Geography

Sunday, December 29, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

Typhoon Phanfone hit Philippines on 25 Dec 2019.

Map showing damage caused by Typhoon Phanfone in the Philippines. (Graphic: AFP/John Saeki)

Death toll was as high as 41 on 29 Dec 2019.

Why is the Philippines prone to typhoons?
What are the environmental, economic and social impacts brought by typhoons?
How can the damage be mitigated?

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50913965

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Sunday, December 29, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

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Thursday, December 26, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

Volcanic island eruption on White Island, New Zealand, 9 Dec 2019 has proven fatal, killing 19  with 2 still missing and several hospitalised with severe burns. 

The volcano attracts as many as 10,000 tourists every year.

What are the risks involved in visiting a volcano?

Why do you think many tourists visit the volcano despite the risks?

How can the damage be mitigated?

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/new-zealand-volcano-eruption-disaster-adventure-tourism-12181694?cid=h3_referral_inarticlelinks_24082018_cna

Interesting virtual exploration of the volcano unfolding the disaster.

https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-12/new-zealand-white-island-volcano-eruption-how-it-unfolded/11789586?pfmredir=sm&sf225907489=1&nw=0

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Thursday, December 26, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

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Friday, November 29, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

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Wednesday, November 20, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

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Sunday, November 17, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

You have learned about earthquake, tsunamis, volcanoes and hurricannes. Are they correctly depicted in movies?

Interesting review of Tectonic Hazards as well as Climatic hazards.

https://youtu.be/Oz42l-KZgJo

What are the climatic related disasters shown in the video?

What are the tectonic related disasters shown in the video?

Why do people continue to live in areas threatened by natural disasters?

How do people mitigate the impacts of natural disasters?

Where are tectonic hazards commonly found?

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Sunday, November 17, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

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Sunday, November 17, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

Economic development and Population Growth in China leading to increasing need for food. This has lead to the clearance of land for cattle ranching and growth of soya bean as food for cattle in the Amazon.

Chinese beef imports have jumped by about 50 times since 2011, reaching a million tonnes in 2018. China consumes 28 per cent of the world’s meat. And it has turned to Brazil, home to the world’s largest cattle herd, to feed its appetite for beef. Last year, Brazil shipped 1.64 million tonnes of beef, 44 per cent of which went to China. 

Amazonian forests are being cleared for farms at a worsening rate. In the first nine months of 2019, deforestation was up by 93 per cent from 2018 and  at a 10-year peak.

China still has a massive livestock industry, which is why the country is buying not only Brazilian beef, but also soya beans, a vital grain in animal feed. Tariffs on American soya beans have made Chinese buyers look elsewhere, so 75 per cent of their soya bean imports in 2018 came from Brazil as its shipments to China jumped by almost a third. 
To ease the transportation of the soya beans, one of the infrastructure project is to build more than 40 dams to turn the Tapajos River and its tributaries in the Amazon into an industrial waterway fit for large ships. The indigenous people are negatively affected as there is no longer enough fish to make fishing viable.The land is taken away from them for cattle ranching and growing soya beans. The water is contaminated and this brings diseases through the dirty water.

Read more at  
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/cnainsider/china-hungry-for-food-amazon-left-counting-cost-beef-soya-beans-12097850

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Sunday, November 17, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

Venice under water on 13 Nov 2019 with high water mark at 1.87m.  Will Singapore face the same situation in time? Woes of countries facing rising sea level due to climate change.

 A tourist pushes her floating luggage in the flooded Piazza San Marco on November 13, 2019.

A firefighter in scuba gear wades through water, past a flooded car, in Venice on November 13, 2019. 

Where is Venice located?

Why is Venice prone to flooding?

Who are affected by the flooding?

What are the environmental, social and economic impacts of rising sea level to Venice?

How can the impact of rising sea level be mitigated?

