Google Earth's new initiative to help charity awareness

How Google Earth has the ability to boost charities

by Rupert Sharp
of http://www.oyster-web.co.uk

Last updated: 12 Sep 2007

Google's powerful satellite image viewing software Google Earth, with which you can view in great detail places around the globe that have been pictured from space, has decided to put on a charitable face. What Google has launched is the ability for charities to create information zones over certain areas that their organisation raises money for to give you a first hand view of the situation for i.e. 3rd world countries suffering from starvation may have clickable icons above villages explaining what is happening at this particular village and how you can help improve people's way of life, this is done by putting a 'layer' over a certain part of the map with such information programmed on to it.

The whole idea of this endeavour is to show the need for urgent help in many of the worlds current situations by giving the information people need to understand what is happening and the ability to see what is going on rather than just read about it, this many organisations hope will bring into focus the need to give money to give aid. Although this initiative is aimed mainly at charities and not-for-profit organisations it will also be available for business and individuals to add their own custom layers in KML format. Currently the professional version of the software is only available in the U.S but the free version is available worldwide for PC, Mac and Linux.