Geology for Global Development

Environmental Management

New mining frontiers: Digging into the unknown

June 5, 2018
New mining frontiers: Digging into the unknown
The gorgonian sea fan Callogorgia americana and symbiotic brittle stars from a site at approximately 350 meters depth in the Green Canyon area of the Gulf of Mexico. In the bottom left of the image are some small, brown anemones that have colonized a portion of the skeleton of the sea fan. . Credit: Lophelia II 2010 Expedition, NOAA-OER/BOEMRE. .

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]

Weighing up the pros and cons of artificial coral reefs

April 12, 2018
Weighing up the pros and cons of artificial coral reefs
Coral reef near Bohol island, the Phillipines. Due to rising global temperatures and human activity these ecosystems are disappearing. . Credit: Matthias Alberti (distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu).

The world’s oceans cover 71% of the Earth’s surface and contain 97% of Earth’s water. They play a key role in the climate cycle and, though perhaps not always visibly, are suffering significantly under our changing climate. An place where we can see the alarming effects of rising temperatures and increasingly acidic waters is coral reefs, which experienced the longest, most widespread, and possibl ...[Read More]

Speleology and local development

March 21, 2018
Križna jama cave, in Slovenia
Križna jama cave, in Slovenia . Credit: Peter Huber (distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu).

Many of us seek adventures, new experiences and sights in far flung places, but very often there are beautiful wonders right on our doorstep. In today’s post, Barbara Zambelli Azevedo highlights how the promotion of local geological regions can be a valuable and effective way to encourage development and instil a sense of pride in local communities.  Plato said in the Allegory of the Cave th ...[Read More]

Heather Britton: China’s Water Diversion Project

February 27, 2018
Heather Britton: China’s Water Diversion Project
Tiquan river at sunset ((Xingangshan, Jiangxi Province, China). Credit: Steffen Seitz (distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu).

China has enjoyed economic growth over the past decades, bringing undoubted prosperity to the country. But exponential industrialisation and rapid growth comes at a significant environmental cost. The nation is heavily dependent on coal-fired power, making it one of the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases and it’s thirst for development is a drain on vital resources, including ...[Read More]