The Geography of Hope: Real-Life Stories of Optimists Mapping a Better World

by David Yarnold

Overview

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

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781589487413
Publisher:	Esri Press
Publication date:	10/01/2024
Pages:	252
Sales rank:	785,818
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

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. 

Table of Contents

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

Editorial Reviews

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

From the Publisher

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

Susan Goldberg

"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’

James Fallows

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.

LaDoris H. Cordell

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

Richard Saul Wurman