plans

2008-10-16T21:20:00.002+01:00

The government has committed the UK to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by the middle of this century. Climate Change and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the current 60% target would be replaced by a higher goal. He told MPs the government would not "row back" on green issues in the light of the current economic crisis. He also warned the big energy companies they face a crackdown on "unfair" pricing policies in his first statement as head of the new department. Mr Miliband told MPs the government accepted all the recommendations of the report from Lord Turner's Committee on Climate Change. The target does not include aviation or shipping emissions - but Mr Miliband said they would "play a part" in the government's overall strategy. Read full story here. Miss M.

Climate change could be good news!

2008-10-08T17:42:00.002+01:00

Climate change could be the best thing that ever happened to the amazing array of animal and plant species that make up the Earth's biodiversity. Don't get me wrong; climate change is the most serious environmental threat we have ever encountered, and it is already taking a terrible toll on species, as well as people, all over the world.... Read the full story here...Miss M.

Power Cut Threats...

2008-09-17T15:14:00.002+01:00

The UK will experience prolonged power cuts in about five years unless urgent action is taken now, a report warns. It said a third of generation capacity was due to be decommissioned by 2020, but was not being replaced fast enough. The report, by nuclear supporting Fells Associates, said new reactors would not be ready in time, and questioned spending on renewable energy. Read the full report here. Miss M.

Hurricane Ike

2008-09-08T07:50:00.000+01:00

Hurricane Ike is battering Cuba's northern coast, generating winds of more than 195km/h (120mph), giant waves and torrential rain. Cuban TV has said that some homes along the coast, where hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated, have been damaged beyond repair. Ike killed at least 47 people in Haiti and reportedly damaged 80% of homes on the main Turks and Caicos islands. It weakened to a Category Three storm but remains dangerous. The Cuban Meteorology Institute said the eye of the hurricane came ashore near Punta Lucrecia in the state of Holguin about 510 miles (823km) south-east of Havana. With Hurricane Gustav striking just a week ago, Cuba's internationally acclaimed emergency services are being stretched to the limit, the BBC's Michael Voss reports from Havana. Gustav caused serious damage to the western side of the island, damaging almost 100,000 homes. Read the full story here. Miss M.

New Orleans declares storm curfew

2008-08-31T22:23:00.003+01:00

Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans has put the US city under curfew from sunset to dawn as Hurricane Gustav approaches.

New Orleans residents have been fleeing in their thousands after the mayor ordered the evacuation ahead of the storm's expected landfall on Monday. Roads out of the Louisiana port have been crammed with traffic. Mr Nagin said that the first storm winds could hit New Orleans as early as daybreak on Monday and the hurricane could reach Category Four strength. America's homeland security chief, Michael Chertoff, said the main evacuation was going well but he warned that some people seemed determined to ride out the storm.

Watch the video here...read the full story here. Miss M.

Well done Beaumont!

2008-08-21T18:04:00.002+01:00

A massive congrats to all our Geography pupils - Some absolutely fantastic results, both in GCSE and AS/A2! Well done on all your hard work, enjoy the rest of summer! Miss M & all the Geography team.

Coastlines going back to the sea...

2008-08-18T17:13:00.002+01:00

Some parts of the British coastline are so badly eroded they are not worth protecting from the sea, the new head of the Environment Agency has said. Lord Smith of Finsbury said work was already under way to identify areas of the east and south coast most at risk. He told the Independent that the UK faced hard choices over which coasts to defend and which to leave to the sea. Lord Smith said parts of north-east Norfolk and Suffolk were in the most immediate danger of collapse.

'Huge issue' The former culture secretary said it would not be possible to save all coastal homes from sea erosion, but that the agency would do its "level best" to protect places where there were significant numbers of properties. Read the full story here.(Year 11s who are about to start your coursework!) Miss M.

