About GIS Maps: Maps are critical to our understanding of the effects and impacts of climate change and how we will adapt. You can create your own maps using the GIS shapefiles below. If you are new to GIS and mapmaking, check this brief introduction. Using this free tutorial, learn to make your own GIS maps. Lastly, there are plenty of free GIS software programs available as well as many free ArcGIS shapefiles you can use to create your maps.