APHumanGeography

In Poland a train was discovered that had gone missing in 1945 at the end of World War II. The people who found the train will not reveal its location until they are promised 10% of the value of what's inside the train. Some believe there is Nazi treasure well over one million dollars hidden within the train. The train was a military train, so there could also potentially be weapons such as nuclear bombs in it. This is an example of the geographical theme of globalization because it describes the technological advancements that the Nazis has during World War II. Will the people who discovered the train reveal its location? Are there weapons, treasure, or something else inside the train?

This article describes the chemical explosions that happened in a warehouse located in Tianjin China on August 12. The warehouse contained more than 700 tons of highly toxic substances and as a result many people died and many buildings were destroyed. As said in the article, the concentration of deadly chemicals was and still is extremely high in certain locations, and needs lots of cleanup work. It relates to the theme of Nature Culture because of the effects that the blasts have had around the area. There is a designated warning zone where cyanide pollution is severe and polluted water is contained. Even though the pollution has been mostly contained it still has impacted the environment in ways that make it dangerous for human contact. As an example, water tests in the area were done and showed high levels of sodium cyanide, which has the ability to kill humans. The explosion caused by a human built warehouse created problems with the air and water, thus impacting the environment in negative ways; making it unsanitary and clearly not safe. Is the pollution spreading? Are there more precautions companies can take to avoid another situation like this? These are a few of the questions that concern this topic.

In this article, it explains the most recent information about the animosity between North and South Korea. As mentioned in the story, the ongoing conflict between the two countries has once again been brought to attention in the beginning of August when South Korean men were injured by North Korean landmines. More recently, South Korea had detected a rocket being launched toward their country. They then responded by firing some shells back toward the area from where the rocket had been launched. This particular event reminds me of the theme of region in geography. This is because the two cultures have always had a long history where they were fighting each other, as was the case in the Korean War. Region itself, is a geographical area based on how a culture functions. Therefore, it is not too much of a surprise that they are once again fighting because it is their natural tendency to fight. I am sure that this is just the beginning of this current conflict and that there will be more trouble for these countries in the future.

Did your relatives migrate to the US through Ellis Island? If so, check this resource out. Looking forward to our People and Migration Unit in a few weeks.

This article talks about an event currently taking place in China regarding its devaluation of currency. Specifically, this article describes the devaluation of China's currency caused by China's government and its ultimate effects on investors in the stock market. This event represents the theme of globalization, particularly, economic globalization. It is readily apparent that the devaluation of China's currency not only affected stock markets across the globe, but also seemed to affect other countries' currency as well, such as Taiwan. This can be inferred from this particular quote from the article, "Penso Advisors, a hedge fund adviser that manages money for investors like pension funds, scoped out currencies that were affected by the renminbi devaluation in an attempt to profit from the shock waves. The firm bet on the Taiwan dollar, which dropped more than the renminibi, said Ari Bergmann, founder of Penso Advisors." (Stevenson) In sum, this article demonstrates that both stock markets and various countries' currency-particularly currencies in a country with a strong economy like China-are mediums that are increasingly linking the world. The economic globalization represented by these latest events in China is best proven by the following statement: "Investors ultimately know that they cannot ignore China, given its size and influence." (Stevenson).

In this article, it is discovered that a massive leak sprung from a defunct mine in Southern Colorado, contaminating the Animas River. The spill caused lead levels 12,000 times higher than usual to arise in the river, concerning homeowners and businesses in the general area of being contaminated themselves. The theme of geography Nature Culture relates to this article because the people in this region rely on the river water on a daily basis. It is their source of water for irrigating their crops, drinking water, and more. Due to this accident, businesses shut down and people moved from their homes because they interact with and rely on the river water so closely. Nature culture plays a major role in our lives whether we believe that or not. What is the best way to respond to this dilemma? Will Southern Colorado return to being populated along the Animas River? Sudden issues leave us wondering questions along these lines.

