Watch this outstanding YT video if you need some good news about the environment. Andrew Millison's engagement with the Great Green Wall of Africa imparts valuable insights into sustainable practices that are applicable to geographical studies, particularly in relation to combating desertification. His collaboration with the UN World Food Programme on the northern border of Senegal leverages his permaculture expertise and provides a practical perspective on land restoration projects focused on rainwater harvesting, food security, and ecosystem restoration within the Great Green Wall initiative. The Great Green Wall and Desertification
The Great Green Wall Initiative is a proactive response to the urgent challenge of desertification, a critical focus within environmental geography. Desertification refers to the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas, mainly due to climatic changes and human impact. The goal of the initiative to counter the expansion of the Sahara Desert involves creating a mosaic of green and productive landscapes, directly confronting this issue. Sustainable Land Management (SLM) Against Desert Expansion The 'half-moon' water harvesting technique exemplifies a SLM practice instrumental in the fight against desertification. Integrating permaculture with indigenous knowledge, these techniques are pivotal in rehabilitating and managing soils in areas susceptible to desertification. Students of geography study these methods as strategies to combat desertification and evaluate their effectiveness in stabilising soils, enhancing vegetative cover, and revitalising ecosystems. Climate Change, Desertification, and the Great Green Wall The Great Green Wall plays a vital role in mitigating climate change effects, a significant contributor to desertification. As a carbon sink that bolsters landscape resilience, the initiative strives to thwart the advance of deserts. Geographers investigate these actions to comprehend the interplay between reforestation, carbon capture, and climate mitigation. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Stability in Drylands Fostering biodiversity through the reintroduction of native species is a key tactic in maintaining ecosystem stability and combating desertification. The Great Green Wall's efforts align with geographic principles that emphasise preserving biodiversity to guarantee ecosystem services crucial for the well-being of local populations and the prevention of land deterioration. Socio-Economic Impacts and the Prevention of Desertification The socio-economic ramifications of desertification, including heightened urban migration, are of significant interest in human geography. The Great Green Wall intends to forge sustainable livelihoods that bolster the desertification resilience of rural communities. Geography students may examine how enhancing the economic appeal of these areas is fundamental in managing desert expansion and population dynamics. Conclusion The Great Green Wall Initiative symbolises a significant geographical intervention against the acute problem of desertification. It merges sustainable land management, climate change abatement, biodiversity preservation, and socio-economic progress to forge a living barrier resisting desert encroachment. For students of geography, this YouTube video offers an uplifting case study to dissect the complex approach needed to manage and thwart desertification. Nonetheless, a discerning geographical perspective also necessitates scrutinising the challenges the Great Green Wall faces, such as political, financial, and ecological hurdles, to fully grasp its capabilities and constraints in curbing the spread of deserts.
0 Comments
The Amazon Rainforest, often referred to as the planet's lungs, stands at a precarious threshold, edging closer to a tipping point that could trigger a large-scale ecological transformation. This disturbing prognosis, detailed in a recent issue of the journal Nature (February 2024), resonates with a dire warning for geographers: our planet's most vibrant bastion of biodiversity is under siege, and its decline could unravel the complex tapestry of global climate and ecological stability.
The Resilience of the Amazon For over 65 million years, the Amazon forest has weathered the ebb and flow of planetary climate shifts. Its resilience has been remarkable, but today's challenges are of an unprecedented nature. The Amazon is buckling under the compounded pressures of climate change and anthropogenic disturbances. Fragile Environments at a Crossroads Geographically, the Amazon is a region of superlatives: sprawling over millions of square kilometres, it harbours the richest array of life on Earth. Yet, its environmental stability is fragile, threatened by a potent combination of factors that jeopardise its very existence. Climate Change and Water Stress: Five critical drivers have been pinpointed as architects of water stress within the forest: global warming, fluctuations in annual rainfall, changes in rainfall seasonality, increasing dry season lengths, and rampant deforestation. The forest's ability to sustain its ecological functions is being undermined by these escalating threats. Disturbing Trends and Tipping Points: Satellite data paints a grim picture, revealing a basin subjected to warming and drying trends. Projections suggest that without intervention, thresholds could be breached by 2050, leading to drastic changes in the forest's structure and functions. Biodiversity at the Edge The concept of alternative stable states in ecology suggests that once certain thresholds are crossed, ecosystems like the Amazon could shift from forest to savanna. This would not only be a geographical transformation but also an ecological catastrophe, with the loss of species and habitats that are unique to the forest ecosystem. Potential Trajectories Researchers have outlined three possible trajectories for the Amazon, which include a degraded forest state, an open-canopy ecosystem, and a transition to a white-sand savanna. Each trajectory would entail the loss of forest cover and a significant shift in the ecological balance of the region. The Path to Resilience The study underscores the urgency of establishing safe boundaries for the Amazon's climate and land use. These include limiting global warming to 1.5°C, ensuring annual rainfall does not dip below 1,800mm, and keeping deforestation below 10%. Local conservation efforts must be bolstered by global initiatives to slash greenhouse gas emissions. The Call to Action For geographers, the plight of the Amazon is a clarion call to understand and engage with the intricate links between climate change, biodiversity, and the fragility of environments. The study concludes that the future trajectory of the Amazon is not just a matter of ecological interest but a pressing priority for global governance. The decisions we make today will determine whether this invaluable ecological treasure remains robust or crosses into a perilous unknown, with irreversible consequences for the planet. The Amazon's fate hangs in the balance, and it is incumbent upon us all to advocate and act for its preservation. As geography students, you are uniquely positioned to appreciate the complex interplay of factors at play and to contribute to the discourse and action that can help steer the Amazon away from the brink. Source: Flores, B.M., Montoya, E., Sakschewski, B. et al. Critical transitions in the Amazon forest system. Nature 626, 555–564 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06970-0
At the Kubuqi Renewable Energy Base, vast arrays of solar panels sprawl across an expanse quintuple the size of Singapore, cloaking dunes likely born of desertification—a process that stripped the steppe grasslands of their fertility. These gleaming blue panels capitalise on the desert's solar radiation to produce copious amounts of clean energy. It is predicted that Kubuqi could produce 455 GW, which is close to the total power capacity of India.
