Commentary: EarthTalk by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss - Helping the world, turn by turn Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss April 8, 2021 FacebookTwitterEmail What are the environmental pros and cons of so many of us relying on GPS apps (Waze, Google Maps, etc.) to get around these days? It’s hard to measure whether having GPS apps on our smartphones is positive or negative for the planet, but some environmentalists are skeptical. Indeed, the rise of Waze, Google Maps, Inrix and other apps that respond to live traffic data to reroute drivers accordingly — not to mention the concomitant proliferation of app-following Uber and Lyft drivers — has turned millions of formerly main-route-following drivers into sneaky shortcut seekers. Formerly quiet peaceful neighborhoods may never be the same again.