Gapminder Study Reveals Widespread Misconceptions About UN Sustainable Development Goals
The Gapminder Foundation released the Sustainable Development Misconceptions Study 2020, revealing that the public holds systematic and widespread misconceptions about global trends related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Conducted in collaboration with AFRY, the study surveyed residents in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland. Results showed an average error rate of 82%, with participants correctly answering only about three out of eighteen questions. Common misconceptions included overestimating the number of refugees, believing suicide rates are rising globally, and misunderstanding the proportion of plastic waste entering oceans. Anna Rosling Rönnlund, co-founder of Gapminder, emphasized that accurate knowledge is crucial for addressing global challenges effectively. The study aims to promote a fact-based worldview to support sustainable development efforts. By highlighting these knowledge gaps, Gapminder and AFRY seek to encourage better-informed public discourse and policy decisions. The full report details specific questions and data sources, underscoring the need for improved global literacy regarding sustainability issues to ensure society focuses on the right priorities for future progress.
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Gapminder Study Reveals Widespread Misconceptions About UN Sustainable Development Goals
The Gapminder Foundation released the Sustainable Development Misconceptions Study 2020, revealing that the public holds systematic and widespread misconceptions about global trends related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Conducted in collaboration with AFRY, the study surveyed residents in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland. Results showed an average error rate of 82%, with participants correctly answering only about three out of eighteen questions. Common misconceptions included overestimating the number of refugees, believing suicide rates are rising globally, and misunderstanding the proportion of plastic waste entering oceans. Anna Rosling Rönnlund, co-founder of Gapminder, emphasized that accurate knowledge is crucial for addressing global challenges effectively. The study aims to promote a fact-based worldview to support sustainable development efforts. By highlighting these knowledge gaps, Gapminder and AFRY seek to encourage better-informed public discourse and policy decisions. The full report details specific questions and data sources, underscoring the need for improved global literacy regarding sustainability issues to ensure society focuses on the right priorities for future progress.
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