- Our societies dependence on fossil fuels leads to an increase in the harmful compounds that cause global warming. Contrary to popular belief, the automobile industry is not the largest contributor of greenhouse gases (this industry only accounts for 1/5th of emissions in the U.S. Evidence). Global warming affects natural events, such as the timing of seasonal events (flowing of plants for example) and agricultural productivity.
- More funding and importance should be contributed to the development of clean energy, not only in the U.S. but all over the world. Solar and nuclear energy are two prominent fields that could help turn our cars, factories, and homes greener.
- The cost of a university education is approaching a bubble that will inevitably burst (Source). Very few college students receive enough financial aid to fully finance their education, leaving most students with no other choice than to take out loans (both private and federally subsidized). In 2012, 71% of students graduated four-year institutions with student debt and americans as a whole owe more in student loan debt than credit card debt (Source).
- College education rates must be dramatically lowered before the debt bubble bursts and most students are left without way to pay off their loans. I personally believe that (assuming a student has good grades), at least a quarter to half of the cost of education (including housing, tuition, food, etc.) should be paid for by the school or the federal government. While some states, such as Florida, do offer scholarship programs that can greatly help with the burden of paying for educations (Bright Futures), funding for these programs has declined in recent years. A greater emphasis on finding relevant internships and paying positions while in school (not just during the summer) should also be expressed by more four-year institutions to help students pay the other half of their education on their own.
- Not enough emphasis is placed on the role factory farming has on the environment. Many people are not aware that factory farming creates 1 million tons of manure per day (3 times the amount created by the U.S. human population) or that methane levels have increased dramatically due to the emission of the gas from farm animals (Source).
- A much greater emphasis should be placed on plant-based diets. Low fat, plant-based diets not only help in treating/preventing deadly diseases (cancer, heart disease, diabetes) but they also reduce the demand for meat from the factory farming industry.
- Poorly controlled refugee influx in Europe. Refuge resettlement and planning is handled by local officials instead of the federal government.
- Increase the intensity of the screening process, both in Europe and in the U.S. (if we are to allow a large number of refugees to come into this country). A greater amount of help (economically and militarily) needs to be provided to the Syrian refugees in Syria and their surrounding nations. When examined from a long-term and realistic point of view, the influx of refugees found in Germany and France will eventually have to leave as they inevitably put pressure on the culture and infrastructure of the country.
- A lack of retirement savings amongst workers in the private sector will lead to a large disrupt in the economy in the not-to-far future. As of 2013, close to one third of non-retired U.S. citizens had no retirement savings/pensions (Source).
- If more individuals learn about the benefits of saving and restricting personal expenditures then there will be an increase in savings. Education on personal finance should also include an emphasis on investment and contributing to 401k/Roth-IRAs as these include a greater opportunity to increase savings.
- World hunger and food distribution imbalances create situations where citizens of developing countries do not have the means to obtain food. 11.3% of the world is undernourished and while there is enough food to feed all 7 billion people on this planet, many times the food does not get to those who need it most (Source). Additionally, meat-based diets (in the U.S.) require 10-20 times as much land as would be needed for a plant-based diet (Source).
- Once again, a reduction in the demand for meat produced by factory farming would free up food that could then be sent abroad. By transitioning to a practice of farming that grows seasonal foods (instead of an emphasis on corn and soybeans which are then used to feed livestock) the health of the land can also be preserved.
- Genocides in 3rd world countries such as Sudan. The conflict in Sudan came about as the government's reaction to rebel fighters that took up arms in response to economic marginalization and insecurity (Source). More than a million people have been displaced from the fighting in the country and the countries government has simply made problems worse.
- Increased interference from international agencies, such as the U.N., should be practiced in order to assist in a peaceful resolution. Aid should also continue to be delivered to these countries in order to help in resettling displaced people.
- Sweat shops and unfair labor laws continue to propagate poverty and child labor. Sweatshops do not help people get out of poverty and instead force them to work long hours only to use most of their paycheck to pay for food.
- The wages of the people who are found working in sweatshop suffer from unfair labor policies. If wages for sweatshop workers were doubled, the price of an item would only increase by 1.8% (Source). By raising wages and implementing stricter labor guidelines in other countries a large number of workers would see an improvement to their daily lives.
- Species around the world continue to go extinct or become endangered due to human involvement. Habitat loss, pollution, and poaching all contribute to the increased rate in which we see species disappear from our planet.
- The easiest action that people can undertake is stop creating a demand for products that are produced from endangered species. Tortoise-shell and ivory souvenirs create a large amount of demand for poachers to continue hunting down more species. Herbicide and pesticide use also contributes to this problem. Alternatives exist (such as using plants that naturally ward off pests to keep crops healthy) but the most important factor is in changing the perception of what a "good looking" yard looks like. While it may be nice to have green grass in one's front yard, non-native plants require constant upkeep which drain resources and negatively affect species in the area.
- Mexican cartel growth has led to assaults against the Mexican government, the rise of vigilante groups, and the destabilization of security in parts of Mexico. As anti-drug organizations continue to focus on taking down the heads of cartel organizations the fighting rages on.
- Recreational drugs, such as marijuana, should be legalized and taxed. Black market drug distribution is what currently allows Mexican cartels to thrive and if the presence of the black market in the U.S. is lessened, so will the power of the cartels. The justice system in Mexico should also be heavily scrutinized in order to reduce corruption and bring back order.
