It is increasingly clear that we already live in the era of human-induced climate change, with unprecedented weather and climate extremes.
I don't delight in sharing the bad news. So is this drought just a freak anomaly or a sign of a new normal?
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Global news with a spatial perspective: Interesting, current supplemental materials for geography students and teachers. http://geographyeducation.org
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Seth Dixon
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Seth Dixon's comment,
August 13, 2012 2:28 PM
The graphic was not connected to the article. It was linked on a PBS facebook page and I linked the juxtaposition of the graphic and the NY Times article. Here is the FB page: https://www.facebook.com/EarthTheOperatorsManual.Page Personally, an entire century as a baseline of comparison does not feel like cherrypicking data. True the Earth is an incredibly complex system that controlling for all variables is in essence impossible, but denying that the system has changed seems foolish to me. Why has the system changed? I'm okay with that being a reasonable debate worthy of academics.
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By Climate Central's Michael D. Lemonick: July 2012 was officially not only the warmest July on record, but also the warmest month ever recorded for the lower 48 states, according to a report released Wednesday by scientists at the National Oceanic...
The drought footprint cover 63% of the contiguous states during the hottest month in American history. It's the hottest 12 month stretch (August 2011-July 2012) on record for the lower 48, making it the fourth consecutive month to set a new record (i.e. old record was July 2011-June 2012).The biggest difference from other hot months is the nighttime temperature have been exceptionally high. The most current drought monitor map can be found at the University of Nebraske website. Delete the scoop?
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"The worst drought in 50 years has intensified across the US midwest, not only condemning this year's corn crop but threatening the prospects for next year's too, new figures showed on Thursday."
The current drought in the Midwest is having a much greater impact than making residents hot and uncomfortable. Farmland prices were on the rise, and the market was acting on the assumption that of good years with bountiful harvests. As a breadbasket, the drought in deepening fears of a global food crisis and greatly impacting food production with economic, energy (ethanol) and political ramifications. See this article for more on the environmental problems from drought, especially wildfires. 
's comment, September 4, 2012 8:15 AM
This article about the drought in the Midwest is interesting. The reason why is because the Midwest is where the farmers grow their crops especially corn, carrots, etc. Most of the products we buy at the grocery store involves corn like cornbread mix, different kinds of meats like steaks, roast round of beef, etc. Ever since the drought began, it began drying up the crops in the Midwest including corn and the farmers can feed their farm animals like cows and chickens. As a result of this drought, not only that we're going to see less corn at the grocery store but we're going to see higher prices for almost every product in grocery stores across the country that has corn and corn syrup as an ingredient like soda, cornbread mix, etc. Not only this is an environmental issue but it's also an economic issue. But, since Hurricane or Tropical Storm Isaac brought torential rain to the drought areas in the Midwest even thought it's too late for the farmers this year but hopefully it will set up the farmers for next year crop for corn and if everything goes well, we will see prices drop for food at grocery stoes across the country.
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Animated time-lapse video of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions in map form, spanning the 18th century until this current first decade of the 21st centur...
This is not a complete data set, but the video still shows the striking connection between CO2 emissions and the historical geography of industrialization. 
's comment, August 2, 2012 12:54 PM
What data did you use? Historical, proxy or climate station? From 1800-1920's, was CO2 derived from historical observations, ice cores? Pre- to post-war had the maximum extent of climate stations, which captured CO2 (broadens extent). Throughout the mid-50's to present, due to lack of funding, climate stations plummeted from over 400 stations worldwide to approximately 80. When we reconstitute all these different types of data, we often get what geographer's call the modifiable areal unit problem... Furthermore, this is compounded not only by extent but also by timeline/data availability.
Seth Dixon's comment,
August 2, 2012 2:21 PM
I'd love to take credit for this, but I didn't create this video, but am simply sharing a resource that I found online with the broader community. Follow the YouTube link to see info about the creator there (Cuagau1).
's comment, September 4, 2012 11:41 AM
Frightening and guilt inducing. The US and Europe the biggest historical violators, plus living in the northeastern part of the country which shows the highest concentrations.