Source:
https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2019/11/photos-of-venice-underwater-highest-tide-in-50-years/601930/?fbclid=IwAR27VC2okdmixM3r6MkM7tNIr2wnK5XaBJAHSx2KW0m0bJR6gtMo9lNBrOQ

Another article to read on how climate change has impact on Venice
https://www.todayonline.com/world/venice-devastated-second-highest-tide-history


Updated on 15 Nov. State of Emergency declared by Italy.

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Saturday, November 16, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

Where is Cikuya village?
Why does Tebing Koja (Kettle Cliff) attract tourists?
Who benefit from the development of tourism in the area?
What are the benefits brought by tourism to the village?
What are the negative impacts brought by the tourists?
Why did conflict arise between the owner of the quarry and the villagers?
How do you think the government can resolve the confict?

Source:
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/indonesia-tebing-koja-cikuya-banten-sand-quarry-instagram-12086590

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Tuesday, September 17, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

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Tuesday, September 10, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3026428/hong-kong-tourism-suffers-worst-downturn-sars?utm_content=article&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1568077414

How does political unrest affect tourism?
Where did this occur?
When did this happen?
Who are the ones affected?
What other factors affect tourism?
Why is there a concern on the impact of political unrest on HK tourism?

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Sunday, August 25, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

Why are medical tourism attractive in SE Asia?
What are the benefits brought by the development of medical tourism?
Where are the tourists mainly from?

Medical tourism in Malaysia is growing with approximately 1.2 million people visited the country to seek medical treatment in 2018.

Penang is the top medical tourism destination in Malaysia, generatinv 40 to 50 per cent of the country's medical tourism income and this has numerous multiplier effects on the local economy.

Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-penang-medical-tourism-hospital-treatment-affordable-11827532

Growth of Medical tourism in SE Asia mainly attributed to:

• Rising income levels 
• Greater awareness of health issues
• An increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) 
• Cheaper travel and accommodation 
• Quality medical tourism with Southeast Asian healthcare facilities regularly featured in the annual list of the world’s best hospitals for medical tourists by the Medical Travel Quality Alliance (MTQUA)

https://theaseanpost.com/article/medical-tourism-rise

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Saturday, July 20, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

When is India prone to flooding?
What is the main cause of flooding in India?
Who are affected by the flooding? 
Flooding in India on the onset of the SW Monsoon  killed dozens and displaced thousands at the start of July 2019.

Look at how the flood as a results of the monsoon killed 324 and displaced more than 200,000 in Aug last year (2018)

India experiencing SW Monsoon in July which brings heavy rain as the onshore wind crosses the Indian ocean.

The NE Monsoon is an offshore wind and bring little or no rain to India.

Animated illustration of the monsoons from
https://www.s-cool.co.uk/a-level/geography/weather-conditions/revise-it/types-of-monsoons

The flooding caused by the monsoon has led to widespread damage and deaths in India.

The southern state of Kerala, a tourist haven known for its beaches, hill resorts and backwaters, has been the worst hit region for the second consecutive year, forcing the closure of the Kochi international airport for three days last week.At least 76 people have died, 58 are missing and another 32 have received injuries in Kerala.

Around 288,000 people across the state's worst affected districts including Wayanad, Malappuram and Kozhikode have been moved to relief camps.At least 42 people have also lost their lives and 580,000 people evacuated in neighbouring Karnataka state.

There were 66 deaths in the western states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, with tens of thousands of people shifted to relief camps.
Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/one-million-moved-into-camps--184-dead-in-india-monsoon-floods-11802936
Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/one-million-moved-into-camps--184-dead-in-india-monsoon-floods-11802936
Updated 12 Aug 2019

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Saturday, July 20, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

How does climate change affects Singapore?

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/how-vulnerable-is-spore-to-climate-change

In recent years, days when maximum temperatures exceed 34 deg C and nights when minimum temperatures exceed 26 deg C have been more frequent in Singapore. It is also projected that average temperature in Singapore  will increase between 1.4 deg C and 4.6 deg C, as well as more frequent warmer days and nights by 2100.

