|
World
UN Reports Climate Finance Gap
The 2023 edition of the UN’s Environmental Programme Adaptation Gap Report says that developing countries need significantly more funding to adapt to climate change than they are currently receiving. It is estimated that the gap between the amount of funding needed and the amount being received is between $194 and $366 billion annually. Despite this, funding decreased in 2021, with countries receiving only $21 billion. Developing countries often experience the harshest effects of climate change, with 45% of heat-related deaths occurring in Asia. With the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP) beginning at the end of November, this report is relevant to climate negotiations between policymakers and leaders.
This map depicts where public and private adaptation funding is allocated. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
__________________________________________
|
|
|
|
United Kingdom
Storm Ciarán Kills At Least 5
Storm Ciarán raged through northwestern France and southern England Wednesday night and Thursday, with damaging winds, heavy rainfall, towering waves, and large hail affecting much of Western Europe. The storm hit France’s northwest coast particularly hard, with wind gusts of about 120 mph (193 km/h) registered in parts of Brittany, and leaving about 1.2 million homes without power. Jersey and Guernsey islands, two British Crown dependencies in the English Channel, reported gusts of 80 to 90 mph (130-145 km/h) and suffered serious damage. A possible tornado and large hail hit Jersey, where videos posted on social media showed cars covered in debris and damaged houses. The storm killed at least five people in France, Spain, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherland, all from falling trees. About 15 people were injured. Flights and rail services throughout Western Europe have been disrupted and some schools closed.
This map depicts the 74 flood warnings currently in place for England in the aftermath of Storm Ciarán. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
__________________________________________
|
|
|
|
United States
TikToker’s Atlanta Food Ruckus
Keith Lee, a 27-year-old based in Las Vegas, is a popular food critic on TikTok who travels to various cities on his “Food Tour” to try local hotspots, particularly Black-owned restaurants. Known for his honest and humble reviews, his positive reviews of struggling Las Vegas-area restaurants went viral on TikTok last year, and he’s expanded to reviewing restaurants in other cities. Atlanta restaurant culture came under fire this week after Keith gave negative reviews to multiple Black-owned Atlanta restaurants for their purportedly poor customer service, incredibly long wait times, and strict dining rules. Lee noted the unequal treatment between himself and the average customer and expressed his frustrations, which resonated widely with Atlanta residents. While some naysayers criticized what they saw as attempts to bring down Black businesses, others observed that in Atlanta and elsewhere, Black patrons often navigate tedious dress codes and impossible rules, whether to create a sense of exclusivity or play into ideas of an upper-class dining experience.
This map depicts Keith Lee’s reviews of restaurants in Las Vegas, NV, where he got his start as a TikTok food critic. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q: This retractable barrier system protects 9 million people on the surrounding floodplain from exceptionally high tides and storm surges. Where is this barrier system located?
A: London
The Thames Barrier is a retractable barrier system built to protect the floodplain of most of Greater London from exceptionally high tides and storm surges moving up from the North Sea. The Thames Barrier is one of the largest movable flood barriers in the world. When needed, it is closed (raised) during high tide; at low tide, it can be opened to restore the river’s flow towards the sea. It has 10 steel gates that can be raised into position across the River Thames. When raised, the main gates stand as high as a 5-story building and as wide as the opening of Tower Bridge. Each main gate weighs 3,300 tons. The barrier spans a distance of 1,700 feet (520 m) across the river near Woolwich. Construction began in 1974 and by 1982 the barrier became operational. Ever since, it has closed to protect 48 square miles (125 km sq) of the center of London 208 times. The barrier has closed 117 times to protect against tidal flooding, while it closed 91 times to protect against a combination of tidal and fluvial flooding. The greatest amount of barrier closures occurred during the 2013-2014 flood season with a whopping 41 times due to the combined flooding effects. The Thames Barrier continues to operate reliably and effectively as part of the wider flood defense system. The barrier was originally designed to last up to the year 2030. Recent analysis suggests that even with sea level rise from anticipated climate change the barrier will be sufficient protection until 2060-70.
Source
|
|
|
|
|
Q: How many countries are on the “historic land and maritime Silk Roads” of ancient trade routes between East Asia, Central Asia, Western Asia, Europe, and Africa?
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 © 2023 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.
|
|
|
|
|
