|
Kenya
School Fire Kills 17 Students
A fire that broke out Thursday at the Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri, Kenya, has killed 17 children and seriously injured 13. As search and rescue efforts continue through the wreckage, the death toll is expected to rise. President William Ruto called for an investigation into this tragedy and a review of the school’s administrators and safety protocols, and the Red Cross is offering psychosocial support to the community. This incident follows a series of boarding school fires in Nairobi in 2017, Homa Bay County in 2012, and Kyanguli Secondary School in 2001.
This map depicts the location of Hillside Endarasha Academy, where a fire broke out, killing 17 children, in relation to Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
World
First Plastics Pollution Inventory
Worldwide plastic waste production has reached over 57 million tons a year, with India creating more than any other country, according to a new study published in the journal Nature. In the first-ever global plastics pollution inventory, researchers used artificial intelligence to model waste management in more than 50,000 municipalities around the world and predict the total amount of plastic that enters the environment. While low- and middle-income countries produce less plastic waste in total, a larger portion of it is disposed of improperly. Higher-income countries, on the other hand, produce more plastic waste but have more efficient waste disposal systems, so less of it turns into pollution. The results illustrate how improving access to waste collection services across the world can reduce the scale of the problem. The scientists are calling for waste collection to be seen as a basic necessity ahead of negotiations on a global plastic waste treaty planned for November in South Korea.
This map depicts macroplastic emissions into the environment (debris and open burned plastic) for the year 2020. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
Graphic Source: Nature
__________________________________________
|
|
United States
Alzheimer’s & Light Pollution
A new study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience found there might be an increase of Alzheimer’s with light pollution and warns the younger population to avoid light exposure at night. The research team studied light pollution levels across 48 states and found that high light pollution is more correlated to Alzheimer’s than proven factors such as obesity, alcohol abuse, and depression. The scientists hypothesized that this is because of the disruption of circadian rhythms, however, more research is needed to test this hypothesis. Younger populations are at risk because they tend to live in urban areas and have lifestyles that increase exposure to light at night.
This map depicts the average nighttime light intensity for each U.S. state, based on data from 2012-2018. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q: What Central American country moved its capital after an earthquake devastated the original capital city?
A: Guatemala
The capital of the Spanish Captaincy General of Guatemala, covering most of modern Central America, was moved to Guatemala City after a series of earthquakes — the Santa Marta earthquakes that started on July 29, 1773 — destroyed the old capital, Antigua. On September 27, 1775, King Charles III of Spain officiated at the moving of the capital. This move to a location far from the volcanoes believed to have caused the earthquake in Antigua dramatically increased the potential for expansion of the city. The new city was given the name Nueva Guatemala (New Guatemala). Guatemala City was the scene of the declaration of independence of Central America from Spain and became the capital of the United Provinces of Central America in 1821.
Source
|
|
|
|
|
Q: What North American river connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean?
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in Monday’s DailyGeo.
|
|
|
|
|
AGS is accepting DailyGeo GeoQuestion suggestions.
Write to ags@americangeo.org with any ideas!
Please include GeoQuestions in the subject line, along with your answer and source.
|
|
|
|
DailyGeo is a daily digital communication created by the American Geographical Society (AGS) for the geography community. If you are receiving this email, it is because you are an affiliate of AGS or a participant in one of our programs. Feel free to share and encourage others to become part of the community too!
Copyright © 2024 American Geographical Society, All rights reserved.
We understand this might not be for everyone. Although we would hate to see you go, you can unsubscribe here.
How are we doing? We want to hear your feedback on the DailyGeo – what are we doing right and what should we be doing differently. Talk to us by emailing ags@americangeo.org.
|
|
|
|
|
