An Overview Of Our Solution
A community mapping movement focused on sustainability, Green Maps spark local action, love of place & smarter, impact-reducing choices in 65 countries. Co-designed Green Map Icons highlight ecological, cultural, economic & social resources on 1000 locally-made print, digital, interactive and large scale Green Maps. Green Mapmakers build capacity, local knowledge and personal connection to support NGO, grassroots and municipal climate goals.
Our solutions are adaptable and supported by mapmaking and engagement resources that include a mapping platform, multimedia, guide books, and archive. Climate impacts have spurred Green Map to “go open” to inspire new collaborative actions and partnerships. In 2017 our icons were matched to the UN SDGs & our founding director became a TED Resident. We are ready to synergize with a fresh new website (fall 2018). Join us!
- Population Impacted: Uses of our icons and resulting maps in millions
- Continent: North America
Last name
Organization type
Context Analysis
When the first Green Map was created in NYC in 1992, sustainability was largely invisible. That map revealed a surprisingly green city and galvanized public action. Soon, many grasped how mapping made climate-impacting projects and places accessible at the local level, connected counterparts across communities and introduced citizens to green living options. We co-developed 170 icons (which act as an inventory tool and visual linkage between sites) and equitably released them as a free font in 1996. By 2000, our non-profit network contained 100 locally-led projects on all continents, representing an award-winning, impactful, low-cost way of communicating sustainability.
For many of the pioneering groups and agencies involved, Green Map was their first internet/mapping/communications project. Many have continued, creating maps of varying themes and formats to activate different audiences, integrating Green Mapmaking into local organizing, planning, and sustainability initiatives.
Describe the technical solution you wanted the target audience to adopt
Mapping as a technical solution and engagement vehicle has greatly evolved over our 23 year history. Formerly only carto-/geographers could make maps, but we helped shift that narrative so other stakeholders can share local values and viewpoints on powerful & universal Green Maps. As each Green Mapmaker assesses local resources, devising workshops and inclusion practices that enhance local participation in sustainable community development, they also contribute lessons learned to our toolkit. Promoting maps, practices and lessons is part of our solutionary framework.
In 2009 we launched Open Green Map, our ‘social mapping’ platform open to public input; we later added a 13-language Site Collector webapp (http://GreenMap.org/mobile). Today OGM hosts 475 interactive maps made in 40 countries. Our icons can now be used on ArcGIS, Carto, Google MyMap etc, and our new website includes tutorials on exporting from OGM to these platforms; we take part in open ‘intermapping’ planning, too.
Type of intervention
Describe your behavioral intervention
Even today, people rarely appreciate the range of local resources for sustainable wellbeing. Green Maps introduce residents to farmers markets (supporting plant-based diets and local farms), bike and transit options, green businesses and buildings, and stewardship opportunities on biodiversity and waste and greenhouse gas reduction, all in a reliable, clear format. Paired with civic, cultural, heritage and nature sites, Green Map’s value to individuals, journalists, agencies and entrepreneurs grows.
Each project has autonomous impact. As seen in this deck - http://bit.ly/Bella-ref - NGO–initiated Mapa Verde Cuba project was adopted by the national education system. In 2017, their restored Mangrove forest fended off Irma and spared the coast http://bit.ly/CubaGM16.
Our grassroots guide was ‘born’ at Bellagio – we released Mapping our Common Ground V3 as an eBook this May - http://bit.ly/MCG18-story in parallel with citizen science networks. Baltimore’s project, https://www.baltogreenmap.org/ is now consulting on placemaking education across Maryland.
Scroll down to Mapping on http://idarchitect.com to see how mapping water issues around Santa Monica focused this architect on stormwater ahead of California’s current water crisis. Post-Fukushima, Tokyo Green Map created the now national map (http://coolshare.jp/) to institute and promote cooling centers that also support trauma reduction. See http://bit.ly/GMIbook15 for more local impact assessments from Colombia to China.
