geo.data.gov Safer From Above By Dr. Chris Lavers The world faces an unparalleled number of natural and, sadly, man-made humanitarian disasters. In 2004, for example, these disasters claimed tens of thousands of lives worldwide, the majority in the developing world. Current technology cannot prevent natural disasters, but space-based imagery can offer remote surveillance of man-made preventable disaster areas, critical for vulnerable groups at risk of human rights abuse. Since 2007, we have looked at how imaging may effectively support non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Climate change is also likely to increase the frequency of regional ethnic or resource-driven conflict. Porta Farm, Zimbabwe Wiped Out In 2006, an imagery research grant from the GeoEye Foundation provided incontrovertible proof of alleged human rights violations in Zimbabwe, where the government destroyed an entire community in Porta Farm. The Zimbabwe government began Operation Murambatsvina (Restore Order) in May 2005. Dr.
About More people than ever are making maps with a growing diversity of tools. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software is being used by a broad array of industries and users. Hundreds of web mapping sites exist, and tools for the relatively easy creation of map mashups (such as the Google Maps API) allow people to map their own data collected with GPS and by other means. Map making tools are proliferating and easily accessible: but how do you learn to make decent maps if you are not a professionally trained cartographer? The book Making Maps 2nd edition by John Krygier and Denis Wood (published by Guilford Press) was written for the Do It Yorself (DIY) cartographer – the student, the new GIS user, the internet user – anyone who wants to make maps that work and look great. This blog highlights resources that supplement the Making Maps book and help you to make better maps. John Krygier is Professor of Geography at Ohio Wesleyan University. Denis Wood‘s bio can be found here.