American Geographical Society’s 2016 Fall Symposium

29 September 2016. The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC®) and symposium partners the American Geographical Society (AGS), the Earth Institute, GEO, and USGIF will present the 2016 AGS Fall Symposium, Geography 2050: Envisioning A Sustainable Planet on November 17-18, 2016. Hosted by the Earth Institute at Columbia University, the two-day event will take place in Alfred Lerner Hall, and discuss the vital trends that will reshape the geography of our planet by 2050.

The 2016 Fall Symposium of the American Geographical Society is the third in a multi-year strategic dialog about the vital trends that will reshape the geography of our planet by 2050. Entitled Geography 2050: Envisioning a Sustainable Planet, this symposium will convene thinkers from government, industry, academe, and the social sector to help develop a geographical understanding of the places that must be consciously conserved and restored over the coming decades in order to ensure that we collectively meet our societal sustainability goals.

Rather than exploring predictions of the future, as in years past, this year AGS seeks to collaboratively and constructively map the future geography of conservation, restoration, and sustainability. This year’s symposium seeks to bring the best minds together to map and shape a future where our ecosystems and vital resources should be conserved, restored, and sustainably managed for the betterment of humankind and the Earth.

This year’s speakers will include:

• Dr. Walter Scott, founder of DigitalGlobe;
• Dr. William Reilly, former EPA Administrator;
• Dr. Roger Sayre, USGS;
• Robert Cardillo, Director of NGA;
• Dr. Lee Schwartz, Geographer of the United States;
• And many more.

The symposium will be comprised of sessions dedicated to particular dimensions of the global geography that each face their own challenges with regard to conservation, restoration and sustainability, including:

• Oceans
• Forests
• Arctic
• Iconic Species Ranges
• Urban Ecosystems
• Energy
• Poverty, Development and Sustainability
• Conservation and Indigenous Peoples

For more information about the symposium, including registration details, visit www.geography2050.org. Early registration closes October 7 2016.

About the American Geographical Society

Established in 1851, the American Geographical Society (AGS) is the oldest professional geographical/geospatial organization in the United States. The goal of AGS is to enhance the nation’s geographic literacy so as to engender sound public policy, national security, and human well-being worldwide. AGS provides leadership to frame the national discussion of the growing importance of geography and geo-spatial tools. The Society maintains its headquarters in New York City.