These temperature changes are due to larger-scale greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and Singapore's urbanisation. Replacing Singapore's natural forests and mangroves with buildings and other infrastructure results in built-up surfaces  producing more heat. At night, the difference between downtown Singapore and forests in Lim Chu Kang can exceed 7 deg C.

One of most severe impacts of climate change in Singapore will be the increase in sea level. The average sea level around Singapore's coasts has risen steadily at a rate of between 1.2mm and 1.7mm per year, and is projected to increase to about 1m by 2100.

Click the link below to see the simulation of how rising sea level will affect Singapore:
https://graphics.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/Interactives/2017/rising-seas/virtual-reality/index.html

Singapore carbon tax of $5 per tonne of GHG emissions implemented this year will encourage more efficient use of non-renewable energy. The carbon tax revenues will also be used for renewable energy innovations and transformation of emission-intensive local industries.

Other than the above read the article below on other ways we can mitigate the impacts of climate change in Singapore.
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/singapore-to-spend-400m-to-upgrade-drains-and-10m-to-study-sea-level-rise-to

New update 25 Aug

Possible approaches dealing with sea level rise:

1. Flood-proofing existing buildings and infrastructure, or designating areas that would be allowed to flood during high tide.
2. Removal and reallocation of key infrastructure and assets to areas that the sea cannot inundate.
3. Planting and managing mangrove coasts, or engineered options like sea walls, land reclamation and polders.

Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/commentary/singapore-climate-change-effective-polders-pumps-s-100-billion-11833080

Prime Minister Lee on climate change

How the Dutch use the polders to protect the coastal land.

Why does climate change matter to Singaporeans?
https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/explainer-why-climate-change-should-matter-singaporeans-and-what-government-doing-about-it?cid=h3_referral_inarticlelinks_03092019_todayonline


https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/commentary/rising-sea-levels-singapore-impact-equator-water-drawn-11830652?cid=FBcna

Does the increase in temperature also brings about a rise in insect-borne disease such as dengue?

Updated 16 Nov 2019

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Saturday, July 20, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

Preparedness measure
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1714584/quake-hit-school-gifted-with-quake-resistant-building

How does preparedness measures such as building earthquake resistant buildings help to mitigate the impacts of earthquake?

What are the limitations of preparedness measures?

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Friday, June 28, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

Impacts from global warming.

Heatwave with temperatures above 40°C accompanied by drought in some areas, especially in Eastern Europe, whilst frequent thunderstorms with locally large hail are expected in Eastern Central and South-Eastern Europe. There are also risks of heat stress for vulnerable people and of wildfires.

https://public.wmo.int/en/media/news/europe-sees-first-heatwave-of-year

What are the impacts of extreme weather?
How can the impacts be mitigated?

Temperatures may rise to 45°C in France.
In 2003 temperatures rose to 44.1°C and 15000 died due to the heatwave.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/france-record-heat-heatwave-temperature-45-degree-11670426

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Tuesday, June 18, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

An earthquake struck Sichuan China which caused 12 deaths and 134 injured.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/sichuan-earthquake-southwest-china-dead-injured-11635806

Read the article and reflect on the following:
When did the earthquake occur?
Where are the areas most affected by the earthquake
Why is Sichuan prone to earthquakes?
What are the damages caused by the earthquake?
What are the short term responses carried out?
How how early warning can help to mitigate the impact of earthquake?

An early warning alarm system was triggered in the provincial capital Chengdu about one minute before the earthquake struck. The alert rang 10 seconds before it hit Yibin. A three-second headstart before an tremor hits can prevent 14 per cent of casualties.

 

Refer to the following earthquakes which struck Sichuan in the past:
2017
https://olevelgeog.blogspot.com/2017/08/earthquake-sichuan-china-8-aug-2017.html?m=1
Early warning system
http://olevelgeog.blogspot.com/2017/08/how-warning-system-help-saved-lives-in.html

Compare this with the 8.0 magnitude earthquake in Sichuan which killed more than 80000 people  with 5 milion people homeless in 2008. Lack of early warning has contributed to the high casualty rate.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Sichuan_earthquake

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Sunday, May 05, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

Tropical cyclone Fani, with a windspeed of over 200km/hr, will be one of strongest affecting the Bay of Bengal area since Tropical cyclone Nargis in 2008.

