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OneGeology is a project that uniquely mobilises geological surveys around the world, as part of an ongoing IYPE2008 contribution, to act as the drivers and sustainable data providers of a global geological map dataset. This project is not only making geological map data more easily accessible it is also using this geoscientist-friendly vehicle of creating a tangible geological map to accelerate progress of an emerging global geoscience data model and interchange standard and take forward interoperability. Last but certainly not least it is exchanging information and transferring know-how between developed and developing countries around the world and at the same time making accessible geoscience maps and data that can attract interest and investment.
The Brighton "Accord" agreed in March 2007 kicked off "OneGeology", and the initiative now has the support of 78 nations and geological surveys. The geological map data is being made available as a distributed web service, using the latest web map and web feature service approaches. Geological Surveys are dynamically 'serving' the data for their territories to a web portal. OneGeology is accelerating the global introduction of the foundation technologies necessary for dynamic interchange of geoscience data and is facilitating real time access to the latest version of information and knowledge from the geological surveys of the world.
OneGeology offers an exciting opportunity to the geological surveys of the world - the opportunity to contribute their piece of a global jigsaw puzzle and make an impact on a global scale - thinking globally but acting locally. It provides them with the basis to share know-how and experience, to reduce replication, make geoscience data more consistent and coherent and to contribute much more readily to pressing trans-national problems like climate change impacts. It has the potential to move Geological Surveys from being merely players on a national stage to being a team on a global stage and thus provide a significantly more influential international platform in a 21st world where the globalisation and the power of the internet are sweeping away parochial and traditional practices.
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