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Video: Rand McNally Green Road Atlas

John Simonetta — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 14:53:07 +0000

This is a guest post by John Simonetta, owner of Proforma Simonetta Freelance, an eco-friendly promotional items consultancy (see proformagreen.com). John’s blogs are designed to keep us up to date on the “greening” of his industry.

Another video from the 2009 ASI tradeshow in Dallas. This is the Rand McNally Green edition road atlas.

Most folks don’t know that Rand McNally has a promotional products division that basically allows companies and organizations to brand Rand McNally products with their own contact information and logos. I think this Green edition road atlas is a no-brainer for green travel agencies, B&Bs, tour companies, garages, etc.

Here is John from Rand McNally with more information.

This post contains additional media. Click here to view the full post.

For more videos from ASI Dallas see www.youtube.com/proformagreen.

For more information or pricing on this item email info@proformagreen.com

San Francisco Solar Map Web Site Almost Ready

Dave Tyler — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 16:50:38 +0000

A Web site that lets San Francisco homeowners type in their address and get information on how much money they could save using solar power will be completely operational this month.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports the site will make the City by the Bay the first in the world to be completely mapped for its solar power potential. By entering their address, residents or business owners can get an estimate of the cost to install panels, and the savings they could generate, the paper reports.

Environmental Defense Fund Map: In 2008, People Flocked to Public Transit

edfblog — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 01:01:09 +0000

Americans are driving less, spurred by steep gas prices for much of this year. We are also turning to transit like never before — especially for essential trips like going to work. Demand for public transit is at an all-time high, soaring to rates not seen since 1957. Across the country, places as diverse as New York City, Southern California, North Carolina and Wyoming are witnessing sharp rises.

EDF produced an interactive map (using data from the National Transit Database) showing the many places where transit ridership jumped along with gas prices.

Scroll over the map and see eye-popping jumps in people using public transit — not just in big cities but places like Terre Haute, Indiana, and Sherman, Texas, which saw huge leaps in ridership.

Mapping It Out

Emma Henderson — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 09:17:31 +0000

Maybe its because I’m longing for a good holiday or perhaps its just that I love the colours and endless possibilities of maps but I’ve been seeing them all over the place recently. This image forms part of a collection of maps belonging to designer Benita Larson via Poppytalk. I love the way they are displayed and that some have being put to good use covering journals, books and boxes.

Inspirational design studio Lovely Design also have some great products made from maps including this very sweet ‘I miss you’ mail set and these beautiful ‘Take me to’ books.

It’s a Small World: Google Earth Outreach

Alicia Erickson — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 14:06:27 +0000

Google Earth recently launched their Outreach program to raise awareness about various issues. Outreach is intended to give non-profits "the resources, tools, and inspiration that they need to leverage the power of Google Earth for their cause."

There are many groups which are harnessing this visual power. Having already reached many through the visually powerful mountain-top removal through the Appalachian Voices and mapping the destruction that has raged across Sudan, Google realized the unique opportunity to connect people across the world. "At Google, we believe technology can be a catalyst for education and action," Elliot Schrage, Google’s vice president, said in a statement.

The United Nations Environment Programme are using the satellite pictures as a "wake-up all to of us to look at the sometimes devastating changes we are wreaking on our planet." Using images focused on hot spots, their goal is to help people identify and understand the damage humans are causing upon the planet, and then to help them make an effort to change. Many issues ranging from water shortages, forest and biodiversity loss to climate change occur over a period of time which makes it difficult to appreciate the degree of damage that has occurred. Through approximately 30 years of images condensed to a time-sequence series, the viewer is able to visually connect the statics with powerful images.

Fair Trade Certified products was the newest layer announced, along with the Global Heritage Fund and Earthwatch Expeditions. This new layer allows consumers to view information on TransFair USA certified products. Over 70 co-ops are marked, including coffee, tea, chocolate, mangoes, and bananas. Each co-ops pop-up includes a picture as well as information about the Co-op, it’s location and community betterment programs which result from the sale of their Fair Trade goods. Creating this connection between consumers and producers is essential for honest and fair trade for when there is a person behind the product people are more likely to respect the humanity that went into production.

As Dr. Jane Goodall said, "Only if we understand can we care. Only if we care will we help. With Google Earth Outreach, more people have the chance to see, to care, and then to act."

To access these new layers simply download Google Earth and expand the Global Awareness layer to see those available and check out the many Fair Trade products and the people who grow them.