Refer to the following article on Tropical Cyclone Fani.
http://ddnews.gov.in/national/situation-report-regarding-cyclonic-storm-“fani”

Where are the areas affected by the tropical cyclones?
When did the tropical cyclone affect the areas?
What are the impacts brought by the tropical cyclones?
How can the impacts from the tropical cyclone be mitigated?

The path of the tropical cyclone

Preparedness measures

Impacts of the tropical cyclone Fani in India

https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/ECDM_20190502_TC_FANI-2.pdf

Tropical Cyclone FANI struck north-eastern India and western Bangladesh from 3rd to 5th May.

As of 6 May at least 42 people have been reported dead in Odisha (India) and another 17 in Bangladesh. Odisha state has been the most seriously affected with massive destruction to its electricity suppky and infrastructure.

 In Bangladesh, 13 000 houses have been damaged across the country and national humanitarian aid is assisting affected families.

The early evacuation of 1 million people in India and 1.6 million in Bangladesh prevented a higher number of fatalities, considering the Cyclone's severity.

 Source DG ECHO, UNOCHA https://reliefweb.int/map/india/india-bangladesh-tropical-cyclone-fani-emergency-response-coordination-centre-ercc-dg-echo

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Sunday, May 05, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

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Sunday, May 05, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

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Saturday, May 04, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

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Friday, April 05, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

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Sunday, February 24, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

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Wednesday, February 06, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

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Monday, January 14, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

Have you been feeling the heat lately?
Is the extreme heat a results of climate change?https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/cnainsider/singapore-hot-weather-urban-heat-effect-temperature-humidity-11115384
Why is high temperatures with high humidity deadly?

Look at the heatwave in Australia with temperature as high as 48.9 degree celsius!

https://www.theweathernetwork.com/news/articles/record-smashing-heat-wave-in-australia-cooking-steak-in-car-all-time-records-broken/122958/


On the other hand, Europe experience extremely cold weather.
https://www.msn.com/en-sg/news/world/europe-snow-20-dead-as-heavy-snow-continues-to-fall-across-continent/ar-BBS8dOc?ocid=ob-fb-ensg-401
School closed, traffic and communication disrupted. Avalanche, accidents on road etc leading to deaths.

Where are the places affected by the extreme weather?
When was the extreme weather experienced?
Who are affected by the extreme weather?
What are the impacts of the extreme weather?
Why does temperature differ at different parts of the world?
How can the impacts of climate change be mitigated?

Look at last year's record in Singpore (2018)

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/mercury-rising-global-warming-sends-stark-signals

On 30 Jan 2018 , intense thunderstorms brought rain On 31 Jan 2018, strong wind gusts from a waterspout off Singapore's east coast sent small boats and other objects flying.
 On March 30, strong winds from an intense thunderstorm uprooted trees and caused substantial damage to farms in the Lim Chu Kang area. And a wind gust measuring 133.3kmh recorded at nearby Tengah that day was the strongest in eight years.

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Thursday, January 10, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

Is the addition of a new train station, Founder's Memorial, along the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) sustainable economically? It has raised questions on its proposal given the lack of developments around the area.

What is economic sustainability?

Why are the property experts concerned about the building of a MRT station at the Founder's Memorial?

https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/property-experts-ask-will-there-be-enough-riders-justify-having-mrt-station-founders

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Wednesday, January 09, 2019 | Posted by lily_lee68@yahoo.com.sg

Urban agriculture improves food security for land-scarce countries like Singapore. It is also water and energy saving and help to reduce carbon footprints through encouraging the consumption of local produce.

https://www.facebook.com/414677568551625/posts/2277621462257217/

What is food security?
Why is it important to ensure food security?
How does the government ensure food security?

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