Geography and the Interconnected World

Geography is a diverse and exciting subject. Exploring the Earth and all its natural processes, and the people and all the things we do is such a privilege. It helps us build understanding and appreciation of the world around us, and how everything is inextricably linked to everything else.

The Interconnected Geographical World

In human geography we talk a lot about global population levels and it is through the study of geography that we learn that quite soon the global population is set to plateau and then fall. We learn that this is all down to economic development that brings positive change, leading to medical and sanitation improvements, and education that enable women's choices and lowers infant mortality. There are also downsides to economic development including falling fertility rates, which lowers the proportion of economically active people. There are also negative consequences for the environment, because as we become wealthier we individually, and collectively, use far more resources, such as energy for air conditioning and plastic packaging for our food. And this has very real consequences for climate change and creating a sustainable planet. Geography is almost entirely made-up of inter-connected topics and issues and I have just described one of the simplest and yet at the same time the most complex of nexuses. For me this is what makes Geography so exciting and interesting. Nothing ever stays the same and instead the world is constantly changing and with that the relationships between differing elements are also in constant flux. Think about the Butterfly Effect, and then consider how many different butterflies there are and they are all doing different things, all at the same time.

Communication and Global Empathy

In Geography when we use the word communication we are usually talking about transport links, but I often think about it in the traditional sense, or at least learning how we can communicate with others, not just locally but everywhere. When we study the various elements of Geography we open up a window into a world we haven't necessarily experienced ourselves. And by doing so we begin to understand the struggles and motivations of those who lead very different lives to our own from a subsistence farmer in Sudan having to cope with less available water for their crops because the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam lowering the flows of the Blue Nile. Or the owner of a ship building company in South Korea who is seeing labour costs rise because of development and his business being undercut by Chinese shipbuilders who currently have lower labour costs. Through this we build an understanding of supply chains and how the changing world brings both advantages and disadvantages. This moves individual industries and lives from the abstract to the experienced, not in the in-person sense, but in the educational sense. This helps create understanding and empathy in students through the application of detailed real world case studies.

Titanic Forces and Humanity

Physical geography topics considers the mechanism of processes, such as the shaping of valleys by rivers that create a variety of landforms. We also consider the human element too and how they can a positive force e.g. in generating hydro-electric power and negatives such as flood events and how we can manage and limit risk to lives and property. As a former Geologist, teaching the theory of Plate Tectonics really brings Geography alive to me. The processes of plate movement are fascinating and the effects on people's lives from single earthquakes or volcanic events can be devastating. Case studies on this topic often concentrate on the role of both national and international governments and how we can come together to help those most in need when they most need it.

Thinking Like a Geographer

Geography is not a binary field of study but rather one of nuance and building this level of understanding in students helps them to think critically and write thoughtfully with informed authority. By studying really life case studies we open up the world to ourselves. To truly think like a Geographer you can't just see any of this as a simple collection of facts, because if you do that you will miss the nuance and true critical thinking that is in itself highly rewarding. The simple truth is we are all the custodians of our world and as such we have a responsibility to ourselves and everyone and every thing alive today and all that will come after us.