August 20, 2015
News for geographers
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Geography in Action
Experts are remapping Alaska to correct errors
Alaska's remapping project has passed the halfway point, with 57% of the state mapped since 2006. The project, which has cost $41 million so far, is updating 40- to 50-year-old data gathered through outdated techniques. The project is using technology known as IFSAR -- interferometric synthetic aperture radar. "It's essentially a radar, but by projecting it at the ground and measuring the reflectance back, you get a very highly detailed elevation map," said Kevin Gallagher of the U.S. Geological Survey.Alaska Public Media (8/18)
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Study: Hot-button scientific topics get more edits on Wikipedia
(Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
Wikipedia entries about hot-button scientific topics such as evolution are edited frequently by the site's users, which may lead to inaccuracies, a recent study suggested. "The high rate of change observed in politically controversial scientific topics makes it difficult for experts to monitor their accuracy and contribute time-consuming corrections," said study co-author Gene Likens. A Wikimedia spokeswoman noted that policies are in place to prevent vandalism.Poughkeepsie Journal (N.Y.) (8/15)
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Other News
- The difficulty of mapping La.'s changing coastline
The Times-Picayune (New Orleans) (8/13)
/ Thinking Outside the Box
To stay relevant, companies need to spend as much time generating ideas for the future as they do running their businesses today. Read Boomtown: Think Like a Startup
Research, Education and Global Change
Experts say El Nino could be one of the strongest ever
The upcoming climate phenomenon known as El Nino is expected to be one of the strongest ever recorded, which could have wide-ranging consequences across the U.S. this winter, according to experts. "We're predicting that this El Nino could be among the strongest El Ninos in the historical record dating back to 1950," said Mike Halpert, the Climate Prediction Center's deputy director. El Nino could bring a wet winter to drought-ravaged California, but also cause weather complications for other areas of the U.S.Climate Central (8/13)
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Arctic fires could detonate "carbon bomb," researchers say
The Arctic permafrost contains vast amounts of carbon, and some researchers think a new wave of forest fires could promote microbial activity and eventually cause that carbon to be released into the atmosphere. "By destabilising the soil and creating microponds, the scientists hypothesise, fire may be creating a new fuse on the Arctic carbon bomb," writes Eli Kintisch.New Scientist (8/12)
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World's poorest will bear brunt of climate-change induced food shortage
Climate change is expected to cause global food shocks resulting in higher food prices, say U.S. and U.K. researchers. Poor countries that don't produce enough food will be especially affected, they say.BBC (8/14)
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Other News
- Tracking commuting trends in cities where driving is least common
CityLab (8/18)
Technology and Applications
Study: Use of drones to study wildlife may cause creatures stress
Drones are helping some researchers get close to wildlife, but a study suggests the practice may be causing stress to the creatures being studied. Scientists rigged four black bears with cardiac monitors and collected heart rate data, finding that their heart rates increased when the unmanned aerial vehicles were nearby. "We're just highlighting a potential issue that needs to come into closer consideration when we decide [when and where] to use them," said Mark Ditmer, author of the study, which was published in Current Biology.The Washington Post (tieredsubscription model) (8/13)
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Other News
- Google tool lets homeowners assess solar-power potential
The Washington Post (tiered subscription model) (8/18)
Association News
San Francisco Water: Environmental Sensibilities v. Environmental History
In this month's "Focus on San Francisco" article, Nancy Wilkinson writes about San Francisco's conflicting progressive environmental sensibilities and its environmental history. In this story, Wilkinson traces the city's quest for water and its relationship to the Tuolumne River in the HetchHetchy Valley. Wilkinson is a professor in the Department of Geography & Environment at San Francisco State University. Her teaching and research focus on California water resources and environmental perception. Learn more.
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AAG seeks participants for career events at 2016 Annual Meeting
The AAG seeks panelists, mentors, and workshop leaders for career and professional development events to be held at its Annual Meeting, March 29-April 2, 2016, in San Francisco. A diverse group of individuals representing a broad range of employment sectors, organizations, academic and professional backgrounds, and racial/ethnic/gender perspectives are encouraged to apply. E-mail , specifying topic(s) and activity(s) of interest, and attach a current c.v. or resume. For best consideration, please submit your information by Nov. 18, 2015. Learn more.
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SmartQuote
/ You've got to say, 'I think that if I keep working at this and want it badly enough I can have it.' It'scalledperseverance."
-- Lee Iacocca,
auto industry executive
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