Transcript World Issues

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
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
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
Economic
Population Issues
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,
Earth in
Balance
Climate Change,
Global Warming,
Drought,
Pollution,
Deforestation,
Desertification,
Melting Glaciers
and Ice Caps,
Habitat Loss,
Endangered
Species,
Spread of
Disease/Insects,
Waste
Management,
etc.
Conflict
Genocide,
Child Soldiers,
Rape of
Women,
Discrimination,
Terrorism,
War,
Resource
Protectionism,
Weapons
Production
(Biological,
Chemical,
Nuclear), etc.
Quality of
Life
Infant Mortality
Rate,
Infanticide,
Malnutrition,
Education,
Human Rights,
Drug/Health Care
Accessibility,
Poverty,
Life Expectancy,
etc.