Stuff YOU Should Know
Polar Vortex Explained
Credit: Sodapix AG, Switzerland/Glow Images; the winter temperatures dropped dramatically this month due to the polar vortex.
If you live in the northeastern quarter of the United States, then you probably spent the first of the year hunkered down waiting for the weather to change. The abnormally low temperatures are being blamed on a phenomenon known as the polar vortex. While it may sound like the name of a sports drink, it is a large area of low pressure (think arctic cyclone) that typically sits and spins over central Canada. The area temporarily dislodged itself and moved south over the mid-section of the country.
So why did the polar vortex move south? Experts cannot say for certain. Some believe that warmer air built up over areas like Greenland or Alaska forced the colder air southward. Others are saying it is a more complicated combination of weather conditions; an “unpredictable weather phenomenon.” There are short-term and long-term consequences of the polar vortex. Short-term problems included the formation of ice dams on rivers, closing major roads and creating a risk of major flooding. Other concerns were economic, with businesses losing income from closures. Long-term effects are the continued concern of global warming. Warmer water at the poles heats the air, which slows the jet stream, causing it to enlarge and act in unpredictable ways. As we’ve seen in previous years, this is causing more frequent and extreme weather.
Dig Deeper How were you personally affected by the polar vortex? Do you think it is likely to return this winter? Why or why not?
Disappointing Jobs Report
Economists were both surprised and disappointed by the latest Jobs Reports issued by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. December 2013 turned out to be the weakest month for job growth since January of 2011. Only 74,000 new jobs were created, down from 241,000 the month before. Weather was partly to blame, as the cold caused the construction field to lose 16,000 and the transportation and warehousing to lose 6000. But Healthcare, an industry that had seen some growth, also lost 6000 jobs. The majority of the jobs added were, not surprisingly because of the holiday season, low-paying retail jobs.
While unemployment is down to 6.7% (its lowest level since October 2008), analysts say it is for the wrong reasons, that those who have been out of the job market for so long have simply given up on looking for a job. Some believe the disappointing job numbers are just a fluke and that 2013 overall saw growth of 1.7%, expected to rise to 3% in 2014. Another positive sign that things may not be as bad as the Jobs Report suggests is that the Federal Reserve (the central bank of the United States) plans to reduce its monthly stimulus injection.
What Do You Think? In his last press conference of the years, President Obama said that 2014 would be a “breakthrough year” for the economy. Do you believe him? Why or why not? Cite two sources who support your opinion.
Soccer Team Gets Nerdfighter Help
A few weeks ago, btw reported a story on the good work of the VlogBrothers and their mighty community of Nerdfighters. Now, John Green continues his quest for awesomeness by announcing a unique sponsorship deal with an underdog English football club (or soccer team to us Americans), AFC Wimbledon. Green will donate ad revenue from his online gaming YouTube channel Hankgames to the financially fledgling team. In addition, the Nerdfighters will be featured on billboards in the Wimbledon stadium and have ads in their programs. His love of the team, Green believes the team mirrors the values of the Nerdfighters, the VlogBrothers’ massive fan base.
AFC Wimbledon was created in 2002 after the previous team (called Wimbledon Football Club) relocated to Milton Keynes and changed their nickname to the Dons. This upset fans, who responded by forming a new club (called a “phoenix club” after the mythological bird) and retaining 75% of the ownership. Teams in the English football league system are divided into several tiers based on performance. AFC Wimbledon (nicknamed the Wombles) has moved from the ninth to the fourth-tier (also called League 2).
Dig Deeper Research some coverage of the current team. Do you think they currently have what it takes to move up in the league? Why or why not?
Winter Olympics Preview
In less than a month, the Winter Olympics will burst forth for eighteen days of competition. Knowing what to expect and how to navigate the schedule can help maximize your enjoyment. Here is a good start. First of all, there are the ceremonies. Fanfare is a staple of any Olympics and Sochi will be no different. The Torch Relay has already been long underway. On September 29th, the Olympic Flame was lit (using only the sun’s rays) in Olympia, Greece, the site of the very first Games. Since then, more than Fourteen thousand people will run with the lit torch for more than 34,000 miles. You can track its journey at http://torchrelay.sochi2014.com/en. Then there is the grand spectacle of the Opening Ceremony, with the exuberant parade of 3000 athletes from every participating country.
To get fans fired up for the games, the United States Olympic Committee kicked off a 100 Day Countdown event in New York City’s Times Square. It featured athlete demonstrations in snowboarding, figure skating, hockey, speedskating and curling. Among the top US gold medal contenders are the Women’s Hockey team, snowboarder Shaun White, and alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin. After a number of setbacks (including reconstructive knee surgery), it was announced that gold medalist and skiing star Lindsey Vonn will not be competing at all this year.