In this article, it is showing the new tropical disease occurring from a bug called the "kissing bug". The disease that the kissing bug gives out is neurocysticercosis, which is a parasitic infection of the brain. The kissing bug also causes Chagas disease which is a protozoan parasite, and can cause mild inflamed skin, as well as infection and inflammation of other body tissue. The theme of nature-culture is displayed through the people interacting with the nature where the kissing bugs are found, and catching the disease. Also, the kissing bug are native in Guatemala, and travelers were bringing back the disease and spreading it to their community, affecting and infecting the citizens of Texas. In Houston, Texas infectious diseases broke out and in the Smith's Clinic, doctors were doing their best to cure everyone who has tropical diseases. The tropical diseases were increasing to the point where one wing on the third floor of the Houston hospital was filled with patients. Everyone on the third floor had caught the tropical disease from the kissing bugs. The disease has been occurring since 2011, and the doctors are treating anyone who walks in with the tropical disease. Even though the disease has not affect Pennsylvania, it is still extremely important due to the fact that it is happening in the United States. What kind of research has been done to find a cure to the tropical disease? What should the citizens in Texas do to try to avoid catching this disease? How long does it take to cure the tropical diseases and what medication is used? These are the type of questions that are pondering in the media's mind.

This article is about the Malaysia MH370 that mysteriously disappeared last year. They finally have found evidence that it did not just vanish into thin air (which is certainly what appeared to have happened!) in the form of a flaperon that French authorities are pretty sure belongs to a 777. The issue is now that the Malaysian government is now saying that it MUST be from the 777 that disappeared, though the French authorities aren't certain it's from that flight, and they still haven't determined the origin of other plane debris. This is a problem because spreading misinformation gives false hope to the survivors of those in the tragedy that are looking for closure, and each time the crash comes up in the news again, it reopens old wounds. What makes this even worse is that due to the mysterious circumstances surrounding the crash, an investigation could take years to be completed. This is unique because most plane crashes are confirmed crashes, and people survive. This time, they just have data to analyze and a lot of research to do. With the internet comes increased globalization. The results of an investigation in France can arrive in Malaysia almost instantly, and then broadcast to the world within a short period of time. The internet also allows information to become distorted, or for people to spread complete misinformation easily. This makes it somewhat difficult to find trustworthy information on much-debated matters, like the fate of MH370. It is extremely important in this age where information can reach across the globe in an instant that governments be accurate in what they release. After all, what if the debris is confirmed to be from something else? What will Malaysia tell the citizens who needed that hope that they were given false information? Will Malaysia attempt to use France's analysis as a scapegoat for the misinformation? How would this action affect the relationship between Malaysia and France?

Thank you for sharing this outstanding map, William.  

This article has interesting relationship with globalization. Due to modern technology jobs are moving, and in some instances disappearing altogether. A good example of this is car manufacturing. Detroit was a major factory town that pumped out hundred of thousands of cars in its prime and had a very strong economy. When the factories left Detroit the town failed. The factory workers were for the most part uneducated and as such were unable to find new jobs. This resulted in Detroit's economy collapsing. A similar process occurred in many US factory towns. These jobs have since moved to developing countries with less strict labor laws, and lower or non existent minimum wages. This has propelled countries like China upward economically. Some processes have been automated to the point that humans are really only needed to service the machinery, this has resulted in some jobs disappearing entirely. As technology improves this could happen more and more, for example self driving cars (http://www.google.com/selfdrivingcar/). There are roughly sixty thousand cab drivers in New York City, when self driving cars become functional all those people will be out a job. Looking at the hospitality industry, specifically fast food giant, McDonalds, some positions such as cashier could potentially be automated in the next years (http://www.inquisitr.com/1594675/mcdonalds-counters-minimum-wage-hike-15-automation/). And so with more and more unskilled positions being moved across the globe or obsoleted and insufficient skilled positions that ask's the question "How will people support themselves?"

Thank you for the thorough response, William. This was an interesting article and a thought-provoking question. I wonder if the rise in automation of tasks will advance our development.

