Google Earth for Environmental campaigners

An environmental group which campaigns against coal mining involving the removal of mountaintops is to begin using Google Earth to boost its campaign. Appalachian Voices, which aims to bring people together to solve problems impacting on the central and southern Appalachian Mountains, is set to use the technology to show internet users images of mountains that have been affected by the mining.

From November 29, 2007, people who visit the group's website will be able to enter their addresses and observe images of specific mountaintops that have been mined to provide coal for their electricity providers and potentially their own homes. Individuals are also provided with links to protest to their power providers and legislators about the mining.

Commenting on the use of Google's satellite technology, Mary Anne Hitt, Appalachian Voices' executive director, stated: "When you can show people they have a direct connection to [mining], it makes it that much more relevant to their day-to-day life."

Meanwhile, Rebecca Moore, manager of the Google Earth Outreach programme, described the Appalachian Voices service as "very cutting edge", adding that other groups are preparing similar ones.

Google Earth Outreach was developed to assist not-for-profit and public benefit groups interested in utilising Google Earth technology.

According to the search engine provider, the application can get "users engaged and passionate about what [groups are] doing and build support for [their] cause".

Source : http://www.bigmouthmedia.com