UNITED STATES A growing stash of more than six tons of ivory from slaughtered elephants, heaped in a warehouse north of Denver, is about to be destroyed as part of a new U.S. push to combat illegal wildlife trafficking worldwide. (Denver Post) It will be a symbolic act. But symbolism matters. (National Geographic News: Opinion) Use our resources to better understand the ivory trade. Learn … Continue reading Does U.S. Ivory Crush Go Far Enough?
GEOGRAPHY A map making the rounds shows where your state’s name comes from. What are the odds that pilgrims from Plymouth, England, would land in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620?! Eh, pretty good. (Wikipedia, via the Washington Post Know More blog) Use our resources to better understand toponymy—the study of place names. Discussion Ideas Read through our terrific activity “Diversity in New York Place Names,” then … Continue reading Even Old New York Was Once New Amsterdam
POLITICS In November 1938, Nazis committed the worst pogrom Germany had seen since the Middle Ages—Kristallnacht. To mark the incident’s 75th anniversary, an exhibition in Berlin gathers previously unknown reports by foreign diplomats, revealing how the shocking events prompted little more than hollow condemnation. (Spiegel) Use our resources to better understand diplomacy and the diplomatic process. Holocaust survivors remember Kristallnacht in this series of short … Continue reading How the World Shrugged Off Kristallnacht
TECHNOLOGY When disaster strikes, chaos can ensue—especially on social media, where thousands of Tweets, Facebook posts, and Instagrams can overwhelm human capacity to get a clear picture of who needs what. “Crisis mapper” Patrick Meier is harnessing the information-gathering power of social media to improve the speed and effectiveness of typhoon-relief efforts in the Philippines. (National Geographic News) Use our resources to learn more about … Continue reading Crisis Mapping the Philippines
ENVIRONMENT Some of the world’s top climate scientists say wind and solar energy won’t be enough to combat global warming, and they’re asking environmentalists to support the development of nuclear power as one way to cut fossil-fuel pollution. (Associated Press) You Have the Power! Play our fantastic new game to balance your town’s energy portfolio. Will you incorporate nuclear power to safely, efficiently, and economically … Continue reading Can Nuclear Power Slow Global Warming?