The economic landscape is shifting as renewable energy replaces coal and oil. New spatial patterns are emerging as production moves from concentrated deposits of fossil fuels to widespread harvesting of sun and wind. For local people, this brings jobs in construction and opportunities for community development. On the global stage, China's significant investment in renewables weakens the influence of oil-rich nations. The geopolitical balance of power could shift as energy independence grows. Other countries are taking note, eager to replicate China's success. Oil companies are concerned. For geographers, Kubuqi offers a case study in the transition to low-carbon living. It demonstrates how clean power generated in remote areas can meet the needs of distant cities through long-distance transmission lines. China is leading the world, showing us how we can accelerate the adoption of renewables. China's desert power plants exemplify the innovation possible when sustainability becomes a priority. With the climate crisis looming, such ambition is crucial. Renewables today can illuminate the path to a zero-carbon tomorrow. The United States, a titan of innovation and wealth, is paradoxically trailing behind its wealthy counterparts in a critical aspect: healthcare outcomes. Despite funnelling a colossal sum of money into its healthcare sector, America's health results tell a troubling story—one where opulence doesn't equate to wellness.
A study from a decade ago first brought to light a concerning trend: the life expectancy in the US lagged behind that of other affluent nations. Recent updates to this data paint an even grimmer picture, with American longevity continuing its decline relative to its peers. The culprits? A complex confluence of societal ailments. At the heart of America's health crisis lies a broad chasm of economic inequality, a tangle of insufficient social support structures, and an immensely costly and convoluted healthcare system riddled with inefficiencies. The insidious shadow of systemic racism also plays its part, further entrenching disparities in health outcomes. Amidst this bleak landscape are the acute crises contributing to the country's deteriorating health—none more pressing than the opioid epidemic that has ravaged communities and the alarmingly high rates of gun-related deaths. But the troubles don't stop there; America's youth face daunting challenges, with poor conditions for children and teens and a healthcare system that, for many, remains an inaccessible fortress due to prohibitive costs. The life expectancy statistics, disaggregated by race, only underscore the deep-seated inequalities. Native and Black Americans are confronted with a starkly reduced lifespan compared to other racial groups, a testament to the systemic barriers entrenched in the health sector. As the US forges ahead on what some critics deem a "deadly path," the article (New Scientist) sends out a clarion call for the world to take heed and steer clear of America's missteps. It suggests that it is high time the US turned its gaze outward, to glean lessons from other democracies that have managed to secure more favourable health outcomes for their citizens, all the while incurring a fraction of the cost. In the face of such overwhelming evidence, the question looms large: Will America take a hard look in the mirror and undertake the necessary reforms, or will it continue down a path that leads away from the promise of a healthy nation? The answers to these questions could shape the well-being of generations to come. Source: New Scientist, January 2024. This article was first published at Der Pragmaticus Verlag AG in German The inaugural campaign for mass malaria vaccination has commenced across Malawi, Ghana, and Kenya.23/1/2024 The inaugural campaign for mass malaria vaccination has commenced across Malawi, Ghana, and Kenya. Imagine a world where every child is shielded from the threat of malaria. That’s the vision driving the mass vaccination rollout in Malawi, Ghana, and Kenya. In excess of 360,000 children below the age of two will be inoculated with the RTS,S vaccine in this pioneering deployment, which enjoys the backing of the World Health Organization (WHO). The RTS,S vaccine, a creation of GlaxoSmithKline, has demonstrated a reduction of malaria incidence by around 40% in young children, as evidenced by clinical trials. It affords partial immunity against the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, which is predominantly encountered in Africa. This event marks a significant threshold, being the first instance in which WHO has endorsed the broad application of a vaccine against a parasitic affliction. Nevertheless, the vaccine's administration will be confined to regions with moderate to high malaria transmission seasons, focusing on the most vulnerable populations. Should the vaccine be extended to further nations within the continent, the WHO has projected the potential to preserve tens of thousands of lives each year. Malaria consistently ranks as a leading cause of mortality among children under the age of five in Africa. Specialists are optimistic that this initiative will yield valuable insights into the practicalities of vaccine delivery in real-world contexts, which will shape the strategy for its future wider distribution. Ensuring the vaccine is affordable remains a critical consideration for its more extensive adoption. Source: https://www.ft.com/content/b6f03756-86ab-4912-aad0-9384198673ad Malaria Vaccine and Its Importance in Health Geography
Connection Between Disease Spread, and Malaria Vaccine:
Roles of Key Players in Health:
Impact on Future Health and Disease Management:
In Conclusion: The widespread vaccination against malaria serves as a practical illustration of the principles studied in Health Geography. It helps us comprehend how disease prevention works, the influence of various organizations and groups, and the geographical aspects that can affect how diseases spread. Below is a summary of an article from the Financial Times (19 Jan 2023) that highlights just how vulnerable major cities, such as London, are to the impacts of climate change. The article helps us to understand the damage that climate change will have on the lives of urban dwellers and the need for cities to adapt to climate change. In academic circles, the article's points would likely be used to argue for a balanced approach that does not prioritise mitigation at the expense of adaptation, or vice versa. The consensus is increasingly that both strategies are essential and must be pursued simultaneously. Adaptation is critical for managing the risks to which we are already committed, whilst mitigation is necessary to prevent those risks from growing to unmanageable proportions.
