C.U.G.S.
MICHAELMAS TERM CARD
October 6 ~ December 8
CambrigdeUniversityGeographicalSociety
FOREWORD
Welcome to the Cambridge University Geographical Society! We are a student-run society for students at the University of Cambridge
Sitting in the nexus of the physical and social sciences, geography provides an ideal framework for understanding the complex relationships and processes between humans and their surroundings Alongside the rest of the CUGS committee, I aspire to foster a space for students to discuss contemporary issues in, around, and beyond the field of Geography through a range of speakers, panels, and social and networking events that enrich students’ time at Cambridge
CUGS runs its own magazine, Compass, which seeks to publish thoughtful and interrogative pieces from various perspectives in and around the geographical discipline Its own committee is always welcome to submissions CUGS also runs a travel grant to support undergraduate students with their dissertations I hope to expand the grants available to all Geography students
Please do get involved with what the society has to offer! I hope to welcome you to one of our forthcoming events!
– Eric Taylor, President 2024
MEET THE COMMITTEE
ERIC TAYLOR
KAREISH RAJKANNA
ED DE FERRARS GREEN
President Vice-President Treasurer
IDA LAMBRETTE
MARTHA CURRIE
SARAH KEAST-BUTLER
Events Officer Events Officer Publicity Officer
APARNA MUKHURJEE
MOORE T
Secretary Speakers Officer Speakers Officer
LUCE PRITCHARD
Designer
Logistics Officer
EVIE NEVITT
Web Designer
MARIKO
WEEK 6
Executive Elections
WEEK 7
CUGS Winter Ball
WEEK 8
Dissertation Networking
JAMES GRANT PETERKIN
TUESDAY, 15TH OCTOBER 5PM
VENUE TBC
What 20 Years on Easter Island Taught me about our Future
For the third year of his Modern Languages degree at Cambridge, James Grant-Peterkin spent the entire year on Easter Island, a tiny, remote island in the heart of the South Pacific. Captivated by what he discovered there, upon graduating he spent the next 19 years living on Easter Island, while also running his own local business and serving as the British Honorary Consul.
Today, Easter Island has gained worldwide fame for its mysterious culture, and in particular the hundreds of stone statues found scattered across the island. Who carved them? Why did they carve them? And what lead to them all being later torn down and destroyed?
The so-called ‘collapse’ that took place on Easter Island raises disturbing parallels with the current social and environmental challenges faced by humans on Earth. During this 45-minute talk, James explains what might have really happened on Easter Island, and why the island actually offers a tale of cautious optimism for our planet and its inhabitants.