Canadian Arctic sheds ice chunk

2008-07-30T18:21:00.002+01:00

The free ice will need to be monitored in case it becomes a hazard to shipping
A large chunk of an Arctic ice shelf has broken free of the northern Canadian coast, scientists say. Nearly 20 sq km (eight sq miles) of ice from the Ward Hunt shelf has split away from Ellesmere Island, according to satellite pictures. It is thought to be the biggest piece of ice shed in the region since 60 sq km of the nearby Ayles Ice Shelf broke away in 2005. Scientists say further splitting could occur during the Arctic summer melt. Read the full story here. Miss M.

Volcanoes blamed for undersea extinction

2008-07-17T09:50:00.002+01:00

Undersea volcanic activity has been blamed for a mass extinction in the seas 93 million years ago. In the so-called "anoxic event" of the late Cretaceous Period, the ocean depths became starved of oxygen, wiping out swathes of marine organisms. Researchers from the University of Alberta, Canada, found a tell-tale signature of underwater volcanism in rocks dating to the period. Their findings have been published in the journal Nature. At the time of the anoxic event, the average temperature was nearly twice that of today, researchers say. Palm trees grew in what would later become Alaska and large reptiles roamed northern Canada. The Arctic Ocean was ice-free and scientists think it would have had a temperature we might describe today as lukewarm. Read the full story here. Miss M.

Kenya Casestudy - Year 10s

2008-07-06T11:24:00.003+01:00

Found a fantastic Geography blog with a good casestudy about Kenya on it - click on here to read the full story...

Where is Kenya?

Kenya is located in East Africa, its capital city is Nairobi and it has a population of approximately 30 million people.

Why visit Kenya?

- it has an attractive climate (tropical) with sunshine all year round, hot and humid at the coast; temperate inland and dry in the NE (rainy season - April-June and Oct-Dec, heavy rainfall in the afternoon and early evening)

- Safari holidays are popular - e.g. in the Maasai Mara / Nakuru National Park - Kenya has spectacular wildlife - including the big 5 - Lion, Elephant, Rhinoceros, Leopard and Buffalo

- Cultural experience - many tourists visit local tribes such as the Maasai to find out more about their lifestyle and traditions
- Coastal Holidays - SE of Kenya has fine sands and coral reefs with spectacular marine life - e.g. Mombassa

Why have numbers of tourists visiting Kenya increased?

- Kenya was one of the first LEDC countries to acheive mass tourism and in the 1970s and 1980s there was a rapid increase in the numbers of tourists, particularly following the release of the films Born Free and Out of Africa.

- Tourist numbers have also increased as larger aircraft in the 1980s brought prices of air travel down.

I havent copied all the text - make sure you visit the site for the full story..
Miss M.

A green sky scraper?! How cool does this look??!

2008-06-25T22:11:00.002+01:00

The world's first moving building, an 80-storey tower with revolving floors giving a shifting shape, will be built in Dubai, its architect says. The Dynamic Tower design is made up of 80 pre-fabricated apartments which will spin independently of one another. "It's the first building that rotates, moves, and changes shape," said architect David Fisher, who is Italian, at a news conference in New York. "This building never looks the same, not once in a lifetime," he added. The 420-metre (1,378-foot) building's apartments would spin a full 360 degrees, at voice command, around a central column by means of 79 giant power-generating wind turbines located between each floor. Have a look at the video here, or read the story here. Miss M.

I spend too much time on this....!

2008-06-25T22:03:00.003+01:00

Am seriously loving this!! "Wordle" lets you create word clouds about any subject you like - rather addictive! Check out this one about Geography! Miss M.

Long lost tribes...

2008-06-04T17:31:00.003+01:00

I have mentioned this in a couple of my lessons - thought this video was really interesting, take a look at the ethical debate that is dividing the World...Miss M.

2008-05-30T11:46:00.003+01:00

A clean-up operation is under way after torrential rain caused flash flooding across south-west England. Firefighters evacuated homes in the worst-hit areas of south Somerset after a sudden and heavy burst of rain on Thursday evening. Devon and Somerset fire service said Crewkerne, Ilminster, Shepton Mallet and Wells were most severely affected. Watch the full story here. Link to story here. Miss M.

