Geology for Global Development

Energy

Using Geoscience Skills to Improve Global Health; Integrating Indigenous Knowledge and Science. That and more in Jesse Zondervan’s Apr-Jul #GfGDpicks #SciComm

August 4, 2020
Using Geoscience Skills to Improve Global Health; Integrating Indigenous Knowledge and Science. That and more in Jesse Zondervan’s Apr-Jul #GfGDpicks #SciComm

Jesse Zondervan picks his favourite posts from geoscience and development news which cover the geology for global development interest. Here’s a round-up of Jesse’s favourite selections for the last four months of 2020: In the words of Sarah Derouin at AGU’s Eos “some geoscientists have seen their productivity grind down to plate tectonics speeds while the pandemic rages on”, but some environmenta ...[Read More]

Geoethics – from an ethics of exhaustion to one of abundance

June 30, 2020
Geoethics – from an ethics of exhaustion to one of abundance

As this year’s pandemic spreads through Brazil, our own Bárbara Zambelli notices a positive shift in the natural environment. In this article, she wonders, what if we shift from an ethics of exhaustion, to one of abundance? This, she argues, is what geoethics is about. [Editor’s note: This post reflects Bárbara’s personal opinions. These opinions may not reflect official policy positions of Geolog ...[Read More]

What role should academic institutions be playing in changing people’s perception towards Geosciences?

March 4, 2020
What role should academic institutions be playing in changing people’s perception towards Geosciences?

During her time at a mining school Hannah Ritchie wondered why the GfGD society membership was so low. How do people perceive geology’s ability to contribute to a sustainable future? Hannah explores the traditional and changing reputation of geology and the roles academic institutions could play in directing this change. [Editor’s note: This post reflects Hannah’s personal opinions. These opinions ...[Read More]

Necessary Evils in Transitioning to a Sustainable Future

October 2, 2019
Necessary Evils in Transitioning to a Sustainable Future

Robert Emberson can’t help but wondering how geoscience, whilst having great potential for helping sustainable development, has been fueling polluting industries for centuries. Should geoscientists shy away completely from engaging with traditional industries? What are their roles and geoscientists’ roles in transitioning to a more sustainable world? [Editor’s note: This post reflects ...[Read More]

The seven frames of climate discussion in the media. How climate liability pushes for corporate action. Are we already unwittingly geoengineering the oceans? Jesse Zondervan’s August 2019 #GfGDpicks #SciComm

September 4, 2019
The seven frames of climate discussion in the media. How climate liability pushes for corporate action. Are we already unwittingly geoengineering the oceans? Jesse Zondervan’s August 2019 #GfGDpicks #SciComm

Each month, Jesse Zondervan picks his favourite posts from geoscience and development blogs/news which cover the geology for global development interest. Here’s a round-up of Jesse’s selections for the last month: As Greta Thunberg hits the news with her zero-carbon crossing of the Atlantic, this month discussion on adaptation to climate change is voluminous. Coverage of climate change follow seve ...[Read More]

The link between development and resource use

July 3, 2019
The link between development and resource use

This month the GfGD blog revolved around the theme of Resources. Blog author Heather Britton explores the link between the use of natural resources and development. How feasible are the various options available to us, to reach a use of resources aligned with sustainable development? From the ideology of a circular economy, a switch to renewable resources and increasing efficiency, what might help ...[Read More]

Are we ready for water stress? The potential locations for undiscovered water sources. Investment in earthquake resilience in Tokyo and China. That and more in Jesse Zondervan’s June 2019 #GfGDpicks #SciComm

June 27, 2019
Are we ready for water stress? The potential locations for undiscovered water sources. Investment in earthquake resilience in Tokyo and China. That and more in Jesse Zondervan’s June 2019 #GfGDpicks #SciComm

Each month, Jesse Zondervan picks his favourite posts from geoscience and development blogs/news which cover the geology for global development interest. Here’s a round-up of Jesse’s selections for the last month: As temperatures in Europe surge, one may not find it difficult to imagine water will be in demand. However, nearly one-fifth of the world’s population lives in a stressed water basin. A ...[Read More]

New mining frontiers: Digging into the unknown

June 5, 2018
New mining frontiers: Digging into the unknown

While climate change occupies the headlines as our biggest long-term concern for sustainability,  there may well be further anthropogenic challenges that arise in the next century as we disrupt the delicate interplay of natural ecological and geological cycles to satisfy the need for resources of our ever-growing population. The mining industry makes for a pertinent example: it sits on the verge o ...[Read More]

Demonstrating the Importance of Geoscience in the Transformation Towards Sustainable and Resilient Societies

May 28, 2018

Next week the UN Annual Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will discuss the science required for “transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies”. Discussions will focus on SDGs 6 (water and sanitation), 7 (energy), 11 (sustainable cities), 12 (responsible consumption and production) and 15 (life on land).   This forum will bring to ...[Read More]

Heather Britton: India’s Energy-Climate Dilemma

October 9, 2017

Heather Britton is one of our new writers, today reporting on a summary of this paper by Andrew J Apostoli and William A Gough, covering the difficulties of pursuing reduced greenhouse gas emissions whilst fuelling one of the largest populations on the planet – India. The actions of this country are contributing to the eventual achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 13 – Affordable ...[Read More]