UTILIZATION OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM IN ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM


 Definition of geographic information system (GIS):

A geographic information system consists of integrated computer hardware and software that store, manage, analyze, edit, output and visualize geographic data. 

Environmental journalism is said to be a crucial field that focuses on reporting and investigating environmental issues, such as climate change, pollution and conservation.

Geographic information system tools have become an essential part of environmental journalism, enabling reporters to collect, analyze and visualize geospatial data to give compelling reports.

Take instance the following softwares.

ArcGIS:

ArcGIS is a geographic information system (GIS) software that enables users to capture, store, analyze, and display geographically referenced data. Developed by Esri, ArcGIS is a comprehensive platform that offers a wide range of tools and capabilities for mapping, spatial analysis, and data visualization.


Characteristics:

1. *Geographic Information System (GIS)*: ArcGIS is a GIS software that allows users to work with geospatial data.


2. *Mapping and Visualization*: ArcGIS provides tools for creating maps, visualizing data, and exploring spatial relationships.


3. *Spatial Analysis*: ArcGIS offers a range of spatial analysis tools for analyzing and modeling geospatial data.


4. *Data Management*: ArcGIS allows users to manage and integrate various types of data, including vector, raster, and tabular data.


Features:

1. *Map Viewer*: A web-based mapping application for creating and sharing maps.


2. *ArcMap*: A desktop application for mapping, analysis, and data visualization.


3. *ArcCatalog*: A desktop application for data management and organization.


4. *ArcToolbox*: A desktop application for spatial analysis and data processing.


5. *ModelBuilder*: A visual programming tool for automating workflows and tasks.


6. *Spatial Analyst*: An extension for advanced spatial analysis and modeling.


7. *3D Analyst*: An extension for 3D visualization and analysis.


8. *Network Analyst*: An extension for network analysis and routing.


9. *Data Interoperability*: Support for various data formats and standards.


10. *Programming Interfaces*: Support for programming languages like Python, Java, and C++.


ArcGIS offers a wide range of features and tools for working with geospatial data, making it a powerful platform for GIS professionals, researchers, and organizations.


QGIS:

QGIS (Quantum Geographic Information System) is a free and open-source geographic information system (GIS) software that allows users to capture, store, analyze, and display geographically referenced data. QGIS is a popular alternative to proprietary GIS software and offers a wide range of features and tools for mapping, spatial analysis, and data visualization.


Features:

1. _Map View_: A user-friendly interface for displaying and exploring maps.


2. _Layer Management_: Support for various data formats, including vector, raster, and tabular data.


3. _Data Analysis_: Tools for spatial analysis, including buffering, clipping, and spatial joins.


4. _Data Visualization_: Support for various symbology and labeling options.


5. _Map Composition_: Tools for creating and customizing map layouts.


6. _Printing and Exporting_: Options for printing and exporting maps in various formats.


7. _Extensive Plugin Library_: A wide range of plugins available for extending QGIS functionality.


8. _Python Console_: A built-in Python console for scripting and automation.


9. _Support for Various Data Formats_: Including Shapefile, GeoJSON, KML, and more.


10. _Cross-Platform Compatibility_: Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.


11. _Active Community_: A large and active community of users and developers.


12. _Regular Updates_: Regular updates and new features added to the software.


QGIS is a powerful and flexible GIS software that offers many features and tools for working with geospatial data, making it a popular choice among GIS professionals, researchers, and organizations.


There are many ways the geographic information systems could be used some of them include:

Mapping environmental issues: They allow journalists to create interactive maps that illustrate environmental issues such as deforestation, oil spills and toxic waste sites among others.

Data analysis: Journalist can use geographical information system tools to analyze large data sets related to environmental issues such as climate patterns, air quality or water pollution.

Investigative reporting: GIS tools enable journalists to investigate environmental issues by identifying patterns and trends in geo spatial data.

It can be noted that the use of GIS tools has led to reporters giving a more comprehensive report, Some critics still insist that although the intervention of geographical information system tools is innovative it cannot be actively compared to the traditional method of environmental journalism, even with issues like lack of interactivity and slow response to breaking news among others. 

Here are some advantages of GIS tools over traditional reporting in environmental journalism.

Visual story telling: GIS tools enable journalists to create interactive and dynamic maps, making complex environmental issues more engaging and easier to understand.

Data analysis: GIS tools allow for in depth analysis of large data sets, revealing patterns and trends that may not be apparent through traditional reporting.

Geospatial context: GIS tools provide a spatial context to environmental issues helping audiences to understand the location and scope of the problem.

Real time reporting: GIS tools enable real time reporting and ensures that journalists respond to breaking environmental news.

Collaboration: GIS tools facilitate collaboration among journalists, researchers and experts, promoting a more comprehensive understanding of environmental issues.

Accuracy: GIS tools reduce errors ensuring that the report is precise and accurate.When using GIS tools journalists interact with environmental data prompting a deeper understanding and engagement, it’s also cost effective and data driven which ensures that reports are focused on the story behind data and not just the facts,by leveraging GIS tools, environmental journalists can produce more engaging, accurate and informative reporting, ultimately raising awareness and driving action on critical environmental issues.

GIS tools have been extensively used in journalism to highlight issues like deforestation, urbanization, spatial analysis and climate changes, here are some examples;

Mapping urban growth and planning:GIS tools help journalists visualize urban growth patterns, highlighting areas of rapid expansion and development therefore enabling effective planning.

Spatial analysis:They help journalists map out disease outbreaks, identifying hotspots and also help journalist analyze crime patterns in areas of high crime density and underlying causes.

Visualizing climate data: GIS tools help journalists analyze climate data, highlighting temperature changes, sea level rise and extreme weather events, journalists can also use GIS to map areas vulnerable to climate change, identifying communities at risk and potential solutions.

Geographic information tools has proved its effectiveness in many ways, therefore becoming an important part of environmental journalism, this in turn has affected the way various organizations and governments around the world make their policies as the introduction of the GIS to journalists only made it possible for the masses to be made aware of environmental happenings. 

The GIS tools now affect the policy making of most countries as they now have a way of checking statistics and deciding the policies that would best fit the situation on ground.

They also provided public awareness as they showed weather patterns and aided the journalists and experts know what they were dealing with as in the case of the hurricane Katrina.There are many ways the GIS tools can still be effective in the world as the desire for better ways to present data has not been fully quenched, it can be said that environmental journalism as a profession is currently adapting to the ever changing society and the n

eed for journalists with digital skills is on the rise now than ever before.

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