Earthquake rocks Iceland!

2008-05-29T18:50:00.002+01:00

Breaking news - footage of the earthquake...Link to story here. Miss M.

My kind of holiday...

2008-05-28T10:01:00.003+01:00

This is my ideal holiday activity...!Did a bit of this a few years ago - some of it quite by accident, but have never forgotten about the sound a tornado makes as it approaches. Makes you realise just how small we really are! Check out footage of what a storm chaser will see as they enter a storm here.Or read the diary here. Miss M.

China death toll rises...and earthquake has caused the formation of lakes...

2008-05-23T07:37:00.002+01:00

The vice-governor of Sichuan province said 55,239 people were now known to have died in the 12 May quake. Li Chengyun appealed for more tents and set a three-year goal to rebuild towns and infrastructure in the region. Meanwhile, concern is growing over a number of new lakes formed by the force of the earthquake. Thirty-four lakes were created in the province when landslides blocked rivers, Xinhua news agency said. Eight held more than 3 million cubic metres of water and one lake, less than 3km ( two miles) from Beichuan town, had doubled in size in four days. Officials are monitoring the lakes and have sent experts to assess them, the agency said. Forecasters predict heavy rain in the region next week, which could further raise the water levels in the lakes. Read the full story here. Miss M.

Panic in China

2008-05-20T07:50:00.002+01:00

Tens of thousands of people in China's quake-hit Sichuan province have rushed from their homes after a government warning of a possible major aftershock. People slept on the streets or drove to open ground after the warning was broadcast on television. The 7.9 magnitude earthquake that hit on 12 May left over 71,000 people dead, buried or missing. On Monday, three days of mourning for the victims began. Read the ful story here. Miss M.

Miss Mansells geeky weekend!

2008-05-17T17:48:00.002+01:00

Check out the new pop-out bits of information that you can find in my posts. Found a new widget that lets me attach videos, webpages, and music etc to my posts that will appear if you scroll over the highlighted words...enjoy! Miss M (aka geek).

China Earthquake...Update

2008-05-14T14:09:00.002+01:00

Nearly 15,000 people died in the devastating earthquake that hit China's Sichuan province, the official Xinhua news agency has reported. More than 25,000 are still trapped in the rubble two days after the 7.9 quake struck, causing landslides and razing homes, schools and whole villages. China's Prime Minister Wen Jiabao was flying to the epicentre to see relief work, having met survivors elsewhere. Troops have been mobilised and aid has been dropped to cut-off areas. Sichuan's Vice-Governor Li Chengyun said incomplete figures suggested 14,463 people were dead, another 14,051 were missing, 25,788 were buried in the debris and 64,746 had been injured, Xinhua reports. Officials reached the town of Yingxiu, in Wenchuan County, to find the devastation was worse than expected - out of the town's population of 10,000, only 2,300 have been found alive. Click here to read more...Miss M.

Earthquake!

2008-05-12T10:35:00.002+01:00

Seems to be the month for disasters...yet another natural disaster causing problems for those caught up in it. Read the story here. Miss M.

2008-05-07T22:05:00.004+01:00

I am watching the news not quite believing what I am seeing. The destruction the cyclone has caused is rising and the death toll seems to be going up at an alarming rate. More than 22,000 people are confirmed dead, but now the top US diplomat in the country has warned that without speedy action that could top 100,000. Amid the "increasingly horrendous" situation, there is a "real risk" of disease outbreak, said the head of the US embassy in Burma, Shari Villarosa. Some aid has arrived but the UN says big obstacles remain for aid agencies. Burma's ruling military junta has approved the passage of some aid, but other offers have been spurned while many foreign aid workers are being held in a queue for visas. Hopefully help will be accepted soon. Miss M.

