Maps push the transition
More human, honest and green. More and more people want another economy, an economy serving the people again, and in balance with nature. We foster another social system, one where politicians have again a long term vision and where not all is weighted through profit. We aspire a society with less stress, where the “we” takes again a prominent place besides the “I”. But how to start with it?
This all asks for big actions. That’s true. But I do not agree with the idea that we cannot change anything ourselves, because others would take all decisions above our heads. That is especially true for us map geeks. Maps can play a role in supporting and pushing the big actions (top-down) and even more importantly map applications can catalyse the concrete realisations of many small changes (bottom-up).
Regarding the big actions (top-down) needed in the transition process towards another global system, I see mainly 4 roles maps can play. First of all, geographical research is a strong tool to highlight the problem and give exact proof of the phenomenon. This is a role that the geo world is already taking up excellently. Satellite maps showing the rapid melting of the arctic ice or remote sensing as a tool for monitoring the climate indicators are clear examples of that in the context of global warming.
Maps can concretise new ideas and possible solutions and paint a vivid picture of what could be.
Secondly, maps can support, indicate and validate possible solutions for the problem. Maps bring better knowledge and better understanding and this should hopefully bring better judgment and policy. Some authorities e.g. use detailed thermographic heath maps for a better city planning in order to reduce the effects of the increasing heath waves that hit especially highly populated areas. Probably the strongest asset of maps in this context is its strength as storyteller. People (including its leaders, like politicians, union leaders, etc.) are scared and paralyzed of what will come. Maps can concretise new ideas and possible solutions and paint a vivid picture of what could be. They have the power to simulate future scenarios and demonstrate that certain solution work long term. Bran Ferren even suggested the implementation of a 250 year plan for our planet, concretised through geo design. He urged to have a dialogue of how our planet should look like over this time span, geographically model the outcome and hence use this as a platform to check possible solutions.
Thirdly, maps can be used intensively when the legislation is finally implemented, or as part of the implementation itself or as a monitoring and follow-up tool to measure the effect of the implemented measures. A nice example is REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation), an international effort to create financial value for the carbon stored in forests and hence offering incentives for developing countries to reduce emissions from forested lands. Geographical monitoring is a viable tool for both the effective measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) of the deforestation and forest degradation at national level as for the evaluation of the effect of the overall initiative (Does it have effect and why (not)?). As we are talking about a complex problem, there is no easy answer to it. So probably, we will have to go through a trial and error process, in which geo information can help politicians to adjust and fine-tune the implemented measures.
To end, maps are and will remain important in the prevention, preparedness and effective response for the consequences of our late actions. Big initiatives like the International Charter “Space and Major Disasters” and UN SPIDER, will continue to provide valuable geo information for the increasing numbers of disasters like forest fires, floods and droughts. It is unlikely that we will be able to clean up the complete system in one big sweep. There is no easy, one-shot solution for the complex problem we are facing. In the contrary, we will have to handle the problem with the same complexity and through many small changes and solutions. But at the end, many small wins can make up big one! I detail two main roles map applications can play in this bottom-up process: first of all, as an eye opener and “tranquilizer” and secondly, by handing people tools to start small actions themselves.
Sandy Island could be found on all scientific maps and Google Earth. One problem: it seemed not to exist!
A while ago, I read a fascinating article in the newspaper about Sandy Island. This small island North East of Australia in the coral sea could be found on all scientific maps and Google Earth. One problem: it seemed not to exist! For more than 100 years, including a time where satellites can spot almost every detail on earth, everybody assumed it was there. We all took it for granted, nicely illustrating that at the end we still are in a way herd animals, using our automatic pilot when it comes down to our habits. This way we also assume too easy that our customs and the way our system functions are completely correct. We do not look critically at them anymore. But is the assumption that we need growth to get us out of this crisis really so evident? Is there no other way then taking each day our car in the midst of the traffic rush to go to our jobs? It is here that maps come in, as they can serve as an eye opener. They are ideal to set certain issues under attention and to give some basic insight on the topic. Thermographic heath mapping, indicating the quality of your roof insulation, is a nice example of that. For many people not aware of it, they spotlight the importance of energy savings in their house. Maps are a powerful means towards a paradigm shift, drawing another reference framework, another “map” of how we see the world. This potential as an “eye opener” is in line with what I mentioned already before relating the strength of maps as storytelling tool (point 2 of the big actions). People are naturally scared of changes and maps can “tranquilize the patient” by demonstrating them in detail that these solutions really work long term. This can result in enthusiasm for this new society. It is mainly this enthusiasm and passion we will need to reach even more people and to achieve a real bottom-up effect, which our leaders can no longer neglect.
An important asset of maps is that they can bring a positive and sexy flavour into the transition story.
The second major role I see for maps in this bottom-up approach is in their direct actions. Specific map initiatives are able to have bottom-up a tremendous impact. A concrete example here is the free and open-source Ushahidi platform. This platform allows anyone to gather distributed data via SMS, email or web and visualize it on a map or timeline. This Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) initiative is successfully used in crisis response, like the dramatic Haiti earthquake. Besides these map initiatives that have a direct impact, there is also a huge potential for handing non-geo-people tools to facilitate small actions by themselves. As such a catalyst of concrete realisations, I see here a big, mostly untouched, potential for map applications. All too often solutions are focused almost solely on technological changes (e.g. through new green technologies or increased efficiency), but these are clearly insufficient. We need also drastic sociological changes (e.g. the way we heath our houses, the way we transport ourselves and what we eat and buy). Map-based platforms to facilitate barter (e.g. exchange of our cars or vegetables we have in abundance in our garden) or a map based mobile app to exchange information relating kids friendly routes and spots in our city are just a few examples of that. An important asset of maps is that they can bring a positive and sexy flavour into the transition story. As maps fascinate and map applications are fun to use, they enter people’s transition thinking in a smooth and optimistic way. Effective change will only come when people understand what fascinating possibilities a sustainable future holds. It is not about a society of “cold showers” and “cars stopped in traffic jams or without fuel”, but a society in which our quality of life is improving!
Maps are a powerful means towards a paradigm shift, drawing another reference framework, another “map” of how we see the world.
The transition towards another global system is inevitable. Besides the big actions we will need, more and more people start to understand that their own decisions and actions also can have a positive impact on society. It does not matter whether this are small or large initiatives, the important thing is that they create all together a movement of change. As was detailed above, maps will play a considerable role in supporting and pushing both the big actions, as the bottom-up process by mobilizing the big crowd to get this transition train moving.
About Nicolas
Nicolas is a socially committed mapping expert and map enthusiast. He is convinced that map applications can play a positive role in this transitioning world. It is not by coincidence that the true opposite of “SPAM” is “MAPS”.
He is co-founder of nazka mapps. nazka is focused on maps that matter, adding value to society. Check for sure also aircheckr.
