How We Can Make the World a Better Place by 2030 | Michael Green | TED Talks

TED2 minutes read

The UN set Global Goals for 2030 to address hunger, gender equality, and climate change, with the Millennium Development Goals surpassing the target of halving global poverty by 2015. Economic growth, the Social Progress Index, and prioritizing social progress over GDP are key factors in achieving these goals.

Insights

  • Economic growth, particularly in countries like China and India, has been instrumental in reducing global poverty, with the Millennium Development Goals surpassing their target of halving poverty by 2015.
  • While economic growth is crucial, achieving the UN's Global Goals necessitates prioritizing social progress over GDP growth, as demonstrated by countries like Costa Rica, highlighting that GDP alone does not determine progress; a score of 75 on the Social Progress Index is essential for reaching the Global Goals.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

Recent questions

  • What are the Global Goals set by the UN?

    Goals to end hunger, achieve gender equality, halt climate change.

  • What is the current global social progress score?

    The current score is 61, with Norway at 88 and Central African Republic at 31.

  • Is economic growth alone sufficient to achieve the Global Goals?

    No, economic growth has limited impact on social progress.

  • What is the estimated Social Progress Index score needed to achieve the Global Goals?

    A score of 75 on the Social Progress Index is estimated to be necessary.

  • How can countries improve social progress towards the Global Goals?

    By prioritizing social progress over economic growth, holding leaders accountable, and demanding a different approach to development.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

"Global Goals: Social Progress Over Economic Growth"

  • The UN has set Global Goals for the world's development until 2030, aiming to end hunger, achieve gender equality, and halt climate change.
  • The Millennium Development Goals aimed to halve global poverty by 2015, which was surpassed with global poverty falling to 12% this year.
  • Economic growth, particularly in countries like China and India, played a significant role in reducing poverty.
  • The Social Progress Index measures survival needs, building blocks for a better life, and opportunities for improvement, providing a benchmark for progress.
  • The current global social progress score is 61, with Norway scoring 88 and the Central African Republic scoring 31.
  • To achieve the Global Goals, a score of 75 on the Social Progress Index is estimated to be necessary.
  • Economic growth alone is not sufficient to reach the Global Goals, as it has limited impact on social progress.
  • Countries like Costa Rica have achieved high social progress despite modest GDP, showing that GDP is not the sole determinant of progress.
  • If countries underperforming on social progress improve to the global average, social progress could reach 65, and further improvements could bring it close to the Global Goals target of 75.
  • Achieving the Global Goals requires prioritizing social progress over economic growth, holding leaders accountable, and demanding a different approach to development.
Channel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatar

Try it yourself — It’s free.