Bjorn Lomborg argues for the 'boring stuff' that could save 4.2 million lives each year

“World leaders have promised everything to everyone. But they are failing….” says Bjørn Lomborg, “…The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals are supposed to be delivered by 2030. The goals literally promise everything, like eradicating poverty, hunger and disease; stopping war and climate change, ending corruption, fixing education along with countless other promises. This year, the world is at halftime for its promises, but nowhere near halfway.” 

Last year, life expectancy on the planet reached 70, with 66 years in India. This is remarkable progress. In 1900, life expectancy was about 30. Compared to a century ago, each of us has now been granted more than two lifetimes. But there are still many health problems we could tackle better. The question is which we should focus on.

Global leaders recently swept into New York for the United Nations General Assembly, trailed by thousands of media, activists and protestors. During the high-level get-together, two very different meetings held at the exactly same time revealed much about their priorities—and their flawed approach to the planet’s biggest problems.