Overview
- The United Nations General Assembly voted on Friday to encourage use of the Equal Earth projection and other equal-area maps, passing the non-binding resolution 164 to one with six abstentions.
- Equal Earth preserves the true relative area of landmasses so Africa, Latin America and Oceania appear much larger compared with the Mercator projection while some shapes and bearings shift.
- The resolution does not mandate changes and major navigation services that use Mercator variants, including widely used apps, are unlikely to change their default displays soon.
- The United States cast the lone opposing vote and its UN representative called the measure a 'barnacle' that hurt the institution’s credibility, while several abstaining countries cited technical and boundary concerns.
- Supporters say the endorsement creates symbolic momentum for correcting representational bias and may prompt audits, phased textbook updates, teacher guidance and coordination with UNESCO and mapping firms over time.