Wednesday 31 December 2008

KS3 Resources - Geography Teaching Today

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This unit of work teaches resilience in the context of water and flooding. It delivers an understanding of awareness, preparedness and knowledge of what actions should be taken in the event of flooding; and of how changing physical and human processes bring about flooding in the first place. This unit nurtures vital skills for what might be termed "environmental citizenship", giving life-long advice about the protection of homes - and the need to always keep an open and inquiring mind that can identify risk.

The first half of the unit deals with flood risk in the UK - a key aspect of life on these islands. Basic Environmental Agency rules for adults (be aware, be prepared, know how to act) are looked at. The causes of flooding are then examined, including human accidents (plumbing). As part of the work, a local risk assessment should be conducted for home or school, using the engaging technique of flood-depth analysis - working out what losses different levels of water could bring to a room or building!

The second half of the unit returns to the theme of resilience and explores in greater depth the steps that students' parents or guardians can take in protecting their homes from possible flood or storm damage. Flood kits and flood-proofing techniques are examined before moving on to think about flood warnings. A close look is taken here at how new digital technologies can help get warnings to people quickly. There are plenty of opportunities for role playing also, through thinking about vulnerable people, such as the hard-of-hearing, for whom text message warnings have been a real blessing. Greater cultural understanding is fostered.

The unit closes with a look at the interdependence that exists between different groups of people and businesses living on flood plains. Using the metaphor of "river team players", students will think about how local groups can work together to try and build community resilience to flooding (becoming sensitive to the risks associated with some land-use changes). Attention is thus paid to the citizenship dimensions of flood management.

KS3 Resources - Geography Teaching Today

Waterwise - The Facts - Water in the UK

The UK has less available water per person than most other European countries. London is drier than Istanbul, and the South East of England has less water available per person than the Sudan and Syria. Water is scarce in parts of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as well as in England - large scale drought is already occurring in the UK, with the lowest rainfall, groundwater and reservoir levels for decades. Each person in the UK currently uses about 150 litres of water every day. This has been rising by 1% a year since 1930. This consumption level is not sustainable in the long-term.
f we do not take action now, climate change, population shifts and behaviour mean the UK will face increased water stress in the future.

Weir Wood Reservoir

Waterwise - The Facts - Water in the UK

The Water Page - Water Scarcity

 

It is a statement of the obvious that water is the most critical factor related to drought. Whilst lack of water is the primary cause of drought, there are a large number of factors which exacerbate and intensify the effects of lack of water. If these factors, many of which have little to do with water per se, are adequately managed, the consequences of the lack of water can be greatly reduced. For this reason drought management policy must take into account a wide variety of factors.

"In popular usage, "scarcity" is a situation where there is insufficient water to

The Water Page - Water Scarcity

Water Resources: Scientific Facts on Water Resources

Water Resources home

Water is essential for human survival and well-being and important to many sectors of the economy. However, resources are irregularly distributed in space and time, and they are under pressure due to human activity.

Water Resources: Scientific Facts on Water Resources

Water stress - summary

 Regional summary

Water stress - summary

BBC NEWS | England | Water metering plans put forward

 Water meter

Water metering in areas affected by serious water shortages is being proposed by the government and the Environment Agency.

A preliminary map of "water stressed" parts of England has been produced, with the whole of the South East being classified as "serious".

BBC NEWS | England | Water metering plans put forward

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Map details global water stress

 Infographic, BBC

The alarming extent of water scarcity across the world is detailed in a map compiled by a leading environmental think tank.

It shows two key types of scarcity; water is said to be either physically scarce or economically scarce.

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Map details global water stress

Planet Earth Online homepage

 NERC logo

Planet Earth Online

Environmental Information site

Planet Earth Online homepage

Natural disasters 'killed over 220,000' in 2008 - Yahoo! News UK

 Natural disasters 'killed over 220,000' ...

Natural disasters killed over 220,000 people in 2008, making it one of the most devastating years on record and underlining the need for a global climate deal, the world's number two reinsurer said Monday. Skip related content

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Natural disasters 'killed over 220,000' in 2008 - Yahoo! News UK