As the world´s population grows, more and more wild animals are being forced out of their traditional habitats. Some endangered species are being killed for food or because they compete with humans for territory or food supplies, while others are valued for their fur or uses in medical research. This type of killing has completely wiped out some species of wild animals and is threatening many others. Fortunately, animal rescue organisations are working hard to preserve endangered animals such as elephants, jaguars and chimpanzees.

In Thailand, the Wild Animal Rescue Foundation of Thailand (WARF) is working to stop human-elephant conflicts in Prachuab Kiri Khan province. Much of the forest in this area has been cleared by farmers and is now used for planting crops, wich has destroyed the elephants´natural habitat and caused a continuing food shortage for them. Elephant herds have begun to come out of the forest and feed on the farmers´ crops, so the farmers often shoot or poison the animals. The Elephant Feeding Project aims to create an ecosystem that will allow animals and people to live together in peace. WARF gradually restores the forest areas, while teaching people who must give up farming other ways to earn a living.

In Central and South America, ecological groups are attempting to increase the number of jaguarse, the largest cats found in the Western hemisphere. Adult males can be uo to 2.3 metres long and weigh up to 250 kilograms. There are still jaguars in the area near the Amazon River; however, the population eleswhere in South America is very small and the jaguar disappeared completely in the United States during the 1940s. At one time, the jaguar´s skin was considered very valuable, but today laws preventing the trapping or shooting of jaguars have reduced the demand for the skins. Many animals are still killed, however, because these predators often turn to cattle and other farm animals for food when their natural habitat disappears.

In the Bossou Hills of Guinea, West Africa, a Japanese scientist is working to save the area´s rapidly shrinking chimpanzee population. The local population has been cut off from other groups because much of the forest connecting the Bossou Hills area with other forest regions has been cut down. Tesuro Matsuzawa is working to replant groups of trees in the open fields to connect the forest areas once again. However, it may be several yearse before the world knows whether or not his plan will work.

What is Geography?

The term GIS (Geographic Information Systems) is gaining familiarity, but still leaves a feeling of uncertainty with many.  This cartoon’s caption captures [part of] our field: [GIS] helps you understand how the world works.

There is more to GIS too.  To see the full cartoon story, read it here on National Geographic.

Is Global Warming caused by us?

I suppose we are now at the point that we have to accept the science 'fact' that Global Warming is taking place. Nearly every day there is a new story in the news that supports this. The BBC has a great mini site dedicated to Climate Change. One of the most recent stories is related to the disappearing ice and snow on Kilimanjaro. 

However, with the recent winter being the warmest on record and the weather over the last 3 weeks being abnormally warm and dry fo this time of year - people do start to aske questions. So - we can establish that the weather is different, that we don´t quite get the same winter extremes that we used to and that spring plants and butterflies, bees and wasps are all out a lot earlier. But the BIG question remains - is this caused by us or is this part of the natural cycles of world climate.

Would this have happened normally even without our input and production of the so called 'greenhouse gases'? For me, that is the big question and I am not quite sure that the proof is quite there yet.

In saying that how can reducing our carbon emissions and the amount of chemicals and pollution that we pump into the atmosphere be anything but a good thing - but will it help to reduce the way that our climate changes . . . that is the big question. What do you think?

I came across this quote as I have been reading Barack Obama's book - The Audacity of Hope.

"Just about every scientist outside the White House believes that climate change is real, serious, and is accelerated by the continued release of carbon dioxide. If the prospect of melting ice caps, rising sea levels, changing weather patterns, more frequent hurricanes, more violent tornadoes, endless dust storms, decaying forests, dying coral reefs, and increases in respiratory illness and insect-borne diseases - if all that doesn't constitute a serious threat, I dont know what does."

Explain why are some places more 'switched on' to globalisation than others?

Contrasting places: Tomboktou, Mali and Hong Kong, China

Today we were discussing the question in the title above. The aim of this post is to provide some extra guidance to help you improve your geographical writing. Here are some tips:

• Read The Question carefully: Circle the command word and underline any key words.

• Apply Geographical Ideas: Key words in the title suggest that you refer to the ideas of 'switched on' verses 'switched off' and globalisation.  Cities are the most connected places on Earth and as global hubs they are the most 'switched on places'.  Can you think what the main reasons for this could be?

• Explain: The question also asks you to explain, which means you will need to think of REASONS WHY some places are more 'switched on'.  You could provide 3 main reasons.  Remember to use the P.E.E approach of Point, Explain, Example/Evidence.  
• POINT - Make you first point (Reason for being switched on)
• EXPLAIN - Explain why this factor makes it more switched on
• EXAMPLE/EVIDENCE - Refer to your real place.  Write in some detail about it to demonstrate you are writing about a real place (Real people, real places, real geography!)

• Structure: Think carefully about which structure to use.  Here's an example:
• Introduction - define key terms
• Main body - talk about your main reasons.  Use P.E.E
• Conclusion

What are the key reasons then?
The diagram below shows some reasons why some places are more switched on than others.

  

The Essential Historical Perspective
To really understand the reasons why some places are more connected to global capitalism we need to look at the history of a place.  For example Dubai in the UAE has rapidly become a switched on place over the last 40 years.  The BBC Country Profile for UAE clearly outlines the key historical developments and policy decisions which have led to Dubai being a global hub.  In contrast the BBC country profile for the D. R. Congo shows how recent civil war has been a real obstacle to development and establishing links to the global economy.  The BBC also asked the question, 'Can the failed state of Congo recover?' This among other factors have led to the D.R. Congo being the poorest country in the world in terms of GDP per capita (Source: Gapminder).

The presentation below will hopefully extend your thinking further.  Some of the slides have been updated.

Why are some places more switched on to globalisation?

I'm sure if you use these ideas you will improve your geographical writing!