Geospatial Will Change under Trump's Project 2025

The election of the Trump/Vance ticket signifies a fundamental shift in the United States government, opening the door to different "opportunities." Implementing Project 2025, the blueprint for a "new" America, will require geospatial technology and expertise.

Project 2025 contains many details, so you should familiarize yourself with them as you evaluate your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT analysis). Dedicate time to understanding these opportunities, ensuring a clear understanding of your work's impact on humanity.

I am passionate about Geospatial because it can make a better world for everyone, but it is also used to make it better for a few. This blog is intended to get you to think and research. Preparation is critical.

Opportunities to support the new world order.

From a high-level point of view, the new regime will focus on extraction, including natural, human, and financial resources.

• Natural resource extraction — Oil, mining, forestry, fisheries, hunting, agriculture, energy, rare earth minerals, and plants—all these valuable resources originate from specific locations. The initial task is to locate and extract these resources, followed by the challenge of transporting them to market, a process that also involves geospatial considerations. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Earth Observation (EO) tools are vital. Additionally, valuable resources must be guarded, and identifying target markets is crucial.
• Human resources — Getting cheap or free labor will be a priority. Project 2025 and the Trump team have prioritized the establishment of detention camps, with plans and locations already being mapped out. Texas and Arkansas have already bought land to build camps/prisons. Geospatial technology will play a crucial role in this expanding industry. They will need to be located close to where cheap labor is needed. These sites are envisioned as mini-cities requiring essential infrastructure like water, power, and convenient access to work areas. Transportation systems, such as railroads, must be readily available. Additionally, camp personnel, including guards, laundry staff, cooks, doctors, and morticians, will need to travel to these locations efficiently.
• Valuable Properties — The new regime will open up pristine natural federal lands (and state lands in many States) to developers. Developing parcels and infrastructure plans necessitates the expertise of geospatial specialists. On a side note - visit any National Lands on your bucket list before they are sold off and developed.
• Security—Project 2025's new blueprint for America calls for enhanced police and federal law enforcement. Geospatial resources are required to identify communities for deportation, as well as resisters, vulnerable communities, and political opponents. Smart devices will be used to track and target anyone who is deemed a risk.
• Federal Resources—Federally owned or protected resources, such as antiquities, monuments, and tourist spots, are at risk of being sold or destroyed. Identifying these areas will necessitate geospatial analysis.

For those looking to mitigate Project 2025, the work is similar but designed to slow it down or to document it.

• Humans—Identifying at-risk communities and developing strategies to safeguard them is akin to the efforts of the Underground Railroad. Organizations that can pinpoint and nurture areas where threatened cultures can live and thrive, such as small communities, farms, or districts, play a vital role in this mission.
• Natural Resources —Identify endangered areas and take action to document, remove threats, and protect natural habitats, animals, plants, and ecosystems.
• Valuable Properties—Seek resources to purchase newly available land for conservation, employing a model like the Nature Conservancy.

These preliminary ideas are intended to guide the geospatial community in adapting to the new political landscape. Know what you will support and start looking for opportunities that best fit your values and skills.

Many environmental and climate change grants and programs will be cut, and corporations will drop similar programs as regulations are gutted.

Women, LGBTQ, and people of color will be discriminated against, so plan ahead. Please review your options, adjust your resume/profile, and reach out for help.

What are your thoughts about the new geospatial, GIS, location intelligence, and EO threats & opportunities in 2025 and beyond?