In 2023, the surge in global renewable energy capacity was unparalleled, with a near 50% increase leading to an impressive 510 gigawatts (GW) of new installations – marking the most rapid expansion we've seen in over twenty years. For the 22nd consecutive year, the growth in renewable energy has broken previous records.
Europe, the United States, and Brazil all witnessed unprecedented escalations in their renewable capacity, yet it was China's remarkable upswing that captured attention. Last year, China brought online as much solar PV capacity as the rest of the globe did the year before, and its wind energy capacity soared by an extraordinary 66% from the previous year. On a worldwide scale, solar PV was the powerhouse behind three-quarters of all new renewable energy developments. Source: www.iea.org/reports/renewables-2023/executive-summary Auf Wiedersehen Atomkraft, wir werden dich nicht vermissen.
Germany has had a good '23. Many doubted Germany's decision to dump its nukes - especially when Putin did us all a favour by cutting the gas pipelines to Europe, Now, when needs must, "Grüne Deutsche Technologie" is significantly cheaper than nuclear energy. There is still much to do for the Energy Transition, but the message is loud and clear. Sustainable energy is not only cheaper and cleaner; it also gives countries, like Germany, energy security. OPEC should be worried. Here are the numbers: - Onshore and offshore wind were the largest renewable source, generating 139.8 TWh which accounted for 32% of Germany's total electricity generation. Wind power generation increased by 14.1% compared to 2022. - Germany installed a record high of approximately 14 GW of solar PV in 2023, surpassing the government's target of 9 GW. Solar PV generated 59.9 TWh, with 53.3 TWh fed into the grid and 6.4 TWh used for self-consumption. - Hydropower generation also increased slightly compared to 2022, contributing 20.5 TWh or 3% to total generation. Biomass generation remained steady at 42.3 TWh. - In total, renewables generated around 260 TWh in 2023, an increase of 7% from 2022. - Installed battery storage capacity in Germany almost doubled from 4.4 GW in 2022 to 7.6 GW in 2023, with storage capacity increasing from 6.5 GWh to 11.2 GWh. Pumped hydro storage output reached 6 GWh. Source: https://www.pv-magazine.com/2024/01/03/renewables-covered-almost-60-of-german-electricity-demand-in-2023/ The FT reports that 140 countries have agreed to have a min tax of 15% for major global companies.
This is good news for governments and the people they represent. The aim of the agreement is to stop a race to the bottom. This follows concerns that companies, such as Amazon, were legally able to avoid paying tax by moving their headquarters to low-tax countries. Global minimum tax on multinationals goes live to raise up to $220bn - A global minimum corporate tax rate of 15% comes into effect today, which was agreed upon by nearly 140 countries as part of a major tax reform by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). - This tax reform aims to ensure that multinational corporations pay a minimum level of tax and do not shift profits to low-tax countries using tax havens. It is expected to raise global tax revenues by up to $150 billion annually. - The new rules will apply to multinational companies with revenue above €750 million annually and are projected to affect over 1,000 companies worldwide, including large US tech groups like Amazon, Apple and Google. - Countries can still set their own corporate tax rates above the 15% floor. The UK's rate remains at 25% while the US raised its minimum to 15% as part of the new rules. - The new tax regime is seen as significant but critics argue the 15% rate is still low and leaves loopholes open for tax avoidance. Some developing nations wanted a higher minimum rate of 21%. - Implementation challenges remain such as agreeing on how to calculate a multinational's taxable income in different markets. However, the new rules are still considered a breakthrough in international tax cooperation. Source: Financial Times (https://on.ft.com/41DDEcd) |
Author: Martin CoxNew in 2024 - my blog is focussed on updates about the stuff I am reading. |