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World
Global Executions Spiked in 2022
Amnesty International, an international human rights organization, released a new report this morning revealing official recorded executions spiked 53% in 2022 over the prior year. A total of 883 people were reported to have been executed throughout 20 countries last year, the highest number in five years. Roughly 40% of those were for drug-related offenses. China is believed to lead the world in government-sanctioned executions, with totals estimated in the thousands, however the Chinese government doesn’t share its official figures, meaning the true global number is likely much larger than the 883 reported by other governments. After China, Iran carried out 576 executions, while Saudi Arabia came in third with 196. Despite the increase in executions, four countries officially abolished the death penalty in 2022, bringing the total number of countries without it to 112.
This map depicts the status of the death penalty in countries around the world. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: Al Jazeera
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Canada
Alberta Wildfires
Wildfires continue to affect the Canadian province of Alberta, after starting earlier and with greater intensity than usual due to hot and dry Spring conditions. The fires have resulted in the evacuation of over 29,000 people, the shutdown of approximately 3.7% of national oil production, and the declaration of a state of emergency. Currently, there are 90 active wildfires in the province, with 23 considered “out of control.” A cold front with gusty northwest winds is expected, which could pose challenges for firefighters. The Canadian military and firefighters from both Canada and the US are assisting in firefighting efforts. The neighboring provinces of British Columbia and Saskatchewan have also been affected by wildfires.
This map depicts the smoke plume resulting from ongoing forest fires spreading throughout Canada’s western provinces. Click on the map to learn more.
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United States
Corn Belt Drought Continues
The US Drought Monitor found 45% of the continental US is abnormally dry, a decrease from 61% at the same time last year. Despite lower levels, dryness has escalated in corn belt areas, with 16% of winter wheat areas under exceptional drought compared to only 3% a year ago. The drought is heavily concentrated in red wheat areas such as Kansas, indicating the red winter wheat crop will struggle this growing season. The dryness at this point in the season does not guarantee poor corn yields, however there are still concerns of the overall output could being affected without an immediate improvement in critically dry areas.
This map depicts soil moisture abnormalities compared in 2022 and 2023. Click on the map to learn more.
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Q: What ultra-clear blue river in Greenland is a result of meltwater from the Petermann Glacier and changes with the seasons?
A: The Blue River
The Blue River is the result of glacial melt on the Petermann Glacier, the largest floating glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. The meandering river’s course and shape changes year to year, depending on the extremities of the seasons, eventually emptying into the Petermann Fjord. The melting Petermann Glacier, which is located in northwestern Greenland and connects the Greenland ice sheet to the Arctic Ocean, fills up the low lying areas with what seems to be the clearest, cleanest, pure blue waters. During Spring, glacial melt creates small pools that eventually turn into lakes and streams. The vibrant blue hues comes from glacial silt – the sediment from ground up rock and gravel particles produced during glacial erosion. While getting to Greenland and trekking to the Blue River can be costly, experiencing the Arctic wildlife and serene views up-close in the extremely remote part of the world may be worth it. The Blue River is a heaven for kayakers and extreme adventurers wanting to experience the other-worldly nature of the icy island’s waning purity.
Source
Image Source
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Q: What city is at the peninsular tip of India, known as “The Land’s End?”
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in tomorrow’s DailyGeo.
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