GIS users around the world are increasingly addressing high levels of public concern about the impact of human activity on the environment.

As reported in an Environics International survey of 30,000 people in 30 countries (published in The Challenge of Sustainability, Global Environmental Facility, 2002), environmental pollution was seen as the single greatest threat to future generations (32%).

The level of public concern voiced in this survey suggests that environmental hazards are adversely affecting people's lives in tangible ways. GIS technology, as illustrated in the case studies highlighted in this "Focus on GIS in Environmental Hazards Management" special section, is being used to help people understand these threats; help in the remediation of their impacts; and, it is hoped, increase public awareness that will lead to changes in human behavior.

The stories in this section mirror the crucial role that GIS and GIS professionals play in the preservation and safety of communities. Each is a testimonial to the vital management and efficiency GIS has to offer.

For more information, visit www.esri.com/publicsafety, www.esri.com/localgov, www.esri.com/health, and www.esri.com/environmentalmanagement on the Web.