GeogBlog

Huge Aerial Database Update for Google Earth Thursday Night!

2006-06-09T11:26:00.000Z

Huge Aerial Database Update for Google Earth Thursday Night!: "

Google made a HUGE update to the Google Earth satellite/aerial photos database late Thursday night June 8th (not yet available in Google Maps aerial database). There are now high resolution satellite photo data strips scattered all over the world where...

BBC NEWS: 'Billions' affected by natural disasters worldwide

2005-01-17T18:47:00.000Z

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | 'Billions' affected by disasters

According to UN data, the number of people affected by natural disasters has increased by 60% over the last decade. More than 2.5 billion people, especially those in vulnerable developing countries, are involved, with Asia the location of more than 50% of casualties and 90% of people affected.

As the recent Asian tsunami disaster has shown all too clearly, a combination of low preparedness, high population growth and high migration to coastal areas in SE Asia has contributed to the death toll and widespread devastation.

Geography in the News, from the Royal Geographical Society, discusses the physical causes and human geographical context of the tsunami and the issues they raise: Shock Wave and Wikipedia compares the event with past disasters, outlines impacts country by country and lists useful weblinks and sources such as news and photo archives, video footage and personal blogs: 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake.

You can donate money to the Tsunami Earthquake Appeal at the official Disasters Emergency Committee Website, funds go directly to a range of relief organisations and other NGOS on the ground.

BBC NEWS | UK | Politics | UK 'failing on greenhouse gases'

2004-12-08T21:40:00.000Z

BBC NEWS | UK | Politics | UK 'failing on greenhouse gases'

According to government figures, the UK will meet its responsibility to cut greenhouse gas emission by 12.5% from 1990 levels by 2012, as emissions are already down 14%. However, the PM has admitted that the UK is not expected to meet its own manifesto pledge to cut the emission of Carbon Dioxide by 20% below 1990 levels by 2010.

This is a major embarrassment in the run-up to Britain's Presidencies of the EU and G8 next year, for which climate change and international debt are seen as key priorities. Further international agreement on cutting GHG emissions may be made more difficult if the proposing country is itself unable to reach its own self-imposed targets.

See also: Q&A on UK's carbon targets

and the BBC Newsnight programme's critical commentary on the UK's Carbon Trading Plans.

BBC NEWS | Europe | Start date set for Kyoto treaty

2004-11-18T16:07:00.000Z

BBC NEWS | Europe | Start date set for Kyoto treaty

The Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change is set to become legally binding on 16 February, with the official ratification of the Treaty by Russia. Russia's accession to the Treaty brings it into force with a 'critical mass' of supporting countries that account for 55% of current greenhouse gas emission.

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Science counts species on brink

2004-11-17T23:06:00.000Z

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Science counts species on brink

BBC News Online commentary on the IUCN Red List.

BBC NEWS | Science: World Conservation Union lists 15,500 species on the brink

2004-11-17T15:00:00.000Z

BBC News Online: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2004

The IUCN (World Conservation Union) has released its annual Red List of endangered species for 2004. The list logs those species currently at greatest risk of becoming extinct. More than 15,000 species are listed as in jeopardy, affected by processes such as overharvesting, habitat loss or climate change.

The BBC News Online link includes images and information about some of these species and highlights the incomplete nature of our knowledge about global biodiversity.

US Election result maps

2004-11-10T16:24:00.000Z

Election result maps

Revealing cartographical analyses of the 2004 US Presidential Election results from the Center for the Study of Complex Systems, University of Michigan.

A series of maps based on available electoral data show the distribution of support for Bush and Kerry at state and county level and also proportionally, taking into account uneven population distribution. They produce a much more nuanced electoral geography emphasising the small margins involved.

Planet Under Pressure

2004-11-10T14:59:00.000Z

Take a look at this excellent six part interactive series on environment and development from BBC Online, with up to date maps, data and analysis of key global issues such as Biodiversity, Water Scarcity, Energy Production and Demand and links to current news stories.

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Introduction: Planet Under Pressure

Also see http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/sci_tech/2004/planet/ for related news stories and photo journals.

Welcome!

2004-11-09T13:19:00.000Z

Welcome to GeogBlog, a blog dedicated to Geography and Environmental Science. It's intended as a site for information, commentaries and links about major news stories related to geographical themes or issues.

Geographies are everywhere!