B Block Human Geography - Today we'll talk about the arrangement of people and activities found in space and try to understand why those people and activities are distributed the way they are. We'll figure out what density, distribution, concentration and pattern have to do with people an activities on the Earth's surface. Along with this we'll look at connections, diffusion, interaction and hearths in order to see how people and activities impact and are impacted by each other (through spatial interaction and networks). I'll have some definitions for you to work on for me and we'll finish Crash Course Globalization (#1)
and take a look at Crash Course Globalization (#2)
A Block Physical Geography - Today we'll work on some basics of geography focusing on time zones, latitude and longitude, GPS, and the remote sensing technology of GIS.
For more on GIS check out:
ESRI What can I do with GIS?
National Geographic What is GIS?
Geolounge What is GIS
GIS Geography
VIU GIS programs
UVIC Geomatics program
D & C Blocks Environmental and Social Sciences - D Block with Benton you'll try to understand why algae is the basis for life on Earth (a little history and evolution of algae and the effects on the Atmosphere and Biosphere). Your lab component: Dissection Scope intro and rough survey. Compound Microscope review and survey for algae and micro organisms. Drawings and questions for write-up. In C Block with Young we'll continue looking at the ethics, or lack of, when dealing with the inequality of access to fresh, clean water.
 |
| Graphic by Barbara Aulicino from https://www.americanscientist.org/article/why-we-need-water-ethics |
Many questions confront the world today. How can we ensure that an adequate supply of clean water is available, both for today and for coming generations? How equitable will access to it be? How should it be managed, and by whom? What will the implications of climate change be on the quality and quantity of fresh water? Is clean water destined to become for the twenty-first century what petroleum was for the twentieth, a source of geopolitical power and conflict? Will social change concerning water use come through technological innovation or through cultural and value change, or some combination of both?All of these questions surround the issue of water ethics which are connected to the Environmental Value Systems, worldviews and paradigms we started the week with. This is not just a "look it's only in developing countries" thing...it's a Canada thing too. It is hard to imagine that in 2019, First Nations in Canada could lack access to clean drinking water in their own territories — but many do. In fact, 400 of 618 First Nations were under at least one water advisory between 2004 and 2014.
As of February 4, 2019, there were 62 long-term drinking advisories throughout Canada. The Neskantaga First Nation in Northern Ontario, for example, has had a water boil advisory in place for the last 23 years. Access to water is a human right under international law, and Canada’s Constitution Act of 1982 provides for “essential public services of reasonable quality.” This means that the authorities have an obligation—as well as a moral imperative—to uphold this right. It also empowers people to demand that their governments take concrete and deliberate steps to ensure access to safe and affordable water for the population.
Canada still needs to do more to secure the right to water for all of its people and to live up to its commitments to First Nations communities.
You'll have time today after we discuss this issue to work on your "Water For All" Social Justice advocacy campaign posters in class.
No comments:
Post a Comment