Downloading MyWorld and the datasets

Step 1 –
Note: (2022) My World GIS is no longer available.

Downloading and installing the MyWorld software

Note: (2018) My World GIS is now unavailable

  1. Go to the MyWorld web site at the Geographic Data in Education Initiative (GEODE) initiative at Northwestern University http://wwfmpserver.sesp.northwestern.edu/FMPro?-db=myworlddownload.fp5&-format=myworldreg.htm&-view (now unavailable), and click on the link on the upper left corner that reads: Download a 45-day Free Trial Version of My World. A new web browser window opens up and shows the Geographic Data in Education Initiative (GEODE) registration form.

  2. Fill out your information on the GEODE registration form. Make sure to fill out the required fields shown in red, and click on the Submit button located towards the bottom of this registration web page. A new web page loads up indicating that your registration has been successful. Click on the link that reads Click here to continue downloading My World!

  3. The top portion of the next web page reads My World version 2.0 Trial Version Installer, and it includes a link to the Installation Instructions. Make sure to write down the folder where you install the MyWorld software for later use in this guide. Follow the Installation Instructions to complete the installation of the MyWorld software on your computer.

At this point, you should have MyWorld installed on your computer.

Step 2 –
Downloading the ISO Countries dataset

This dataset is available as a ZIP file which contains several compressed files containing the ISO country codes. You will need this dataset to create a map display of the 2002 ESI dataset for each country with My World GIS.
  1. Click on the following link to begin downloading the ISO Countries dataset: http://serc.carleton.edu/eet/dds_2/isoCountries.zip.
  2. Extract, or "unzip" the files contained within the ZIP file to the data directory located in the folder where you installed My World GIS.

Step 3 –
Downloading the 2002 ESI dataset

  1. 1. Go to the Environmental Sustainability Index web page at the CIESIN web site: http://www.ciesin.columbia.edu/indicators/ESI/ and click on the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) (download) link at the top of the web page.[Screenshot]
  2. Click on the Download the Excel Spreadsheet to begin downloading the 2002 ESI dataset in Excel spreadsheet format to your computer.
  3. Save the Excel spreadsheet containing the 2002 ESI dataset to an easy-to-remember location, such as your Desktop folder. Please save the file using its original name: ESI2002_data.xls. Write down the name of the folder where you are saving this file for later use in this guide.

The reports available on the same page as the link to download the dataset describe the methods used to calculate the ESI in detail, and provide detailed reports on each country.