Ireland's Future

 Millions of years of gradual change as well as occasional catastrophic events have formed Ireland's unique landscape.  Uniformitarianism dictates that the same actions that have shaped the present landscape will continue to act on the island in a never ending system.  The most recent ice ages covered Ireland with glaciers and the lasting effect can be seen by the classic irregular rolling hills, drumlins, and what is left of the Scandinavian mountains that were formed in the north before the breakup of Pangea.

Drumlin formed by glaciers acting on unconsolidated till in Norther Ireland 

The mild temperature and consistan rains are a result of Irelands' current position at about 53degrees north latitude, just below the cold polar easterlies but within the powerful North Atlantic Current which brings warm air and water to the region.

Ireland in 1000 Years

Because Ireland is largely made up of limestone, in 1000 years it is likely that a great deal of weathering will occur.  The iconic rocky cliffs that make up its coastline will crumble due to corrosion from sea water and the size of the island will shrink.  1000 years is a long time, but in the perspective of geologic time is practically nothing and although there will be changes Ireland will be recognizable to the form it is today.

the Cliffs of Moher are made out of limestone  chemical weathering  

Ireland in 10,000 Years

The the divergent plate boundary where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet is slowly expanding along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.  This spreading is pushing Ireland north at a rate of about 5cm  every year.  This spreading will force Ireland out of the northern temperate zone and closer to the Arctic circle.

Ireland In 1,000,000 Years

A million years from now Ireland will likely be unrecognizable to anyone who knows it today.  The combination of weathering and tectonic plate movement will push what is left of the island north into the arctic circle and east into the european land mass.  

Sustainable Marketing

Patagonia has philanthropic outlets such as the Common Threads Partnership which serve as a marketing tool and opportunity improve environmental spaces or social communities.  As an outdoor gear company, Patagonia’s long term ability to succeed will be determined not only by consumer and business needs, but the perennial health of the environment.  The sustainable marketing concept that Patagonia employs so skillfully combines societal marketing and strategic planning to satisfy current consumer needs while planning for the future and doing the same for business itself.  Since its founding, Patagonia’s socially and environmentally responsible ethos has been central to the companies brand and marketing.  Additional customer value is created by their quality, long lasting products which are highly desired by the psychographic segment Patagonia satisfies .  In reaction to materialism and advertising driven false wants, segments of consumers have developed who are willing to pay more for a good if it is perceived to be more durable and therefore less environmentally and socially damaging.  Patagonia’s Black Friday “Don’t Buy This Jacket” advertisement campaign was a moral appeal that worked to reinforce the brand rather than to actually sell jackets themselves.  This type of advertising only works for brands as strong as Patagonia because although they are telling customers not to buy the product they fortify the brand's dedication to the environment and rejection of consumerism.