Geographic Information Systems (GIS) emerge as an enabling technology for geospatial geospatial data handling, analysis and mapping. However, GIS applications on scientific information management appear rather limited. This paper aims to broaden the perspective of GIS roles on building the Earth Information System and suggests a framework to take advantages of GIS technology on geospatial data handling to integrate, manage, analyze, and disseminate meteorological, environmental, and socio-demographic data, and consequently to increase the usefulness and social values of weather and climate observations. The proposed framework builds upon the idea that GIS should be an essential part of the Earth Information System and therefore should be integrated with established data tools and information networks used in meteorology and other Earth Science communities. Examples will be introduced on the integration of GIS concepts and functions with existing tools for meteorological data. The paper will address conceptual and technological issues on the integration and provide a “big picture” for the usefulnees of GIS in building the Earth Information System.