How can GIS Mapping transform how we use data?
31 July 2024
Geographic information systems (GIS) provide a more visual way of understanding data. But how can GIS maps help to bring about sustainable outcomes? Resource Futures’ Consultant Brendan Cooper shares his thoughts…
By combining multiple layers of information on maps, Geographic information systems (GIS) enable us to display, analyse and interpret data in ways that traditional tables and charts are unable to match.
Visualising data geographically can uncover hidden patterns and relationships that might be overlooked through more conventional data analysis. This deeper understanding allows businesses and organisations to identify trends more effectively and both anticipate and respond to changes: a key ability in the fast-moving world of sustainability.
As a communication tool, GIS allows anyone, regardless of their level of expertise in the subject matter, to interpret and understand data sets. The use of GIS visualisations can drive home the widespread impact of an issue, or highlight the extent of a new trend, in a simple yet visceral way.
GIS can be used in many contexts to tell a story visually: from static assets in presentations and reports, to video content and even interactive websites. GIS brings data to life in an accessible, engaging and easily understood way: it can be useful in demonstrating the need for a geographically specific policy intervention, or to pinpoint new strategic opportunities.
A GIS map doesn’t need to rely on static data, either. Once the baseline visualisation is created, additional data can be added and updated as and when new information becomes available, ensuring that the GIS map can remain a relevant decision-making tool over time.
Although complex to put together, the end product can drastically increase engagement with complicated information and data sets in ways that otherwise might not be possible.
With data increasingly underpinning our everyday lives, a growing number of organisations are seeing the benefits of using GIS, and it is quickly becoming a fundamental element of sustainability data analysis.
Explainer: What is GIS?
GIS stands for Geographical Information Systems. In its most basic form, an Ordnance Survey paper map is a GIS system, as it allows the user to look at a geographical area and identify locations features such as lakes, pubs and viewpoints. Now imagine you want to find out how many people visit the lake each year or how many beers are served in each pub: this is where GIS software comes in.
GIS software allows the user to combine quantitative and qualitative data with geolocation information. Google Maps is an example of GIS software used by many people daily, combining a map interface with data such as opening times, and reviews. It allows the user to navigate themselves – whether by foot, bicycle or another means of transport – to any point on the globe, and quickly understand useful information about the places they intend to visit.
At Resource Futures we create GIS maps using industry-leading tools (both ArcGIS and the open-source QGIS) to provide visual representations of data in reports for both public and private sector clients.
This proved particularly useful in a recent project where we needed to highlight waste generation (weight/volume/type) by region, as well as the destinations of different waste streams. With full professional access to ArcGIS Pro, we were able to layer this wealth of data onto a map, allowing the client to instantly get a sense of the region’s overall waste management system and to understand key challenges such as the distances travelled. It would have taken many charts and tables to tell the same story as a handful of clean, visually appealing maps.
Displaying vast global data sets in a report can be a challenge due to the sheer quantity of information involved – this is another area where GIS can make a real difference to the accessibility of the information. A recent study we conducted for international NGO Tearfund identified global regions at greater risk of flooding due to plastic waste.
We combined data on flood risk and on the extent of mismanaged plastic waste, to produce a single worldview heat map that could identify areas that are particularly vulnerable to plastic-aggravated flooding. Having clear, impactful visuals was essential in this case, as the client used these findings to inform debate over the forthcoming global plastic pollution treaty.
GIS is used across a wide range of our projects, and we are constantly discovering new and interesting ways to use this software to help our clients to understand, communicate and, ultimately, solve sustainability challenges.
