Record jump in 2014-2016 global temperatures largest since 1900 

2016 is officially the new warmest year on record, edging out previous record holder 2015 by 0.07°F, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2016 was the third year in a row that global average surface temperature set a new record.

Credit: NASA

Concepts of Geographic Thinking: Spatial Significance, Patterns and Trends, Geographic Perspective

Inquiry: How should communities react to these findings and plan for the future? 

Activity: Gather information on the effects of global warming and create a spatial journal to illustrate the role spatial significance plays. Conduct an issue analysis to help develop an action plan to address future changes. Communicate action plan via story map.

Unique oil spill in East China Sea frustrates scientists NEWS 

 24 JANUARY 2018

Concepts of Geographic Thinking: Spatial Significance, Patterns and Trends, Interrelationships

Inquiry: How might this spill impact communities?

Activity: Create a spatial journal of the incident and add to it the wind and ocean current data. Make some predictions as to where the impacts may take place. Conduct an issue analysis and develop a plan to deal with the problem. Communicate via story map.

Sexual harassment and assault rife at United Nations, staff claim The Guardian

Concepts of Thinking: Interrelationships, Geographic Perspective, Patterns and Trends, Spatial Significance

Inquiry: What might UN countries does to ensure this pattern ends?

If sexual harassment happens at the UN it can and will happen everywhere.

Activity: Create a spatial journal of countries that may not have laws to deal with sexual harassment. Start by looking at countries with poor women's rights records, lack clarity on sexual harassment, and violence against women. Conduct an issue analysis to help develop a plan to address this problem. Communicate via story map to an appropriate audience.

War isn't just bad for people — it harms wild animals, too The Washington Post, By Karin Brulliard January 10,

Concepts of Thinking: Interrelationships, Spatial Significance, Geographic Perspective

Inquiry: How might communities be better protected? What might the long term impacts be from decades of war?

Activity: Create a spatial journal of the current conflicts around the world. Add to it the environmental characteristics plant and animal of these locations. Conduct an issue analysis to help devise a plan to protect the plants and animals in these war zone, during and after the conflict. Create a story map to communicate your solution.

Note: Stopping the conflict before it happens would be best but this does not seem to be the pattern of human conflict.

Earth will likely warm way beyond the crucial tipping point that the Paris agreement was meant to avoid

Source: World Economic Forum

Concepts of Thinking: Spatial Significance, Geographic Perspective, Patterns and trends

Inquiry: How might communities react to these finding?

Activity: Create a spatial journal to indicate locations that are already are showing evidence of climate change. Conduct an issue analysis and develop a plan of action for the future. Create a story map to communicate the action plan.