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"The final 32 generators went into operation this week, making it the world's largest hydropower project, pictured, built on the Yangtze River in China." This photo gallery has a tremendous video at the end that displays vividly the raw power that moves the turbines. Economically, what are the benefits? Environmentally, what are the costs?
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NASA researchers are expressing concern about something they've never seen before: the melting of ice across nearly the entire surface of Greenland earlier this month.
Climate changes are afoot in the Arctic and the Greenland ice sheet. For more on the Arctic. In related news, Texas and Louisiana have introduced education standards that require educators to teach climate change denial as a valid scientific position. South Dakota and Utah passed resolutions denying climate change. Tennessee and Oklahoma also have introduced legislation to give climate change skeptics a place in the classroom. 
's comment, September 3, 2012 3:33 PM
I didn't know how bad global warming was until I read this article and I don't think many people realize it either. We need to start changing our ways if we want to live in a safe and healthy environment. I think more people need to see images and read articles like this so they have a better knowledge on how little time we have.
Morgan Halsey's comment,
September 10, 2012 11:30 PM
Some people still don't believe in global warming, but now with new technology, there is great evidence. New technology has allowed us to explore our world in ways that we have not been able to before. We are now able see things about our world and fix problems before they become worse.
Michael Grant's comment,
September 12, 2012 4:12 PM
I am surprised about how the polar ice caps are melting and that global warming is very real, but on the other hand it's just part of the Earth maturing
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The majority of these 'drowned buildings' are the direct result of decisions to dam a river and create a reservoir, create hydroelectricity, etc. How should we analyze this type of cultural landscape? What does it 'say' about the multiple groups that have contributed to this layered, complex landscape? Pictured here is the St. Nicolas Church in Macedonia, an 1850 building that is losing to the unrelenting 2003 reservoir that at times fully submerges the building. Delete the scoop?
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Research news from leading universities...
Sometimes whe teach human geography as though it is not connected to physical geography. The geographical distribution patterns of agriculture are some of the most highly correlated human activities to the physical environment. This one, dairy productivity, changes greatly based on temperatures, humidity and latitude. Delete the scoop?
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Since the year 2000, almost 1 million people have lost their lives to disasters caused by natural hazards. 2 billion people have been affected. 1 trillion do...
In the last decade, almost one million people have been killed by disasters and more than one trillion dollars have been lost. Yet only 1% of international aid is spent to minimize the impact of these disasters. Every $1 spent on preparedness saves $7 on response, so the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has established http://www.actnowsavelater.org to prepare for the disasters which will surely come. 
Kim Vignale's comment,
July 5, 2012 8:18 PM
I think this is a great video depicting how disasters are handled today. Lack of preparation increases more damage caused by natural disasters. If more time and money is spent on devising plans on how to prepare for disasters, preventing it, and alleviating the issue, there would be less money lost and most importantly more lives saved.
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If we accept that controversial dams will continue to be built for economic benefit, how can we limit their damage on the environment?
"Of all the ways we have engineered Earth in the Anthropocene, the Age of Man, surely nothing rivals our audacious planetary-wide re-plumbing of the world's waterways. But is our control of Earth's arteries causing dangerous clots?" The human-environmental interaction theme of geography is as readily apparent in this issue as any. 
Jose Sepulveda's comment,
June 30, 2012 5:24 PM
It would be possible if only the whole ecosystem is managed so as to damp negative synergies and keep permanent monitoring over the river as a whole, from its origin to its final discharge into the sea.
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David Roberts is staff writer at Grist.org. In "Climate Change is Simple" he describes the causes and effects of climate change in blunt, plain terms. On Apr...
This is video is designed to explain climate change in 15 minutes. If you would like see the slides presented, you can see them at: http://grist.org/climate-change/climate-change-is-simple-we-do-something-or-were-screwed/ Delete the scoop?
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What did the Delta look like 200 years ago? See an interactive map of the historical habitat and present day landscape, as well as the old photos, maps and journals used by historical ecologists to answer that question.
