Changing for the Better the World with the help of GIS Technologies and Google Earth

Getting inspired by a later post of Google Earth Blog and the corresponding video (click on the image below), I've approached the importance of establishing a web platform / web-based bank of successful geospatial examples (best practices) on exploiting Geospatial Technologies towards Changing for the Better the World (GeoTCBW). Therefore, a new page will be created in GISBIOENVINET towards that goal, expecting the contribution from all of you by sending to my email (abmavridis@gmail.com) any new, or old successful example (best practice) that you know on exploiting Geospatial Technologies Towards Changing for the Better the World, and I will upload it on the page by adding your name. Please don't forget to have as title of the email the acronym GeoTCBW.

Maybe, this kind of collection could be inspirational for current and future, restless spirits of geospatial,  innovational advancements for earth's benefits. Even more, such accumulation of Geospatial Excellence could be supportive and helpful to national and international organizations to overcome burdens of current unsuccessful efforts, so as to provide a future of opportunities and successful accomplishments for Earth.

Dr. Avraam Mavridis

UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARKS, a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development

UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development. Their bottom-up approach of combining conservation with sustainable development while involving local communities is becoming increasingly popular. At present, there are 120 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 33 countries. Information sheets on the UNESCO Global Geoparks by country are available, with detailed information on each site.

UNESCO’s work with geoparks began in 2001. In 2004, 17 European and 8 Chinese geoparks came together at UNESCO headquarters in Paris to form the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) where national geological heritage initiatives contribute to and benefit from their membership of a global network of exchange and cooperation.

On 17 November 2015, the 195 Member States of UNESCO ratified the creation of a new label, the UNESCO Global Geoparks, during the 38th General Conference of the Organisation. This expresses governmental recognition of the importance of managing outstanding geological sites and landscapes in a holistic manner.

The Organization supports Member States’ efforts to establish UNESCO Global Geoparks all around the world, in close collaboration with the Global Geoparks Network.

UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARKS, a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development

UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development. Their bottom-up approach of combining conservation with sustainable development while involving local communities is becoming increasingly popular. At present, there are 120 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 33 countries. Information sheets on the UNESCO Global Geoparks by country are available, with detailed information on each site.

UNESCO’s work with geoparks began in 2001. In 2004, 17 European and 8 Chinese geoparks came together at UNESCO headquarters in Paris to form the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) where national geological heritage initiatives contribute to and benefit from their membership of a global network of exchange and cooperation.

On 17 November 2015, the 195 Member States of UNESCO ratified the creation of a new label, the UNESCO Global Geoparks, during the 38th General Conference of the Organisation. This expresses governmental recognition of the importance of managing outstanding geological sites and landscapes in a holistic manner.

The Organization supports Member States’ efforts to establish UNESCO Global Geoparks all around the world, in close collaboration with the Global Geoparks Network.