Why Take Geography/Environmental Studies 12

1. Why Take Geography/Environmental Studies 12 It is basically a class in understanding the natural environment, how we change it, and how the natural world changes us

2. The natural world has a significant impact on human systems: Japan Tsunami, 2011

3. What grads are saying…. • Maria Thorlakson • I learned so much in both sociology and geography 12. …Mr Winston inspired me to get a degree in geography/earth and ocean sciences….I am also taking some sociology courses in university because I became very passionate about what Winston taught in sociology 12. Not only that but these courses truly prepared me for what I would be learning in university. …See More • December 17, 2011 at 2:38pm ·

4. Hanna Ross …I must say these courses have certainly helped me with University but have also helped to think critically about the messed up world we live in. I am currently studying Environment and Resource Studies in the Faculty of Environment at the University of Waterloo. I must admit that both Geography and Sociology helped prepare me for what I am learning in school and actually helped me to decide what I wanted to study….

5. KirstieHowlett-Lannon Winnies Geography 12 I had been placed in by a fluke mistake. After finishing the semester I am now getting a degree in Environmental Science and it's all because Winnie made it convincingly worth my while. Take any class he teaches kids December 16, 2011 at 9:59am · LikeUnlike · 1 • Amanda Kuhn Sociology, Geography and History were all beneficial classes. They showed me that what I have to say is important and that I should always put a voice to my opinion. What a better way to show this than through an example. Check out what I have been working on.. http://counterxculture47.wordpress.com/2011/12/16/the-kyoto-protocol-is-it-really-an-option/

6. Field Trips • Students are given the opportunity to apply what they learn on a number of field trips in and around the Vernon area including: • Silver Star – snowshoeing • Ellison Park • BX Falls • the Coldstream Valley • Maybe some camping

7. Nature of the Course and the Credits • Qualifies as the science 12 credit for UVIC and SFU • A combination of both science related topics and human systems (political, economic and social issues affected by the environment) • Focus on developing problem solving skills— understanding environmental issues and creating solutions to problems • Extensive use of documentaries such as “Planet Earth” • Historically, the majority of students achieve an A or a B

8. What Geographers Do • Geography combines the social sciences and natural sciences together. It is the study of human systems and physical systems and how the two impact each other. • There are two main branches of geography: • Human geography is concerned with how and why humans create the world they way they do. • Physical geographers study the environment— the physical systems of climates, land forms, vegetation, and water as well as natural hazards like Volcanoes, Hurricanes and Earth quakes.

9. North America at Night Human’s have developed a significant portion of the world’s biosphere

13. Careers and Areas of Study

14. Biogeography-Environmental Sciences ecosystems and ecological processes (e.g., vegetation, wildlife, natural habitats) Soil and Plant Scientist Natural Sciences Manager Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist Forester Biological Science Technician Algae Bloom in Lake Erie

15. Natural Hazards • hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, fire • Emergency Management Specialist • Forest Fire Inspector • Environmental Consultant • Ecological Risk Assessor • Geotechnical Engineer • Hazards Analyst

18. Volcanoes and Plate Tectonics The surface of the earth is constantly shifting: North America is heading towards Asia at a speed of 3 cm/year

19. Volcanic eruptions disrupt human life – air travel to Europe 2009

20. The wind shapes the landscape…..over time

21. Human activity has impacts for thousands of kilometers.

22. Weather and Climate Weather, climate, and atmospheric processes (e.g., temperature, precipitation, air quality) Climate Change Analyst News Weatherperson Weatherization Installers and Technician Atmospheric and Space Scientist Climatologist

23. Climate change and increased intensity and frequency of weather events

25. With Geography, you can dazzle your friends with your weather knowledge…

27. Aral Sea – effects of climate change

28. Climate Change and Lake Chad Loss of fresh water, drought disrupting millions of lives 1970 2000

29. Human Environmental Interaction • relationships between nature and society (e.g., pollution from industrial development, economic effects of drought) • Tour Guide • Accredited Land Consultant • Manager of Sustainability • Environmental Affairs Specialist • Political Geography • political systems and processes (e.g., governments, political activism, nongovernmental organizations, nations, states, international relations, nationalism) • Community Organizer • Policy Consultant • Policy Researcher • Lobbyist

30. GIS: Geographic Information Systems • Using GIS to acquire, manage, display, and analyze spatial data in digital form • Geospatial Information Scientist and Technologist • GIS Developer • City and Town Transportation Planner • Environmental Consultant • Cartographer • Surveying and Mapping Technician • Civil Drafter • Digital Cartographer • Surveyor • Surveyor • Water Quality Scientist • Environmental Health Specialist

31. Global Perspective • Possessing and applying knowledge of how people, places, and regions are linked by global networks and processes (e.g., globalization, international trade, immigration, Internet technology, global climate system) • Logistics Manager • Mapping Technician • Geodetic Surveyor • International Development Specialist • Journalist • Foreign Services Officer

32. Population Geography • Knowing and applying geographic information about population, demography, and demographic processes (e.g., population density, migration, birth and death rates, fertility rates) • Market Analyst • Population, Real Estate, Community Association Manager • Urban and Regional Planner • Demographer • Public Health Officer

33. Cultural Geography • Knowing and applying geographic information about culture and cultural processes (e.g., religion, language, ethnicity, diffusion, meaning of landscapes, cultural significance of place) • Tour Guide and Escort • Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teacher • Interpreter & Translator • Historic Preservationist • Writer/Editor

34. Economic Geography • Knowing and applying geographic information about the economy and economic processes (e.g., labor, development, industry, agriculture, transportation, trade, resources, land use, technology change • Transportation Manager • Community Resource Specialist • Market Researcher • Business Development • Real Estate Appraiser • Environmental Economist

35. Geography 12 is not the study of maps. It will introduce you to the key environmental issues including: climate change, resource depletion, water pollution, ozone damage, species extinction and loss of animal habitat. You will gain an understanding of how human activities in cities, farms and factories impact three key areas of planet earth: biological systems, such as plants, animals, rainforests and oceans; weather systems, such as hurricanes, tornadoes and droughts; and geological features, such as mountains, glaciers, volcanoes and earthquakes.