Using Net Activism to Fight against Cholera in Cameroon

Together, we have created a preliminary version of Habitatmap.org that is up and running on the web. Currently we are working to significantly extend the sites capabilities to include the following four tools: 1) Community Mapping: Points of interest on this map will be plotted by Habitatmap participants. All entries are open for edits and additions by other participants.2) Community Forums: This is where participants come to share information or hash out their differences3) Air Pollution Tracker: Individuals will go about their daily routines outfitted with portable air monitoring and GPS devices. Their route will be mapped with the accompanying air quality information and compared with EPA data. 4) Household Utilities Tracker: By punching in their zip code and selecting from a few drop-down menus, participants will find out where their natural gas, electricity, and water come from and where their sewage and trash wind up.This suite of online tools have been designed to achieve two goals: 1) to represent the frequently nebulous connections between pollution and human health by tracking toxic substances as they are released, move through the environment, embed themselves in the human body, and manifest themselves as disease days, months, or years later 2) to establish a platform for participants to share local neighborhood information, debate community issues, arrange meet-ups, and organize politically.