Essay On Geographic Literacy

1). Geographic literacy to me means being able to properly identify major countries around the world, and understand conflicts present across the Earth and the different viewpoints of different people. Along with what I previously mentioned, I think geographic literacy also includes understanding the Earth and the effects humans are having on it, and realizing that things are changing constantly. I believe the difference between geographic literacy and illiteracy is whether or not a person lives in ignorance to their world around them. If someone only chooses to focus on things happening directly in their life and in their home area, but ignores the world, or even just their countries, issues, then they’re choosing to live in ignorance and thus are suffering from geographic illiteracy. People who pay attention to events going on in the world, who don’t just listen to the news but rather research themselves and get involved in understanding what is going on are more likely to be geographically literate. They’ll be able to explain to someone what is going on with more detail, and will have a better understanding themself because they’ll have looked past just the surface of the bare minimum of what is going on, and will instead be able to show someone where something is happening, what exactly is happening, and even possibly why. 2). I think geographic illiteracy and the lack of earth science education is definitely a big reason for why many Americans don’t understand or acknowledge climate change. It’s hard to understand a problem and admit it exists if someone is never taught about the problem. I think many people go their whole lives without truly being educated on climate change, they’re only ever told that it may or may not exist, but they aren’t given the full picture on why and how it’s happening. I believe many Americans aren’t given the knowledge they need when they’re in school to be prepared to face a topic like climate change, especially when the problem doesn’t only affect America and instead affects all humans and the …show more content…
After reading the information provided for this journal, I think geographic literacy is very important. People should know where major countries are on a map, where major bodies of water are that cover a large portion of the Earth. Especially in times of crisis or when war is looming over our head, people should be able to locate quickly on a map where these countries are that are a threat. We as humans, and especially from such a large and powerful country like America, should be aware of all things going on in the world. We should be able to find things on a map, and it’s quite embarrassing to know that there are so many people who can’t even locate their own home country. It’s no good to live in ignorance and only focus on ourselves, especially when, like I said before, sometimes war is a big and current threat. I think geographic literacy is relevant to my life because I should be working harder to achieve geographic literacy. I know I too am pretty bad at pointing out things on a map, and I shouldn’t be. I should know where important countries are that are directly involved with America, and I should be more knowledgeable on events in the world in general. I hope that through this class I can learn more, and hopefully fix my problem of geographic illiteracy, so I too can pass on important knowledge to people in my