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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4194Total
4194Open
0Solved
9Humans
open
United States, North America
Kepler and other missions have identified thousands of exoplanets, but we lack robust statistics on Earth-size worlds with stable climates and liquid water. Next-generation transit and direct-imaging missions must refine occurrence rates.
climate-environment
north-america
united-states
not
know
common
truly
earth-like
habitable
planets
missions
kepler
global-unspecified
whether
philosophy-ethics
science-space
don
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Moons like Europa and Enceladus may harbor oceans beneath ice, but we do not know their chemical gradients or energy sources. Cryobot and plume-sampling missions could test for conditions suitable for life.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
lack
precise
constraints
habitability
subsurface
ocean
worlds
moons
like
europa
know
philosophy-ethics
whether
mathematics-logic
don
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Objects in the distant solar system could reveal formation history and the presence of rogue planets, but only a few have been discovered. Wide-field deep surveys and improved orbit determination are needed.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
distribution
small
bodies
beyond
kuiper
belt
poorly
mapped
objects
distant
whether
know
philosophy-ethics
science-space
don
have
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Closed-loop ecological systems remain experimental and fragile, limiting long-duration missions and settlements. Iterative testing of regenerative life-support biomes is needed.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
life-support
long-term
human
survival
away
earth
lacks
proven
ecosystem
closed-loop
systems
society-governance
long
support
ensuring
science-space
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Resonances and perturbations can destabilize orbits over billions of years. N-body simulations and long-term observation campaigns can test stability.
society-governance
global-unspecified
long-term
stability
multi-planet
exoplanet
systems
poorly
constrained
resonances
perturbations
destabilize
long
term
climate-environment
ensuring
mathematics-logic
whether
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Long-term low-dose exposure impacts cells and tissues in complex ways. Space biology experiments can inform health protocols.
science-space
global-unspecified
space
not
fully
understand
radiation
affects
biological
systems
deep
long-term
whether
mathematics-logic
philosophy-ethics
society-governance
know
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Formation flying for interferometry demands extreme precision. Advances in control theory and sensor technology are needed.
science-space
global-unspecified
control
precise
spacecraft
formations
large
space
telescopes
challenging
formation
flying
philosophy-ethics
whether
resolved
determine
haven
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Poor maternal nutrition and inadequate diets cause long-term cognitive and health impacts. Integrated nutrition programs combining food, health, and education services can reduce stunting.
social-civic-problems
global-unspecified
stunting
child
remains
high
low
middle-income
countries
nutrition
health
poor
health-biology
climate-environment
access
african
economics-resources
whether
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
People may consume enough calories but lack essential vitamins and minerals. Fortification policies and affordable supplements can address this.
health-biology
global-unspecified
but
micronutrient
deficiencies
like
anemia
widespread
often
invisible
people
may
philosophy-ethics
whether
haven
mathematics-logic
resolved
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Health systems built around infectious disease struggle to manage chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Community-based screening and long-term management programs are needed.
health-biology
global-unspecified
infectious-disease
non-communicable
diseases
now
cause
over
deaths
disease
health
systems
whether
philosophy-ethics
society-governance
haven
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Women often lack equal rights to own land or make family decisions. Legal reform and enforcement mechanisms are essential.
society-governance
global-unspecified
legal
family
discrimination
persists
property
inheritance
law
women
often
lack
whether
philosophy-ethics
technology-computing
determine
african
resolved
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Coal, oil, and gas drive emissions and pollution. Policy and technology shifts are needed for rapid decarbonization.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
reliance
fossil
fuels
continues
dominate
energy
mixes
coal
oil
whether
philosophy-ethics
way
determine
don
have
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Top incomes grow faster than those of the majority. Progressive taxation and social transfers can counteract this.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
income
wealth
inequality
have
risen
economies
top
incomes
grow
faster
philosophy-ethics
whether
determine
don
agreed
way
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Cities expand into floodplains and coasts. Climate-informed spatial planning can reduce exposure.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
urban-planning
planning
urban
rarely
integrates
long-term
climate
risks
cities
expand
floodplains
society-governance
african
change
governance
systems
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Global trade spreads invaders. Monitoring and control programs can reduce impacts.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
species
invasive
alter
ecosystems
harm
native
trade
spreads
invaders
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
whether
determine
have
prevent
don
First 1,000-day programs that improve long-term outcomes are not widely available. Community-based early-childhood centers with nutrition and parenting support could fill the gap.
social-civic-problems
africa
early-childhood
access
quality
interventions
vulnerable
african
children
sparse
first
000-day
low
global-unspecified
improve
society-governance
remains
Short-term grants limit long-term impact and organizational stability. Recurring-donation platforms and social-impact bonds could provide more stable support.
society-governance
africa
african
youth-led
civic
organizations
often
lack
sustainable
funding
short-term
grants
global-unspecified
remains
technology-computing
long
term
economics-resources
Decades of subsidized electricity have encouraged excessive borewell pumping, dropping water tables dangerously fast. Smart metering combined with drip-irrigation subsidies could slow depletion.
local-regional
asia
india
food-security
depletion
groundwater
irrigation
threatens
long-term
food
security
pakistan
decades
global-unspecified
climate-environment
water
urban
long
open
South & Southeast Asia, Asia
Flooded paddy fields release significant greenhouse gases, yet few affordable low-emission farming techniques have reached smallholders. Alternate wetting-and-drying irrigation methods need wider extension support.
climate-environment
asia
south-southeast-asia
farming
rice
methane
emissions
major
but
underaddressed
climate
contributor
methods
affordable
global-unspecified
whether
philosophy-ethics
determine
Upstream dam-building by some nations threatens downstream water security for millions in neighboring countries. Data-sharing treaties and joint hydrological monitoring platforms could reduce conflict risk.
mathematics-logic
asia
risk
transboundary
river
disputes
over
indus
mekong
brahmaputra
regional
tension
global-unspecified
philosophy-ethics
whether
haven
determine
climate-environment
