Geography in the 21st Century: Defining Moments that Shaped Society

Gr 10 Up–From the Palestinian Intifada (2000–2005) to the 2022 floods in Pakistan, 40 major international events of the 21st century are presented from the perspective of learned geographers. Topics include global conflicts, terrorism, natural disasters, and elections. Most western readers will be familiar with the 9/11 attacks, Hurricane Katrina, the recession of 2007–2009, and Brexit; however, they may be barely aware of the war in Yemen or the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and the Nile River. Some entries will build upon previous knowledge, while others will serve to introduce readers to problems and challenges facing people beyond their borders. Each entry provides background to the event and its social, political, economic, and environmental aspects. Recurring culprits include United States foreign policy, climate change, and marginalization of various populations. The authors skillfully explore every topic while employing a wide variety of resources, including newspapers, periodicals, scholarly journals, and statistical reports. Their respective takes on the issues are readily apparent to readers. Students should also be aware that with the earlier events, the authors benefit from the clear lens of hindsight, i.e., decisions made that were deemed proper at the time and later viewed as improper, erroneous, or insufficient. Some entries will come across as dated—the chapter on Pope Francis is related in present tense; concerning British policy post-Brexit, “the right-wing agenda has been carried forward by Liz Truss,” when Truss served for only 44 days. While some readers will agree with the points of view expressed, others will not. Either way, most will find that the authors succinctly present their topics in readable narratives, providing food for thought.