The Potential for GIS to Save Humanity from Global Warming

TITLE:

“Reflections and speculations on the progress in Geographic Information Systems (GIS): a geographic perspective” by Guonian Lü, Michael Batty, Josef Strobl, Hui Lin, A-Xing Zhu & Min Chen (2019)

SUMMARY:

In this study, Lu et al. provide a review of current geographic information systems and how these are typically used by practitioners in various scientific disciplines. The authors also provide a discussion concerning the numerous innovative uses that have been developed in recent years for geographic information systems that can store, retrieve and analyze geographic data efficiently and display this data in graphic form in order to facilitate the rapid identification of the relationships between spatial geographic points. An interesting point made by the authors concerns the fact that as additional applications for geographic information systems are identified, a number of corresponding challenges emerge that require resolution in order to take advantage of these powerful applications. Although there are multiple challenges involved, Lu et al. cite the modeling of geographic environments and the enhancement of geographic details in graphic depictions as being among the most significant.

In response to these challenges, a number of different technical and theoretical concepts have been introduced into geographic information system frameworks such as geographic process analysis, geographic scenario modeling and geographic information induction. In addition, the authors also recommend new strategies for using big geographic data types of analyses in order to exploit the potential benefits of using video and virtual graphic scenarios. The additional innovations are also needed in order to analyze increasingly large sets of geographic data to develop a better understanding of these complex scenarios.

Likewise, another interesting point made by the authors is the potential value of geographic information systems for societal perspectives that highlight the importance of information in understanding the manner in which humans use their environment. This type of enhanced use of geographic information systems stands to contribute to a wide array of environmental sustainability initiatives that are critically needed at present. In fact, researchers are already investigating how the data obtained from various social media platforms can be applied for this purpose. In sum, the extent to which researchers are able to develop a better understanding of how humans organize and live together is likely the extent to which existential threats such as climate change can be addressed effectively.

Here again, though, the authors emphasize that there are also some corresponding challenges that are involved in applying new analytical strategies for geographic information systems including most especially its ability to accurately capture and interpret the quality and essence of specific environments that humans already use and those they may potentially use in the future. These are especially important issues given the documented rises in sea levels around the world due to global warming, and identifying optimal locations for human habitation has assumed new importance and relevance in recent years.