Definitions and Examples

 World issues are concerns or problems that do or could affect society on a variety of levels and that cross political boundaries. They may bring into question how policies, research, behaviour, etc. harm or could harm the dignity of humanity and the dignity and sustainability of the planet.

 Issues arise because of disagreements about people’s aspirations for a desirable future. How people see the future usually depends on their culture and experiential background, as well as their worldview or perspective.

 Issues can generate a range of feelings, including surprise, shock, concern, anger, or anxiety. When manifested in action, in extreme cases these feelings can lead to violence, torture, war, genocide, etc.  Differentiate: My dog ran away from home is a problem, how people mistreat animals is an issue.

 Many world or “global” issues can fall under several “umbrella” categories or types. Some problems overlap from one category into another such as: ◦ Human Population Issues ◦ Economic/Financial Issues ◦ Earth in Balance Issues ◦ Conflict Issues ◦ Quality of Life Issues

 In groups of 3-4 provide examples of specific issues that fall under each main category that are currently of concern. Organize your group’s examples under each heading, but in a manner that shows interconnections, on chart paper to be presented to the class.  Keep your chart display of issues, neat, well-organized and easy to read!

Human Population Economic Issues Earth in Balance ConflictQuality of Life Population Growth (or explosion), Population Controls, Migration, Urban Sprawl, Refugees in Crisis, Sterilization, Family Limits, Demographic Changes, etc. Famine, Cost of Food, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s), Slavery (mostly young girls and boys), Cost of Pharmaceutical Drugs, Dependency between Developed and Developing nations, International Debt, Consumption, Globalization, etc. Climate Change, Global Warming, Drought, Pollution, Deforestation, Desertification, Melting Glaciers and Ice Caps, Habitat Loss, Endangered Species, Spread of Disease/Insects, Waste Management, etc. Genocide, Child Soldiers, Rape of Women, Discrimination, Terrorism, War, Resource Protectionism, Weapons Production (Biological, Chemical, Nuclear), etc. Infant Mortality Rate, Infanticide, Malnutrition, Education, Human Rights, Drug/Health Care Accessibility, Poverty, Life Expectancy, etc.