Global Problems We All Ignore While Sitting Comfortably in Our First World Bubbles

The world is not okay. Here are some of the biggest problems humans worldwide face that we don’t often pause to consider. 

Civil War

Black and white image of a building destroyed by war.
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Some countries are currently engaged in devastating civil wars. Ethiopia is struggling to regain stability after a two-year battle and a conflict began in Sudan this past April. 

Because these wars aren’t a threat to our national security like the War in Ukraine, they’re often neglected. 

Military Dictatorships

Myanmar Protests concept, Three fingers up of activist with Myanmar flag and soldier background
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We all know the awful conditions faced by North Koreans, but they’re not the only country suffering under a military dictatorship.

We all forget about the people in Africa and Southeast Asia who lack freedom. 

Human Rights Violations

Protestors take part during a demonstration in front of the Iranian embassy in Brussels, Belgium on Sept. 23, 2022, following the death of Mahsa Amini
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Nearly every country is guilty of massive human rights violations. Far too many countries treat women as second-class citizens, and even Western countries are working to restrict bodily autonomy and voting rights. 

People worldwide suffer unjust imprisonment, forced labor, and forced mutilation. 

Climate Change

Dead dried out trees on a beach to represent climate change.
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The world’s climate is changing. Hurricanes pummel coastlines around the world while rivers flood and fires rage. Drought destroys crops as the oceans slowly get warmer, destroying the abundance of sea life. The temperature is changing, but we all hide our heads in the sand. 

Human Trafficking

A very young woman, likely a teenage girl, sitting in handcuffs with her head down for a human trafficing concept image.
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Slavery may be illegal, but it’s thriving right under our noses. According to the Guardian Group, human trafficking is the fastest-growing criminal industry in the world. 

The American Association of University Women estimates nearly 25 million trafficking victims worldwide, and 50% were trafficked for sexual exploitation. 

Long-Term Care Facilities

A person in a sterile hospital bed on life support surrounded by machines.
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Long-term care facilities hit a little closer to home. People fear death on such a massive scale that they’d rather have their relatives live in a vegetative state for years than let them pass gracefully. 

And the worst part? They rarely even visit. These folks are stuck, barely alive, and all alone. 

Cobalt Mining

EL SOD, ETHIOPIA - MARCH 8: Unidentified Borana boy sews bags filled with black salt from the crater lake El Sod, Ethiopia on March 8, 2012. Black salt deposit from El Sod is owned by Borana tribe.
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We all love our cheap and accessible electronics but don’t give much thought to how they’re made. Cobalt is a necessary ingredient, but many companies use child labor to retrieve precious metals from dangerous mines. 

Countries on the Verge of Collapse

Man dressed like a criminal standing next to a painted image of the Haitian flag with splatter all over it.
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Some countries may not officially be in a civil war, but the conditions are so atrocious that they might as well be. Haiti and Somalia are basically ruled by criminals at this point. 

Epstein’s Empire

New York, NY - June 28, 2022: Ghislaine Maxwell defense attorney Bobbi Sternheim speaks to the press outside federal court
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We all know how awful Epstein was, but we also know that his empire didn’t just collapse. No one knows his true reach or how many rich and powerful people utilized his services.

We can’t know for sure that it didn’t end with Epstein. 

Poverty

A homeless person sitting on the street holding a sign as pedestrians walk by.
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Forty-four million people around the globe live in poverty. Although the highest rates come from South East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, it’s a global problem.

In the US, homelessness rose 6% in the last five years. 

The End of Global Democracy

Four women voting with an American flag as a backdrop.
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Fascism is rising around the world. An election in Nigeria was blatantly stolen. Right-wing extremism is growing. Voter rights are systematically being destroyed. 

Not only do people not seem to care, but they also seem to welcome it while shouting about freedom and liberty. 

