Critical global issues: What are the world’s biggest problems .7 Global Issues We Can’t Ignore Anymore.We live in uncertain times, and the challenges of the world are immense. It can be hard to keep up with all the issues that make the news every day, but here are seven global issues that we just can’t ignore anymore.
1) Endangered species
The endangered species of elephants, pandas, and tigers are most often referred to as the big three. However, there are numerous other animals that also need our help. Elephants require a habitat where they have access to plenty of fresh water, shade from the hot sun and long enough grass for them to graze. The elephant’s trunk is an incredibly powerful organ that can uproot trees and knock down electric fences – the two main reasons they are killed.
2) Rising Sea Levels
As the planet warms and glaciers melt, sea levels are rising. Rising sea levels will threaten the viability of coastal communities and livelihoods, as well as ecosystems. In this post, we’ll explore the impacts of rising sea levels in detail – who’s at risk, how many people, what to do about it – and find out where you can help.
3) Gender bias around the world
In this day and age, it is discouraging to see the gender bias in different parts of the world. Men outnumber women not only in politics, but also as CEOs and business owners. Gender equality is important to promote human rights and because we deserve equal representation everywhere. Some countries are still promoting inequality by using language that excludes women or implying they are less intelligent than men. On a lighter note, other countries have female heads of state or governments–even though this is a rarity. In our area here in Canada, there are three representatives in parliament: one woman and two men.
4) Lack of shelter across the globe
We’ve all seen the pictures of people living in cardboard boxes and tents without proper shelter, but there are still some who find it hard to believe. The current homelessness crisis in America affects 1.6 million people on any given night. Millions more suffer from housing insecurity or homelessness, including many young adults who are couch surfing after they graduate college. These are our fellow citizens, who live one step away from the risk of disaster and tragedy. These communities have been cast aside by society for far too long, but now is the time to bring them back into the light by ensuring that every person has a home that provides dignity and hope for their future.
5) Malnutrition
Malnutrition is the world’s leading cause of death, with most deaths occurring in children. The condition results from a lack of essential nutrients and can lead to fatal health complications such as vitamin A deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia. One of the major causes of malnutrition is a lack of education surrounding proper nutrition and what foods are available in different regions or countries. In Africa, up to 58% of households have difficulty accessing adequate food supplies on a consistent basis.
6) Unstable governments
Unstable governments are the primary cause of violence and political upheaval throughout the world. From Afghanistan to North Korea, one example is a government that lacks both the legitimacy and stability necessary to create peace and security. Violence often occurs in these countries as opposition groups fight for control over the country or power against an incumbent regime. Countries where civil wars have led to mass starvation like Somalia are also cases where conflict has lead to vulnerability.
7) Pollution around the world
The Harvard Political Review states that Air pollution is the world’s largest environmental cause of disease, of death. The World Health Organization estimates that 7 million people die each year from toxic pollutants and dirty air. That’s more than AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis combined. And it’s true; air pollution has been proven to lead to many fatal illnesses like heart disease, lung cancer, and a host of other illnesses. It doesn’t even stop there! Environmental issues such as this contribute greatly to a wide variety of global warming problems which is why we are now seeing radical weather conditions all over the world.
Conclusion
Global issues are ever-changing and have a way of sneaking up on us. Often, the easiest thing to do is look the other way. Maybe our worries are more trivial than what’s going on in the world right now? Maybe it’ll go away and everything will be ok? Well, we can pretend all we want but global issues don’t care what you think. They’re continuing to affect our country every day and in many ways that are unpredictable. Don’t sit back while you watch the turmoil unfold; get involved, get educated and find out how to take action so that one day these global issues won’t threaten our lives anymore.
