08 July 2009

Ordnance Survey at Guardian’s Activate 09 event

Last week saw Ordnance Survey exhibit and present at The Guardian newspaper’s one-day Activate 09 summit. The event, which attracted decision and policy makers from across business and government, sought to highlight how the power of the Internet is influencing politics, the environment, education, the media and the economy.

The mapping agency ran a session focusing on how geography, together with online mass collaboration, can successfully help combat some of the world’s biggest challenges. Dr Liz Ratcliffe of Ordnance Survey, who addressed delegates, commented: “Our mantra at Ordnance Survey is that ‘everything happens somewhere’. That’s why we believe that geography and geographic information have a fundamental role to play in addressing climate change and sustainable living.”

The mapping agency took the opportunity to highlight recent enhancements to its free OS OpenSpace API, which offers users access to a wide range of Ordnance Survey mapping for web mash-ups. There was also a chance to discuss the recently launched GeoVation network, the community website that seeks to provide the tools for individuals and businesses to put geography-based ideas into action for social and commercial benefit.

“There are already real examples of where geography is making a difference, like Project Sentience which reduces a car’s carbon emissions by up to 24% by using mapping data to see beyond the natural horizon,” added Dr Ratcliffe.

“We’re also doing some fantastic work with Business in the Community, to help them identify which businesses are located near which schools, as part of a community initiative using business skills to assist schools in developing their capabilities,” she concluded.

Activate 09 saw keynote speeches from the likes of Arianna Huffington, of the Huffington Post, on the impact of new media on journalism, and Tom Watson, the former minister for transformation, on the need for open access to information.

Dr Ratcliffe spoke as part of a session entitled ‘Think global – act local’, highlighting the fact that all human and natural activity takes place against a background of geography. James Alexander, the co-founder of Zopa and the CEO of Green Thing, spoke about how creativity can help inspire people to make real changes to their behaviour and live ‘greener’ lives. Stew McTavish CEO of Mo.Jo spoke on the potential of online, entrepreneurial challenges to generate ideas and build ventures using the collaborative power of participants using the Internet.

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Head of Corporate Communications - Rob Andrews

Email: rob.andrews@ordnancesurvey.co.uk

Phone: (+44) 023 8005 5563

Senior Communications & PR Officer - Paul Beauchamp

Email: paul.beauchamp@ordnancesurvey.co.uk

Phone: (+44) 023 8005 5564

Press Office fax: (+44) 023 8005 6156