World Vision calls for stronger prevention of child malnutrition across West Africa

The UN has approved a new world map projection called the Equal Earth, which aims to more accurately depict the size of the Earth's landmasses. This new projection addresses the distortion caused by the commonly used Mercator Projection, which makes countries near the poles appear much larger than they actually are, including Africa.

Cartographers Jack Swab and Derek Alderman explain that a map projection is a method used to represent the Earth's spherical surface on a flat map, inevitably leading to distortions in shapes and areas. The cartographers' job is to choose the most suitable projection for a specific purpose. The Equal Earth Projection is better suited for global-scale maps in educational, public communication, and policy contexts.

While the Mercator Projection is still useful for navigation, the Equal Earth Projection offers a fairer perspective for comparing regions based on factors like population, environment, development, and politics. However, the UN resolution endorsing the Equal Earth Projection is non-binding, and its widespread adoption will require conscious efforts in various sectors like textbooks, media, and diplomatic discussions.

Some countries, such as Russia and the United States, have expressed concerns about the Equal Earth Projection. The US, in particular, criticized the projection for its perceived ties to colonial legacies and the marginalization of Africa. Despite this resistance, the Equal Earth Projection is already gaining traction among map-makers and is available for purchase as wall maps.