Costing the world’s problems with Bjorn Lomborg

A great introduction to some global or development economics, looking at the world’s biggest problems, as measured by their cost to the world’s economy. There’s commentary and a good stimulus video. It will add a dimension to your introduction to global challenges, even if you’re already familiar with the basic Copenhagen Consensus idea: prioritise the world’s problems from biggest to smallest. That approach should lead to a more efficient response, given that resources – and political will – are limited.

Bjorn Lomborg is a controversial figure to many commentators. He became widely known about a decade ago, rising to fame (or notoriety) by suggesting that climate change – though a huge challenge - might not be the world’s biggest problem. At the time, this was a very controversial viewpoint, attracting a furious response. His popularity wasn’t enhanced by his suggestion that in many respects, the world is getting better and better. This message is also very unpalatable, since it doesn’t fit with the world-view presented by the mainstream media, and because a proportion of the public sometimes seem to only be receptive to bad news stories.

Follow this link to Project Syndicate for the article and video. Lomborg identifies massive problems that the world faces, and tries to measure their impact over the last century, and into the future.

(While you’re at it, also have a quick look at Worldometers – Real Time World statistics and see if you think that, on balance, they present a good news, or a bad news story).