The Environmental Protection Agency has recently disclosed plans to lower the amount of methane emissions from gas and oil by 40 to 45 percent by the year 2025. The proposed plans would require emissions to be stopped at new natural gas wells, and repair all known leaks at these wells. The goal of the EPA is to reduce the amount of total pollution as it affects climate change and public health. The proposed regulations aren't being received very well by Republican lawmakers and energy groups, who argue that methane emissions have actually been falling in recent years. They believe that taking these plans into action will threaten security and economic growth, as they will increase the cost of energy for Americans. The EPA has also looked to set regulations on carbon pollution from planes, as well as trucks and vans. The theme of nature culture can be observed here, as many people of various political standpoints are fighting for their opinions on how nature should be protected, and the extent of human manipulation in nature. Through this we can see how the emission of gases is extremely difficult to reduce, and that the fight for nature preservation will be ongoing, as it has been for years and years.

Excellent application of the nature-culture theme. What's the relationship between a nation's development and their ability to help the environment?

Worldwide food shortages are expected to become more common because of global warming. Global warming is a way that humans have modified the planet. Part of the theme of nature culture is looking at how humans modify the Earth. Shortages can also be caused by the globalization of food production. Not all countries have developed systems for food production. Countries, like those in the Middle East, that rely on other countries to import food are the ones that are expected to be impacted the most.

Great post! Does anyone think that the movement to use genetically modified seeds will be a way to adapt to global warming?

Photographer Linda Forsell had already been documenting stories about sexual violence against women for a year when she found out about a man who had fathered five of his own grandchildren as a result of sexually abusing several generations of women in his family. The youngest of his victims was 3 years old when he died.

Volcanoes in Japan and Ecuador are a threat to people living in those countries and the neighboring countries. The volcano in Ecuador, Cotopaxi, has already spewed ash into the sky. This ash could spread into the capital city of Ecuador which is not far from the volcano. People have been put on a yellow alert which is the lowest of the three levels. The yellow alert precautions the people living in the area to be prepared and have masks ready to be able to keep the ashes out of their lungs. The volcano in Japan is a more serious issue. The government has issued a level 4 emergency warning which means the residents should prepare to evacuate the island of Kyushu. The volcano has been increasing in activity and could erupt at anytime. This is an example of the nature culture theme because the physical environment is shaping the culture that these people live in. The people living in the countries know that the volcanoes could be a problem from time to time and they will have to react to what the volcano brings.

In March of 2014, Malaysia Airlines' flight 370 disappeared without a trace on route from Malaysia to China. Just recently, debris was found on the French territory, Reunion Island, located off of the eastern coast of Africa. Despite searching for over a year, this discovery was the first clue of this airplane mystery. Many countries have collaborated in the search for the missing jet including France, Malaysia, Australia, and the United States. This relates to the globalization theme of geography because many countries are combining their resources and ideas towards the common goal of finding the plane and providing peace to the families affected. Due to modern technology and the ability to communicate almost instantly, countries that are thousands of miles apart are each able to offer something different to benefit the search and rescue effort. For example, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau led the actual search while the French conducted tests to confirm that the debris was in fact from the missing plane. What makes a country's government decide to help another country with a natural disaster or tragedy? How has technology improved connections between countries in times of crisis?

Thank you for sharing this article and providing an insightful post. Great questions, too. I do believe that countries (most) have a major duty to help humanity and struggling peoples. Citizens are for the most part supportive of their government spending money for these disaster relief. Some see the government as wasteful with taxpayer money. Flight safety and reliability is extremely important, too. Does anyone think that this event concerns any of the major world economic powers? How might it impact them?

On August 10th, 2015, a large amount of mine waste was accidentally spilled into the Animas River of Colorado. This spill released nearly one million gallons into the water turning it a rusty orange color. The effects of the spill could be detrimental to wildlife, thus, causing clean-up to be a priority. The main concern of the spill is the effect on fish because they are very sensitive to changes in water. After the spill, the contaminated water contains much higher levels of heavy metals like iron, zinc, and copper. This change in nature has sent Colorado Parks and Wildlife Officials to be quite frustrated with the mining industry. This spill relates to nature culture, a theme of geography, because it shows how humans' thirst for money can have large effects on nature. How will the mining industry develop better ways to prevent spills? How can spills be cleaned up more effectively with less damage to wildlife?