Mental Health Crisis

Man sitting with his hands near his chin, sadly thinking and seriously thinking
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The depressing world leads to yet another crisis: rising mental health issues. More and more people suffer from anxiety, depression, and other disorders, and due to the lack of affordable healthcare, they can’t get the help they need. 

Why Don’t Americans Care?

Man making a sad face who looks pitiful on an orange background.
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It’s misleading to say Americans don’t care. Some Americans are suffering from the global problems on this list, and those who don’t may have other worries. 

Here are some significant reasons we can’t make room for these global crises. 

We Don’t Have the Bandwidth

Sad teenage girl sitting alone in a computer chair staring at her phone.
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The world has so much evil that we can’t think about it all. We all only have so much time, money, and energy; it’s impossible to think about everything going on in our daily lives, much less in the lives of others worldwide. 

We’re Struggling Too

Portrait of a sad woman's face she has tears in her eyes.
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Many Americans are suffering from these global problems and those that aren’t have their own struggles. 

Stagnant wages, a toxic work culture, loss of human rights, climate catastrophe, and other problems affect Americans daily. We can’t help others when we can’t even help our own communities.  

Not Sure What To Do

profile of sad woman on couch looking away from camera
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We hear stories about the atrocities happening in other countries but feel powerless to help. What can we do about ethnic cleansing in Africa, female oppression in Afghanistan, or child labor in India?

It’s hard to think about these problems knowing we can’t do anything to solve them. 

It’s Happening Here Too

Police in riot gear on January 6 in Washington DC.
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The harsh truth is many Americans celebrate some of these global crises. Fascism is on the rise in the US, with millions of supporters. Millions of people voted against women’s rights. US citizens engage in human trafficking, buying and selling other humans as if they’re cattle. We continue to buy cheap products made from forced labor overseas. Some people are even hoping for a civil war. 

We can’t begin addressing global problems when facing these same issues in our own communities. 

Is There Hope?

Young hopeful woman looking up at a beautiful sunrise.
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It’s not all hopeless. The world is on the brink, but we’re not at the point of no return. 

We can get our country back on track and lead the world to a better future. To do so, we must develop empathy for our fellow man, even those who don’t share our values, beliefs, and backgrounds. We must vote with our dollars, becoming more conscious of how our purchases affect the global community. 

And finally, we must prioritize humanity. We elevate status, money, and even our personal beliefs over human dignity to the detriment of all. We must reflect upon our true values and support candidates, policies, and programs that put people first. 

Yes, There is a Real Poverty Trap in America

hands holding an empty wallet to represent poverty
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We often think of thrid wold countries when we talk about poverty, but it’s thriving right here in the US.

Here’s the truth about America’s Poverty Trap.

Millenials and Gen Z Speak Can’t Afford Homes

Man sadly sitting in the outline of a tiny house, trying to make himself small enough to fit.
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Boomers claim younger generations don’t try hard enough. Here’s the truth about how much Millenials and Gen Z are struggling
 

Generational Poverty

A woman on the street in Portland holds up a sign saying she's a single mom and needs help.
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Poverty is a generational problem. Here’s how folks get trapped in cycles of generational poverty

Things America Could Learn from Western Neighbors

two girls holding up the American flag behind them.
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Is America the greatest country in the world? If it is, why do’t we enjoy the same perks other Western nations do?

Here are great examples of beneficial programs other countries have we wish America would copy

Why No One Wants To Work Anymore

woman throwing papers behind her as she quits her job.
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The common boomer refrain derides younger generations for refusing awful working conditions. Are they right?

Find out why no one wants to work anymore
 

Source: Reddit

Author: Melanie Allen

Title: Journalist

Expertise: Pursuing Your Passions, Travel, Wellness, Hobbies, Finance, Gaming, Happiness

Melanie Allen is an American journalist and happiness expert. She has bylines on MSN, the AP News Wire, Wealth of Geeks, Media Decision, and numerous media outlets across the nation and is a certified happiness life coach. She covers a wide range of topics centered around self-actualization and the quest for a fulfilling life.