Views which show how Earth Centre developed. Planning started in 1992. Opened in 1999, it closed in 2000 due to lack of visitor numbers and Phase 2 was started in which more buildings were added. It then re-opened in 2001.

Earth Centre closed in 2004.

Unit 19 How and where do we spend our time?
We looked at the link between how and where we spend our leisure, recreation and working time.
The unit focussed on:
- the skills associated with the design and implementation of a local survey
- developing a range of mathematical skills to collate, interpret and present findings
We described the range of features of localities studied; we began to offer reasons for the distinctive character of different places; we referred to situation and weather when comparing local amenities; we offered appropriate observations about individual physical and human features in the environment.
 

Unit 16 What’s in the news?
We looked at how news items at a widening range of scales can be used to develop geographical skills and ideas.
We recognised selected physical and human processes and appreciate how these can change the character of places and environments studied; we identified and explained different views held by people about an environment change; we recognised and described how people can improve or damage the environment in particular cases; we used a range of skills and sources to undertake independent or teacher planned investigations.
 

Unit 14 Investigating rivers
We learnt through fieldwork and research, about rivers and the effects they have on the landscape.
We focused on:
- the components of the water cycle
- how rivers erode, transport and deposit materials to produce particular landscape features
- the characteristics of a river system in another part of the world

We recognise selected physical processes relating to rivers and have begun to appreciate how these can change the character of places; we drew on our own observations and secondary sources and used our awareness of river events to suggest geographical questions and raise issues that might be studied, eg floods, drought, pollution.
 

The Earth Centre’s Mission

To inspire understanding of sustainable development and to help people become involved in the process of achieving it in their own lives and for the world.


Sustainable development - what is it?

Sustainable development is a process which enables all people, particularly those disadvantaged, to realise their potential and improve the quality of their lives in ways that protect and enhance the resources and life support systems of the planet for the benefit of current and future generations.


Why an Earth Centre?

At the close of the millennium we naturally look forward to the possibilities of the future, but at the same time we have a growing unease that our current ways of life are creating problems for that future. The quality of life seems to be diminishing before our eyes. Consumerism levels rise, unemployment appears endemic and growing poverty and exclusion eat away at our communities. Levels of crime, traffic, pollution and waste have escalated. We have global markets and institutions, yet we are struggling to address the real global issues of security, climate and the growing divide between the rich and the poor.

The hope of addressing the threefold crisis of environment, society and economy lies with a different kind of development which does not destroy the environment upon which we depend, and which delivers a healthy and productive life for us now and in the future. Sustainable living is the key issue of the 21st century.

The idea of sustainable development has been debated and endorsed around the world, but this alone is not enough to bring about the solutions it offers. Sustainable development needs public support to make it effective. The challenge is to provide people with the opportunity to understand, explore, identify with and act on the idea of sustainable development.

Sustainability is not an easy concept to put across; it is more a way of thinking than a set standard. People are generally very aware of environmental, social and economic problems and their causes, but are not as aware of the solutions, nor of the idea of sustainable development as an issue that relates to their own lives, nor of their ability to change things.

The first phase of Earth Centre meets a critical need by providing an accessible, culturally relevant, interactive and fun opportunity for people to experience and explore sustainable development for themselves. The wonder of the site is that it makes sustainable development tangible, and it does this on three levels:
- it provides a stimulating and attractive destination which has exhibitions, gardens, cafes, shops and experiences which focus on sustainable development;
- it is itself an attempt at making a sustainable environment by using good environmental practices and sound financial reasoning to revitalise a degraded site and bring new employment to the area;
- it extends the opportunity for visitors to adopt a sustainable way of life through its ongoing relationship with them.

Earth Centre embraces the concept of sustainability as dynamic, right for our time and right for the new millennium. The concept has the strength and magnitude of vision to be compared with other important issues such as equality, justice and democracy - something which has broad appeal and simply makes good sense.


“Failure to act now could damage our planet irreversibly, unleashing a spiral of increased hunger, deprivation, disease and squalor. Ultimately we could face the destabilising effects of conflict over vital natural resources. But if we raise our sights to the well-being of our planet, and of all those on it, today and in generations to come, we will not fail. We must not fail.”
Kofi Annan, Secretary-general, UN in Foreword to The Sustainable Development Agenda, 1998.

