Category Archives: Society

Education, Government, Society

Geography not given enough prominence in state education

– Improving skills in ­literacy and numeracy are vitally important components of school education. But it is wrong to assume that these can only be achieved by teaching English and Mathematics respectively. Many other subjects can and do teach these skills using real life examples

Intro: The school curriculum undervalues geography. But it is needed in understanding the world.

A vital part of school education is to improve skills in literacy and numeracy. They are important components in any school curriculum. But, it is surely wrong to assume that these can only be achieved by teaching English and Mathematics respectively. Many other subjects can and do teach these skills and are able to be taught using real life examples.

Geography is clearly one of these subjects. Being able to articulate orally and in writing one’s understanding of the world is one sure way of increasing literacy. Collecting, using and analysing information about the world increases numeracy rates, and gives them a good if not better grounding as citizens and future employees.

But geography is much more than this. Teachers, parents and educationalists should surely aspire to children having a greater understanding of their world: what is happening around them, analysing the causes and assessing solutions.

Through primary and secondary education, children should be taught to have a better understanding of our world’s complexities and how society interacts. For example, everyone should be taught about the cause and consequences of flooding, and what can be done to reduce the effects and moderate the causes.

Equally, too, all students should understand what is the best use of the land and sea for providing food, for giving a home for nature and to understand the devastating effects of climate change.

In these, and many other topics, geography provides students with an ability to discuss issues that directly impact on their lives. We should ask, then, why is it that knowledge-based learning is so out of fashion? Ones that contribute more to pupils’ learning experience and in acquiring key skills? And why are students being restricted in the choice of subjects later in secondary school?

There is a built-in assumption that English and Maths are vital, plus a science and a foreign language, so that subjects like history and geography are left out. But geography covers the sciences, both natural and social, and it teaches literacy and numeracy skills. But, it is most certainly undervalued in subject choice.

We now have an unsystematic approach to subject choice at the discretion of the local education authority or the head teacher. But who benefits from this approach? Certainly not the students or subjects like geography.

Let’s ensure children are learning key skills for their future lives and careers by those who have enthusiasm and great knowledge of their subjects.

Geography is a key-subject for all future citizens, as it opens the whole world to pupils’ perspective, improves their global view, and provides a context for learning numeracy and literacy. Geography is clearly one of the subjects of our time.

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Government, Health, Medical, Science, Society

Diesel fumes study: The damage fumes do to lungs

AIR POLLUTION

Diesel Car

Diesel fumes, which are a major component of air pollution in many European cities, trigger respiratory reflexes which could potentially worsen underlying conditions, such as asthma. Researchers at Imperial College London have become the first to demonstrate how this happens.

CLEAR proof that diesel fumes causes breathing problems has finally been found by scientists.

Polluted air contains tiny particles that make nerves in the lungs misfire, triggering coughing and wheezing.

It is clear evidence of the precise way in which diesel fumes spark asthma attacks and leave sufferers in need of medical assistance, if not hospital attention. The particles are also linked to premature births as well as heart and lung disease.

Air pollution, including diesel fumes, has been blamed for up to 40,000 deaths a year.

A research team led by Imperial College London found that the particles were dangerous because they were so small the body did not recognise them as foreign objects.

Professor Maria Belvisi, the study’s lead author, said: ‘We knew that people exposed to traffic were more likely to suffer from asthma attacks, coughing and breathlessness.

‘This is the first direct evidence that diesel is doing it.

‘The symptoms are being caused by activation of the nerves in the airway. It is more of an issue for people with existing breathing problems and asthma, but this is happening to all of us.’

Diesels are so common because drivers were given financial incentives to buy them under the last Labour government.

Their engines were favoured because they emit less carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.

Dr Penny Woods, of the British Lung Foundation, said the study confirmed the serious and potentially fatal consequences of diesel fumes.

She added: ‘Diesel emissions have become the major source of pollution in urban areas, where the majority of people live. We are storing up huge unknowns for the future of our nation’s respiratory health.

