Highlighting conservation, humanitarian affairs, cultures, exploration, climate change and energy projects

May 11, 2010 10:16 GMT  ·  By

A new application built on top of Bing Maps is designed to make it simple for people to access information on humanitarian and ecological initiatives, but also culture preservation and exploration efforts worldwide, and to contribute by donating, volunteering, sharing knowledge, or simply spreading the word. The Global Action Atlas from National Geographic highlights a variety of problems, as well as the work done to resolve them, along with additional projects set up to reveal more of the planet’s secrets.

“The application interface is quite simple – just check on and off boxes for efforts of interest. The actionable themes include Conservation, Humanitarian Affairs, Cultures, Exploration, Climate Change and Energy,” Chris Pendleton, the Bing Maps technical evangelist for Microsoft, revealed.

Pendleton also provided a short explanation for all the focus areas in the Bing Maps Global Action Atlas application, which users will be able to find included below. The new Bing Maps app from National Geographic can be accessed via the Map Apps button at the bottom of the left-hand side pane on Microsoft’s mapping, location and search platform.

The Bing Maps Global Action Atlas simplifies the exploration of initiatives focused on anything from green technology to hunger, through the categories and subcategories on the app’s main menu. Of course, users looking for a specific project can find it via the search field reserved for the application. All donations made via the Bing Maps Global Action Atlas would be processed through the GlobalGiving Foundation, Microsoft informed.

Here are the specific categories of projects on the Global Action Atlas:

“- Conservation: Includes categories on animals and plants; fresh water; landscapes; migrations and corridors; and oceans and coastal areas. - Climate Change: Focuses on projects having to do with forest conservation and management; renewable energy; reforestation; and ocean impacts. - Cultures: Features projects focusing on preserving endangered languages; cultural preservation; archeology; and indigenous rights. - Energy: Focuses on technology; energy efficiency; and energy investment. - Exploration: Focuses on taking action to help preserve our planet; to explore its mysteries through sustainable travel; and to raise awareness about cultures and environments, and science and adventure projects. - Humanitarian Affairs: Includes projects focusing on water and sanitation; emergency relief; health; education; empowering women; and poverty and hunger.”