Lessons for the Future: a geographical contribution

This article is based on the author's keynote address at the Geographical Association's 2007 conference on ‘Geographical Futures’. Beginning with young people's concerns about the future, attention is drawn to the importance of understanding both spatial and temporal interdependence in geography and, in particular, the need for students and teachers to think more critically and creatively about the future. The field of futures studies is cited as a source of expertise which can be used by geographers to develop a futures dimension in the curriculum. Exemplar futures activities are outlined and seen as vital to any notion of good practice in teaching geography.