What is the connection between the number of trees in a neighbourhood and the ground surface temperature? Are incidences of cancer linked to polluted areas? Is there a correlation between the socioeconomic characteristics of a community and the number of wildlife species present? These are just some of the questions that can be answered thanks to the power of geographic information systems, or GIS.

This brochure introduces students to people who work with GIS to address social and environmental issues in Chicago, USA. It also offers an insight into careers in GIS and includes an activity sheet that challenges students to use GIS to explore spatial differences in air quality in Chicago.