The global spread of the novel coronavirus is an inherently geographical story. It has changed how we live, how we travel, how we navigate our communities, and its impacts will no doubt continue to be felt long after the pandemic is declared over. We at Canadian Geographic have been busier than ever telling stories about Canada in the time of COVID-19, from how physical distancing is impacting wildlife to how maps can help put the numbers in context. We’ve also come up with ways to take some of our programming online, including a series of virtual Can Geo Talks and a fun pub trivia-inspired game you can play along with at home. Read on for more about these stories and initiatives, or browse our entire collection of COVID-19 coverage. From air pollution to wildlife sightings: How COVID-19 is changing our world A reduction in air pollution and an increased wildlife presence in urban areas are just a few results of drastic distancing measures put into place since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Intended to slow the spread of the virus, these measures have ongoing effects which are not yet fully understood. Take a look at some of the ways the pandemic has already changed and could continue to change our world. Photo: Joshua Stevens/NASA Earth Observatory | Opinion: Nature didnât drop this bomb. We dropped it on nature. While plenty of pundits and public health experts have weighed in on how long it will take to develop a treatment and vaccine for COVID-19, and how to flatten the curve, fewer have paused to consider the true cause of this pandemic and what it will take to prevent another. In the last century, a combination of massive population growth, erosion of ecosystems and crashing biodiversity have culminated in rising opportunities for pathogens to pass from animals to people.⯠Photo: Peter Power/Can Geo | Mapping COVID-19: How maps make us feel Maps are rarely a story in and of themselves. They’re usually found tucked within a narrative to help qualify the story’s scope, scale and extent. To map the data on COVID-19 well, cartographers have to strike a balance that tells the story in visual proportion to its reality. In this fascinating blog, Can Geo cartographer Chris Brackley looks at how artistic choices subtly inform our emotional reactions to maps. Read more on COVID mapping from Chris here and here. Map: The New York Times | Photos: Portraits of the North in isolation Northern Isolation is a portrait project by Yellowknife-based photographer Pat Kane that began in March 2020 as the spread of COVID-19 forced governments in northern Canada to close territorial borders to southern provinces and to international travellers, and as physical distancing and self-isolation orders were put in place. Writes Kane, “My intention with the project is to capture a little piece of history, and to shed a light on the unique issues facing people in northern Canada. Yellowknife is in a remote and rugged part of Canada, but it is also one of the tightest knit communities I’ve ever lived in. For Yellowknifers, the idea of self-isolation is completely strange, even though to the rest of the country, we seem isolated because of where we live.” Photo: Pat Kane | Tell us your pandemic story Canadian Geographic is compiling the stories of Canadians living through the COVID-19 pandemic. Tell us yours. Were you isolated after international travel? Have you been sick or did you have to undergo testing? Are you working from home in a not-so-normal environment? Has your neighbourhood done something to bring the street together even while maintaining physical distancing? How is your family managing to stay connected during these uncertain times? Whatever your story is, we want to know what you're going through. Even if it seems like no big deal, share with us. | Photo competition: What does home mean to you? Community relocations are part of the story of what has and continues to shape Canada as a country. As part of our educational project on relocations in Canada, we want to know: what does home mean to you? We’re looking for photographs that capture your personal concept of home, be it the house you grew up in, a place you visit when you need to rest and recharge, a landmark that makes your community unique, or a person who represents comfort, hope and identity. In this uncertain time of social and physical distancing amid a global pandemic, home has become even more important. It’s not just where we spend most of our time; it’s where we find safety, balance, creativity and, hopefully, joy. Submit an image and tell us the story behind it for a chance to win one of three cash prizes, including the grand prize of $1,000. Photo: Carlos Marrero Reiley/Can Geo Photo Club | Introducing Canadian Geographic Trivia! Safe at home but looking for something fun to do with others? Can Geo to the rescue! We're taking our beloved Canadian Geography Quiz stories and special issues and years of geography knowledge online with a LIVE and FREE online game. Hosted by social media editor Angelica Haggert, tune in May 5 at 7 p.m. with the whole family from the living room or gather in a video chat with your pub trivia team. | Join the conversation At Canadian Geographic, your satisfaction is our primary concern. Should you ever have any issues with your subscription, simply call us toll-free at 1-800-267-0824 or write to [email protected]. Our friendly customer service team is available to answer any questions you may have. |
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