2008-05-06T22:00:00.003+01:00

Had to blog this..the story is still unfolding..The death toll from Burma's devastating cyclone has now risen to more than 22,000, state media have said. Another 41,000 are missing three days after Cyclone Nargis hit the country, causing a huge storm surge to sweep inland, according to state radio. The report came as aid agencies begin what they expect to be a major relief operation to help hundreds of thousands left without clean water and shelter. Miss M.

Good luck!

2008-05-05T08:51:00.002+01:00

A MASSIVE good luck to all our Year 11, 12 and 13 students about to take exams. Please remember your Geography teachers are happy to speak to you after you have gone on study leave - pop in when you would of had a lesson with us, and we can normally be found in the Geography office.

Most of you will have been given past papers - use these to check you can answer exam style questions, perhaps even write some of the answers in timed conditions to check you can stick to the tight timings of an exam! Or you could just plan your answers...up to you!

Year 11 - Don't forget to re-read your DME booklets, don't put them to one side and forget about them! Use the mock exam we are doing this week as a revision aid to your DME. For your main exam you should have been given lots of coloured booklets that go over each topic, any problems see us!

Year 12 and 13 - Make use of the PowerPoint's I have posted over the year, these run through the main concepts you are expected to know (although not all of them!). Go to the AS/A2 page and look at the labels at the side of the page to find relevant information. Again any problems before the exam - come and speak to one of us!

My final words of wisdom - revise hard and make sure you READ the questions carefully! Good Luck. Miss M.

Polar bears Vs Climate change...

2008-04-27T15:53:00.002+01:00

Awww how cute?! Polar bears in Canada are at risk from climate change but not threatened with extinction, a panel of experts has advised the Canadian government. The government should develop a plan to protect the country's estimated 15,000 polar bears, the panel said. Read more here. Miss M.

Norfolk erosion - Year 10s!

2008-04-17T10:39:00.002+01:00

A massive thank you to Miss Doan for spotting this - Year 10s who are going to Norfolk in September this article is extremely relevant to your coursework next year. Have a look!! Miss M.

Maasai Warriors in Kent?!

2008-04-10T08:31:00.002+01:00

These six Maasai warriors from a remote village in Tanzania are currently staying in a B&B in Kent...

To find out why they've left their village for the first time, click here for more information...Miss M.

Hydrogen - plane takes to the skies!

2008-04-06T09:57:00.001+01:00

The first manned, hydrogen-powered plane has been successfully tested in the skies above Spain, its makers say.

The small, propeller-driven craft, developed by aviation giant Boeing, made three short flights at an airfield south of Madrid, the company said.

It was powered by hydrogen fuel cells, which produce only heat and water as exhaust products. Have a read here to see whether you think this might be the answer to a 'greener' future! Miss M.

Artic losing ice...

2008-03-18T20:28:00.002Z

The Arctic is losing its old, thick ice faster than in previous years, according to satellite data.

The loss has continued since the end of the Arctic summer, despite cold weather across the northern hemisphere.

The warm 2007 summer saw the smallest area of ice ever recorded in the region, and scientists say 2008 could follow a similar pattern.

Older floes are thicker and less saline than newly-formed ice, meaning they can survive warm spells better.

Ice more than two years old now makes up about 30% of all the ice in the Arctic, down from 60% two decades ago.

The shrinking of Arctic ice has global implications, as its white surface reflects solar energy back into space whereas the open ocean absorbs it. Read the full story here. Miss M.

Glaciers suffer record shrinkage

2008-03-17T19:16:00.003Z

The rate at which some of the world's glaciers are melting has more than doubled, data from the United Nations Environment Programme has shown.
Average glacial shrinkage has risen from 30 centimetres per year between 1980 and 1999, to 1.5 metres in 2006.

Some of the biggest losses have occurred in the Alps and Pyrenees mountain ranges in Europe.

Experts have called for "immediate action" to reverse the trend, which is seen as a key climate change indicator.

