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Cartographer Ian Thomas sacked for revealing Alaska destruction plans

English-born American Ian Thomas is a cartographer - he makes maps using his computer and satellite images. He was sacked by the United States Geological Survey for being too good at his job. In March 2001 he enhanced an image of Alaska, USA. He was at that time interested in following the habits of the herds of Caribou, a kind of deer. What he didn't realise was that his map was so accurate it showed everyone what President Bush's environmental policy was in Alaska, particularly the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

In the Refuge is a strip of land that Bush and his corporate backers in the oil industry are planning to destroy with oil exploration. They were not too pleased when Ian Thomas put this map on the Internet, because it showed the world that the exploration plans would be very harmful. Thomas was sacked on the spot.

Within days Thomas received thousands of email messages of support from people concerned about the environment. Pressure groups took up his case. He is now making maps for the World Wildlife Fund, where he is appreciated.

[See Guardian Weekly (UK), April 19-25 2001 p. 20]

5Aug01