Category Archives: Society

Government, National Security, Society

Any new anti-terrorist measures must not be rushed

ANTI-TERRORISM LAWS

Intro: Theresa May has called for a review of the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy but she should be wary of pushing through legislation for the sake of being seen to act.

Amid the reaction to the horrific events over the past few weeks in London and Manchester, it has become apparent that there is no simple answer over how best to respond to the serious terrorist threat the UK is facing.

There have been calls for the general election on Thursday to be postponed, which mercifully have not gained much traction. There was also immediate criticism of MI5 and our intelligence agencies for failing to detect the hiring of a van and the possession of widely-available knives by those who have wreaked havoc on our streets.

As public order is restored and the dust settles, some have reverted to a less fevered analysis by revisiting anti-terrorism measures. New legislation might emerge in dealing with the insidious threat we now face. We have, of course, been here before, with the stand-out example being Tony Blair’s response to the London bombings of 2005. The then prime minister swiftly drew up several new measures to help thwart further attacks, but it barely required the benefit of hindsight to reach the conclusion that most of those measures could be described as a knee-jerk reaction. Some of the proposals were enacted into law, others were never heard of again. Mr Blair’s strategy was largely driven by a desire to be seen to be doing something when strong leadership should have been the imperative and priority. Legislation that is rushed, however, is hardly ever appropriate or even practical.

Theresa May’s verdict following the most recent attacks in London that ‘enough is enough’ is an uncomfortable conclusion, but her call for a review of counter-terrorism strategy is correct. We know to our cost that the measures put in place after 2005, and since then, have given the police extensive new powers but have not been able to stop the three terrorist attacks on the UK in 2017.

The Government should now pause before re-writing the statute book, and act only after thorough consultation on what is required, and what is possible. The time that any new laws or amendments to current legislation would take by using such an approach should not be seen as a frustrating delay, because it must be recognised that the threat we face is changing. There is also not an off-the-shelf strategy to counter it. Whatever measures are introduced must be workable and effective, otherwise they become a waste of time and vital resource.

We have to be sure, too, that existing statutory provisions are being used properly – for example, there have been numerous claims after recent attacks that the authorities were alerted previously to the behaviour of those involved.

At a time when the public is being asked to be increasingly vigilant, and to report any suspicious activity, we have to be confident that this kind of intelligence is being fully utilised. It’s vitally important that it is.

Standard
Climate Change, Environment, Science, Society

Scientists say that Climate Change could make cities 7C warmer

URBAN HEAT ISLANDS

According to a new study, cities will be hit the hardest by climate change because of the ‘urban heat island’. This is the effect that traps warmth, with the consequence of cities being several degrees warmer than rural areas due to the heat trapped by dark-coloured roads and buildings. The research, first published in the journal Nature Climate Change, found that world cities will potentially face costs twice as big compared to their surroundings.

The study states that the phenomenon is so pronounced that it ‘enables olives to be grown next to a south-facing stone wall as far north as Aberdeen.’

Through an analysis of temperature data dating back to 1950 for 1,692 cities, the researchers predicted through extrapolation techniques that one in four of the world’s biggest cities might be up to 7C warmer by the end of this century.

Such a steep increase would likely have dire consequences for the health of city-dwellers, deny companies and industries of able workers, and put great pressure on already strained natural resources such as water.

Alarmingly, the study also predicts that the worst-affected cities could lose as much as 10.9 per cent of their GDP, the annual amount of national output.

Cities cover only one per cent of the earth’s surface, but are home to 54 per cent of the world’s population.

The authors say, however, that the unique environmental factors attributed to urban landscapes are often overlooked in climate change studies.

The researchers document that studies on climate change and its impacts are mostly focused on a limited set of countries and risks. They specifically cite sea-level rises and natural water resources, but do not take into account that large cities will experience additional warming due to the urban heat island effect.

Professor Richard Tol of Sussex University says the team’s findings highlight the pressing need for locally-tailored responses to climate change.

Professor Tol has signalled that any hard-won victories over climate change on a global scale could be wiped out by the effects of uncontrolled urban heat islands. He has also highlighted that ‘city-level adaptation strategies’ to limit local warming have important economic net benefits for almost all cities around the world.

The research paper suggests modifications to urban construction to minimise heat absorption, including using ‘cooler’ alternatives to asphalt for pavements, painting roofs with a reflective coating and the planting of more trees.

Appendage:

Standard
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.

Standard