Estimates for 2006 indicate shrinkage of 1.4 metres of 'water equivalent' compared to half a metre in 2005. Read the full story here. Miss M.

Paradise Lost?

2008-03-08T16:11:00.005Z

When Montserrat erupted back in 1997, it left a trail of destruction. The Volcano had been dormant until 1995 when it came alive again. In 1997 it erupted killing 19 people, which started an exodus from the Island. Since then its population has decreased from around 12000 to about 5000. Many people left to go and live on other Caribbean Islands, others, to places such as the UK. Despite the fact that volcanic activity on the island has decreased over the years, few people have returned home. The opportunities that they found abroad just do not exist on an island where the biggest employer is the government. The eruption also destroyed much of the agricultural land on the island, it closed the medical school, and many people from the US, Canada and Europe who had retired there also went home. British and EU aid has done a lot to rebuild what was lost but there is a sense that, when the volcano erupted, it created a shift in the attitude of some of the island's people.
Montserrat's capital, Plymouth, was shrouded in ash
They had lost everything and now those that remain face a choice - do they stay or do they follow their countrymen and women and head abroad? Montserrat's national anthem is God Save The Queen, and a visit by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall should be a big event on the island. As a British Overseas Territory the links to Britain should be strong but some people do not see how the visit will make any impact. What do you think? Have a look at this story...Miss M.

The Grand Canyon flooded..

2008-03-06T18:16:00.002Z

Take a look at these amazing photos...Miss M.

Fairtrade

2008-03-04T12:33:00.002Z

Just a reminder that it is Fairtrade this week - a great excuse to go out and buy some Fairtrade chocolate!! Check out the website for more info on Fairtrade..Miss M.

Place spotting!

2008-03-02T22:08:00.003Z

This is seriously hard! Do you know your Geography? Check out this Google Earth site...Miss M.

OMG there has been an Earthquake!!!

2008-02-27T11:35:00.002Z

How exciting!! Did anyone feel the Earthquake last night?! The epicentre was in Lincolnshire and it had a reported magnitude of 5.2. Its the largest Earthquake the UK has had in 25 years...click here to read the BBC news report. Miss M.

Antarctic glaciers surge to Ocean..

2008-02-24T20:00:00.001Z

Interesting story today...Miss M.

Where in the World?

2008-02-22T22:47:00.004Z

If you could be anywhere in the World where would it be? Seen 'Jumper' this may remind you of it slightly!

Around the World in 195 days!

2008-02-15T20:27:00.002Z

An absolutely amazing journey by Mark Beaumont! Read his story here or go to the blog page set up to track his journey by his old Geography teacher...inspiring stuff!! Miss M.

How do humans influence nature?

2008-02-11T20:17:00.000Z

I dont know whether to laugh or cry at this. This really shows how humans can impact on nature - fascinating viewing.

Would be interested to hear your thoughts! Miss M.

Geography matters..

2008-02-11T17:31:00.000Z

Here's why:

Miss M.

Snow hit China

2008-02-07T14:17:00.000Z

China has been celebrating its Lunar New Year - with some of the worst storms they have had in decades...click here to read about the snow fall and see pictures of China under snow. Miss M.

Blogs blogs blogs!

2008-02-06T17:12:00.001Z

I think I may have started a trend! Check out all of the cool new blogs ive listed at the side of the page...For those of you in Years 7-9, have a look at your new blog page especially for KS3 Geography students - thanks Mrs Mitchell! Once youve had a look at that, there are plenty more subjects to choose from...and more on the way!! Miss M.

Potato pegs...

2008-02-01T11:42:00.000Z

This year at Glastonbury normal metal tent pegs have been banned in favour of new biodegradable pegs! Read the story in full here. Miss M.

Ever wondered how they build stuff in the sea?!

2008-01-31T18:49:00.000Z

How cool a boat on legs! Have a look at this story to see how they build off-shore wind farms. Miss M.

