The Geography of Hope
Real Life Stories of Optimists Mapping a Better World
Published on 14. November 2024
Book
Paperback/Softback
276 pages
978-1-58948-741-3 (ISBN)
Description
From Prague to Berkeley to Nairobi to Kyiv, The Geography of Hope tells the stories of optimists who map the world to a better future.
The Geography of Hope introduces readers to people who are changing the world, using "the most important technology you've probably never heard of." Nine topical stories include radical AI-driven changes in national intelligence, more transparent policing, a father-daughter duo fighting for fair elections, protecting democracy in Eastern Europe, removing deadly explosives across the world after conflicts, and how we can improve K-12 education. This book puts human faces to geographic information system (GIS) mapping and technology in a real-world way that hasn't been done before.
Former National Audubon Society CEO and award-winning writer and photographer David Yarnold traveled the world to tell new stories: how GIS is helping to create "conservation for and by Africans" to meet the challenges of climate change and threats to wildlife; and how well-known businesses around the world are becoming more profitable through their use of GIS.
Yarnold reveals the GIS all around us in a non-technical way with relatable stories of families, leadership, and collaboration.
National Geographic-quality full-color photos and illustrations throughout
Layperson's explanation of GIS
Nine compelling events-driven stories of diverse optimists and achievers who are making a difference
The Geography of Hope introduces readers to people who are changing the world, using "the most important technology you've probably never heard of." Nine topical stories include radical AI-driven changes in national intelligence, more transparent policing, a father-daughter duo fighting for fair elections, protecting democracy in Eastern Europe, removing deadly explosives across the world after conflicts, and how we can improve K-12 education. This book puts human faces to geographic information system (GIS) mapping and technology in a real-world way that hasn't been done before.
Former National Audubon Society CEO and award-winning writer and photographer David Yarnold traveled the world to tell new stories: how GIS is helping to create "conservation for and by Africans" to meet the challenges of climate change and threats to wildlife; and how well-known businesses around the world are becoming more profitable through their use of GIS.
Yarnold reveals the GIS all around us in a non-technical way with relatable stories of families, leadership, and collaboration.
National Geographic-quality full-color photos and illustrations throughout
Layperson's explanation of GIS
Nine compelling events-driven stories of diverse optimists and achievers who are making a difference
Reviews / Votes
"Understanding the health of our planet and its people is at the heart of being able to repair what's broken... that's the kind of storytelling David creates here, forging a path with GIS tools to improve lives, bottom lines, and communities."Susan Goldberg, former editor in chief of National Geographic Magazine, and current President and CEO of the WGBH, Boston "The Geography of Hope is a wonderfully vivid, compelling, and humane description of the ways in which new geographic-information tools are helping people around the world address old problems and explore new opportunities.
--James Fallows, co-author of the best-seller 'Our Towns' and winner of the National Book Award for 'National Defense' "This is a must-read and an eye-opener for anyone who cares about the important issues that impact all of our communities."
LaDoris H. Cordell, former Independent Police Auditor for the City of San Jose, and retired state court judge. "This book is a sensitive collection that explores and gives validity to the constructive influence in all fields of all who embrace cartography."
Richard Saul Wurman, TED founder, architect and designer "The Geography of Hope is a masterclass in storytelling, weaving
together complex technology and human narratives to illustrate how GIS is
quietly shaping the world around us....The book's strength lies in its ability to
make the technical aspects of GIS accessible to a general audience without
sacrificing depth. Another compelling aspect is the optimism that runs through.
Yarnold introduces us to a community of innovators and visionaries who see the
world's challenges as opportunities for growth and improvement. The
Geography of Hope argues that, when used responsibly, technology can
be a force for good, capable of creating fairer, healthier, and more
sustainable societies."
Anusuya Datta, Geo Week News
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Redlands
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
full color photos
Dimensions
Height: 254 mm
Width: 203 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
809 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-58948-741-3 (9781589487413)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
10/2024
1st Edition
Esri Press
from
€79.99
Available for download
Person
David Yarnold led a GIS-fueled turnaround at the National Audubon Society, helped the Environmental Defense Fund teach China how to do carbon trading, and was executive editor at the San Jose Mercury News. He's a Pulitzer Prize-winning editor, a Pulitzer finalist for editorial writing, and an award-winning photojournalist and designer. He lives in Tarrytown, NY.
Content
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. THE "LIFE WATER" OF PRAGUE
How data helps build the future of an iconic city - and democracy
2. "FAIR LINES" MAKE FAIR LIVES
How community mapping creates common ground
3. MAPPING AN "UNFAIR ADVANTAGE"
US' secret mappers see everything, everywhere all at once
4. "I WORK FOR AFRICA"
How conservation "for and by Africans" became a continent's mantra
5. RISKY BUSINESS
The GIS revolution in the insurance industry tells hard truths
6. ARRESTING EBOLA
How a GIS-focused leader followed the clues, turning maps into lifesaving tools
7. FROM WARRIORS TO GUARDIANS
Building accountable policing through transparency
8. FROM DEADLY DEBRIS TO RENEWAL AND REBIRTH
When minefields become homes again - thank the women
9. WHERE'S THE "WHERE" IN K-12 EDUCATION?
The UK shows what its like to teach students about the GIS all around them
Introduction
1. THE "LIFE WATER" OF PRAGUE
How data helps build the future of an iconic city - and democracy
2. "FAIR LINES" MAKE FAIR LIVES
How community mapping creates common ground
3. MAPPING AN "UNFAIR ADVANTAGE"
US' secret mappers see everything, everywhere all at once
4. "I WORK FOR AFRICA"
How conservation "for and by Africans" became a continent's mantra
5. RISKY BUSINESS
The GIS revolution in the insurance industry tells hard truths
6. ARRESTING EBOLA
How a GIS-focused leader followed the clues, turning maps into lifesaving tools
7. FROM WARRIORS TO GUARDIANS
Building accountable policing through transparency
8. FROM DEADLY DEBRIS TO RENEWAL AND REBIRTH
When minefields become homes again - thank the women
9. WHERE'S THE "WHERE" IN K-12 EDUCATION?
The UK shows what its like to teach students about the GIS all around them