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Footprint evaluation focuses on the ‘footprint’ that human systems make on natural systems. This requires attention to the nexus between human systems and natural systems. Footprint evaluation is grounded in the premise that all evaluations should include consideration of environmental sustainability, even when this is not a stated goal of the intervention. This is so that decision-making can take into account the potential and actual impacts of planned interventions (projects, programs, policies) on the environment.

This ArcGIS Story Map Collection displays all modules that were part of the Story of Place Course held from September 2020 to February 2021. The course focuses on understanding global issues at a bioregional scale.

Blue Marble Japan, Inc. aims to facilitate system transformation to realize a sustainable world. They have translated the Blue Marble Principles into Japanese. 

"Many pressing challenges require transformation, rather than incremental change and trade-offs. These ‘grand challenges’ are reflected in the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by the nations of the world in September 2015 at a meeting titled Transforming Our World, and in the December 2015 Paris Climate Agreement (together called Agenda 2030). Agenda 2030 requires deep – many call it radical – change in mindsets, and ways of acting and organizing. Agenda 2030 present the challenges as inter-dependent ones of environment, equity and poverty.

"The knowledge, tools and action for achieving transformative change are, however, inadequate and fragmented across disparate disciplines, issues, organizations and people. There is, therefore, an urgent need to develop, nurture and connect ways of working and learning for transformative change. The SDG Transformation Forum is addressing this need."

As noted in the Bricolage Methods Principle, Blue Marble Evaluation is NOT a specific set of methods or measurements, though treating the global system as the focus of evaluation has major methodological and measurement implications.

The variety of possible Blue marble evaluation situations is so vast that no predetermined set will be adequate. There can be no Blue Marble methods toolbox, a popular metaphor for evaluators offering a limited and definitive set of “tools.”

As such, we encourage Blue Marble Evaluators to also join the Better Evaluation community, where you can deepen your understanding of the bricolage of methods available to conduct a Blue Marble Evaluations.

World Savvy is a 501c3 organization based in the United States that works to build global competence in middle and high school students and educators. 

World Savvy's approach was an early inspiration for Blue Marble Evaluation. Their Global Competence Matrix offers insight into what core concepts, values, skills and dispositions might be relevant for Blue Marble Evaluators.

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the General Assembly on Thursday, 13 September 2007, by a majority of 144 states in favour, 4 votes against (Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States) and 11 abstentions (Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burundi, Colombia, Georgia, Kenya, Nigeria, Russian Federation, Samoa and Ukraine).

UNFRIP is the most comprehensive international instrument on the rights of indigenous peoples. It establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the indigenous peoples of the world and it elaborates on existing human rights standards and fundamental freedoms as they apply to the specific situation of indigenous peoples.

Photo Credit: Graphic Design Unit, Department of Public Information, United Nations

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.

UNFRIP is the most comprehensive international instrument on the rights of indigenous peoples. It establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the indigenous peoples of the world and it elaborates on existing human rights standards and fundamental freedoms as they apply to the specific situation of indigenous peoples.