2. The world in which we live is likely to change more in the next 50 years than it has ever done before. Geography explains why, and helps to prepare you for those changes. Geography tackles the big issues: • environmental responsibility • our global interdependence • cultural understanding and tolerance • commerce, trade and industry. Geographical study fosters these qualities and provides a firm basis for life-long learning. The transferable skills which geography fosters are an asset in the complex world of employment today. Geography is about the future and encourages flexible thinking.

3. Compared to other subjects, geography graduates are among the most employable. They possess the skills that employers look for. In part this is because the subject combines a knowledge of science and an understanding of the arts. Is geography a good choice in terms of getting a job? The answer is a resounding YES ! • make a concise report • handle data • ask questions and find answers • make decisions about an issue • analyse material • organise themselves • think creatively and independently • good communicators • spatially aware • socially, economically and environmentally aware • problem solvers • good team players • computer literate • well rounded, flexible thinkers

4. Discover new places! Travel Agent Tourism Officer Eco-Tourism Advisor Tour Guide Media Researcher Care about the planet? Estate Manager Forestry Ranger Environmental Consultant Pollution Analyst Conservation Officer Enjoy being in the landscape? Hydrologist Coastal Manager Geologist Civil Engineer Soil Conservationist Interested in Weather? Weather Presenter Disaster Manager Flood Prevention Officer Risk Assessor Water Supply Coordinator Fascinated by maps? GIS Specialist Cartographer Utilities Manager Remote Sensing Analyst Interested in human behaviour? Planner Social Worker Market Researcher Housing Officer Estate Agent Want to know why people work where they do? Economic Developer Location Analyst Retailer Regional Developer Transport Manager Interested in world events? Aid Worker Diplomat Refugee Advisor Charity Coordinator

6. Restless Earth Climate and Change Battle for the Biosphere Water World River Processes and Pressures Oceans on the Edge

7. The Earth’s interior has a layered structure There are conservative, constructive and destructive plate boundaries The effects of volcanic and earthquake hazards on people in different locations Managing volcanic and earthquake hazards – planning, preparation, prediction

8. Climate has changed in the past through natural causes Natural climate change in the past has affected people and ecosystems The Earth’s climate today appears to be changing as a result of human activity, and future climates are uncertain Future climates are likely to present major challenges

9. The distribution of global biomes reflects climate as well as other factors The biosphere acts as a life support system The biosphere is being degraded by humans Management measures are being used to conserve the biosphere and make human use of it more sustainable

10. The hydrological cycle regulates water supply Changes to the hydrological system can affect both humans and ecosystems There are many threats to maintaining a healthy hydrological system There is a range of strategies designed to manage water supply more sustainably

11. River systems develop characteristic landforms and channel shapes from source to mouth These characteristics result from processes of erosion, transport and deposition River flooding has natural causes, but flooding may be made worse by human activities Flood management involves both traditional hard engineering and more modern, integrated and sustainable approaches.

12. Human activities are degrading and destroying marine ecosystems on a global scale Unsustainable use of marine ecosystems leads to the disruption of food webs and nutrient cycles and can lead to extinction The pressure to use marine ecosystems is growing Sustainable management is needed if the oceans are to be protected from further degradation

13. Population Dynamics Consuming Resources Living Spaces Making a Living Changing Countryside Development Dilemmas

14. The world’s population was increasing but future growth rates are uncertain Population change and structure vary considerably between countries at different states of development Different policies attempt to manage change to achieve sustainable levels of population Many countries have policies to control and manage migration flows

15. Resources are classified as renewable, sustainable and non-renewable Patterns of resource supply and consumption have produced a changing world of ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ Different theories exist about how far the world can cope with the current consumption of resources The challenges for future resource consumption centre on achieving sustainability

16. People vary in their perception of what makes a good living space People in different parts of the world are attracted to live in different kinds of living space Current demands for living space are rising, placing pressure on the quality of different living spaces Different strategies exist to enable future living spaces to become more sustainable

17. The balance between employment sectors varies spatially and is changing The impacts of employment change between urban and rural populations Changing employment has environmental impacts, some of which are positive and some negative The impacts of employment change can be managed more sustainably

18. Some rural areas in developing countries face a number of challenges such as isolation, depopulation and economic decline, whilst others in the developed world face pressures to expand These challenges often reflect change away from the rural area, e.g. in the global economy or in urban areas Planners and local initiatives can bring about change, which can boost the economy in declining rural areas The future of rural areas needs to be managed more sustainably

19. Countries can develop in ways that bring different effects to different regions Types of development vary between top-down and bottom-up Bottom-up schemes are designed to bring effects at a local scale Such schemes may be more sustainable for the future

21. Follow in the footsteps of these famous Geographers! But, which one is the odd one out? Check the Great Geography blog to see if you are right!! Are you the next one?