The World's Biggest Problems
I am going to split what I consider to be some of the world's biggest problems into two categories: humanity related concerns and environmental concerns.
Environmental Concerns:
A lot of the Earth's biggest problems are related to the health of the planet in general. We must remember that we only have one Earth.
1. Air Pollution/Depleting of the Ozone
Many of our daily activities like driving, warming our houses, and running power stations create air pollution. Burning fossil fuels and exhaust from factories also contributes heavily to air pollution. Air pollution is so bad in some cities (like Mexico City and Seoul) that people wear face masks to filter the air they breathe. Also, CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) used to be used to cool homes.. until it was discovered that their usage was depleting the ozone layer, which protects us from the sun's ultraviolet rays.
Solution?
If we follow the Montreal Protocol (passed in the 1980s to stop production of CFCs) the ozone will begin to repair itself over the next 100 years. In order to decrease air pollution, we can use public transportation, conserve energy, recycle, and use energy efficient devices in our daily lives.
2. Depletion of Fossil Fuels
Many countries around the world rely on fossil fuels for electricity, transportation, and the heating and cooling of buildings and homes. Humans are using fossil fuels at a much faster rate than they can be renewed. This overuse of fossil fuels is the source of more than 90% of greenhouse gas emissions, which is affecting global warming and air pollution.
Solution?
There are two potential solutions to reducing the use of fossil fuels. We can either 1) rely on an alternate energy source, or 2) cut down/regulate amount of fossil fuels used. Other sources of energy, like wind energy, biomass energy, solar energy, etc. are renewable sources of energy that are more reliable and less destructive in the long term.
3. Water Pollution
Water pollution affects drinking water, and all bodies of water around the world. The world is 70% water and it is a very important resource. Water pollution stems from industries polluting water, sewage and waste water, septic tanks, ocean and marine dumping, etc. Water pollution causes death of aquatic animals (and disruption of food chains), diseases and destruction of ecosystems.
Solution?
Use water wisely. Recycle products properly. Don't throw chemicals or waste products down the drain. Large scale industries should try to regulate their byproduct of waste and the way they dispose of it.
4. Shortage of Water
Not only is water pollution a concern, but we also are dealing with a shortage of clean drinking water on Earth. The California drought may be foreshadowing problems to come in the future caused by the lack of water. Florida is predicted to be out of water in the next 50 years.
Solution?
We must develop technologies that allow us to make the most of the clean water we have, and use technology to also rely on other resources. We could use water purifiers to expand our opportunities for finding drinkable water. We can shower and use water ultra efficiently in our daily lives. We can also substitute other resources in place of water to cut down on our overuse use of water.
5. Deforestation
Deforestation is caused by a variety of things, including: agricultural activities, logging, urbanization, destruction of land, desertification of land, mining, and forest fires. Deforestation creates a climate imbalance, an increase in global warming, and it can also lead to floods, soil erosion, and wildlife extinction. It can have a devastating effect on the Earth and its ecosystems.
Solution?
To reduce deforestation, we must cut back and regulate the aforementioned activities that contribute to it. Although it is hard to regulate such large-scale, world wide activities, action must be taken to conserve our trees and their benefits.
6. Endangerment and Extinction of Wildlife
All the previously mentioned problems, such as pollution and deforestation, are contributing to the endangerment and extinction of wildlife. Endangered species can be found in almost every ecosystem and if they are not properly protected, these animals can go extinct. The extinction of a species can disrupt a food chain, permanently altering an ecosystem and how it functions. A variety of animals are endangered, such as tigers, lemurs, leopards, gorillas, and turtles.
Solution?
We must regulate our use of resources that have detrimental effects on animals and their ecosystems. We can monitor our use of water and our destruction of land, so that we can minimize our effect on the Earth and its other inhabitants.
Now I will switch to the other category of what I consider to be some of the world's biggest problems.
Humanity Related Concerns
7. Overpopulation
Over time the world has been experiencing a declining death rate, an improvement in medical facilities, and the overall development of technology. While these are all good indicators of a better quality of life, they are creating a new problem: overpopulation. Over time, overpopulation will put an increased strain on depleting resources and varying ecosystems.
Solution?
Improving education and making people aware of family planning are potential solutions to overpopulation.
8. Illiteracy
Illiteracy, caused by a lack of education, is effecting people all over the world. Illiteracy inhibits the individual and their participation in society. On a more national scale, illiteracy limits the degree to which a country can progress. Illiteracy is a major problem in the world.
Solution?
Illiteracy can be eradicated by universalizing primary and secondary education. Technology can aid the spread of education. Governments and private institutions can team up to provide the proper finances and resources to cure illiteracy around the world.
9. Poverty
Poverty is the by-product of illiteracy. 1.2 billion people live on less than $1.50 a day (22% of the world's population), and a little under half of these people have electricity. 2.7 billion people live off less than $2.50 a day (almost 50% of the world's population).
Solution?
There are many solutions that could contribute to eradicating poverty. Some include: creating more jobs, educating women, access to health care and clean water, and nutrition.
10. Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
Proliferation of nuclear weapons is a very relevant issue, especially in the present, with all the concerns of terrorism. Countries stock up on nuclear weapons because they believe it will ensure security and power. However, it very often results in instability.
Solution?
The best plan to solve nuclear weapon proliferation is probably to encourage nuclear disarmament, but that may be difficult to achieve.