As needed, please explain the type of intervention in more detail
Our method of mapping progress toward sustainability addresses your three approaches: emotional appeals, social incentives and choice architecture. In most communities, Green Maps impact a variety of issues, conditions and goals, helping local residents to better appreciate connections that affect health and sustainability, moreover, they equip residents of all ages to add their energies and voices to those who are already working to protect and expand sustainability-related resources. Climate urgency requires a broad and inclusive community response, including from business leaders, planners and other professionals, and Green Maps help identify pathways to local engagement, employment, and equity.
Describe your implementation
Now, we face more complex, urgent challenges than ever before. Cities are making great headway, even when federal governments like our own, are stymied. Activating citizens at local level is now even more critical, & Green Maps become a record of progress and opportunity that the average person can appreciate. So much is going on, yet a Green Map makes sense of it all in a location-based framework that inspires participation.
We ensured our solutions were adopted and promoted behavior change by giving local leaders agency; for example this city agency-led project at http://capetowngreenmap.co.za/ where both mapping and eco news are featured - the water crisis and Day Zero campaign are front page news! This mapping initiative began in 2009 with a concern for socially responsible tourism and continues to be a beacon, helping Cape Town win World Design Capital, Most Biodiverse City and other honors. Recognizing that many still lack internet access, the team produces annual print editions and keeps interactive maps current. By sharing its success at forums, in mapmaker discussions and in other ways, the team extends our impact.
Many Green Maps have been made to enlighten government, corporations and decision-makers of conditions and solutions (often bottom up or ready to scale); however, government agencies also use Green Mapmaking including Malmo Sweden (climate change design and newcomer orientation), The Meadowlands NJ (regenerative planning and engagement), Barcelona City Council (the sharing economy and tourism), Jacksonville FL (energy education), Pingtung City Taiwan (green transportation), and many others. We believe as more governments embrace open data and citizen stewardship, Green Maps can form an interpretive bridge.
Flexibility is key to our success. Funding could have been obstacle, had we let it. While we have yet to find a durable, equitable business model, we have embraced open development leading us towards richer and more inclusive outcomes.
External connections
With 987 registered Green Map projects, we have been able to integrate the priorities of many key partners.
Here is a small sampling:
Australia – Pacific Earth School
Brazil - Instituto de Cooperação e Desenvolvimento Ambiente Total
China – China Mangrove Conservation Network
Israel- Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel
Japan - Green Map Aichi / Chubu Recycle
Korea - State of Gyeonggi-Do
Switzerland - Earth Focus Foundation
Taiwan - Society of Wilderness
https://GreenMap.org/greenhouse/en/about/donate/supporters highlights many funders and donors who helped us develop our tools in the past. More recently, as we have gone open, we have shifted away from the time consuming grant process and are developing other means of getting the work done.
Current list of external connections:
Global Giving Donors: 1,200 unique contributors
Website development: Green Heart Association of Romania
1% for the Planet: Patagonia, Cosimo and other direct donors
Carbon-neutral server: Pair Networks
Mapping companies: CARTO, Google, and Esri Canada
Archive: New York Public Library Map Room
Education: University of Victoria, School of Visual Art, Parsons the New School of Design (note: Brawer’s 2018 commencement keynote and other fees donated to Green Map; her 2017 Ted Talk about Green Map)
Networks: Common Ground Mapping Network (Canada), GEO NYC, Civic Hall, New Economy Coalition, LES Ready, O2 Global, Climate Week, Human Impacts Institute, etc.
Who adopted the desired behaviors and to what degree?
The maps resonate with residents at local level, contribute to changing city, company and institutional policies, and elevate best local practices. While we cannot guarantee causality, we have noted that multiple local Green Maps document the degree to which new sustainability projects and organizations have taken root – agencies, businesses and individuals working on multimodal mobility, local food security, water quality and energy efficiency, stewardship, resilient municipal policies and much more. The maps chronicle transferable sustainability achievements but also expose gaps and deficiencies that can be (and often are) filled by local actors. Now, with our open policy, we’re seeing new consulting practices and tech collaborations. We’re also seeing the return of lapsed projects in Muncie IN, Galway IE and other places that appreciate the no fee and less limiting policies that come with our new Creative Commons license-see attached, and SDG integration - http://bit.ly/GMS-SDG18.
