It is thought to be the most extreme example of global warming on the planet.

Some estimate that the sea moves inland three metres a yearThe village of Shishmaref lies on a tiny island on the edge of the arctic circle - and it is literally being swallowed by the sea. Houses the Eskimos have occupied for generations are now wilting and buckled. Some have fallen into the sea. Not only is the earth crumbling underfoot, but the waves are rising ominously all around.

Locals are planning to relocate to the mainlandBecause temperatures in Alaska have increased by as much as 4.4C over the last 30 years, glaciers are starting to melt, causing the sea levels to rise.

The increased temperature is also thawing the frozen ground, which is known as permafrost, on which the arctic communities such as Shishmaref were built.
It is this thawing that is causing the ground to crumble like sand.

Refugees
Professor Weller says there are many other villages in Alaska that are suffering similar problems, although not quite on the same scale.
"Shishmaref is an indication of what to expect in the future in other parts of the world," he told me. "In that respect it is the canary in the coal mine."
The villagers here have now taken a difficult decision. Staying here indefinitely could put their lives in danger.
And so instead of fighting nature over land that has been theirs for generations, they have reluctantly concluded that preserving life is more important than preserving their lifestyle.
Soon this entire village will be relocating to the mainland - making the people of Shishmaref the first refugees of global warming.

Is Global Warming a bigger threat than terrorism?

Climate change poses a bigger threat to the planet than terrorism - so says the UK government's chief scientific adviser, Sir David King.

Droughts, forest-fires, heat waves, floods and storms have all hit the headlines in recent years.
The World Health Organisation's Europe Global Change and Health Programme has estimated that more than 25,000 people died in last year's European heat wave.

Most mainstream scientists believe that human activity - notably emissions of greenhouse gases - has contributed to a detectable increase in the average surface temperature of the planet.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair says addressing climate change is his key priority during the UK's chairing of the G8.

The Pentagon says climate change should be "elevated beyond a scientific debate to a national security concern."

The Hydrological system

Today in Geography we learn't about the Hydrological system and residence times. The Hydrological system describes the movement and storage of water. Water on the planet can be stored in reservoirs, atmosphere, lakes, rivers, ice caps, soil and groundwater. Try this water cycle challenge.

Water conservation info.

How Hurricanes Work.

Hurricanes start when clusters of thunder storms drift over warm ocean waters. The very warm air from the storm and ocean combine and rise. This creates low pressure at the surface. Trade winds start blowing in opposite directions to eachover causing the storm to start spinning. Rising warm air causes pressure to decrease at higher altitudes. Air rises fast to fill in the low pressure, this draws more warm air off the sea.

As the storm moves over the ocean it picks up more warm air. Wind speeds increase as more warm air is sucked into the low pressure centre. It can take anything up to a few days for the winds to be fast enough to be classified as a hurricane.

Hurricanes are made up of an eye of calm winds surrounded by a vortex of very strong winds and storms. When a hurricane hits land it causes alot of damage.

Category 1 - 74-95mph
Category 2 - 96-110mph
Category 3 - 111-130mph
Category 4 - 131-154mph
Category 5 - 155 upwards

Hurricane Katrina

Quick Notes CRISIS IN NUMBERS 90,000 sq mile disaster zone - equivalent to area of United Kingdom. 10,000 originally feared dead - revised down by government. 60 nations have offered aid as well as UN, NATO and WHO. 13 states now have a state of emergency in force.

A day to day look at how Hurricane Katrina came to cause so much destruction through the Gulf of Mexico.

Sunday 28 August 2005

Hurricane Katrina gains strength over the Gulf of Mexico after already hitting Florida. Mayor Ray Naggin orders the evacuation of New Orleans after the strong winds become a category five hurricane, maxium strength. Congestion builds up on motorways as many people obey the order to leave, however, many people refuse to stay and seek refuge in the super dome.

Monday 29 August 2005

Hurricane Katrina hits the Gulf coast battering many states including Louisiana and Alabama. Many parts of New Orleans are now flooded. Winds of up to 100 mph rip part of the roof of the stadium off where around 9,000 people take refuge.

Wednesday 31 August 2005

Mayor Ray Naggin orders the full evacuation of the city and reports that possibly thousands of people have been killed by hurricane Katrina. Armed police try to bring law and order to the city as looters take over. President Bush cuts short his holiday in Texas to take charge of the federal recovery effort.

Friday 2 September 2005

The relief effort is stepped up as military convoys arrive with supplies of food, water and medicine. Extra national guard units are brought into New Orleans to control the lawlessness which has spread through the city. Thousands of people are still stranded on rooftops and buildings waiting to be rescued. George Bush promises long term help with rebuilding the city and congress approves an aid package of $10.5 billion.

Monday 5 September 2005

People who left New Orleans from the hurricane are aloud back into the city briefly to view there houses and collect personal items. A 6.00 curfew is set.

Tuesday 6 September 2005

Engineers start to pump the water out of the city through the flood defence barriers. Mayor Ray Nagin orders forced evacuation because of fears of peoples health.



Wednesday 7 September

The white house reports it is looking for another $51.8 billion to help with the relief efforts in New Orleans and surrounding areas. The authorities confirm that five people have died because of the water being contaminated and unsafe. As the water lowers the rescue teams start to recover bodies with fears that thousands have died.