GLOBAL

ISSUES
Lesson 3
WHAT IS A
GLOBAL
ISSUE?
 - explains matters of
great social concern
that affect human
populations locally and
that are shared among
diverse human
societies within our
 It affects a large
number of people
across national
boundaries.
e.g. poverty,
climate change
 It is beyond the
capability of any one
nation to resolve.
e.g. migration, financial

stability, forests,
water
 It is of significant
concern to all or most
countries.
e.g. conflicts,
communicable
diseases
 It requires a
regulatory approach
to resolve.
e.g. trade,
corruption, IPR
 KEY
GLOBAL
ISSUES
GLOBAL ECONOMY
Poverty, Trade,
Inequality,
Migration, Financial
stability,
Debt, Aid
 GLOBAL
Water, forests,
ENVIRONMENT AND
energy,
NATURAL RESOURCES
fisheries, climate
change
GLOBAL HUMAN
DEVELOPMENT
Education, Health,
Nutrition
 GLOBAL
GOVERNANCE
Conflicts, Corruption,
Global Compacts,
International
Financial Institution
 FRAMEWORK
FOR
UNDERSTANDING
GLOBAL ISSUES
 ANATOMY
- nature of the issue and
what makes it a global
issue.
e.g. China has invaded a
foreign country.
 DYNAMICS
- what forces are
shaping the issue and
their likely future trend.
e.g. Deployment of
warships to the disputed
territory
 ACTIONS
- what are being done to
address the issue? By
whom? What more can or
should be done? e.g. RP
has elevated the issue
to UNCLOS
 CONSEQUENCES
- What are likely the
consequences of
inactions or inadequate
actions?
e.g. Without action, other
stronger countries can
bully
 TOP 10
CURRENT
GLOBAL
CLIMATE
CHANGE
 The global temperatures
are rising, and are estimated
to increase from 2.6 degrees
Celsius to 4.8 degrees
Celsius by 2100.
 This would cause more
severe weather, crises
with
food and resources and
the spread of diseases.
 The reduction of
greenhouse emissions
and
the spreading of
education
on the importance of
going green can help
make
 Lobbying governments
and discussing policies to
reduce carbon emissions
and encouraging
reforestation is
an effective way of making
progress with climate
change.
POLLUTIO
N
 Pollution is one of the
most difficult global issues
to combat.
 Clean water is
essential for humans and
animals, but more than one
billion people don’t have
access to clean water.
 It is of the utmost
importance that people all
over the world begin working
to minimize the various
types of pollution, in order
to better the health of the
planet and all those living on
it.
VIOLENCE
 Violence can be
found in the social,
cultural and economic
aspects of the world.
 Whether it is conflict that
has broken out in the city,
hatred targeted at a certain
group of people or sexual
harassment occurring on the
street, violence is a preventable
problem that has been an issue
for longer than necessary.
 With continued work on
behalf of the governments
of all nations, as well as the
individual citizens, the issue
can be addressed and
reduced.
SECURITY
AND WELL-
BEING
 The U.N. is a perfect
example of preventing the
lack of security and well
being that is a serious
global issue.
 Through its efforts with
regional organizations and
representatives that are
skilled in security, the U.N. is
working toward increasing the
well being of people
throughout the world.
 LACK OF
EDUCATION
 More than 72 million
children throughout the
globe that are of the age to
be in primary education are
not enrolled in school.
 Fortunately, there are
many organizations that
work directly with the issue
of education in providing the
proper tools and
resources to aid schools.
UNEMPLOYME
NT
 Without the
necessary education and
skills
for employment, many
people, particularly 15 to 24
years old, struggle to find
jobs and create a proper
living for themselves and
 This leads to a lack of
necessary resources, such
as enough food, clothing,
transportation, and proper
living conditions.
 Fortunately, there are
organizations throughout
the world teaching people
in need the skills for jobs
and interviewing, helping
to lift people from the
vicious
cycle of poverty.
GOVERNMEN
T
CORRUPTIO
 Corruption is a major
cause of poverty considering
how it affects the poor the
most, eroding political and
economic development,
democracy, and more.
Corruption can be detrimental
to the safety and well being
of citizens living within the
corrupted vicinity, and can
cause an increase in
violence and physical
threats without as much
regulation in the government.
MALNOURISHME
NT AND HUNGER
 Currently there are
795 million people who do
not have enough to eat.
Long-term success to
ending world hunger
starts with ending
poverty.
 With fighting poverty through
proper training for
employment, education and
the teaching of cooking and
gardening skills, people who
are suffering will be more likely
to get jobs, earn enough
money to buy food and even
learn how to make their own
SUBSTANC
E ABUSE
 The United Nations
reports that, by the
beginning
of the 21 century, an
st

estimated 185 million

people over the age of 15
were consuming drugs
globally.
 Different classes of
people, both poor and rich,
partake in substance
abuse,
and it is a persistent issue
throughout the world.
 Petitions and projects
are in progress to end the
global issue of substance
abuse.
TERRORIS
M
 Terrorism is an issue
throughout the world that
causes fear and
insecurity, violence and
death. Across
the globe, terrorists attack
innocent people, often
without warning.
 Making national security
a higher priority is key in
combating terrorism, as well as
promoting justice in
wrongdoings to illustrate the
enforcement of the law and
the serious punishments for
terror crimes.
 FORCES
UNDERLYING
GLOBAL ISSUES
 Demographic Transition
 Global Income Growth
and
Equity (social justice)
 Scientific and
Technological
Innovation
 Increasing
interconnectedness and
interdependence
 Global governance and
influence of civil society
 Security and social
cohesion
 WHY CARE
ABOUT GLOBAL
ISSUES?
  Economic, Social,
Security, Health, and
Environmental
consequences
 WHAT MAKES
GLOBAL ISSUES
DIFFICULT TO
RESOLVE?
 Failures of group
decision making
 “Tragedy of
commons”
 “Public goods” nature
of many global issues
 CURRENT
MECHANISMS
TO ADDRESS
GLOBAL
ISSUES
 International
conventions, treaties,
and laws
 Intergovernmental
conference and
declarations
 Global partnerships
WHO ARE THE KEY
PLAYERS
INVOLVED IN
GLOBAL ISSUES?
  Countries
 UN system
 International Financial
Institution
 International NGOs
 Transnational corporations
 Foundations
 Global citizens
WHAT CAN WE DO
AS INDIVIDUALS?
LEARN ABOUT
THE ISSUE.
GET
INVOLVED!
GENERALIZATIO
N
With so many current global issues that
require immediate attention, it is easy to get
discouraged. However, the amount of
progress that organizations have made
in combating these problems is
admirable, and the world will continue
to improve in the years to come. By
staying active in current events, and
standing up for the health and safety of all
humans, everyone is able to make a
difference in changing the fate of our
world. - Chloe Turner