Crazy weather!

2008-01-31T14:55:00.000Z

Why does it always seem to be this time of year?! This time last year we were all enjoying the snow...today it seems some places are seeing weather that isnt all that enjoyable! Check out this story... Miss M.

2008-01-17T20:11:00.001Z

It is Young Geographer of the Year time again, so if you fancy winning a trip to the Himalayas or a mountain bike, then check out the website of Geographical Magazine and find out more...

This year's theme is Explore Your World, and you need to get out there and do some investigating! The closing date is 30th April, so get thinking about some ideas! Miss M.

Hungry??

2008-01-14T17:33:00.000Z

How fab are these photos?! Its making me a little hungry! Miss M.

China to ban plastic bags!

2008-01-13T20:54:00.000Z

Meant to blog this last week - The Chinese government announced last week that it would be banning shopkeepers from handing out plastic bags from June this year, and stopping the production of ultra-thin plastic bags, in an attempt to cut down on pollution and resource use. Miss M.

Musical Geographers?!

2008-01-13T20:39:00.001Z

Exciting news...the Music department have gone online!! Check out the fantastic new webpage by clicking here. Miss M.

Nuclear Power gets the go ahead...

2008-01-10T12:35:00.000Z

Interesting story today in the news about the future of the UKs energy...Miss M.

Recycling...

2007-12-29T19:41:00.000Z

Hope everyone is enjoying a restful Christmas..just a Geographical thought to keep in the back of your mind...When you come to take down your Christmas decorations, remember to think GREEN and recycle your Christmas cards...most major supermarkets will take them and recycle them for you! Miss M.

Ethical Gifts..

2007-12-18T10:45:00.000Z

Have you brought all of your Xmas presents yet?! I certainly havent...more and more people each year are buying 'ethical' gifts but just how useful are they to developing countries? Have a look at this interesting story. Miss M.

US sets terms for climate change...

2007-12-15T21:48:00.000Z

Very interesting story today - VERY relevant to Year 11s studying global warming! Miss M.

Renewable energy

2007-12-09T17:54:00.000Z

Hmm interesting food for thought - our coastal views maybe changing! Have a look at this story...Miss M.

Brain Land!

2007-12-09T10:10:00.000Z

Found a rather interesting map...

Might help with your map skills! Miss M.

Revision

2007-11-25T15:17:00.000Z

It may seem like a long way off but its really not!! Click here to download a blank revision timetable from the BBC...

The two halves of your brain are associated with different functions and to revise best you need to utilise both halves. Look here for the spinning lady and more information.

Miss M.

TNCs

2007-11-20T14:41:00.000Z

Just for my year 10s who are feeling a little left out - there is a very topical tv programme on tomorrow night (Weds) on More 4 at 9pm...some of you may have seen it already on Monday night about a rather famous TNC...

'...Coca-Cola is one of the most iconic brands of both the 20th and 21st centuries. Promoting itself as the drink of freedom, choice and US patriotism, the company's feel-good factor is recognised worldwide and reflected in its enormous profits.

But behind this carefully crafted image exists a company accused of environmental damage, human rights violations and questionable business practices...'

Enjoy! Miss M.

Coasts Revision

2007-11-04T10:35:00.001Z

| View | Upload your own

SlideShare Link

2007-11-04T10:00:00.000Z

A quick apology to all those I missed at the Year 11 parents evening. I will be in contact with you after the mock exams to rearrange a meeting. If you have any questions before then please do contact me at school. Miss M.

Popualtion increase

2007-10-23T12:40:00.001+01:00

The UKs population is set to rise to 65 million people by 2016 according to a survey out this month. An interesting read for Year 10s and Year 11s who are revising! Miss M.

Sat-Nav helps African tribe..

2007-10-22T15:18:00.000+01:00

I've just found this interesting story on the BBC website about a Dutch logging company who are working with a tribe in the rainforest of the Congo basin to protect the tribe's way of life.

