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UN Votes 164-1 for Equal Earth Map, US Opposes
Confirmed
In Short: In an effort to address long-standing distortions in map projections, a team of cartographers in 2018 created the Equal Earth map, which more accurately depicts the relative sizes of countries and continents.
In an effort to address long-standing distortions in map projections, a team of cartographers in 2018 created the Equal Earth map, which more accurately depicts the relative sizes of countries and continents. The Mercator projection, which has been in use since the 16th century, distorts the sizes of regions, particularly those near the poles, making them appear larger than they are in reality.
The United Nations General Assembly officially retired the Mercator projection in favor of the Equal Earth design during a session at its headquarters in New York. The resolution, which was almost unanimously adopted, aimed to improve the accuracy of cartographic representation and address the distortions tied to the centuries-old Mercator projection.
The United States was the only nation to vote against the resolution, with Yaryna Ferencevych, the deputy U.S. representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Council, speaking against adopting the Equal Earth map. Ferencevych argued that the body should focus on 'genuine problems of international peace, prosperity or good relations' rather than 'map projects from the 16th century.
Ukraine abstained from the vote, as the Equal Earth map depicted the temporarily occupied Crimean peninsula as distinct from the rest of Ukrainian territory. The map also distinguished Crimea from the color used for Russia, leading to concerns among Ukrainian officials.
The Equal Earth map addresses the distortion by preserving the proportional size of continents and countries, although their shapes can appear somewhat different. According to reports, the map is designed to show the relative size of land masses more accurately, promoting a more accurate global perception.
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- It says that the existing map not only distorts the sizes of the continents but also diminishes the global perception with respect to the true physical presence of Africa, Latin America, and South Asia on the face of the Earth.
- The resolution states that the distortions “contribute to minimizing the extent of socioeconomic realities, infrastructure needs, development potential, and prosperity in the Southern regions, and that they can fuel prejudices in the environmental, geopolitical, and security fields.” The Equal Earth map was almost unanimously adopted by the member countries in the General Assembly.
- Bukayo Saka Scores in 59th Minute as Arsenal Beat Aston Villa 1-0 at Villa Park Libya Rivals Sign Tripoli Deal With UNSMIL to Hold National Elections Within Two Years The United Nations General Assembly voted on Friday to back a resolution titled “Correct the Map,” aimed at adopting the Equal Earth cartographic projection to correct distortions tied to the centuries-old Mercator projection.
- Al Jazeera reported that the resolution urged member states to adopt Equal Earth in place of the traditional Mercator projection, while also noting that the UN did not ban Mercator or impose a replacement.
- Al Jazeera reported that the UN said it is not banning Mercator or imposing a replacement, but is “merely encouraging the use of the Equal Earth projection,” leaving open how quickly platforms and institutions will adjust.
- The resolution is non-binding, meaning it does not force immediate changes, but it is intended to encourage governments and institutions to replace the traditional Mercator projection with Equal Earth.