A geographic khichdi
You know, the world is a very fast-moving thing. I find a lot of geographically interesting materials online. If I were to write about each of them individually once a week, there is no way I would be able to convey these to you while things are still “fresh.” This is why, I end up sharing listicles (an article consisting of annotated lists of some sort). Here’s another khichdi to start off your December.
- Global circulation.
I recently came across this very interesting online tool via a geography discussion network. This site offers you almost up-to-the minute details of a variety of things in circulation including winds, ocean currents, particulates (dust) in the atmosphere, ocean waves, and so on. Remember those diagrams in your textbook about principal global winds (Trade Winds and such)? Well, they are very generalized diagrams that show you very broadly how winds move. Reality is much much more fascinating and complicated than that. As you will see at this site, the movements are more like a natural ballet.
You can see the movement of the northeast Monsoon winds now going on. Look at the dust movement from the Sahara towards the Amazon basin (I have mentioned the importance of this in an earlier column). One of the beauties of this site is that it allows you to look at different levels of detail (scales), just like a Google Earth or Google Map.
Even more interestingly, it allows you to look at these flows using different projections of Earth. Recall that a “projection” is a way of representing the three-dimensional Earth on a two-dimensional (flat) surface. You can choose one of several projections.
So visit this site and click on the word Earth to open up a menu of possibilities. Hover your cursor over the various abbreviations for their expansions. Spend some time observing patterns of these movements and try to figure out why those patterns appear. This will require you to apply your knowledge of physical geographic features of various regions. If you are studying a particular country in your textbook, zoom in and out over that country to see the information for that country. It can help you make better sense of what you are studying in the textbook. (To zoom in or out, use the centre scroll wheel on your mouse; to zoom in on a particular spot, double click on it; use your mouse to turn the globe to any view you want.)
You can also learn the concept of overlaying data on a map — putting different layers of data one on top of another on a single map. For example, air movement and relative humidity. Play around with the various layers of data on this map. When you do this, you can ask geographic questions about patterns. Why is the wind direction the way it is? How does it change as you move from the Equator to either pole? Why does this change occur? (These are all topics you should know from your textbook.)
What? Oh, the link? I know, I have not forgotten. Just wanted to whet your appetite a little, that’s all. Here it is: http://bit.ly/1QIzPtq
- Climate change.
Last week, you read about the COP21 to be held in Paris. As I write this, there is no word yet on any change of venue. France is being urged by several nations to go ahead with these crucial meetings and not to be intimidated by terrorists. France has said that there will be no demonstrations or protests allowed at this COP for security reasons. So, it looks like it will go on as scheduled in Paris.
Here is an interesting story about climate change that looks at glacial melting in the north polar region as a result of anthropogenic global warming. Mind you, not everyone everywhere may see all this change as a bad thing! This is a question of that old geographic concept: scale. It makes you think a bit! This one shows you satellite images and photographs about polar climate warming and its effects both locally and elsewhere. Photographs are a very powerful way to bring out geographic knowledge. If you are interested in photography, consider combining a good knowledge of geography with good photographic skills to make an exciting career. Telling a geography story using photographs is an amazing skill. It is also highly “marketable.” Link: http://wapo.st/1QIAdIw
- Celebrating Ramadan (Ramzan) in the Arctic.
In an earlier column, I had made connections between latitude and the celebration of Ramzan. Depending on the time of the year when Ramzan occurs (this varies in the solar calendar), and the latitude of those who celebrate it, the characteristics of the observance can vary. In geography, we have a whole field of study called cultural geography — the connections between culture and geography. In this field, there is a sub-field often called the “geography of religions and belief systems.” My guru, Dr Surinder Bhardwaj specializes in this field and is highly respected for his work. He has also always used this specialization to help build inter-community dialogue and understanding in Ohio, where he lives, and in many other parts of the USA. He is yet another example of a citizen geographer — a geographer applying geographic understanding, thinking, and methods in the service of society. Geography is a powerful tool to bring people together and understand each other. Check this out: http://wapo.st/1QIAlro
A version of this article appeared in the Deccan Herald Student Edition on 03 December 2015
Featured image, courtesy: nullschool.net
