sustainableworld.com

Objective of the Site

This site was launched in 1998. It has been adapted over time to changing circumstances. It began as a site providing software suggestions, mainly open source applications for managing in developing countries. In 1999 and 2000, with World Bank funding, it provided guidance (in seven languages) and software solutions for dealing with Y2K and the lesser known GPS roll over. For the past 20 years it has provided links to management data of interest to developing countries as well as guidance on linking the data and using open source software for data management. The listed sites were often the work of international organizations, and many web sites are now providing these listings, most specifically The Humanitarian Data Exchange. This site is now changing its focus to deal with two specific issues that are key to long term global development. The first is narrowly focused and proposes open source solutions to assist small communities to collect information and to mange with it, while the second is extremely broad and provides links and some analysis to the confluence of a number of game changing global events that will shape the direction of of world's economic and social growth. This second activity will present data and some preliminary analysis on the impact of  the long term effect of the Corona virus, climate change, China's growing influence (including specifically the Belt and Road initiative), and the long-term impact of the USA's past and current "America First" policies. The changes to the site will be made progressively--two new sections have been added to the site and they will be expanded over time. Existing links which are still relevant will be kept and reorganized while some older links will be eliminated. The three sections below expand briefly on the planned changes.

Village Management

The goal of this project is to demonstrate the use of open source software, specifically OpenStreetMaps and QGIS, to provide management tools to small population centers. The software  provides not only the capacity to map areas, but also to derive data from the mapping which can be used for management. The software has been tested using data from several First Nation settlements in Canada. More information is available at Management.

Tipping Points/Game Changers

This project is in its very early stages. Data is being gathered on the for main focus points, but also on other relevant topics-- particularly long term projections of population, GDP etc. A lot of the basic links are already available on the old version of this site and they will be reorganized and updated. This section of the site will be updated regularly, but initially priority is being given to completing the work on the Village Management project. More information and data on this project  is available at Tipping Points.

Using the Data

While much of the basic data for the two ongoing projects is very different, the software and the management of data techniques have a lot of overlap. Both projects will rely heavily on mapping, as well as the use of spreadsheets and database software for linking and managing data. Relevant training material  from the existing site will be kept, reorganized and added to.  This material can be accessed Using Data.