The People Who Draw Rocks
Climate change has prompted an exclusive group of cartographers at the Federal Office of Topography in Switzerland to illustrate the Swiss Alps, the centerpiece of the country’s map. In recent years, the work has included more editing and deletion as climate change has caused glaciers in those mountains to recede.
What do you know about how climate change affects glaciers?
Even if you think you don’t know much, make several guesses about the connection between the two.
Now watch the four-minute video from National Geographic below. As you watch, consider the following questions:
What are glaciers? What resources do glaciers provide?
What is the connection between melting glaciers and climate change?
Then read this article from the New York Times, and answer the following questions:
1. What are the responsibilities of the “felsiers” — the experts in shaded relief?
2. Why do changes related to climate change need to be done by hand?
3. The article says, “At Swisstopo, it’s considered an honor to contribute to the mountains.”
What details support the idea that this work is an honour?
4. What are the characteristics necessary to be a cartographer? What is your reaction to the rhythm and responsibilities of the job? Would you be interested in that kind of work?
5. What makes Swiss relief shading so special?
6. What does it take to draw a mountain? When can the cartographers use their imagination or take creative liberties?
7. How do the felsiers each approach edits related to climate change? How would you feel doing that work?
Going Further
In the article, you saw one way climate change is affecting the Swiss Alps and how maps can help communicate that change to the public.
How might climate change affect where you live? And how can a map help you understand the changes? Watch this seven-minute video about an interactive map created by researchers at the University of Maryland showing how global warming might affect the temperature and climate in different cities in North America.
Then, explore the map to see how scientists predict climate change will affect the weather where you live in 60 years. Tell us:
What do you notice about the map?
How do you feel about the climate future of your region? Concerned? Hopeful? Why?
How can maps, like this one and those you read about in the article, uniquely communicate the threat of climate change and the consequences we face from it?
Do these maps motivate you to make efforts to reduce your carbon footprint or fight climate change on a larger scale? Why or why not? What is one thing you could do in your home, school or community?
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