Adventures in a Better Tomorrow
Project: Atlas of the Future
Format: Digital magazine and events
Editor-in-chief: Lisa Goldapple
Atlas of the Future is a trilingual, optimism-fuelled platform mapping innovations by people building a better world. It’s proof that social good storytelling can be rigorous, joyful and occasionally rock ‘n’ roll – especially when the world needs upbeat and inspiring stories most.
It was 2015 when I met Cathy Runciman, ex-MD of Time Out International and now Brian Eno’s Executive Director of Earth Percent, and Catalan publishing legend Oriol Soler in a historic bookstore in Barcelona. We then spent six wonder-filled years together spotlighting innovations.
The mission? Democratise the future. To make the important stuff changing the world understandable and entertaining – not just in sustainability, science and tech “with heart”, but in every area of human activity.
Topics: Art & Design • Biodiversity • Climate Change • Education • Energy • Fashion • Finance • Food • Health • Science • Society & Politics • Sustainability • Technology • Urbanism • Waste • Water
As Editor-in-chief from concept kickoff, I led editorial and video production, defined the Atlas voice and visual language, and helping it evolve into an archive of 2,000+ socially impactful projects in English, Spanish and Catalan. The platform is now published by Catalan publishing powerhouse Abacus Cooperativa.
From the heart-shaped Arctic island of Uummannaq to the Sahara to extreme environments in Yemen, the Atlas proves that even in the hardest places, imagination survives.
The interactive map highlights projects like Skateistan, the skateboarding idea that started in Kabul to empower Afghan girls, and Turning Tables’ hip hop workshops in refugee camps and urban slums. More favourites include Materiom’s circular design recipes for alternative materials, Sirkane’s black and white photos metres from the Syrian border, Aurat Raaj’s use of AI to break taboos in Pakistan, Precious Plastic’s DIY recycling workshops, Fairphone’s open source software and Public Stack’s alternative internet.
Interviews
Each conversation, whether with scientists, chefs, economists or activists, reinforced the same truth: the future is not as broken as it looks.
I explored jungle flavours with Chef’s Table punk-superstar Alex Atala. Entered the Matrix with the wonderful wizard of Minecraft. Discovered community power with renegade economist Kate Raworth and renewables dynamo Agamemnon Otero. Created a storytelling partnership with the Godfather of modern sustainability. Dived deep with big wave surfer-scientist Easkey Britton and ocean justice fighter Dr. Ayana Elizabeth. Circumnavigated a rocket that’s orbited the moon with NASA’s Head of Innovation. Chatted with biomedical scientist Dr. Knatokie Ford, The Wonder Woman of STEM, about her Obama water-cooler moment and sharing the stage with Pharrell. And carved a path to climate justice with former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson.
Then there was the time we had to pause a shoot mid-interview with Australia’s top chef, Jock Zonfrillo, to tackle a mugger in the Boqueria market in Barcelona.
Events
The digital magazine led to Fixing the Future, a successful event series at the CCCB. The magazine continues to support the annual event at the Design Museum in Barcelona.
Partners & Commissions
Just some of the people Atlas partnered with on storytelling projects: Goldsmiths, British Council Creative Economy, Independent Age, Makerversity, The J J Charitable Trust, Aigües de Barcelona, Government of Catalonia, Clean & Cool, Holaluz, Oxfam Intermon, Textile Exchange, Ethos magazine, and more.
Barcelona is an open city full of pioneers. I was commissioned by arcelona City Council to create a series called Barcelona Digital City about STEAM, makers, social innovation and people power.
In partnership with John Elkington, the Godfather of modern sustainability, his team at Volans and the UN Global Compact, we created Project Breakthrough, a website and video series interviewing leaders solving the world’s largest challenges. Full playlist.
I can’t tell you more about the LA event at Warner Bros Studios by Improbable IO and Wilton Park as I signed an NDA. But you can watch what I created from it.
Described as “The Glastonbury of business”, Meaning Conference connects and inspires. I created the behind the scenes videos from the annual events in Brighton, UK.
At the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco, I learned about the global investor movement accelerating the sustainable energy transition from fossil fuels. In this series produced for DivestInvest, leading activists, politicians, a DJ and former President Mary Robinson break down the climate action movement.
I remain on a mission to spotlight the remarkable people – and creatures – keeping the planet cool. For my next trick, I created TOPIA Magazine.
