Long time...

I believe it has been far too long! Back to blogging about the wonderful and mysterious world of Geography!

"Geography Summer School"

Off to geography summer school to investigate peri-glacial landscapes, a rejuvenating tourist district, ecosystem micro climates, urban rebranding and... FLAMBOROUGH HEAD :)

"Isle of Wight Geographical Greatness"

Meandering at Shepherds Chine.

The awesome shingle beach!

Wow!

The chalk coast at the next headland.

The coastal erosion of the cliff is rapidly eroding! The one metre a year erosion has rapidly increased in the past few years resulting in an unstable coastline which recently caused injury to a person. Another aspect prominently saw at the coast were landslips. Attempting to climb up one was pretty hard! No coastal management strategies are being put forward as the land above is of no use, and it is to expensive to apply. However... how long are they going to let this erosion continue for?

"Home sweet home.."

Back home from Geo and Marine Science summer school. It was pretty awesome! Investigated the geology of the Isle of Wight coast line, done some oceanography under grad fieldwork at sea and had an awesome time! :)

"Education for Everyone! Reality or a far distance dream?"

Finished my penultimate year of school! Hardest yet but who am I to complain. I have access to a wonderful education system in which I am educated to a high standard in subjects of my choice that will lead me to higher education... Pretty standard for a generalisation of "most" kids in UK and USA perhaps. However in some countries literacy rates are as low as 30.

Mali. A country in Western Africa that in 2009 held a literacy rate of 22.9. Although this number now is argued through numerous sources, it is still exceedingly low and may be in the range of lowest rates in Africa.

The education system of Mali provides compulsory free education for children aged between 7 and 16. "Compulsory" being the key word. Even though it is compulsory the enrollment rate into school is again very low, with approximately 900,000 children out of school all together. Although the education is free, parents are unable to afford school equipment, uniform, etc.

Additionally, education within these schools are at a poor standard. With a lack of teachers it results in huge classes in poor buildings and limited materials due to limited funding. This is saddening to hear that children are restricted of a good standard education due to money. I live in a country where schools offer a fantastic education system accessible to generally every child and still some children play truant.

Further more, the enrollment to secondary education in Mali is even worse. With some prejudiced against girls, limited schools within some districts and a lack of drive to achieve high, these children are suffering.

To meet with the Millennium goals, the Mailan government has the goal of providing a solid education for all children of Mali by 2015. Impossible? Too far fetched? Or maybe possible... with the help of other countries and bottom-up aid... But who should help? Us, the government, leave Mali to its own devices?

"Sand Dune Succession Success!"

Attempting to be awesome with the clinometer gun :D Sand dune succession was pretty awesome! Using a belt transect method we measured north from the shore every 50 metres, then measured wind speed, (if on a sand dune) the gradient at that point from the ground and the width of the sand dune. As well as using the quadrats to work out the diversity of the vegetation! All in all it was pretty amazing! Data presentation, analysis and evaluation next! :)

"Today is the Day"

Off to the Ainsdale sand dunes armed with a pass, to carry out some fieldwork for the Geography Project! Lets hope the clouds stay clear away, sun keeps shining and we rock this fieldwork :D

"Comic Con AKA SuperTourism"

COMIC CON!!! Theoretically this is the greatest four days of any person's life! Doctor Who, Torchwood, Marvel, DC, Limited Edition Comic Books, Film posters, Shonen Jump, Anime, Manga, Big Bang Theory, Twilight etc... Reality, not so much, as I sit watching through a computer screen, other people's happiness... However, San Diego's Comic Con this weekend is expected to get the attendance of 130,000 people! With the arrival of many more awaiting outside the venue wishing they could "Force" (Star Wars :D ) their way through. This event alone and all the people that arrive will contribute to a small increase in the economy. This SuperTourism (Superman :D ) is suspected to "feed tens of millions of dollars into the local economy", which has impressed the local mayor. According to a tourism official "the event will result in $75 million in direct spending in the area". So Comic Con is not just out of this world and on a parallel universe (Doctor Who :D ) for CC fans, but also pretty amazing for the economy of San Diego! Smiles all around... (If you are there) :)

"Supervolcano Spectacular"

Thursday on Volcano Live is a special on super volcanoes! What wonders will be discovered?

"Research Geographer"

Just one reason why I want to be a research geographer! Oh my goodness, it is amazing!