You may find further information to answer your query on Earth Centre’s web site at www.earthcentre.org.uk or on one or more of the following web sites:

• Friends of the Earth. www.foe.co.uk (Environmental issues)
• Greenpeace. www.greenpeace.org.uk (Environmental issues/Campaigning)
• One World Online. www.oneworld.org (Human rights issues)
• UK CEED. www.ukceed.org (Case studies on sustainability in business, transport, leisure and tourism) for age 12+/adult
• Sustainable Development Timeline. iisd.ca/timeline (Detailed timeline with hot links) for age 12+/adult


You’ll never see the world in the same way again - a virtual journey through Earth Centre

Cross the river Don to walk through Earth Centre’s gates into an exciting visitor attraction that explores the idea of sustainable development. Begin your adventure at Solar Point which celebrates the sun, the source of all energy for life on Earth; the place where beautiful buildings tower beside you and, literally, blend into the landscape. Experience Planet Earth in all its glory and horror – your very presence makes things happen here; then pass into the calm of the Action for the Future Gallery to glean ideas about what is being done for the planet and what you might wish to do. If you have children with you, encourage them to whisper a wish for their future to Future Child – it will be their secret, remember.

If you need time to think about what you have just experienced, pause for a cup of organic tea or coffee in eat.organic@earthcentre. Our restaurant serves food grown on organic farms and plantations – healthy food which sustains you and the planet without ill effect. Or relax with a stroll to Nature Works and enjoy the surroundings as you walk. The building seems to hover over the water as you approach it. Here, you can return to childhood and capture a freshwater food chain in a jam jar, before releasing it into the pond outside. These little creatures are as fascinating to adults as they are to children; just look at them when they’re magnified!

If you can drag yourself away, follow the path to the Wilderness Adventure. Children lead the way here, but allow yourself to become a child again. Use all your senses to absorb your surroundings, to feel, see, listen, smell and even taste them – and what about your elusive sixth sense? Allow yourself time to stand by the Kaki Tree, a cutting taken from a tree which survived the bombing of Nagasaki in 1945; how do you feel as you stand here – hopeless? hopeful? Take a place in the audience at the Wilderness Theatre, watch the joy and hope on the young faces taking part in the games there. Enter the circular Earth Arena, where you can be as much a part of the action as the actors. Be surprised by whatever exciting event is taking place today, whether it’s a heated discussion, a fascinating lecture, or a colourful theatrical spectacle.

The walk to Water Works takes you past the fruitful Forest Gardens; their green canopies cover secret places where children and adults can take refuge if they want to take time out for contemplation. To one side of Water Works are the 21st Century Terraced Gardens with their displays of organic gardening techniques at local, national and global levels – unmissable if you are a gardener, and fascinating even if you are not. On the other side the Dry Garden may give you ideas on how to manage your own garden during a hot, rainless summer when water is even more precious.

Water Works, with its curious triple glazed skin, houses the Living Machine, Earth Centre’s kidney. Through this passes all the liquid waste from the site. Stand inside the Living Machine as it treats and cleans the waste; you might be surprised to find the air smells so sweet! Follow at your leisure the water trail down past the Bog Gardens. Here it meanders through the bio fence where the beautiful green algae gobbles up the waste and is used as fertiliser for the gardens. As you pass look out for the bog plants with evocative names like the Swamp Cypress. The water trail takes you on past the reed beds and the lagoon, from where water is taken to irrigate the gardens.

If you have the time, you can explore Earth Centre’s 400 acre Ecology Park with its wealth of species, and habitats that include the reclaimed spoil heaps from the now disused coalmines underfoot. You may prefer to return to Solar Point, perhaps take another refreshment break at eat.organic@earthcentre, stop and think about what you have experienced on your journey. You may want to tell us what you think of it all, whether you agree or disagree with our thoughts on sustainability. Just step into Action Stations inside Earth Shop and the facilities are there for you to do this, as well as to keep in touch with us in the future, because we hope that your journey with us does not end when you walk out through the gates.