Ruzi Mohammed thinks that he is around 110 years old. He keeps track of the years using the changing seasons, and there is no missing them in Turtuk, where winters reach -20˚C, and summers are warm and pleasant. Too high for mosquitos, and low enough for a good harvest, Turtuk is a paradise in the summer. The winter is survived by shutting down, almost hibernating, and surviving on wheat mixed wit ...[Read More]
Geology for Global Development
Blog Competition (1st Prize) – Robin Wylie: Hydro in India, a Dark Side to the Green Solution
For our Blog Competition 2013, we asked for people to submit articles addressing one of two topics. Robin’s article on the recent floods in Utttarakhand State, India, won first prize in its category. Robin Wylie studied geophysics at the University of Edinburgh, and then spent some time working at a volcanic observatory in Hawaii before starting his Master’s in Earth and Atmospheric Physics ...[Read More]
Friday Photo (96): Landslides on the Jammu-Srinigar Highway
Professors from Jammu University assess a landslide on the edge of the Jammu-Srinigar Highway. This essential supply route links the mountainous Himalayan Region up with the rest of Jammu & Kashmir State. Landslides are a common problem along this busy road, used by lorries, business and the military, as well as forming part of an important pilgrimage route . (c) Geology for Global Development ...[Read More]
Sustainable Resource Development in the Himalayas Conference: Reconnaissance Work
Every geologist has heard the story of the birth of the Himalayas; India crashes into Asia and they crumple up, sending the seafloor into the sky, melting the crust and forming the highest mountains on earth. The mountains are still rising, and for that reason the region is prone to earthquakes, landslides and flash floods. The mountains also make the boundary between India and the rest of Asia a ...[Read More]
Blog Competition 2013 – Winning entries
This summer Geology for Global Development ran a blog competition – inviting you to submit articles on one of two topics or share some of your favourite images. Thank you for all of your thoughtful and interesting entries, we very much enjoyed reading your posts and seeing your photos. All entries have been considered by a panel of five independent judges, and after careful deliberation, we ...[Read More]
Friday Photo (95) – Environmental Campaign in Jammu, India
“Keep Jammu Clean and Green” Signs like this are visible around Jammu & Kashmir State as part of a widespread environmental awareness campaign. Other slogans include ‘somebody is sitting in the shade today, because somebody planted a tree a long time ago’ and ‘My Earth, my duty’. (c) Geology for Global Development 2013
Building Scientific Technical Capacity in Developing Countries
The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology POSTnote Number 216 discusses the importance of building ‘Scientific Capacity in Developing Countries’. In short, this highlights how science and technology can play an important role in fighting poverty, disease and environmental degradation, and yet the numbers of researchers in the developing world falls well below other areas of t ...[Read More]
Dealing with Disasters / 4th Conference of the International Society for Integrated Disaster Risk Management
This week (4-6th September 2013) a major conference is talking place at Northumbria University in Newcastle, with a focus on disaster risk reduction and disaster management. The conference, Dealing with Disasters Conference / 4th Conference of the International Society for Integrated Disaster Risk Management, will explore the theme ‘From Opportunity to Action: Bridging the Gap between Disaster Red ...[Read More]
Friday Photo (94) – Department of Geology, Jammu University
The Department of Geology at Jammu University, India (India’s second oldest University), as observed by Rosalie Tostevin (GfGD’s Deputy Communications Officer) during her recent reconnaissance trip. Rosalie is visiting key sites to help GfGD prepare for its contribution to the ‘Sustainable Development in the Himalayas’ Conference – organised by the Geological Society. ...[Read More]
Guest Blog: What IF We Aren’t Helping?
Tim Middleton, GfGD’s Advocacy Development Officer, takes a critical look at this year’s IF campaign. This opinions expressed here are those of Tim, and not necessarily those of all involved with Geology for Global Development. As an organisation, however, we do believe that it is important to encourage debate on how best to undertake effective development. You’d be forgiven for having missed the ...[Read More]