Mapping the Nation: Creating the World We Want to See

100 We see this same scenario with maps in the response to oil spills, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, wildfires, famine, social unrest, and pandemics. With climate change, many communities are facing new extremes that are exacerbating racial and social inequities. Maps are helping plan, adapt, and add resilience, providing insight into more equitable approaches that help those in greatest need. Using a geographic approach, we can look across the social, economic, and natural systems at play to devise methods to address complex challenges. Maps help gather diverse perspectives to find common ground that moves us toward a more sustainable future. Achieving Common Ground In the Thai cave rescue, a dedicated group of professionals put their mapping skills to the test and marveled at how the maps quickly became the universal language for a coordinated response. The rescuers have shown us how maps enhance understanding and speed collaborative action, both vital powers when addressing today’s urgent challenges. Shared maps have a way of simplifying complex matters, and they provide a way to coordinate decisions while ensuring that diverse perspectives are considered. The shared map isn’t your map or my map, it’s our map. It provides a common ground for us to work from and a way to prioritize what we want to achieve. On July 2, 2018, the 12 kids and their coach were found within the cave in the area called Nom Sao Hill. Experts gather around a map to discuss strategy.

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