A blog for Ralph Allen geographers
Nineteenth Century artwork is a useful tool for studying coastal erosion, according to a retired coastal engineer.
Robin McInnes assessed the accuracy of geological and topological features in more than 400 paintings of the Isle of Wight and Hampshire coastline.
Dr McInnes said such old masters gave engineers the chance to see coastal features before they were changed by industrial development.
The number of migrants reaching Italy’s southern coastline after a perilous crossing from Africa has soared by more than 50% this year, according to UN figures, highlighting the mounting moral and diplomatic dilemma that will face countries in southern Europe in 2009.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/30/italy-libya-migration
Plans for Britain’s biggest congestion charging zone were rejected in a city-wide referendum
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/dec/12/congestioncharging-transport
A well-off Bristol area tops a new list of the most environment-conscious places. But the study shows that wealth leaves a big carbon footprint
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/dec/14/environment-carbon-footprint-wealthy-redland
A Bath businessman proposing to build a 140ft (43m) high wind turbine on the outskirts of Bath, has been met with opposition.
As the west’s appetite for meat increases, so too does the demand for soya – used as animal feed by farmers. But the planting of huge tracts of land is causing deforestation and destroying eco-systems in developing countries. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/dec/07/meat-soya-environment-paraguay