The Pygmies have been provided with GPS units, which they are using to mark sacred trees, hunting areas, water holes, the tombs of their ancestors, areas of medicinal plants, and other sites that they want to protect. The information is then used to create a map so that the forest can be managed and developed more sustainably. Miss M.

Coursework Help

2007-10-10T16:44:00.000+01:00

Feeling stressed about coursework?? During the half term week - rm 52 will be available for you on Monday and Tuesday, 9.30 until 3.30. Pop in for as long as you need. Miss M.

Volcano in the Red Sea

2007-10-01T14:01:00.000+01:00

A volcano has erupted in the Red Sea...click here for more info. Miss M.

Mock Exams

2007-10-01T13:59:00.001+01:00

Year 11 Mocks Revision List

From: missm, 29 seconds ago

SlideShare Link

Norfolk 2007

2007-09-26T19:13:00.001+01:00

WOW! Doesnt time fly when you are having fun! This years Year 11 fieldtrip flew by - the weather was good (only a few drops of rain!) and everyone worked incredibly hard! Now the real hard work starts - report writing! Over the next few weeks I will be updating the site with photos and help sheets so keep checking back. Miss M.

Wave Farm!

2007-09-26T17:18:00.000+01:00

The world's first large-scale wave farm!
The government have given the go-ahead today for this controversial project, and it is expected that the wave farm off the coast of Cornwall, which will cost £28 million and generate enough electricity for 7500 homes, will be operational by 2009. Click here for more detail.. Miss M.

Africa Floods

2007-09-20T22:14:00.000+01:00

Seems unbelievable that today water can still do so much damage. Will be watching with concern - will the spread of disease follow? What socio-economic effects will this bring to Africa? Miss M.

Update today the Guardian has linked this to El Nino...

Carbon Footprint?

2007-09-20T22:10:00.001+01:00

Thought this was quite interesting...will it make you think when you are tucking into your lunch??! Miss M.

Welcome Back!

2007-09-09T11:34:00.000+01:00

Welcome back to all the Beaumont Geographers! This year the blog page will be for both Years 10 and 11. Over the summer I have made a few changes to the page including a new 'labels' section where you can search for previous posts by their content rather than just the date they were added - hopefully making the page easier to use! Miss M.

Sustainable Africa

2007-09-05T19:45:00.000+01:00

Link to Sustainable Africa

Geography meets History!

2007-08-26T17:58:00.001+01:00

Finally some sunshine! I wonder how long it will last? Hope you are all enjoying the holidays... One lovely long week left!

Talking of the weather - its causing major problems in Greece - There are fears for the ancient ruins of Olympia, a world heritage site and home to the first Olympics, as Greece's devastating forest fires close in. Click here to read the BBCs news report. Miss M.

2007-08-23T15:22:00.000+01:00

These are ten of the UK's best known landmarks....

But according to a survey out this week, they are the ten most disappointing UK landmarks! The report is here, and also has lists of the ten most disappointing world landmarks, and the ten most promising UK places to visit...
Do you agree? Have you been to any of these? And did you like them? Anywhere else that you think should be included in the lists? Food for thought! Miss M

Hurricane Dean

2007-08-19T20:49:00.000+01:00

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6953530.stm

Will be watching this with interest...could become an F5 hurricane...keep an eye on the news over the next few days. Miss M.

Around the World in ???

2007-08-01T22:15:00.000+01:00

Hope you are all enjoying your holidays...the sun is beginning to shine...hope it lasts! Some interesting info I came across...

On Sunday 5th August at 8am, Mark Beaumont (right), will set off from the Champs Elysees in Paris to commence an attempt to claim the Guinness record for a solo cycle around the world. He aims to cycle 18,000 miles through 20 countries in about 210 days before returning to Paris in late February or early March of next year. It will be an amazing feat of endurance which, if accomplished in the planned time scale, will see 60 days knocked off the current world record set back in 2004. I can just about manage half an hour on the cycle machine at the gym...pretty sure im not even close to 18,000miles! Will keep you posted on his Geographical trip and record attempt. Miss M

Doesn't time fly when you are having fun??!

