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
Palm oil and timber industries clear forest at rates that threaten orangutans and other endangered species while releasing significant carbon emissions. Sustainable palm oil certification and satellite-based deforestation tracking need stronger enforcement.
climate-environment
asia
indonesia
deforestation
carbon-emissions
threaten
malaysia
continues
some
world
biodiverse
rainforests
palm
global-unspecified
philosophy-ethics
way
have
whether
Rapid consumption growth combined with inadequate waste management sends huge volumes of plastic into waterways each year. River-cleaning technology and plastic-to-value recycling startups could intercept waste before it reaches oceans.
climate-environment
asia
waste-management
waste
plastic
pollution
asian
rivers
coastlines
contributes
heavily
ocean
globally
global-unspecified
management
systems
recycling
solutions
open
Southeast Asia, Asia
Warming waters, pollution, and destructive fishing practices are damaging reefs that millions depend on for fishing and tourism income. Coral restoration projects and marine protected area enforcement need expanded funding.
climate-environment
asia
southeast-asia
biodiversity
coral
marine
reef
degradation
threatens
coastal
livelihoods
southeast
fishing
communities
economics-resources
global-unspecified
bleaching
near
open
South & Southeast Asia, Asia
Densely populated deltas like the Ganges-Brahmaputra and Mekong face increasing flooding and salinization of farmland. Adaptive infrastructure and salt-tolerant crop varieties could help communities adjust.
climate-environment
asia
south-southeast-asia
sea
level
rise
threatens
low-lying
delta
regions
south
southeast
global-unspecified
african
remains
haven
coastal
infrastructure
Changing ice patterns disrupt traditional agricultural water cycles that communities have relied on for generations. Better climate modeling and adaptive water-management planning are urgently needed.
climate-environment
asia
central-asia
water
melting
permafrost
glaciers
central
altering
regional
availability
changing
global-unspecified
urban
african
whether
don
philosophy-ethics
The region serves as both source and transit hub for trafficked ivory, pangolins, and tiger parts destined for black markets. Stronger customs detection technology and cross-border enforcement cooperation are needed.
economics-resources
asia
illegal
wildlife
trafficking
remains
major
threat
endangered
species
globally
global-unspecified
philosophy-ethics
african
have
open
Central & East Asia, Asia
Overgrazing and unsustainable land use are turning productive land into desert, threatening herding communities' livelihoods. Large-scale reforestation and sustainable grazing management programs could slow the spread.
economics-resources
asia
central-east-asia
desert
desertification
spreading
parts
central
east
including
edges
gobi
communities
land
climate-environment
global-unspecified
remain
african
Decades of unregulated manufacturing have left soil unsafe for farming in some areas, requiring costly remediation. Affordable soil-remediation technology and stricter industrial waste regulation are needed.
climate-environment
asia
industrial
soil
pollution
has
severely
contaminated
water
several
rapidly
industrialized
global-unspecified
whether
philosophy-ethics
affordable
don
urban
Weak institutional oversight allows officials to siphon funds meant for infrastructure and social services. Open-data procurement platforms and civic-tech accountability tools have shown promise in exposing graft.
society-governance
asia
corruption
continues
divert
public
resources
several
asian
countries
weak
institutional
procurement
systems
technology-computing
governance
global-unspecified
accountability
Governments in several countries have tightened control over media and online speech, limiting independent journalism and civic discourse. Secure, censorship-resistant publishing platforms could help protect independent reporting.
society-governance
asia
freedom
press
expression
face
growing
restrictions
parts
independent
governments
global-unspecified
philosophy-ethics
whether
determine
resolved
haven
mathematics-logic
open
South & Southeast Asia, Asia
Without citizenship or identity documents, affected populations cannot access education, healthcare, or formal employment. Digital identity verification systems designed for displaced populations could restore basic rights access.
social-civic-problems
asia
south-southeast-asia
statelessness
lack
legal
documentation
affect
millions
including
rohingya
identity
digital
society-governance
global-unspecified
access
systems
technology-computing
open
South & Southeast Asia, Asia
Economic desperation and weak law enforcement enable trafficking for forced labor and exploitation across the region. Cross-border data-sharing and victim-support digital platforms could improve detection and rescue.
technology-computing
asia
south-southeast-asia
trafficking
human
networks
continue
exploit
vulnerable
populations
south
southeast
digital
global-unspecified
society-governance
african
economics-resources
labor
open
Southeast Asia, Asia
Weak enforcement capacity has allowed scam operations, sometimes linked to trafficking, to flourish in the region. Coordinated regional cybercrime task forces and stronger digital forensics capacity are urgently needed.
local-regional
asia
southeast-asia
cybercrime
has
regional
originating
parts
southeast
grown
major
global-unspecified
african
remains
africa
digital
illegal
Long-standing grievances in regions like Myanmar and parts of South Asia periodically escalate into violence and displacement. Community-level reconciliation programs paired with inclusive economic development could ease tensions.
social-civic-problems
asia
myanmar
tensions
parts
ethnic
religious
continue
fuel
conflict
several
long-standing
rural
global-unspecified
african
remains
south
remain
Understaffed courts and outdated processes mean cases can take over a decade to resolve, undermining access to justice. Digital case-management systems and virtual hearings could significantly speed up processing.
society-governance
asia
south-asia
cases
systems
judicial
backlogs
leave
millions
pending
south
asian
court
technology-computing
economics-resources
global-unspecified
digital
whether
Frequent earthquakes, floods, and typhoons overwhelm response systems that lack modern early-warning and coordination technology. Regional disaster-data sharing platforms could improve response speed and reduce casualties.
climate-environment
asia
response
coordination
disaster
preparedness
remain
weak
several
disaster-prone
asian
countries
systems
society-governance
technology-computing
global-unspecified
public
health-biology
Ongoing tensions involving nuclear-armed states in the region require careful diplomatic management to prevent escalation. Track-two diplomacy platforms and transparent verification mechanisms can support de-escalation efforts.
local-regional
asia
nuclear
proliferation
risk
remains
persistent
regional
security
concern
parts
society-governance
global-unspecified
public
registries
governance
interest
whether
Formal job creation has not kept pace with the large number of young graduates entering the workforce each year. Skills-matching platforms and support for youth entrepreneurship could help absorb this workforce.
economics-resources
asia
youth
unemployment
remains
persistently
high
several
fast-growing
asian
economies
workforce
global-unspecified
africa
technology-computing
countries
rural
open
South & Southeast Asia, Asia
The majority of workers lack formal contracts, social security, or legal protections, leaving them vulnerable to economic shocks. Digital tools that gradually formalize small businesses without heavy bureaucracy could extend protections.
economics-resources
asia
south-southeast-asia
informal
economy
dominates
employment
south
southeast
protections
majority
workers
african
global-unspecified
digital
technology-computing
lack
Women in many Asian countries earn less and participate in the formal workforce far less than men, despite comparable education levels. Flexible work policies and affordable childcare infrastructure could improve participation rates.
social-civic-problems
asia
workforce
participation
gender
pay
gaps
disparities
remain
significant
less
economics-resources
global-unspecified
society-governance
remains
education
interventions
haven
