| News for geographers |  |
| Geography in Action |  |  |
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- Globes still provide a unique perspective
Globes have gotten less popular as other reference resources have taken their place, but they are still quite valuable tools, writes Mark Vanhoenacker. "Globes show why maps are imperfect -- but also what maps even are," he writes. Globes are particularly illuminating for understanding certain geopolitical and environmental concepts, according to Susan Heffron, an education specialist for AAG. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)
(8/18)     
- Corruption concerns permeate government transition in Somalia
 The situation in Somalia may be improving, but there are significant concerns about corruption in the way the new government is being formed, according to University of Minnesota geography professor Abdi Samatar. "I think ultimately it will depend on the will and the wish of the Somali people whether this process is going to fail or whether it's going to be cleaned up," Samatar said. Minnesota Public Radio
(8/20)
| Research, Education and Global Change | | |
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- Urban growth could contribute to warming temperatures
 Increasing urban growth could have a significant impact on temperatures in the coming decades, according to a study by Arizona State University. "Further potential urbanization can make things considerably warmer," said Matei Georgescu, an assistant professor in the university's School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning. Researchers determined that, assuming the highest levels of urban development, temperatures could rise by as much as 4 degrees Celsius in the summer in a region of Arizona known as the Sun Corridor. This effect could be partly mitigated by painting the roofs of buildings white, but this would not completely fix the problem, the researchers found. Los Angeles Times/Science Now blog (tiered subscription model)
(8/16), KPHO-TV (Phoenix)
(8/13)
| Technology and Applications | | |
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- GPS data superior to Wi-Fi in pinpointing location, Yelp says
For very fine location data, GPS is more accurate than Wi-Fi-only networks, according to Yelp data. Almost 60% of all iPhone check-ins were within 0.1 mile of the actual location, whereas check-ins on a Wi-Fi-only iPod Touch were that accurate only 30% of the time. However, 79% of the iPod Touch check-ins were within a mile of the location. GigaOm
(8/17)
| Association News | | |
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Activist Geographies at the AAG Annual Meeting in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a particularly appropriate place for "Activist Geographies: Struggles for Social and Environmental Justice," an emerging theme of the AAG Annual Meeting, because L.A. is known as a place where social and activist movements have undertaken struggles around issues such as immigration, borders, transportation and environmental justice. The conference will be held April 9-13, 2013. Read the Call for Papers and submit an abstract by Oct. 24 to organize a session. Learn more.
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AAG Enhancing Diversity Award nominations are due Sept. 15
There is still time to nominate a geographer who has pioneered or actively participated in efforts toward encouraging a more diverse discipline over the course of several years. Nominees do not have to be AAG members. Nominations for the 2012 AAG Enhancing Diversity Award are due by Sept. 15, 2012. Learn more.
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