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
Global / Unspecified, Global
Formal proof systems capture enormous portions of mathematical reasoning, but whether a truly complete and finite rule set exists for absolutely every valid form of proof remains philosophically and technically unresolved. This touches the very foundations of what mathematics is capable of expressing.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
possible
proof
whether
complete
finite
set
every
valid
mathematical
haven
resolved
know
philosophy-ethics
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Even societies that claim to reward merit often still allow inherited advantages like family wealth or connections to shape real opportunity. This unresolved tension complicates efforts to build a genuinely fair and merit-based system.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
allow
inherited
opportunity
merit-based
system
don
have
agreed
way
determine
whether
resolved
know
haven
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Resilience is often praised as an admirable trait, but expecting it uniformly risks overlooking how unevenly life's hardships and support systems are actually distributed. This unresolved tension complicates how we judge people's responses to adversity.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
resilience
people
don
have
resolved
way
determine
whether
fair
expect
haven
know
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
People often prefer clear narratives and resolution, even when it means adopting interpretations that aren't fully supported by the actual evidence available. This unresolved tension touches on both personal psychology and the broader ethics of belief formation.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
unresolved
don
know
whether
ethical
allow
desire
closure
influence
interpret
resolved
haven
determine
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Competitive and cooperative instincts can pull people in opposite directions, and it's unclear whether a person or system can genuinely embody both without one undermining the other. This unresolved tension appears throughout economics, sports, and interpersonal relationships.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
whether
haven
figured
out
possible
justify
treating
certain
forms
competitiveness
philosophy-ethics
resolved
know
mathematics-logic
determine
ethical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Being emotionally available to others is often seen as a virtue, but constant availability can come at a real cost to a person's own wellbeing and boundaries. This unresolved tension shapes debates over compassion fatigue and the limits of caregiving.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
emotionally
available
don
have
agreed
way
determine
whether
fair
expect
resolved
know
haven
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Fertilizer and pesticide runoff from farms create dead zones in rivers and lakes where oxygen levels drop too low to support aquatic life. Preventing this runoff without harming farm productivity remains an unresolved environmental challenge.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
runoff
haven
found
way
protect
freshwater
ecosystems
agricultural
pollution
scale
whether
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
prevent
resolved
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Crop residue and animal waste could theoretically be converted into biogas or other clean energy sources, but the infrastructure needed remains too costly for many farms to adopt. Scaling this technology affordably remains an unresolved opportunity.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
waste
clean
energy
don
have
affordable
way
convert
agricultural
scale
whether
philosophy-ethics
determine
resolved
agreed
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Ocean shipping produces a significant share of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet the industry has been slower than others to adopt cleaner fuel alternatives at scale. Speeding up this transition remains an unresolved climate challenge.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
shipping
don
have
reliable
way
track
reduce
carbon
footprint
whether
philosophy-ethics
determine
resolved
agreed
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Kelp forests support diverse marine ecosystems but are increasingly vulnerable to warming waters and invasive species that outcompete them once they weaken. Restoring and protecting these ecosystems at scale remains an unresolved conservation challenge.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
kelp
forests
warming
waters
yet
fully
prevent
die-off
caused
coastal
philosophy-ethics
whether
mathematics-logic
way
resolved
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Mangroves protect coastlines from storms and support rich ecosystems, but they continue to be cleared for development faster than restoration efforts can replace them. Speeding up restoration while slowing clearance remains unresolved.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
development
don
have
scalable
way
restore
mangrove
forests
fast
enough
philosophy-ethics
whether
resolved
determine
agreed
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
A fungal disease combined with habitat destruction has driven sharp declines in amphibian populations across many regions, and effective large-scale intervention remains limited. Protecting these ecologically important species remains an unresolved conservation priority.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
amphibian
populations
disease
habitat
yet
fully
prevent
decline
linked
loss
whether
philosophy-ethics
way
resolved
determine
haven
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Ships can unintentionally transport invasive species across oceans in the water they carry for stability, introducing them to ecosystems where they can cause serious ecological disruption. Fully preventing this transfer remains inconsistently enforced globally.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
invasive
species
water
ships
don
have
effective
way
prevent
spread
philosophy-ethics
whether
determine
resolved
agreed
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Old-growth forests support unique biodiversity that can't simply be replaced by planting new trees, since the ecological complexity takes centuries to develop. Protecting the last remaining old-growth forests remains an urgent, unresolved conservation priority.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
biodiversity
old-growth
forests
centuries
yet
fully
prevent
depletion
take
regrow
once
philosophy-ethics
whether
way
mathematics-logic
have
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Seagrass meadows are highly effective at storing carbon and supporting marine life, but they continue to decline due to pollution, dredging, and coastal development. Restoring them at a pace that matches their loss remains an unresolved challenge.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
biodiversity
loss
seagrass
meadows
carbon
marine
yet
fully
prevent
store
support
whether
philosophy-ethics
way
mathematics-logic
resolved
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Vultures help prevent disease spread by consuming carcasses quickly, but populations have declined sharply in various regions due to poisoning and habitat loss. Protecting this often-overlooked but ecologically important species remains an unresolved conservation issue.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
have
prevent
populations
don
effective
way
decline
vulture
play
crucial
whether
philosophy-ethics
determine
resolved
agreed
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
River deltas provide fertile land for millions of people but are increasingly eroding due to upstream dam construction and rising sea levels reducing natural sediment replenishment. Protecting these critical, densely populated areas remains an unresolved challenge.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
river
deltas
densely
populated
yet
fully
prevent
erosion
support
some
whether
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
haven
resolved
way
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Freshwater mussels play an important role in filtering water and supporting aquatic ecosystems, but they're highly sensitive to pollution and warming, and many populations are declining as a result. Protecting this often overlooked species remains an unresolved conservation issue.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
freshwater
populations
sensitive
pollution
yet
fully
prevent
bleaching
mussel
temperature
whether
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
way
haven
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Fish introduced into new waterways for recreational or food purposes can sometimes outcompete or prey on native species, causing lasting ecological disruption. Preventing or reversing this kind of introduction remains an unresolved conservation challenge.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
biodiversity
fish
species
introduced
food
native
don
have
effective
way
prevent
philosophy-ethics
whether
determine
resolved
agreed
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Managed honeybees, while important for agriculture, can sometimes outcompete native pollinator species for food resources when placed in sensitive natural areas. Balancing agricultural pollination needs with native species protection remains an unresolved ecological challenge.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
native
species
pollinator
managed
don
have
scalable
way
prevent
decline
philosophy-ethics
whether
determine
resolved
agreed