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101 Global Issues Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

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Global issues are a complex and multifaceted part of our world today. From climate change to poverty, these issues affect people all over the world and require collaborative efforts to address. If you are looking for essay topics on global issues, here are 101 ideas to get you started:

  • The impact of climate change on global food security
  • The role of the United Nations in addressing global conflicts
  • The effects of globalization on developing countries
  • The rise of nationalism and its implications for global cooperation
  • The ethical implications of genetic engineering
  • The challenges of providing clean water to all people
  • The impact of social media on global communication
  • The role of women in peacebuilding efforts
  • The effects of deforestation on biodiversity
  • The importance of universal healthcare
  • The consequences of income inequality
  • The role of technology in addressing global challenges
  • The impact of migration on global economies
  • The ethics of drone warfare
  • The effects of nuclear proliferation
  • The challenges of combating infectious diseases
  • The role of education in promoting global citizenship
  • The consequences of overfishing
  • The impact of artificial intelligence on the job market
  • The ethics of animal testing
  • The effects of urbanization on the environment
  • The importance of renewable energy sources
  • The challenges of providing education to all children
  • The implications of cyber warfare
  • The role of the media in shaping public opinion
  • The consequences of mass incarceration
  • The impact of terrorism on global security
  • The ethics of humanitarian intervention
  • The effects of child labor on global economies
  • The challenges of combating human trafficking
  • The role of religion in global conflicts
  • The consequences of water scarcity
  • The importance of protecting indigenous rights
  • The ethics of animal conservation
  • The effects of plastic pollution on marine life
  • The implications of artificial intelligence on privacy
  • The challenges of addressing climate refugees
  • The role of diplomacy in resolving international disputes
  • The consequences of deforestation on indigenous communities
  • The impact of social media on mental health
  • The ethics of genetic modification
  • The effects of air pollution on public health
  • The importance of promoting gender equality
  • The challenges of combating drug trafficking
  • The implications of autonomous weapons
  • The role of international organizations in promoting peace
  • The consequences of human rights violations
  • The impact of corruption on global economies
  • The ethics of animal rights
  • The effects of population growth on natural resources
  • The challenges of providing healthcare in conflict zones
  • The role of the private sector in addressing global challenges
  • The consequences of climate change on indigenous cultures
  • The importance of preserving cultural heritage
  • The ethics of bioengineering
  • The effects of soil degradation on agriculture
  • The implications of mass surveillance
  • The challenges of promoting sustainable tourism
  • The role of education in preventing extremism
  • The consequences of food insecurity
  • The impact of armed conflict on civilian populations
  • The ethics of genetic privacy
  • The effects of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems
  • The importance of promoting religious tolerance
  • The challenges of combating cybercrime
  • The implications of mass migration
  • The role of international aid in promoting development
  • The consequences of wildlife trafficking
  • The impact of income inequality on social cohesion
  • The ethics of human enhancement
  • The effects of urban sprawl on natural habitats
  • The importance of promoting intercultural dialogue
  • The challenges of addressing mental health stigma
  • The implications of water privatization
  • The role of social entrepreneurship in addressing global challenges
  • The consequences of gender-based violence
  • The impact of climate change on indigenous knowledge
  • The ethics of biohacking
  • The effects of land degradation on food security
  • The importance of protecting cultural diversity
  • The challenges of combating cyberbullying
  • The implications of mass incarceration on communities of color
  • The role of education in promoting social justice
  • The consequences of wildlife habitat loss
  • The impact of human trafficking on vulnerable populations
  • The ethics of environmental conservation
  • The effects of electronic waste on developing countries
  • The importance of promoting mental health awareness
  • The challenges of addressing refugee integration
  • The implications of artificial intelligence on democracy
  • The role of international law in promoting human rights
  • The consequences of water pollution on public health
  • The impact of climate change on cultural heritage
  • The ethics of biofuels
  • The effects of deforestation on indigenous rights 96