This interactive module has over 20 different maps and perspectives to show both the physical and human geography of a particular environment. As the delta's ecosystem has been failing, the importance of understanding the interconnections between people, places and our environment becomes all the more critical. Delete the scoop?
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Socks is a online magazine about Media, Art, Architecture, Cities, Design, Technology.
Our society is obviously heavily dependent on oil. Yet we often don't see the environmental impacts of our collective oil consumption on the landscape because the negative impacts have been spatially separated away from oil consumers. This is an excellent compilation of photos by Edward Burtynsky that makes the connection between oil consumption and changes to both the physical and cultural landscapes explicit. For more images by this artist, see: http://www.edwardburtynsky.com/ ; Delete the scoop?
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Adapted from the book by Professor Susan Hanson...
This is an excellent review/summary of an edited volume that shows the value of geographic thought and its importance in the modern world. This review conveniently gives a one paragraph synopsis of each chapter. It does not need to be read chronologically, so you can pick and choose what you find relevant to your course. The top 10 are (in order of inclusion in the book): the Idea of the Map, the Weather Map, GIS, Human Adjustment, Water Budget Climatology, Human Transformation of the Earth, Spatial Organization and Interdependence, Central Place Theory, Megalopolis and Sense of Place. Delete the scoop?
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Poverty in India has dropped sharply thanks to increased spending on rural welfare programmes, the country's Planning Commission says.
KV: Government intervention has decrease poverty in rural India. More people are getting out of poverty in rural areas than urban areas. Programs funded by the government to help the poor has significantly changed many lives. People are given education, welfare, and proper sanitation. Once assistance is provided to the poor, the welfare and well being drastically changes for the better. As the Indian government prospers because of new business ventures, some of the increased revenue should be set aside to help many regions that are affected by poverty.
SD: For more resources on population, see this scoopit topic on the environment and society by KV. 
Eliza Thng's curator insight,
February 1, 12:03 PM
This article says that the number of people suffering from poverty in India has decreased. I'm glad that the government is finally doing something to help the less fortunate.The government is finally doing their job by looking over the welfare of people. It's touching just by the thought of lesser people suffering from poverty. Just increased spending on rural welfare programmes is able to make a 7.4% decrease percentage of people living in poverty. I think they should continue having these welfare programmes and they should also spend more time and money caring for the less fortunate. I wonder if other countries will attempt to do the same thing as India's government so as to decrease the number of people suffering from poverty in their own country. 
Bryan Tan's curator insight,
February 2, 10:54 AM
After reading this article, I am convinced that the gorverment in India know and want to do something about their currebt situation of being one of the poorest state in the world. Poepla are treated better given benefits, edeucation,welfare of the citizens and hygiene are all being taken care of by the gorverment. The gorvement starts improving their ties with other countries in the world helping it to gain more advantage. This helps to decrease the rate of poverty in India. 
luisvivas64@hotmail.'s comment,
February 3, 10:19 AM
La pobreza es el càncer de la sociedad humana, ojalà sea posible reducirla, aunque soy escèptico, el dinero es muy sabroso y los pocos que lo tienen no lo sueltan, de allì las revoluciones, guerras ect.
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A new global survey suggests world's the most wasteful countries feel the least guilty—and vice-versa.
Our consumption patterns, ecological footprint and lifestyle choices have a significant impact on how we feel about sustainability initiatives and human/environmental interactions.
's comment, September 4, 2012 8:27 AM
This article explains about America being the least green in the world when it comes to transportation, etc. Things are being done which can bring a good impact to our environment like cleaner gasoline or cars that are run on electricity like the hybrid cars that you see in the commercials on TV. But, there's also a few other ways to make a good impact on the environment like riding a bicycle to work for take public transportation or walk to places you want to go to. Not only we can get good exercise by walking or riding a bicycle but you can reduce the emmissions in the air form your own car. When it comes to food, Americans can start eating vegetables to make a good impact on the environment.
