Geographic information systems in the environmental movement

Abstract

Geographic Information Systems and related spatial technologies have become important tools for land management agencies to administer resources and protect the environment. Increasingly environmental and conservation non-profits use GIS in their own activities to better understand and advocate for their communities. Current applications range from inventories of spotted owl locations, thematic comparisons of toxic lead and poverty, and models of sustainable forest harvesting, to scenarios and solutions for urban sprawl. GIS, like many computing applications, holds great promise for environmental non-profits to maximize their traditionally limited resource base. Just as the word processor and desktop publishing have helped to publicize causes, and the Internet has provided an avenue for mass mobilizations, GIS could enable organizations to present a visually compelling image of an issue and quickly analyse data from disparate sources. Over time, GIS has become increasingly affordable spatial digital data seems ubiquitous. GIS could provide a critical implement to groups struggling to impact politics and empower environmentalist for social change.

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