Geo-Literacy

What is Geo-Literacy?

Geo-literacy is the ability to apply geographic knowledge and skills to make important decisions.

The three components of geo-literacy are:
1. Systems understanding. An understanding of human and environmental systems and human-environment interactions.
2. Geographic reasoning. The ability to reason about location and make connections between places.
3. Systemic decision-making. The ability to systematically collect, evaluate, and weigh the tradeoffs in decision making.

Geo-literacy is important because it empowers people to steer away from choices that will be costly for themselves, other people, and the environment. While the impacts of any particular far-reaching decision may be small, the cumulative impact of the decisions made by millions of people is enormous. In order to make these decisions, people must understand:
- how our world works
- how our world is connected
- how to make well-reasoned decisions

Geo-literacy provides the tools that enable communities to protect natural and cultural resources, reduce conflict and improve quality of life worldwide.

Schools are not the only place to learn. Part of becoming geo-literate is exploring the world around you. Get out and explore!.

For more information visit the NatGeo Educational site.