Quantified: Redefining Conservation for the Next Economy

by Joe S. Whitworth

Google, Apple, Amazon, companies like these have come to embody innovation, efficiency, and success. How often is the environmental movement characterized in the same terms? Sadly, conservation is frequently seen as a losing battle, waged by well-meaning, but ultimately ineffective idealists. Joe Whitworth argues it doesn’t have to be this way. In fact, it can’t be this way if we are to maintain our economy, let alone our health or the planet’s.In Quantified, Whitworth draws lessons from the world’s most tech-savvy, high-impact organizations to show how we can make real gains for the environment. The principles of his approach, dubbed quantified conservation, will be familiar to any thriving situational awareness, bold outcomes, innovation and technology, data and analytics, and gain-focused investment. This no-nonsense strategy builds on the inspirational environmental work begun in the 1970s, while recognizing that the next economy will demand new solutions.As President of The Freshwater Trust, Whitworth has put quantified conservation into practice, pioneering the model of a “do-tank” that is dramatically changing how rivers can get restored across the United States. The stories in Quantified highlight the most precious of resources—water—but they apply to any environmental effort. Whether in the realm of policy, agriculture, business, or philanthropy, Whitworth is charting a new course for conservation.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sustainability

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 8, 2015

Reviews

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was OK, but somewhat self-promoting.

[Becky Roark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timely, honest, and innovative approach to large scale and small scale watershed concerns.

I work for a watershed group. We are always trying to monitor and measure our efforts while trying to stay ahead in trends and have a well- equipped toolbox for the many issues and concerns that we address. This book is a really great resource if you are interested in those coming trends and has a great approach for long term measures we can all take for our environment and economy.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little repetitive but some great systems thinking and interesting approaches to thinking about impact driven activism.

[Mills College Library]

333.72 W6281 2015

[Bill McDavitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a refreshing read that provided some great examples about how the massive influx in data and availability of environmental sensors can lead to clear cut improvements in river health and aquatic ecosystems. The book is only 9 chapters and each one is sort of a mini case-study. I particularly liked this quote: "Quantified conservation provides the way forward. It can transform
environmentalism into a more powerful force for protecting our rivers and streams while creating a more durable prosperity within the limits of the biosphere." The book takes a fresh perspective on where we are with computers, sensors and data and how we can use this information to help with aquatic conservation efforts. I finished the book feeling optimistic about what can be accomplished.