Principle 3: Transformative Engagement

This American Evaluation Association session, featuring several of Blue Marble Evaluation members, shines a light on the climate crisis. Michael Patton, Beverly Parsons, Nicole Bowman, Scott Chaplowe, Andy Rowe and Khalil Bitar will share their perspectives on the ways in which the urgency of climate change presents an opportunity for action by evaluators on what is arguably the most pressing challenge we face not just as evaluators, but as inhabitants on this planet. This “tragedy of the commons” sits squarely within the AEA ethical guiding principle, Common Good and Equity.

Blue Marble refers to the iconic image of the Earth from space without borders or boundaries, a whole Earth perspective. We humans are using our planet’s resources, and polluting and warming it, in ways that are unsustainable. Many people, organizations, and networks are working to ensure the future is more sustainable and equitable. Blue Marble evaluators enter the fray by helping design such efforts, provide ongoing feedback for adaptation and enhanced impact, and examine the long-term effectiveness of such interventions and initiatives.

Summary: Michael Quinn Patton’s Blue Marble Evaluation is a forward-looking, path-breaking, and timely contribution to evaluation theory and practice. The title of the book evokes the Blue Marble shot—a photograph of the whole earth taken by the Apollo 17 astronauts in 1972. The preface of the book displays the first image of our lonely planet captured from space in 1968 (Earthrise).

"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).