“One of the greatest technology contributions to our conservation efforts has been from the use of geographic information systems through our partnership with Esri. JANE GOODALL The Jane Goodall Institute Chapter 01: What Is the Geographic Approach? 13 THE GEOGRAPHIC APPROACH REVEALED The geographic approach integrates and supports seven uniquely spatial methodologies. These methods are underpinned by the framework of the world’s collective geographic data, created and shared by the geospatial community. The seven core geomethods are described in chapters 2 through 8: · Geodata is the aggregated representation of the physical world, a series of digital information layers that allows us to model reality and forecast the future. · Geovisualization portrays the content and context of information through the language of maps, their descriptive attributes, and interactive visualization techniques. · Geocommunication brings maps and narratives together for the purpose of storytelling and dissemination. · Geoanalysis takes disparate geographic feature layers and integrates them using spatial and statistical modeling tools to derive new information and insights. · Geocollaboration engages communities, bringing them together through web-accessible and shared geocentric platforms. · Geoaccounting keeps records, accounting for all factors—social, environmental, and economic—setting up balanced measures for visualization and reporting. · Geodesign generates design proposals for future scenarios that predict results from geographic simulations. This is the basis for the geographic approach. Despite all we know and all our technological advances, humanity has continued down an unsustainable path. The geographic approach is not a silver bullet or magic wand, but it gives us a chance to work collectively to integrate data from countless unique perspectives and move beyond hope to action. Based on data sharing and collaboration, this multidisciplinary approach supports the idea that we are collectively responsible for our planet. If we think of the world as an evolving garden, we must take steps to nurture it. In a global context, that means we must address the great sustainability challenges of our time. Because the geographic approach sees the world as a single system, we can view environmental, economic, social infrastructure, industrial, and other factors as spatially referenced layers. As such, the lens of geography illuminates patterns and reveals relationships as these layers are brought together. Similarly, the integration of maps, spatial visualization, and spatial modeling derives knowledge from this approach. The methodologies that bring the geographic approach to life are presented separately in the illustration, but in practice they more often overlap and interact. Geoscience, the study of Earth and its processes, underpins these methods, which help users grasp how seemingly disparate disciplines and factors connect in a universal framework. The geographic approach also encapsulates the fundamental need for people to push beyond their core disciplines to become leaders who make a difference in their work and beyond. Environment Social Health & Welfare Demographics Population Education Equity & Equality In Oceans Climate Water Biodiversity Ecosyste The concept of layered information organized by location is central to the geographic approach. FACING PAGE These eight images correspond to the chapters presented in this book. 1 3 5 7 2 4 6 8
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