Geography: Physical & Environmental Geography – Unit Overview
What is Geography?
- Definition: the study of the physical features and processes of Earth and the human activity it engages with.
- Physical and environmental geography is a major subfield.
- Earth features include climates, geology, and topography.
- Physical systems interact with humans, creating a variety of effects.
- Geographers collect large amounts of data.
Methods in Geography
- Fieldwork: direct observations of the world by geographers.
- Remote sensing: uses technology (satellites, drones, cameras) to record data without being physically present.
- GIS (Geographic Information Systems): computerized process to analyze and visualize the data.
- Goal: draw conclusions from data to understand the physical world and our relationship to it.
Human-Environment Interaction
- Differences in physical environments exist; understanding these differences is vital for adaptation and survival.
- Technologies enable humans to maximize their environment and minimize negative physical attributes.
- Human alteration can have devastating effects on the environment.
- Key concerns: natural resource scarcity and the growing threat of climate change.
- Tools (fieldwork, remote sensing, GIS) help measure and observe these effects.
- Focus: physical attributes of Earth and the tools used to measure them.
- Tools highlighted: fieldwork, remote sensing, GIS.
Daily Life & Reflection
- Think about how you interact with the physical environment daily.
- Consider what effects your actions have on the environment.