GEOGRAPHIC
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Information Technology’s answer
to Environmental Pollution
for
Physics and Engineering Physics Students’ Association Week,
February 7, 2001
by
‘Gbenga Sesan
Department of Electronic and Electrical
Engineering,
Obafemi Awolowo University
Ile-Ife
NIGERIA.
eMAIL: gbengasesan@yahoo.com
FAX: 1 435 302 3178
1.0 ABSTRACT
The threat to human and sub-human existence is no longer a
new piece of information. By the moment, the print and electronic media report
cases of environmental pollution and its effects. On the developed side
of the globe, the media’s ideas are taken into consideration for prompt action
while the developing nations remain unperturbed, not because they do not want
to solve the problems but because environmental pollution is given little or
no priority. In case of doubt, consider the Ogoni people of Nigeria
whose environment is not as valuable as their oil’s revenue generation to the powers
that be.
I believe that the feats being performed by even the
developed nations is still a far cry from what can be obtained if we employ the
powers of the right tools in combating the global menace, Environmental
Pollution.
Information Technology,
through the Geographic Information Systems phenomenon, would help
prevent, to a reasonable extent, the numerous crises we experience due to
environmental pollution. Between February and April 2000, I was privileged to
work on the application of Geographic Information Systems to the
environmental pollution problem when we had to help the Niger Delta
Environmental Survey deal with the environmental problems threatening the
existence of terrestrial and aquatic lives in the Niger Delta region.
This paper takes a look into the current situation and
introduces the age-long truth that prevention is better than cure. GIS
can help monitor, track and prevent the various forms of environmental
pollution effects rather than adopt the usual method of solving a problem that
has already generated enough chaos. The paper explores Geographic
Information Systems as Information Technology’s answer to the
environmental pollution problem. It also highlights the action steps that we
need to take in other to conquer the global monster. The modules covered include:
Ø Environmental Pollution
Ø Global effects and national reactions
Ø Information Technology in today’s society
Ø Geographic Information Systems
Ø Geographic Information Systems and Environmental Pollution
Ø Action Plan
In the words of Sir Isaac Newton in his Laws
of motion, “An object will continue in its state of rest or constant
uniform motion unless it is otherwise acted upon by an external force”.
In that light, I believe that the situation would only change for the better if
we decide to take action now.
2.0
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Oxford Advanced Learner’s dictionary defines pollution as adding harmful or
unpleasant substances; destroy the purity or sanctity of something. It
also defines the environment as natural conditions in which we
live e.g. land, air, and water.
Physics and other sciences agree with the two definitions
and thus, we can safely say that environmental pollution is adding
harmful or unpleasant substances and destroying the purity and sanctity of the
natural conditions in which we live.
2.1
GLOBAL EFFECTS AND
NATIONAL REACTIONS
The concept of globalization is not only
bringing about a synergism of the efforts of all cooperative nations in
combating technological, scientific, social and other issues; it also brings to
the attention of the world all the activities and experiences of most nations
in existence today.
It would be very difficult for everyone to
pretend as if we cannot see the various forms of pollution that exist today.
They range from deforestation to oil pollution and also includes air
pollution, aquatic life termination, terrestrial extinction tendencies,
etc. The truth is that much of the environmental pollution that we
experience are man-made and can only be solved through the same process even
though nature tries its best to maintain what we know as the earth
balance cycle.
In Nigeria, oil pollution is not uncommon
especially in the Niger Delta, hunters are not innocent of the terrestrial
extinction crime, fishermen cannot claim innocence over the threat to aquatic
life and loggers would honestly attest to the fact that most trees are not
replaced.
The Federal Government, through the Federal
Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA), has done some work in
combating this global vice along with other organizations, some of which are
guilty of what they preach against. (A political paper would deal with the job
of listing such companies).
3.0
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
If there’s anything that has changed our lifestyle - the way
we talk, relate, communicate, eat, buy, sell or even sleep - it is the all-time
chart buster, Information Technology.
We are obviously living in an age that true to the words of
Prof. G. O. Ajayi (Chairman, INTECU and COPINE. Professor, Electronic and
Electrical Engineering Department, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria)
can be described as knowledge driven and information technology propelled.
Information has proved to be the driving force of much of human endeavour over
time and its present romance with technology that has given rise to Information
Technology has not performed below expectation.
Information Technology applications have helped in solving much of human, business, societal and
economic problems worldwide. Businesses would forever remain grateful to the
introduction of eCommerce into their models, structures, patterns and
processes. That is an example of the influence Information Technology can
have on any issue.
4.0
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
SYSTEMS
5.0
GEOGRPAHIC INFORMATION
SYSTEMS AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
6.0
ACTION PLAN
Considering the efficiency of the obsolete methods used in
combating environmental pollution, we must change our pattern of action. As
much as that is true, we must set proper structures in place that would serve
as a foundational for further development and also eventually help in the
actualization of the prevention is better than cure scheme.
From study, observation and trend watch, I believe
that we must do the following:
Ø
Establish a massive awareness
campaign on the effects of environmental pollution to reduce to a considerable
extent, the ignorance level of the general populace of any given society.
Ø
Adopt cutting-edge
technologies such as Geographic Information Systems in preventing
environmental pollution and break away from the usual happen first, then
solve and mourn the loss approach.
Ø
Encourage a good knowledge
base in the area of a proper environmental maintenance culture in the
residents of any given society.
Ø
Motivate students whose
disciplines or projects relate to the environment. This will in turn
give a better sense of responsibility and accountability on their part.
Ø
The Federal, State and Local
Governments should endeavour to set machinery in motion to enforce decrees,
laws and constitutional responsibilities that relate to environmental
pollution, without fair or favour.
Ø
Geographic Information
Systems (as it relates to environmental pollution) should be introduced to the University course curriculum on
elective levels for the general populace, and with richer modern-day
instructions for related courses.
7.0
CONCLUSION
Having considered the aforementioned, it is obvious that Geographic
Information Systems can help monitor, track, report, analyse and prevent
environmental pollution. A good system
can also predict the various effects that past environmental pollution events
can have on our environment ahead of time.
This will help predict such things as the next time Florida
will experience an earthquake, at what rate the Niger Delta coastal line is
receding and maybe even when next area boys will strike at Ajegunle.
Geographic Information Systems is Information Technology’s contribution to a considerate
reduction on the effects of environmental pollution in any given society.
Thank you.