Geography 2050:
Envisioning a Sustainable Planet

Geography 2050 is a multi-year strategic dialog about the vital trends that will reshape the geography of our planet by 2050. The world of 2050 will be radically different. It is not at all clear how we will get there from here or how we should navigate through the uncharted waters of the future. Climate change, urbanization, rapid expansion of the Internet and the availability and use of information, the continued evolution of human identity, and changing modes of commerce, cooperation, and conflict from local to global scales are just some of the many trends influencing the future. Each poses many challenges and opportunities for how we perceive and shape our world’s geography now and in coming decades.

To help lay the foundation for exploring these local, regional and global challenges—and the investments in technology, data, laws, policies, and capacities needed to improve our ability to navigate through them—the American Geographical Society collaborated with the Earth Institute, Columbia University to organize an “Expedition to the Future.”

Introduction and Living Oceans for the Blue Planet

Dr. Christopher Tucker (Chair, American Geographical Society)

Dr. Lee Schwartz (Geographer of the United States, U.S. Department of State)

Mr. Chip Cunliffe (Director of Environmental Science Programs and Education, XL Catlin)

Dr. Denise Breitburg (Senior Scientist, The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center)

Dr. Serge Dedina (Mayor, Imperial Beach, California)

Ms. Anika Ballent (Education Coordinator, Algalita Marine Research and Education)

Iconic Species: Sharks, Birds, Elephants, and Buffalo

Speakers

Dr. Deborah Popper (Professor, College of Staten Island and Princeton University)

Prof. Michael Steinberg (Associate Professor, University of Alabama)

Dr. Ryan Orgera (Lecturer of Geography, George Washington University)

Dr. Meredith Gore (Jefferson Science Fellow, U.S. Department of State)

Remote Sensing and the Impact Sustainability

Speakers

Dr. Walter Scott (Founder, DigitalGlobe)

The Near-Horizon Future of Conservation and the National Parks

Speakers

Dr. Gary Machlis (Science Advisor to the Director, U.S. National Park Service)

Protection, Management, and Restoration of Future Forests

Speakers

Dr. Juha Uitto (Director,  Independent Evaluation Office of the Global Environment Facility)

Ms. Elizabeth Goldman (GIS Research Associate, Global Forest Watch)

Ms. Jessica Webb (Civil Society Specialist, Global Forest Watch)

Dr. Michael Mann (Assistant Professor of Geography, George Washington University)

Conservation and Indigenous Peoples

Speakers

Dr. Vince McElhinny (Senior Director of Social Policy and Practice Department, Conservation International)

Mr. Yance Arizona (Executive Director, Epistema Institute)

Dr. Peter Herlihy (Professor of Geography and Atmospheric Science, University of Kansas)

How Geospatial Technology can Enhance Sustainability and Security

Speakers

Dr. Alexander Murphy (Professor of Geography, University of Oregon)

Mr. Robert Cardillo (Director, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency)

Ms. Susan Gordon (Deputy Director, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency)

Keynote Speaker: Success in Sustainability in 2050

Speaker

Mr. William Reilly (Former Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency)

What if People Mattered?

Speakers

Dr. Robert Chen (Director, Center for International Earth Science Information Network at Columbia University)

Dr. Gary Machlis (Science Advisor to the Director, U.S. National Park Service)

Prof. Brent McCusker (Associate Chair of Geography, University of West Virginia)

Powering Our Future

Speakers

Dr. Wesley Reisser (Senior Foreign Affairs Officer, U.S. Department of State)

Dr. Phillip Sharp (Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University)

Ms. Cela Sinay-Bernie (Managing Director, Altus Power America)

AGS Honors and Awards Ceremony 2016

Speakers

Dr. Marie Price (President, American Geographical Society)

Dr. Matthew LaFevor (2016 Wrigley-Fairchild Prize Recipient)

Dr. Roberta Balstad (2016 AGS Honorary Fellow Recipient)

Ms. Barbara Ryan (2016 AGS Honorary Fellow Recipient)

Dr. Peter Herlihy (2016 AGS Bowman Scholar Recipient)

Dr. Robert W. Kates (2016 AGS Charles P. Daly Meda Recipient)

Dr. John Konarski (Chief Executive Officer, American Geographical Society)

Mr. Robert Cardillo (Director, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency)

Mr. Asheik Hussaun (‘VIV’ – Expedition Hacks, 1st Place)