How did you impact natural resource use and greenhouse gas emissions?
We know Green Maps can reduce our collective eco-footprint, and we have won an HII Creative Climate Award and other honors that include GHG reduction (see list at http://bit.ly/GMS-awar). To balance what is primarily anecdotal evidence, here is one example from our own local Green Map project of NYC (these maps often double as innovative pilot projects we share globally):
Reasons to Act Now, Everyday and Easy, and Energy Investments are the 3 views on the ‘Powerful Green Map of NYC’ charting energy, efficiency and climate change (see deck here: http://bit.ly/GMclima17). Published in 2006, for many, it was their first view of sea level rise. An essential primer on embodied energy, it gave everyone ways to reduce their impacts. On our interactive platform, it accommodates more sites https://OpenGreenMap.org/nycenergy and Sandy’s high water mark. We consider ourselves on the coastal front line and engage the public with tours, events and multimedia, as seen at http://bit.ly/GM-Sandy.
What were some of the resulting co-benefits?
NYC’s energy-themed Green Map inspired Spanish, Chinese and Indonesia projects (the latter engaging youth in 60 cities in mapping local climate countermeasures!).
A Taiwanese company, Delta Electronics, began using Green Map methodology to find and fix problems in all their workplaces. In addition to announcing the savings in water, waste, energy, money and CO2 on the top of each of their 18 maps, they also addressed social issues, creating libraries, gardens and wellbeing spaces in their factories. Delta inspired other companies to make mapping part of their sustainability initiatives - http://GreenMap.org/csr. With good partners, CSR Green Maps have ongoing potential.
A co-benefit was that Delta supported important meetings of Green Mapmakers, one in China and the other for Asian Green Mapmakers in Taiwan, which resulted in dozens of published Green Maps and newly empowered NGOs across the region strengthening community resolve and galvanizing greater participation.
Sustainability
While we assist fundraising efforts where we can, Green Maps are locally funded in a variety of ways – some from foundation grants and government or university budget lines, others from smaller contributions from civil society organizations.
Our own funding currently comes from consulting, speaking and workshop fees, individual donors (including our board of directors), crowdfunding, collaborations and generous in-kind support. Our long track record and breadth of connections has helped us endure since 1995. As open development proceeds, we expect to become more sustainable, financially speaking, and more creative about meeting local needs, global challenges and helping ensure viability across the boards.
Return on investment
Over the last 23 years, our budget has varied, but even when meager and supplemented by interns and volunteers, our investments have yielded solid impacts at the local level. As we learn from, innovate and iterate, the sustainability-related progress and outcomes stemming from the work of our global mapmakers, we feel we have generated real returns and social impact far out of proportion to our available resources. The climate crisis has raised the stakes for our small office and its many partnerships, and focused new attention on how Green Maps help people address the chronic crisis and generate the resources needed to inspire and instruct a new generation of local, map-focused sustainability initiatives.
How could we successfully replicate this solution elsewhere?
Green Map was created to be adapted and replicated.Today, thanks to our open policy, it costs nothing to start a local Green Map project with volunteers on Open Green Map or another free mapping platform, & promote it on social media. However, many projects have paid researchers, bought equipment and opened offices, hosted workshops/launches, hired designers, and fundraised for printing, distribution, and marketing.
We have provided paid trainings and materials at Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education, Common Ground (Victoria BC), etc., with rates set on a case by case basis. Our new business model sets fees for services including consulting on project strategy, development, implementation, map design, communications and marketing; speaking fees; workshops and related engagements. Our Creative Commons 4.0 license includes +CC which is reciprocity from income generating projects. We can always find a good way to work together.