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The Borgen Project

8 Global Issue Topics for Essays and Research Papers

8 Global Issue Topics for Essays and Research Papers

10 Global Issue Topics for Essays and Research

  • Water Contamination and Shortage:  2.1 billion people in countries undergoing urbanization have inaccessibility to clean drinking water as a result of pollution, poverty and poor management of resources. Water resources are depleted by agriculture and industry energy production. To put into perspective, agriculture accounts for 70 percent of the reduction of water around the world, with 75 percent of a given countries’ water used for this purpose and depleted by contamination. Fortunately, there has been a recent increase in efforts to develop technology to combat contamination and reduce the rate of water depletion.
  • The Relationship between Education and Child Labor:  Despite a surge in funding for some countries and increasing attention through social media, education continues to be a luxury around the globe. Reasons include gender preferences and poverty, and child labor — the use of children in industry. According to UNICEF, 150 million children participate in laborious activities dangerous to their health. As one can imagine, this work hinders a child’s ability to fully invest in education. Therefore it’s most challenging to bring education to sub-Saharan Africa, where the rates of children enrolled in primary education continue to stagger. In addition, fewer students successfully complete secondary education here.
  • Violence:  Violence is a global issue that exists in all shapes and sizes. Violence can be done towards a particular group like women or LGBTQ+ members, or it is an act that can be a result of a mentally disturbed mind. There is also violence in response to economic stress. All these varying forms of violence lead to attention on the safety and prevention of such acts. However, there isn’t much consideration on how an everyday person can help. In discussions about violence, the biggest questions to answer are: How is this violence used? How is it achieved/accessed? Does the media have a role? How much is the foundation for a particular act of violence is personal? What is the overall goal?
  • Poverty:  In 2015, the International Poverty Line was set to $1.90. This number means that a person is living in extreme poverty if they live below this line. According to this set line, more than 1.3 billion people are living in this extreme worldwide. This fact suggests that 1.3 billion people have difficulty obtaining food and shelter, regardless of the availability of homeless shelters and organizations . Current questions or topics to explore in an essay or research would be the cause of variation in wages on the international level, and the nature and initiatives that can be taken to solve this global issue at large.
  • Inequality:  On a global scale, the focus on inequality tends to be in terms of the distribution of wealth. According to a Global Wealth Report, 44 percent of global net worth is held by only 0.7 percent of adults. This suggests that there is a significant division between economic classes around the world. Recently, research has shown the effects that this economic divide has on communities particularly in health, social relationships, development and stability . For example, in a society where there’s a large gap between the rich and the poor, life expectancy tends to be shorter and mental illness and obesity rates are 2 to 4 times higher. In terms of social relationships, inequality on a larger level introduces more violence and crime.
  • Terrorism:  Terrorism like the bombing incidents of the last few years continue to claim the lives of innocents. It is a threat to the peace, security and stability of the world, so terrorism prevention methods have been implemented to illustrate what is wrong and should be/could be done to uphold justice . However, the basis of the threats, mindsets and the successes/failures of response efforts still need to be evaluated.
  • Child Marriages:  Child marriages are defined as the union between one or two individuals under the age of 18. One in five girls are married before the age of 18, and child marriages prevent children from becoming educated, can lead to severe health consequences and increased risk of violence. Legislation and programs were established in order to educate and employ children in these situations as child marriages do not have enough awareness on individual involvement or emphasis on the common causes for these marriages.
  • Food:  Poverty, economic inequality and water contamination mean inability to produce sufficient amounts of food to sustain a population. This can, in turn, lead to poorer health and decreased energy to carry out physical and mental functions, leading to more poverty. By 2050, the world would need to find food for approximately nine billion people as cost of production for food will rise in response to the increased amount of individuals. Thus, the United Nations established programs to ensure food security and technology companies make efforts to reduce food production costs.

The Role of Essays and Research

There has been increasing progress towards solving the global issues; however, for some, this progress is too slow due to lack of understanding of preventative methods, diffusion of responsibility and unanswered questions. These global issue topics for essays and research papers can be used as a starting point to give more insight to others into the issues and how to get involved.

– Stephanie Singh Photo: Flickr

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