Week 3: World's Biggest Problems

1). World hunger and poverty- Obviously food is a need essential to live. Even if the food quantity is available, one also must consider than quality of the food supply and take into account the nutritious value. Many fall below the poverty line if they live on less than $1.25 a day. With such little money, this also leads to hunger because one probably does not have the money or access to the foods necessary to sustain life. Tackling world hunger has been at the top of the list for decades, and there is no simple solution. A large majority of financial aid does go toward feeding the hungry and I think it is important to do all we can to help. On a similar note, when donating money, be sure to find programs and charities where every penny goes toward the cause. You don’t want to be funding a program where the relief efforts hardly impact those you are trying to reach, so just be sure to do your research and send your money will it will make the most difference.

2). Women’s rights- This is something I am very passionate about. It is another area that we as Americans are very lucky to enjoy the many freedoms we were born with. In some countries, women still can’t own land, vote, and are entirely dependent on men to provide for their family. I personally can’t imagine not being able to be self-reliant, and my heart breaks that some women have to fight for these freedoms each and every day when I was just born in a country that recognizes the equality of all people. The best solution here is to help in any way we can in my opinion. Especially with countries that are our allies, I do believe it is our duty to stick up for these women and give them a voice.

3). War and terrorism- The threat of violence and the many terrorist attacks has instilled a sense of fear across the world. It is scary to be on alert and have to take safety measures in certain places where you used to feel safe. From the attacks in Paris to 9/11, ISIS is a large part of this fear. Any act of terrorism is scary, but repeated attacks from the same group are when it becomes a reality that they are a major threat. The best way to go about being safe is just to trust that our government and security know what they’re doing, and to never put yourself in a compromising situation if possible. Doing your own part as an individual to stay safe and trust your own instincts is important as well.

4). Education- Although not a dangerous issue or imminent threat, I feel that this is important to include for the future of the world. Access to education is something I know I can take for granted, but I am extremely thankful to have been born in a country that focuses so much on quality education. As with each of these issues, there is no one simple solution, but I think using grant money to fund schooling is something that can help continue to give and come full circle because increasing education can help people become more self-sufficient and potentially decrease some of the other issues.

5). Overpopulation and high birth rates- So many people puts a strain on the availability of food, housing, resources, etc. With high birth rates in many countries, the issue may continue to get worse if not addressed. In addition, a large percentage of the world’s population is concentrated in areas that can hardly take the strain of overpopulation. The most practical solution here would just be to not take on more than you can handle if possible. Try to live in an affordable area and not have more children than you can afford to clothe, house, and feed. Obviously that is easier in theory and it’s not always practical to move or control how large your family is, but if every individual did their part, it would certainly help.

6). Energy and available resources- We all know the difference between renewable and nonrenewable energy. Our reliance on oil and coal is a serious issue moving forward because those resources won’t be available forever. Investing money and research into other technologies such as solar, wind, and hydropower is essential to find other sources of power. We never want to reach a point where there is a crisis when we run out of resources we are so dependent on, so the best solution is trying to find other sources of energy that can be used in mass quantities so we can lessen reliance on nonrenewable resources.

7). The economy- With unstable economic conditions, it can often be an endless loop to come out of them. If the economy takes a downturn, people are scared to spend money, and with no money circulating, it just gets worse. When countries reach a point such as Greece, the public perception puts a stress on the community and people begin to lose their jobs and their homes. The best solution here in my opinion is continuing to spend money so that commerce continues to circulate. There is never a time that you can be sure, so also saving is extremely important so that in case of an emergency, you have a back up fund that your family can live off of.

8). Drug abuse- This is one that many people may not have on their lists, but I believe that drug abuse is a serious issue. Not only is it illegal, but the trade itself can be extremely dangerous and hard to get out of. Addiction is a terrifying cycle to get caught up in, and I believe that it is only getting worse. Drugs can tear families apart and overdoses can lead to death. Cracking down on drug trade, free help and addiction centers, and rehabilitation facilities are among many implementable solutions.

9). Environmental degradation- Living in the moment and not caring out the damage we are doing for future generations is taking a toll on our planet. Landfills are piling up, lakes and other fresh water sources are extremely polluted, and the air we’re breathing is contaminated with many chemicals. Solutions to help reverse some of this damage are the simple reduce, reuse, recycle that we have learned since elementary school. In that order, it is best to reduce the amount you use, reuse the items you can, and recycle any other items for other purposes.

10). Availability of clean drinking water- Clean drinking water is another basic necessity of life. Filtration systems and clean water is something many people take for granted, but not everyone is so privileged to have access to clean water. Foreign aid to build water pumps and wells is the best solution to set up permanent sites where people can have access to this basic need.