Many careers are available in which the foundational understanding lies in geography. Careers such as urban planners, cartographers, climatologists, transportation managers or environmental managers have applications of geography at their core. Understanding the earth spatially allows people to live within its land and reduce human impact. Restoring and preserving the earth's resources for future generations is the goal of many careers in geography.
Understanding and living successfully in the present world requires an understanding from a geographical perspective. Mankind's needs for survival are the same throughout the earth, but the pursuit of these needs and the allocation of resources varies from culture to culture. As technology rapidly makes cultures more accessible to one another, a clear understanding of human variance improves relations and diminishes conflict. Becoming an educated person builds tolerance and appreciation for cultures worldwide.
Our earth and its inhabitants are not static. People are constantly evolving and developing. Our land and its resources are changing and requiring new uses and innovative applications. The study of geography prepares humans to reduce the negative impact of wasteful living and preserve resources for the generations to come. Technology is fusing the cultures of people around the earth, bringing the lives of others into the palm of each other's hands. A clear understanding of geography prepares people to meet and appreciate new people and cultures.
Appreciating the earth, its land and its people is not enough. People must also be prepared to instill the responsibility and the means for maintaining and enriching the earth on future generations. The study of geography offers people the skills to comprehend the earth and human impact. This geographical understanding must be passed on to the younger generation by parents, teachers and child-care providers. The responsibility of maintaining the earth and improving human relations will one day be passed on to the earth's newest global citizens.