United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/interactive-map/

Tools of the Geographer

UNESCO is such a great website and one that I wish I had found earlier! This website encompasses all sites that are considered to be a part of the ‘World Heritage List,’ recognizing places that are of “outstanding universal value. ” These sites include those that are considered human masterpieces, monumental developments, testimonies of cultural presence, and architectural remnants. Additionally, these sites are also examples of early human settlements, natural phenomena, historical and ongoing geological process examples, instances of evolutionary biological processes, and biological diversity conservatives.

So why is this site important? Why is this site useful? UNESCO introduces us to the wonders of the world, and does so in a clear, organized way. One page includes an outstanding interactive map. This tool presents a global map with points of varying shape and color, representing World Heritage Sites that are recognized as cultural, natural, or both cultural and natural sites. They are further divided into those places that are in danger and those that are not.

Simply by selecting a point, you are given the site’s name and a representative picture. By clicking on this icon, you are taken to another page that has the site’s description and additional information, including maps, documents regarding the importance and history of the site, as well as additional photos and videos.

UNESCO’s aim is to educate its viewers on these heritage sites in the hope that people may be able to recognize, safeguard, and preserve these locations. So, viewers, take a look, take action, and enjoy!

The Taylor and Francis Social Geography Journal mixes political issues such as the fight for equality with the geography of location. Through the lens of space, place, and geographical features, the Social Geography Journal explores such societal problems as crime, inequality, poverty, scarcity of resources, uncleanliness, and housing shortages. It also explores cultural and social practices such as work, leisure, and outdoor exploration. A model for cross-sectionalism, the journal explores how geographical considerations shape society and culture.

One article on Dying and Death examines the mortality rate, particularly at birth, as it varies from region to region. It also explores some factors, such as the cleanliness of the air and water in the region, and how it affects the overall mortality rate. It further discusses how grieving processes vary depending on location, and even how ceremonies can either tend be indoor or outdoor depending on the climate and features of the region.

This journal takes a unique approach on geography, in that it not only explores geographical problems and practices, but it makes a larger connection to political, cultural, and social issues that are relevant today. When I think of geography, I am likely to think about the death of local aquatic communities, or the long-term threat to humans through the ever-growing problem of global warming. This journal explores present-day threats however, and threats to our society and not just our ecosystem. How to save lives, and how to increase the quality of life by reducing crime and poverty are topics discussed.

In an era in which startlingly few politicians are scientists or have a sturdy foundation in science, journals like this are essential to bridge the gap between experts. When politicians formulate policy based on problems that can be solved with science such as disease, clean water, and alternative energy, they should have a strong basis for their arguments.

The scope of geography is stretching ever further, and I welcome the overlapping of the spheres of geography and politics. Let’s hope we’ll have no more egregious scientific blunders like this one.

– Richard Jennis

The Marine Conservation Institute works at the intersection of the hydrosphere and the biosphere to ensure that the oceanic environment is conducive to marine life. The organization acknowledges that marine habitats are essential, not only to marine life, but to humans as well, who rely on these environments for nourishment, water and transportation. In order to continue the use of the oceans for these varied purposes it is crucial to conserve them for future generations so that ocean ecosystems and human survival can thrive.

One significant way that humans impact the oceans is through fishing and overfishing the marine life that reside in them. One of the primary goals of the center is to protect key ocean areas from fishing and they have succeeded in doing this by designating certain areas of the ocean as protected areas where fishing is not permitted.

Illegal fishing has a severe impact in the Southern Ocean. Six ships known as the “Bandit 6” fish Chilean Sea Bass illegally and are drastically affecting the health of this species. This issue hurts the entire food chain and damages entire ocean ecosystems. In order to combat pirate fishing, the Marine Conservation Institute is working to pressure countries such as Malaysia and Thailand, who have jurisdiction over these ships, to hold the pirates accountable for their actions so that marine ecosystems can be sustained for years to come.

Caroline Dougherty

Recently published research from scientists at the University of Texas at Austin reveals that Totten Glacier in East Antarctica might melt more quickly than previously predicted. If the glacier melts in its entirety, it contains enough ice to raise global sea levels by 3.4 meters, or 11 feet. Scientists have previously observed that warm waters on the seaward side of the glacier might be responsible for the majority of ice melt. The University of Texas scientists used laser surface altimetry and ice-sounding radar and magnometers, among other technologies, to assemble exhaustive data about the glacier’s interactions with warm sea waters.

Using the new data scientists were able to identify a previously unknown inland trough that connects the main ice-shelf of the glacier to the ocean. Scientists also identified entrances to the ice-shelf cavity below depths of 400-500 m that could allow intrusions of warm water. Water at deeper levels of the ocean is usually colder than water near the surface of the ocean—but if warmer waters are saltier than cold waters, the warm water can sink, allowing it to enter ice shelves at extreme depths. The recent research by Greenbaum et al. reveals that glaciers in East Antarctica are facing the dangerous melting processes that were thought to be limited to West Antarctica.

As global temperatures rise, warm sea waters will accelerate arctic and antarctic ice melt. It may take centuries for Totten Glacier to melt, but its melting will probably be irreversible. Melting sea ice will lead to rising sea levels, which will surely have vast and largely unknown impacts on complicated earth systems and coastal communities.

Greenbaum, J. S., Blankenship, D. D., Young, D. A., Richter, T. G., Roberts, J. L., Aitken, A. R. A., & Siegert, M. J. (2015). Ocean access to a cavity beneath Totten Glacier in East Antarctica. Nature Geoscience.