Week 3: Solving the World's Biggest Problems

Solving the World's Biggest Problems  

 

1. The Treatment of Women

I’d like to start off with a powerful and impactful quote said by Taina Bien-Aime…

“There is not one single country where women can feel absolutely safe” 

Women in many countries including our own are not treated as equal to men.  We are seen as objects or property, not as a Life and of intelligence.  We face incredible barriers, and those in less developed countries face far worse challenges.  Nightmares for us is a reality for them.  Imagine you live in the fields of Africa and you must go collect water for your family.  As you forage you must constantly be aware of your surrounding because at any moment you could be spotted.  Not by a lion but by dangerous men who seek to rape women. Can you imagine living day to day knowing that at any moment you could face such physical and mental violence just because you are a woman?

Women unfortunately do not always have the ability to take charge of their own destinies.  This is the problem.  Women are forced to rely 100% on their husband.  Some are even forced into marriages early on in life (in Afghanistan many girls are under 16 years old).  They are unable to receive an education or their families do not of sending their daughters out of fear and concern for her well-being.  

Though there has been improvement in women’s rights we still have a long way to go.  I personally do not know what could be done to solve this problem in its entirety but we can take small steps.  We must have cultural awareness in order to improve.  If anything I would have local ambassadors who understand the communities and encourage change of mindset through education and involvement. 

2. The Treatment of Animals

One year ago I watched a video that o this day makes my blood boil and my skin hurt.  In Eastern Asia a slaughter house was skinning Raccoon Dogs alive.  In the video you can see them hanging on a hook, swinging back and forth, then a person began skinning them.  The screams of pain were haunting and sickening. This is inhumane and a sin.  I have never been so disgusted in my entire life.  This happens throughout the world, improper methods of slaughtering animals.  A life is a life and should be treated as such. 

There needs to be stricter slaughter house regulations/inspections and those that are performing inhumane methods should be shut down and charged immediately.  
 

3.  People Unaware of Global or Local News

This is mostly based on social media and what it shares with the population.  The news for the most part does not discuss global events or are not giving proper details.  They don’t talk about what, how, and why it happened rather they focus on what people are posting on social media.  They are focusing on ratings and popularity.

Social media is the main source of information for people these days.  Most articles that are posted tend be difficult to read and get into.  Perhaps there can be an app that is entertaining, easy to understand, and informative.  

4. Protecting the Environment

The environment is constantly changing, and Earth cannot keep up with our demands.  Growing and developing is vital for the survival of a country, but at one point do we take into consideration the coast of our growth?  I believe we take for granted what mother nature has given us.  Instead of preserving and enjoying her beauty we are scaring her shopping malls and parking lots.
Instead of starting new developments on the untouched ecosystems why don't we fix up the places that have been abandoned?  Such as old apartment complexes and shopping malls.  Back home in Bradenton a shutdown and abandoned hotel next to the Manatee River was made new again and is now thriving!

5. The Growing Population

 As of 2014 The population of the world is 7.2 Billion people with 4.4 billion from Asia, 740.7 million from Europe, 618.1 million from Latin America/Caribbean,  353.4 million from North America, 38.6 million from Oceania, and 1.1 billion from Africa.  In 2050 the population is predicted to reach 9.7 billion!
How are we going to support the ever increasing population?  I believe it all comes down to sex education and understanding the effects of their decisions. Along with this, minds need to come together to develop innovative products to support our future generations.

Website to check out!
http://www.prb.org/wpds/2014/

6. Social Media's Influence

Social media is involved in our lives to the point we don't even realize it.  Does this picture make me look good, how many likes will I get, how long until I get to 1000 friends.  Everything we do is to please others not ourselves.  We need confirmation that what we are doing is amazing, unique, and special.  That we are funny, that people like us or what we do.  I can tell you right now I love instagram and pinterest, and it's sad to admit but when I don't get a like for a picture I post it makes me feel insignificant and that no one cares.  People judge you by how many followers you have or how many likes you received.  Social media is a wolf wrapped in sheep's clothing.   It can be dangerous.  People no matter where there are in the world are vulnerable to the effects.  Cyber bullying, lack of privacy, and we no longer have a sense of connection to people or our communities. Informing the public is the only way we can solve this.  To make people aware of the effects of social media over the past 15 years.

7. People Living in Locations that can not Support a Population

Hunger is a terrible thing, I could not imagine living and not knowing when I would have my next meal or a sip of water. 
I understand that moving a community from one location to another is not feasible.  But at the same time what do you expect when you live in a location not suited for human inhabitants.  I know this sounds harsh but it is true.  The only way you can survive in harsh environments is to adapt.  I believe that technology and innovative products can help solve this problem.  If we are unable to move a community to a more suitable location then we must develop a new way of life to help them survive.  For instance in Africa they created a portable irrigation system that allows farmers to grow produce in any season.  This will increase food productivity and supplies along with take away the stress for farmers dealing with the unpredictable weather.  This solution alone has helped over 660,000 people out of poverty!

8. Waste

For lunch you ate a peanut butter sandwich minus the crust, a fruit cup, and a bag of chips.  You then throw away the remains before heading to class. A plastic baggy, a bag for your chips, a spoon, a plastic cup, and the slices of crust you didn't eat.  When you look at it this way you realize just how much waste a normal lunch produces.  Companies throughout the world need to figure out more efficient products when it comes to packaging materials.  According to WasteFreeLunches.org an average child can "generate 67 pounds of waste per school year". I believe that if people used reusable packaging items then this will help decrease the amount of waste we send to landfills.

9. Obesity

 Today media has made obesity seem like people have no control over it and that it's not a problem.  Wrong!  People have control of this!  Before you say "Bridget you don't understand, people don't have a choice sometimes", actually I do.  I have hypothyroidism.  Hypothyroidism affects our metabolism and we can gain weight more easily than those who do not suffer from this.  This is not a reason for me to become fat, "oh I have hypothyroidism, that's why I'm overweight", nope not going to happen.  I watch what I eat and I exercise, and because of my lifestyle choice I am not overweight.  People now a days do not take control of their lives and try to fix the problems they are complaining about.  That's how I see obesity.  You can prevent it or manage it.  The world needs to stop treating obesity like a permanent disease, it's a lifestyle choice.

10.  Bullying or Shaming

No matter where you are, who you are, or what you do people will always judge you.  Conformity is a terrible thing, and if you don't fit in a bubble then you feel the effects.  Bullying and shaming is more intense today due to social media's influence.  If people don't have a certain hairstyle or clothes they are bullied for not dressing up like everyone else.  If they are introverted, then extroverts shame them for their personality type.  This has a tremendous psychological impact on any person of any culture.  I'm not really sure if there is a way to solve this problem, it's unfortunately part of life and has been for thousands of years!