Around the world, people of all backgrounds are stepping up their 'habit change' to reduce the speed of climate change. What does this mean to Green Map System and our global network?
Last week Green Map System participated in Climate Week NYC as the United Nations convened on this critical issue in our hometown, New York City. As part of the exhibit "How Climate Risks Might Change the Map of New York" we were able to share our energy-themed Powerful Green Map of New York City with many other New Yorkers (read more about the exhibit in the New York Times http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/22/climate-change-is-on-the-map-and-in-the-spotlight/).
We're also preparing to take part in COP 15 climate events in Copenhagen in December along with local Green Mapmakers as our work helps so many communities and individuals change habits and save energy, reducing pollution and greenhouse gases. Merging awareness, education and local resources, each Green Map leverages human power, a most valuable form of renewable energy!
Green Map System is reaching and motivating more cities and regions than ever – today, there are 600 locally-led Green Map projects in 55 countries. The interactive Open Green Map is also growing daily, with 6,000 sites charted since its launch on June 5, 2009. A great example of a climate-themed Green Map is the Swedish city of Malmo's Climate Open Green Map (OpenGreenMap.org/node/6303) featuring green buildings and advanced energy generation. Explore all the Open Green Maps for a plethora of green sites you can compare, share and learn from today! Enhance each map with your own site suggestions, viewpoints, images and impact assessments.
At GreenMap.org/csr, find out how Company Green Map projects have helped increase efficiencies, improve workplace practices and strengthened community relationships. Green Map System also takes action to reduce climate change from our wind-powered office and by working on our carbon-neutral server. We also have a worm bin composter, recycling bins, water filter, and are careful about our use of energy, materials, and resources. Most of us bike to work or walk to work, some commuting up to 10 miles!
By getting involved and supporting Green Maps now you will help reduce climate impacts and promote greener healthier communities worldwide.
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We had an amazing launch - 13 events in 10 countries on World Environment Day! Download our illustrated report and then explore the first 55 Open Green Maps and 4700 sites!
Now we are developing the mobile applications, sharing, youth and low cost resources to go with it. See the first of these on the website under Share and Promote!
This is a great time to get involved with Green Map System!
Each day brings new partnerships and progress to Green Map System!
Our social mapping platform-in-progress was most recently presented at at the Ashoka Changemakers - We Media Pitch It event at the end of February, where it was honored as a finalist. It's gained great press as you can see by clicking Testimonials on the home page. You'll also see that there are now more than 40 interactive Open Green Maps from a dozen countries, ready for the public to add their own insights, images and impacts! All users are invited to explore the maps, compare the sites, engage with them in person, then help assess and expand their profile online. Click In Progress on the upper menu to see a short video and upcoming plans.
This website is also drawing new leadership to become Green Mapmakers, too. We recently experienced a record-breaking day with the most new projects in a 24 hour period – 5 joined from three countries! Each can immediately access all our tools and adapt them to suit local needs and issues.
Our new youth modules are being downloaded more frequently too - check them out at GreenMap.org/youth and get the students you know involved, too! These Energy & Environment Exploration modules were piloted in NYC, where our office is based. For a video, click http://GreenAppleMap.org/page/modules Want to hear more from the Green Map global network? Add your email address to the Newsletter box on our homepage and 6-7 times a year, you'll get the inside story on Green Map System's effectiveness in communicating sustainability across the USA and in 53 countries.
Click Contact on the bottom menu of GreenMap.org and OpenGreenMap.org to send us your thoughts and advice - we'd love to hear from you!
It's been a tremendous season of activity, thanks to your support! We are making great strides and continuously discovering the limitless potential of the Open Green Map (OGM). Please preview our work in progress at OpenGreenMap.org, and explore the first 2000 sites and 30+ maps that have already been posted. There's lots more features to come before we celebrate the public launch in Spring 2009.
In the summer, we opened OGM to all Green Mapmakers around the world, so their maps could set a high standard for the thousands and thousands of sites we expect to follow. Already OGM is showcasing a vast array of sites, paths and resources charted by our network worldwide, soon to be enhanced by a great diversity of insights, images and impacts that have been added by the public. New features will be added throughout 2009 as OGM further expands its user base and magnifies its impact. Using widgets, each map will be accessible from many different websites and blogs. Users will be able to filter their view and discuss, share images and personal impacts related to each green site. In the coming months, OGM will support mobile phones access and data sharing, connecting with calendars, newsfeeds and potentially even offline exhibits or textbooks. OGM has already been a Finalist in the NetSquared Challenge and in Tele Atlas' Maps in Apps competition, appeared in numerous articles and blogs, and presented in several countries and conferences.
Demand for this remarkable new tool is constantly increasing - and at the same time, OGM is building the demand for our traditional mapmaking resources. Our network is expanding faster than ever! In October 2008, we reached the 500 project milestone, and we welcomed new project leaders from our 54th country!
In preparation for the significantly expanded audience generated by OGM, in May 2007, we re-launched GreenMap.org as a multilingual presentation-collaboration-tool center. This past spring, we completed an expansion of our award-winning global iconography, so OGM’s symbol set reflects our updated understandings of social justice, economic integrity and environmental vitality. This past summer, our in-house OGM team of staff and interns at Green Map System expanded to 12, and our network of OGM advisors and supporters grows weekly. Our motto is “Never underestimate the power of a small donation.” Your small ($10 and up) contributions helped OGM rank in the Top Ten of America’s Giving Challenge – thank you Global Givers! We are very happy to receive your assistance through this website. Or contact us directly if you wish to hep us in other ways.
Thank you again for your continued assistance and encouragement. We hope you are as excited as we are to realize the brighter future of communities worldwide, thanks to the Open Green Map, our suite of adaptable resources, and the spirit of Green Mapmakers everywhere!
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