Geology for Global Development

Is geological mapping becoming obsolete?

Heather Britton March 19, 2019

The first geological map of Britain, published by William Smith in 1815. Via Wikimedia Commons

Geology students typically experience some form of mapping education as part of their course and attitudes towards this baptism into the geosciences vary from adoration to utter hatred. Whatever the opinions of the students, however, it is widely recognised that performing mapping exercises is an excellent way to learn the basics of structural geology which underpins aspects of both further geolog ...[Read More]

Rainfall related geohazards: floods, landslides and mudslides in Rio – A dangerous combination of nature and human-related factors

Bárbara Zambelli Azevedo March 18, 2019

Mudslides in Angra dos Reis, southwest in the Rio de Janeiro state. Credit: Agência Brasil (CC BY 3.0 BR)

Rainfall-related geohazards in Brazil’s poorer, mountainous city margins could be mitigated using better urban planning and communication. Our own Brazilian blogger Bárbara Zambelli Azevedo explores the problem and possible solutions. I come from Brazil, a country well-known for its beautiful landscapes, football and carnival. Ok, some stereotypes are true, indeed. Situated in the middle of the So ...[Read More]

Private solutions, public science: how to bridge the gap?

Robert Emberson March 12, 2019

Launching System 001 Credits: The Ocean Cleanup / Pierre Augier

The urgency around many sustainability issues leads some billionaire investors to throw caution in the wind, frustrated with the pace of academic research. Robert Emberson sympathises with private projects like the Ocean Cleanup, even when things go wrong. ‘How’, he asks, ‘might we build a constructive bridge between ambitious entrepreneurs and scientific sceptics? ‘ Reading and writing about sust ...[Read More]

The ethical questions behind the school climate strike. Do we have a place in earth’s ecosystems? Jesse Zondervan’s February 2019 #GfGDpicks #SciComm

Jesse Zondervan March 5, 2019

A school strike in Melbourne, Australia. Julian Meehan / School Strike, CC BY-SA

Each month, Jesse Zondervan picks his favourite posts from geoscience and development blogs/news which cover the geology for global development interest. This month’s picks include: The ethical questions behind the school climate strike; Military worries about the fight against sea-level rise – how will you help? Do we have a place in earth’s ecosystems? School climate strikes As school clim ...[Read More]