2007-07-19T09:12:00.000+01:00

I cant believe the year has flown by so fast! Seems like yesterday I was running through the course outline with my Year 10's during their first lesson... Times are changing in the Geography department...unfortunately we must say goodbye to Miss Maxfield who is leaving at the end of term - she will be greatly missed by all of the department and we wish her all the best in her new job!

The Geography site is now fully up and running so hopefully it will provide you with useful infomation regarding your GCSE as well as keeping you up to date!

I hope everyone has a lovely restful summer! Hopefully the sun will shine at some point..Keep checking back during the summer as I will keep updating the site with all things Geographical!! Look forward to seeing everyone in September ready to start Year11! Miss M.

Homer on the hill...

2007-07-17T14:26:00.000+01:00

This has appeared in Dorset next to the famous Cerne Abbas giant carved into the chalk hillside. The new drawing has been drawn on using biodegradable paint to create awareness about a certain movie being released! - although doesn't look like the locals are that happy about it...some have threatened to create some rain to wash it off - probably wont be necessary though this wet summer! Miss M.

World Calculator

2007-07-16T14:25:00.000+01:00

Came across this - cant stop watching it!

Created by Poodwaddle.com

Farting Cows!

2007-07-12T16:58:00.000+01:00

Garlic 'may cut cow flatulence'

Scientists in Wales tackling the impact flatulent cows and sheep have on global warming may have an answer - putting garlic in their food.

MOOOOSIVE thank you to Mr Jenkins for finding this Geographical gem! According to the BBC cows are responsible for 3% of Britain's greenhouse gas emissions. A study has found that feeding them garlic may reduce those emissions by up to 50%! And according to an amusing article in the Telegraph if you compared the methane given off by cows and the greenhouse gases big cars give out - in terms of tax we should be taxing cows £1000 a year each for their contributions to global warming!! Mooooo!

Ecotourism!

2007-07-10T12:10:00.000+01:00

Some extra info about Friday's lesson....

"Responsible tourism that minimizes the negative aspects of conventional tourism on the environment, and enhances the cultural integrity of local people - my kind of holiday! "

But is it all mud huts and basic camping conditions? (so not my kind of holiday!)

Ecotourism is a relatively new idea - the notion of responsible tourism really came to light in the late 1980s when it was given the name of 'ecotourism'. The idea grew and in 2002 the United Nations celebrated the 'Year of Ecotourism!'

To really understand what the ecotourism companies are trying to achieve have a look at the following websites:

http://www.intoafrica.co.uk/

http://www.responsibletravel.com/

http://www.ecotourism.org/ - this last one is currently under construction so keep checking back.

Miss M.

Live Earth

2007-07-09T11:37:00.000+01:00

I feel I should post about the Live Earth event that was shown Worldwide over the weekend. Im sure some of you watched it - or have seen bits of it! It was undoubtedly a fantastic event which saw some of the World's best performers coming together in the name of Climate Change. The idea behind it is to create awareness and try to get people to make small changes which would add up to a large impact, but just how much can one music event actually do?? The organisers are asking people to sign up and pledge their changes, in a section named 'answer the call': http://www.liveearth.org/. Some people feel that by just getting people to change their lightbulbs wont go far enough in fighting Climate Change. Isnt some change for the better positive...surely its better than none at all?

Turn to 30!

2007-07-09T11:23:00.000+01:00

Turn to 30*...this advertisement is on the TV a lot a the moment - companies are now using the idea of climate change to promote their products. Can you work out which company this picture belongs to? Click on the link to have a look at the website and the ideas behind the campaign. The introduction gives a really interesting insight into the plight of kilimanjaro.

http://www.doagoodturn.co.uk/