Issue 35
All issues can be found at: https://geocraic.com/
World
1.5 C warming 11 years earlier?
Book Review
Regeneration: Ending the Climate Crisis in One Generation by Paul Hawken. This book is one of the best, and most optimistic, read on what we can do to end the climate crisis quickly. It is very well researched and written. I have been quite cynical about our chances, and progress, for stopping our ongoing climate experiment. This book is very optimistic and convinces me that there are practical and pragmatic approaches that we can take in the short term to derail our current trajectory. Absolutely everyone should read this book and I think Geographers in particular will enjoy it. It is a very important book and the timing couldn’t be better. I learned a lot that gives me hope. But we need to act on it.
- Book: Regeneration
- Regeneration Website: https://regeneration.org/
- More about the book, including a stellar list of fans: https://regeneration.org/the-book
Ocean Currents
Deep ocean currents can take 1000 years to complete a circulation cycle. The Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) is slowing down.
- Accessible Discover Magazine article: https://www.discovermagazine.com/environment/why-its-alarming-that-deep-sea-currents-are-beginning-to-slow
- For those with access to Nature: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05762-w
- See also the section on Indonesian Throughflow.
Oceania
Timor-Leste
A really good article on Timor-Leste’s (fka Timor-East) coral reef biodiversity and the contributing role of deep ocean currents.
- ‘most biodiverse’ reefs despite climate change: https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/indonesian/reef-damage-12182023120246.html
- Indonesian Throughflow:
- Super good animation and it makes the point that the Indonesian Throughflow is the key barrier that creates the “Wallace Line” that separates Indo-Malayan and Austro-Maylan biogeography: https://indopacificimages.com/indonesia/indonesian-throughflow/
- Indonesian Throughflow on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesian_Throughflow
- Wallace Line: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallace_Line
US
Old Growth Old Growth has needed protection for decades and we are finally getting more of it from someone who doesn’t need to drive nails into them or hang from them to prevent their cutting. Decades late and only an executive order, which can be undone by the Orange Jesus should he win the next election. Also, it’s still only at the proposal stage. Must move faster and more long term.
- https://www.ecowatch.com/biden-administration-forests-logging.html
- Proposal: https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2023-27875.pdf
US West
Biogeography!
Colorado: We need wolves!
Oregon: You’re welcome. Can you help us poach the rest?
- High Country News: https://www.hcn.org/articles/wolves-paws-on-the-ground-how-colorado-got-its-wolves-back?utm_source=wcn1&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2023-12-19-Newsletter
- NPR: https://www.npr.org/2023/12/19/1220210851/gray-wolves-reintroduced-to-colorado-80-years-after-they-were-eradicated-in-the-#
- Oregon’s wolf poaching problem: https://www.opb.org/article/2022/10/21/oregon-wolf-poaching-lookout-mountain/
DeColonization
Decolonizing Oregon Museums. Something other museums worldwide should strive for. Even with the changing norms and laws, museums are slow-walking any change in this regard. When change does happen, it is actually a refreshing new take and a much more holistic account.
- https://www.opb.org/article/2023/12/12/indigenous-movement-decolonize-museums-gains-momentum-oregon/
Toponyms (Place Names)
Yellowstone Indigenous Place Names (from Jim Meacham. Thanks Jim) In Issue 34 there was an article on Yellowstone Place Names. Which mentioned that indigenous names were unknown. Au contraire mon frere. Jim says
“We covered the place name topic in the Atlas of Yellowstone. They mentioned that the indigenous place names were unknown today. We collaborated with park ethnographers, who compiled a place name list working with their tribal connections and reference materials. Attached is an atlas map/page we created with multiple tribal names for Yellowstone and Yellowstone features including some geothermal.”
