Mapping Environmental Quality Around the World

In this activity, users construct and analyze maps of the the Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI) and its component data sets to compare ESI rankings around the world. The ESI is a numerical index, produced by the Environmental Performance Measurement Project, that measures the progress of 146 countries toward environmental sustainability. Seventy-six data sets, tracking factors such as land conservation, water quality, health, waste management, and air pollution, are aggregated to calculate each country's ESI score. Users download the ESI dataset from the Environmental Performance Measurement Project, and import it into My World, a geographic information system (GIS) tool designed for education. The ESI and its component data sets can be sorted and mapped to investigate the factors that affect countries' progress towards environmental sustainability. Educational levels: Middle school, High school