Repository of problems worth solving
World Solve is a public institutional repository for identifying real unresolved problems across science, society, health, governance, economics, and local systems. Each entry is intended to be citable, inspectable, and actionable.
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4094Total
4094Open
0Solved
9Humans
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Because clean air and water aren't priced like other resources, they're often used or polluted without any real cost attached until the damage is severe. A better way to account for their true value could change how we protect them.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
way
value
protect
resources
like
clean
air
water
don
have
whether
philosophy-ethics
determine
resolved
agreed
haven
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Many developing countries need roads, power, and water systems but often can only afford them by taking on debt that becomes difficult to repay. Finding a fairer way to fund this development remains unresolved.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
fund
debt
haven
solved
basic
infrastructure
poorer
nations
unsustainable
developing
whether
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
resolved
way
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Wars, droughts, and shipping disruptions can send food prices soaring almost overnight, hitting poorer households hardest. A more resilient global food system could soften these shocks before they cause real hunger.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
food
prices
stop
spiking
unpredictably
during
crises
wars
droughts
whether
philosophy-ethics
determine
haven
way
mathematics-logic
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
A single disruption, like a factory closure or a blocked shipping route, can ripple through global supply chains and cause shortages far from the original problem. Building more resilient systems remains a major unsolved challenge.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
supply-chain
resilient
supply
don
have
economic
system
enough
absorb
sudden
chain
whether
philosophy-ethics
determine
resolved
way
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Millions of people now earn a living through app-based gig work without the healthcare, sick leave, or retirement benefits traditional jobs offer. Extending fair protections to this growing workforce remains largely unresolved.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
gig
benefits
haven
found
way
protect
workers
same
full-time
employees
whether
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
resolved
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
In many countries, the cost of a degree has risen far faster than wages, leaving graduates with debt that can take decades to repay. Making education both accessible and affordable remains an unresolved trade-off.
social-civic-problems
global-unspecified
education
affordable
debt
make
higher
burying
students
countries
cost
degree
whether
philosophy-ethics
haven
mathematics-logic
climate-environment
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Money hidden in tax havens deprives governments of revenue that could fund schools, hospitals, and infrastructure. Closing these loopholes requires international cooperation that has so far been difficult to achieve.
society-governance
global-unspecified
tax
havens
don
have
fair
system
prevent
draining
public
whether
philosophy-ethics
determine
resolved
way
agreed
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
The metals inside batteries and electronics are difficult and expensive to recover once a device is thrown away, so most end up in landfills instead of being reused. Cheaper recycling would ease both supply shortages and environmental damage.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
metals
batteries
electronics
haven
solved
recycle
rare
earth
needed
inside
systems
recycling
whether
waste
philosophy-ethics
management
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Companies often move production to wherever labor is cheapest, making it hard for any single country to guarantee fair wages without losing jobs to competitors elsewhere. A coordinated approach across countries remains unresolved.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
guarantee
workers
living
wage
industries
built
competition
companies
often
whether
philosophy-ethics
haven
resolved
determine
mathematics-logic
society-governance
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
New industries, especially in tech, often end up dominated by one or two giant companies before regulation catches up. This can shut out competition and innovation before it even has a chance to grow.
society-governance
global-unspecified
industries
don
have
reliable
way
prevent
monopolies
forming
fast-growing
new
philosophy-ethics
whether
determine
resolved
agreed
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Fewer working-age people are supporting more retirees in many countries, straining pension systems built for a different population balance. Without reform, current retirement systems risk running out of money for future retirees.
society-governance
global-unspecified
retirement
haven
found
sustainable
way
fund
populations
age
worldwide
retirees
systems
whether
philosophy-ethics
technology-computing
resolved
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Despite regulation added after every major crash, financial systems keep finding new ways to become unstable. We still don't have a reliable way to prevent the next one before it happens.
society-governance
global-unspecified
financial
every
stop
markets
crashing
unpredictably
few
decades
despite
regulation
whether
philosophy-ethics
resolved
don
determine
have
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some countries and industries pay a real cost for carbon emissions, while others pay nothing, creating an uneven playing field that undermines climate goals. A consistent global carbon price remains politically and technically unresolved.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
carbon-emissions
carbon
price
emissions
don
have
fair
way
every
country
industry
philosophy-ethics
whether
resolved
determine
agreed
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Wages in many cities haven't kept pace with housing costs, pushing homeownership and even renting out of reach for a growing share of workers. This is now a shared crisis across cities on almost every continent.
social-civic-problems
global-unspecified
cities
haven
housing
solved
make
affordable
major
worldwide
wages
kept
climate-environment
urban
whether
african
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Billions of dollars in foreign aid have flowed for decades, yet the gap between wealthy and poor nations remains wide. This suggests aid alone isn't the missing piece, and a better approach is still needed.
society-governance
global-unspecified
aid
gap
between
poor
nations
decades
close
wealth
rich
despite
philosophy-ethics
whether
resolved
determine
have
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
As automation and AI displace routine and increasingly cognitive labor, most economies still assume most people need traditional jobs to survive and find purpose. Without a credible alternative, mass automation risks instability rather than shared benefit.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
jobs
don
have
economic
model
ready
world
machines
automation
displace
whether
philosophy-ethics
determine
resolved
agreed
way
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
International courts and diplomacy exist, but nations still frequently settle disputes through force when other methods fail or are ignored. A stronger, more trusted system for resolving conflicts peacefully remains unbuilt.
society-governance
global-unspecified
system
disputes
nations
don
have
fairly
resolves
between
resorting
war
philosophy-ethics
whether
resolved
determine
agreed
way
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Most democratic input happens only at the ballot box, leaving years between elections where citizens have little formal say in major decisions. Better tools for ongoing public input could make governance more responsive.
society-governance
global-unspecified
citizens
decisions
between
elections
haven
solved
give
real
influence
over
whether
philosophy-ethics
resolved
public
determine
have
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Independent journalism is being restricted or shut down in many parts of the world, cutting off citizens from reliable information about their own governments. Protecting press freedom remains an unresolved struggle in much of the world.
society-governance
global-unspecified
press
governments
information
ensure
free
survives
countries
control
world
independent
whether
philosophy-ethics
haven
resolved
mathematics-logic
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
As more countries and private companies plan to mine the Moon and asteroids, there's still no clear, agreed system for who owns what. Without this, space could repeat the same resource conflicts we've had on Earth.
science-space
global-unspecified
space
don
have
working
model
governing
outer
its
resources
countries
whether
philosophy-ethics
determine
resolved
agreed
way