‘We need the next Government to urgently implement a new clean air act that recognises the modern-day source of traffic emissions and cleans up the air we breathe.’

The Government has published draft plans to offer drivers cash for scrapping their diesels. But campaigners are calling for clean air zones, keeping polluting vehicles out of urban areas altogether. Thirty-Seven cities persistently breach legal limits of air toxins.

Although diesel particles are mainly carbon, the chemicals on their surface – polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons – are dangerous.

Testing diesel fumes on human lung tissue, animal tissue and guinea pigs, the Imperial College team found these chemicals triggered coughing.

Dr Ian Mudway, of King’s College London, said: ‘This study shines a mechanistic light on how the very small particles emitted from diesel exhaust worsen respiratory symptoms by activating airway nerves and highlights the importance of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.’

The diesel particles are so tiny that the body mistakes them for natural molecules and draws them into the lungs. The study involved the University of British Columbia and is published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Professor Belvisi added: ‘The main message here is about prevention. A significant number of hospital admissions are for people suffering with exacerbations of respiratory disease.

‘In major cities we are already exceeding the recommended levels for air pollution.’

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Middle East, Society, Terrorism, United States

US President: We’ll end terror and bring peace to world

TERRORISM

US-SAUDI-ISLAMIC-SUMMIT-TRUMP

U.S. President Donald Trump called on Arab leaders to do their share to fight “Islamist extremism”

President Donald Trump has urged Muslim countries to take the lead in stamping out terrorism instead of relying on America to crush their common enemies.

Mr Trump has used his first foreign visit to rally the Muslim world to join America and mark the ‘beginning of the end’ for extremists.

Speaking at the Arab-Islamic American Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – the birthplace of Islam – he urged Muslim rulers to ‘drive out’ Islamist terrorists.

He said the unprecedented summit of more than 50 leaders could lead to world peace. ‘With God’s help, this summit will mark the beginning of the end for those who practise terror and spread its vile creed,’ said President Trump.

‘At the same time, we pray this special gathering may someday be remembered as the beginning of peace in the Middle East and maybe even all over the world.’

The President urged Christians, Jews and Muslims to join in peace – including ‘peace between Israelis and Palestinians’.

His comments, made after signing an £84billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia, contrasted with ones he made about Muslims while he was a presidential candidate, when he said: ‘I think Islam hates us. There’s a tremendous hatred there.’

He also caused global anger when he came to power with his threat to ban many Muslims from entering the United States. But in Riyadh, he said evil could only be overcome if the ‘forces of good are united and strong’.

He vowed to meet ‘history’s great test’ by conquering extremism with nations that have suffered most.

President Trump said: ‘Terrorism has spread across the world. But the path to peace begins right here, on this ancient soil, in this sacred land. America is prepared to stand with you in pursuit of shared interests and common security.

‘But nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them.’ The speech is seen as a reset of his approach after previous comments caused concern among Muslims.

Calling it a ‘new chapter’, he said he was not there to ‘lecture’ them or impose the American way of life.

He did, however, urge the Islamic world to do its duty, adding: ‘Muslim nations must be willing to take on the burden if we are going to defeat terrorism, to meet history’s great test and conquer extremism. Muslim-majority countries must take the lead.’

Instead of being a clash between the West and Islam, he said, it was ‘a battle between good and evil’, adding: ‘Drive them out of your places of worship, your communities, your Holy Land and the Earth.’ He warned terrorists: ‘If you choose the path of terror, your life will be empty, your life will be brief, and your soul will be fully condemned.’

He said the region had been ‘held at bay by bloodshed and terror’.

The President also blamed Iran for supporting and aiding ‘unspeakable crimes’ in Syria, and said Iran had unsettled the Middle East and was the key road block to peace.

He did not repeat the phrase ‘radical Islamic terrorism’, which he has used before and offends Muslims.

The US and six Gulf states are also expected to co-ordinate efforts to stop funding for extremists.

During a nine-day tour, Mr Trump will have visited Israel to meet prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas. He will also see Pope Francis, meet NATO leaders in Brussels and attend the G7 in Sicily.

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