Why Google Should Add Carbon Emissions Data to Google Maps
Katie Fehrenbacher asks the question and provides what I think is a great answer. She offers it in response to Google’s reply to her query to Google asking if the company is even thinking about it. The response was basically, “It’s in Google Earth,” which she describes as a “lame” reply. She responds:
The reason to integrate the data into Google Maps is so the 44 million unique users will start thinking about the impact of their transportation choices. While carbon emissions data in Google Earth is very cool, it’s engaging viewers that are largely already interested in that kind of information. We know adding features to the Google Maps landscape is a huge deal, but so is climate change, and Google has clearly indicated that it’s interested in making a difference. So, Google, we challenge you.
I’m with you, Katie. Google Earth in my experience if for “hard core” Web users (either they really like pics, or flying or data or…) but the regular Web user (I include myself here) spends time using Google Maps to get my work (professional and personal) done. I for one almost never use Google Earth. I agree that adding this information would hit a lot of “new” people who might use it to make more earth-friendly decisions.
- Earth2Tech blog (part of GigaOm)
