GeoFact of the Day Blog | As the year 2013 comes to a close, the world of course has its environmental issues. Regardless, we have come a long way in reducing pollution, becoming more efficient, and using up less resources. For example, more and more paper comes from sustainable forests where wise forest management takes place. Also, we are starting to appreciate the important ecosystem services that wetlands provide for us; they help filter out pollutants, provide habitat for a variety of species, and allow for recreational opportunities where we can reconnect to nature.
Improved technology and positive attitudes in regards to preserving environments allows us to do a better job of protecting the Earth, but of course more work needs to be done. Thankfully, the values and applications of geography can help this cause. A big concern is drainage of wetlands; fortunately, cartographers can use data and make a map to show the areas with extensive wetlands loss or areas at risk of destruction by human development. Geography can help plot the ideal locations for national parks and reserves, protecting threatened areas. For example, countries in Africa are reserving more and more land for preservation of their environments. Take a look at an online map service, and you see that countries like Botswana are almost fully covered in the color green - the locations of parks and reserves. Wetlands preservation and the creation of new reserves are just two of the many environmental ways that geography and mapping can change our world!
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