26 global challenges — explained simply

Acid Rain

Definition: Rain with acidic compounds.

Causes: Burning fossil fuels, industrial emissions.

Consequences: Forest damage, water pollution.

Air Pollution

Definition: Contamination of air by harmful substances.

Causes: Transportation, factories.

Consequences: Respiratory diseases, climate change.

Deforestation

Definition: Large-scale cutting of forests.

Causes: Agriculture, urbanization.

Consequences: Loss of biodiversity, soil erosion.

Explanation: The massive removal of trees and forests, usually for farming, logging, or urban growth. It destroys animal habitats, reduces biodiversity, and causes soil erosion and climate imbalance.

Depletion of Natural Resources

Definition: Exhaustion of natural resources.

Causes: Overexploitation, excessive consumption.

Consequences: Water and energy scarcity, economic crisis.

Drug Trafficking

Definition: Illegal trade of drugs.

Causes: High demand, poverty.

Consequences: Violence, addictions.

Endangered Animals

Definition: Species at risk of extinction.

Causes: Hunting, habitat destruction.

Consequences: Loss of biodiversity, ecosystem imbalance.

Famine

Definition: Extreme shortage of food.

Causes: Droughts, armed conflicts.

Consequences: Mass hunger, mortality.

Global Warming

Definition: Increase in Earth’s average temperature.

Causes: Greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation.

Consequences: Melting glaciers, extreme weather.

Government Corruption

Definition: Misuse of public power.

Causes: Lack of control, greed.

Consequences: Inequality, loss of trust.

Greenhouse Effect

Definition: Trapping of heat in the atmosphere.

Causes: Excess CO₂, methane.

Consequences: Global warming, climate changes.

HIV/AIDS

Definition: Disease caused by HIV that weakens the immune system.

Causes: Sexual transmission, contaminated blood.

Consequences: Opportunistic diseases, death.

Inflation

Definition: General rise in prices.

Causes: Overprinting money, high production costs.

Consequences: Loss of purchasing power, poverty.

Landfills

Definition: Sites where waste is dumped.

Causes: Excess waste, poor waste management.

Consequences: Soil pollution, bad odors.

Mining

Definition: Extraction of minerals.

Causes: Industrial demand, economic growth.

Consequences: Deforestation, water pollution.

Overbuilding

Definition: Excessive construction of buildings.

Causes: Rapid urbanization, real estate speculation.

Consequences: Loss of green areas, urban saturation.

Explanation: The uncontrolled construction of too many houses or buildings in one area. It reduces green spaces, increases traffic and pollution, and often leads to overcrowded cities with poor living conditions.

Overpopulation

Definition: Too many people compared to resources.

Causes: High birth rates, low mortality.

Consequences: Food and water shortages, unemployment.

Explanation: When the number of people grows faster than the resources available. It puts pressure on food, water, and jobs, leading to poverty, shortages, and environmental damage.

Political Unrest

Definition: Social and political instability.

Causes: Inequality, corruption.

Consequences: Protests, violence.

Poverty

Definition: Lack of basic resources.

Causes: Unemployment, inequality.

Consequences: Hunger, social exclusion.

Sonic Pollution

Definition: Harmful excess of noise.

Causes: Traffic, industries.

Consequences: Stress, hearing loss.

Explanation: Excessive or disturbing sounds from traffic, airplanes, or industries. Constant exposure affects mental health, increases stress, and may cause hearing loss.

Stray Dogs

Definition: Dogs without owners.

Causes: Abandonment, lack of population control.

Consequences: Spread of diseases, attacks.

Street Crime

Definition: Crimes committed in public spaces.

Causes: Poverty, unemployment.

Consequences: Insecurity, violence.

The Homeless

Definition: People without housing.

Causes: Poverty, job loss.

Consequences: Social exclusion, health problems.

Explanation: People who live without stable housing, often sleeping on streets or shelters. Causes include poverty, unemployment, or family issues, and consequences are social exclusion and serious health problems.

The Ozone Layer

Definition: Layer that protects Earth from UV rays.

Causes: CFC emissions, pollution.

Consequences: Skin cancer, crop damage.

Unemployment

Definition: Lack of jobs for people.

Causes: Economic crisis, lack of education.

Consequences: Poverty, crime.

Water Pollution

Definition: Contamination of rivers, lakes, seas.

Causes: Chemical waste, garbage.

Consequences: Diseases, death of aquatic life.

Explanation: The contamination of lakes, rivers, and oceans with chemicals, plastics, and waste. It harms marine animals, spreads diseases, and reduces access to safe drinking water for communities.

Poaching

Definition: Illegal hunting of animals.

Causes: Trade of skins/ivory, lack of control.

Consequences: Species extinction, ecological imbalance.