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Steel is strong, versatile and 100% recyclable. Learn how old steel shipping containers are given a new lease on life as liveable spaces.
Reusing resources is a critical part of sustainability. This video looks at the recycling of steel including the creating of container homes. Delete the scoop?
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Scientists capture dramatic footage of Arctic glaciers melting in hours Scientists have captured dramatic footage of massive lakes in the Arctic melting away...
An amazingly extreme place that is far removed from inhabited regions of our planet, but still heavily impacted by people nonetheless. Delete the scoop?
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Americans eat more meat than almost anyone else in the world, but habits are starting to change. This may be in part because of health and environmental concerns. We explore some of the meat trends and changes in graphs and charts.
Often we hear about the dietary impact of meat consumption at the personal scale, but what are the environmental impacts of heavy meat consumption on a global scale? Even more telling than the podcast are the charts and infographics that are connected to this article. Not all meats have the same environmental impact (beef is much less environmentally efficient than chicken, pork or turkey). As globalization has spread, American cultural preferences have changed worldwide taste preferences. As the global population rises, the impact of meat consumption is now a major environmental concern. Delete the scoop?
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It's not two photos stitched together, and it's not an installation. This red line is the stain of toxic sludge.
This is a great issue that highlights the human-environmental interactions theme. In 2011, this site in Hungary witnessed a horrific toxic sludge spill at an aluminum oxide plant that literally created a toxic mudslide. 
Roland Trudeau Jr.'s comment,
July 22, 2012 9:47 AM
such a horrible scene, just another footprint we've stomped into the earth
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The new Blackfriars station, which is being built on a bridge spanning the River Thames, is on its way to becoming the world's largest solar bridge after Solarcentury begun the installation of over 4,400 solar photovoltaic panels...
"The solar panels will generate an estimated 900,000kWh of electricity every year, providing 50% of the station’s energy and reducing CO2 emissions by an estimated 511 tonnes per year. In addition to solar panels, other energy saving measures at the new station will include rain harvesting systems and sun pipes for natural lighting."
Roland Trudeau Jr.'s comment,
July 6, 2012 8:21 PM
Its definitely a step in the right direction to conserve our natural resources. Our future won't be easy without renewable energy, and all of our natural resources expended.
Brandon Murphy's comment,
July 9, 2012 6:43 PM
Finding new sources of renewable/sustainable energy would definitely be a lot easier if more countries were willing to work together.
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Cambridge University physicist, David Mackay, in a passionate, personal analysis of the energy crisis in the UK, in which he comes to some surprising conclus...
This is a great video to show students the amount of energy they use, both at an individual level and at the national scale (this video is from the U.K.) To 'flip' this Ted-Ed talk, visit it's homepage at: http://ed.ted.com/on/MVwtmMV5 Delete the scoop?
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This is an incredibly photo gallery of Vietnam (pictured) and Cambodia. The photographer, Michael Poliza, has many other place and nature-based galleries at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/poliza/sets/ ; Delete the scoop?
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Climate change has numerous casualities: the melting of the Arctic Sea ice is one such environment nightmare that's a result of global warming (don't worry Texans, you can just call it a "freak heat wave" or an "inexplicable anomaly"). But like all global processes, not all places are impacted equally. Even in an economic recession, some find fortune while the majority flounder. Same is true with the melting of the Artic; the melting might potentially opening up the fabled Northwest Passage and create new, seasonal shipping lanes. Who would benefit from this? Who would suffer? To see a short video on this, see: http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailychart/2011/09/melting-arctic-sea-ice-and-shipping-routes Delete the scoop?
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Genes and the environment both shape health and development. But their effects are not always equal. Researchers in the U.K. say they've mapped hotspots where nature has a stronger influence, and others where nurture dominates.
All people are a combination of their genes as well as the environment (a mix of 'nature' and 'nurture'). A recent study of over 5,000 twins throughout the UK saw regional concentrations where it appears that environmental factors had a greater than normal influence (centered around London). I'm still scratching my head wondering what to make of this data, but this is a compelling project. Delete the scoop?
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