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
power imbalances in aid continuing remains one of the most urgent challenges of our time. Systems currently in place are inadequate for the scale and complexity of the problem. A successful approach must work where resources are scarcest and demonstrate clear, measurable results. It should identify possible harms, respect local agency, and show how the solution can be maintained and expanded by the communities it is meant to serve.
power
imbalances
aid
continuing
strengthening
local-regional
Addressing power imbalances remaining strong is critical for achieving the 2030 Agenda. Current efforts fall short in scale, speed and equity, leaving the most vulnerable behind. Any viable solution must function in low-resource settings with limited specialists, transport, laboratory capacity and broadband. Proposals should specify quantifiable biological, social or environmental outcomes, openly discuss potential risks, and present a realistic pathway for long-term maintenance and local ownership beyond short research pilots.
power
imbalances
remaining
strong
2030
mathematics-logic
Future progress on human development and planetary health depends on solving work-life balance disappearing. Conventional approaches have proven insufficient. The required intervention must integrate community knowledge, data and appropriate technology while remaining affordable, privacy-preserving and operable with minimal external support. Strong solutions will articulate measurable impact metrics, risk mitigation strategies, and a plan for sustained operation by local actors after the pilot phase.
approaches
work
life
balance
disappearing
social-civic-problems
The ability to freeze aging in specific organs or features while others continue creates new forms of body modification and potential health imbalance. The problem is ensuring medical safety, informed consent, and equitable access without enabling permanent physical stratification.
aging
body
regulating
selective
pauses
health-biology
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Recommendation algorithms optimize for engagement, which can unintentionally narrow the range of content users are exposed to over time, reinforcing existing beliefs rather than broadening perspective. Designing systems that balance engagement with diversity of exposure remains unresolved.
technology-computing
global-unspecified
recommendation
systems
users
narrow
don
have
reliable
way
prevent
trapping
philosophy-ethics
whether
resolved
determine
agreed
open
Antarctica / Unspecified, Antarctica
Emerging evidence suggests shifts in Antarctic hydrological cycles that affect ice-mass balance and ecosystems. Enhanced meteorological observations and models can clarify trends.
mathematics-logic
antarctica
antarctica-unspecified
extreme
precipitation
events
changing
snowfall
patterns
poorly
understood
emerging
evidence
society-governance
real
time
systems
open
South America / Unspecified, South America
Conservation promises collide with mining, logging, and agribusiness expansion. Conservation-impact assessment and enforcement-support tools can balance interests.
climate-environment
south-america
south-america-unspecified
biodiversity
hotspots
south
america
face
pressure
legal
illegal
extraction
conservation
society-governance
science-space
term
long
logging
open
Europe / Unspecified, Europe
Rapid decarbonisation efforts raise energy and compliance costs for manufacturers who also face global competition. Industrial decarbonisation toolkits and green-finance matchmaking platforms can help firms adapt.
climate-environment
europe
europe-unspecified
industrial
struggles
balance
climate
ambition
competitiveness
decarbonisation
rapid
efforts
variant
energy
global-unspecified
open
Europe / Unspecified, Europe
Rapid decarbonisation efforts raise energy and compliance costs for manufacturers who also face global competition. Industrial decarbonisation toolkits and green-finance matchmaking platforms can help firms adapt.
society-governance
europe
europe-unspecified
industrial
struggles
balance
climate
ambition
competitiveness
variant
emphasises
policy
global-unspecified
african
climate-environment
european
energy
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Big Bang models suggest equal amounts of matter and antimatter, yet the observable Universe is dominated by matter. Precision measurements of CP violation and new physics at high energies could explain the imbalance.
science-space
global-unspecified
matter
antimatter
universe
origin
asymmetry
unresolved
big
bang
models
suggest
know
dark
fully
understand
actually
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Cost-recovery policies can price out low-income users. Progressive tariff designs and targeted subsidies can balance sustainability and equity.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
affordability
water
tariffs
barrier
poor
households
cost-recovery
policies
price
out
climate-environment
income
designs
african
products
against
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some regions lag far behind others in services and jobs. Place-based policies and investment can rebalance.
local-regional
global-unspecified
regional
disparities
countries
persist
some
regions
lag
far
behind
others
whether
philosophy-ethics
remains
african
resolved
mathematics-logic
Fragmented grids and regulatory regimes prevent efficient sharing of electricity between countries, leading to supply imbalances. Harmonized regulations and cross-border transmission projects could unlock benefits.
local-regional
africa
countries
regional
power-pool
integration
african
progressing
slowly
fragmented
grids
regulatory
global-unspecified
asia
remains
society-governance
access
Historic neighborhoods and monuments are frequently demolished to make way for commercial development, erasing cultural heritage. Digital heritage-mapping and adaptive-reuse financing models could balance preservation with growth.
technology-computing
asia
heritage
cultural
preservation
development
site
under
threat
rapid
urban
climate-environment
society-governance
climate
long
term
global-unspecified
philosophy-ethics
Headwater forests that regulate regional river flows are cleared for gold and nickel mining, disturbing regional hydrological balances.
mathematics-logic
asia
indonesia
headwater
mining
haven
protected
mountain
eco-zones
illegal
land
clearances
regional
global-unspecified
climate-environment
whether
philosophy-ethics
local-regional
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Recurrent bacterial vaginosis affects a meaningful share of women despite standard treatment, suggesting current approaches don't fully address the underlying imbalance causing it. A more effective long-term prevention method remains needed.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
fully
bacterial
vaginosis
women
yet
prevent
recurrence
experience
chronically
recurrent
whether
health-biology
mathematics-logic
way
resolved
haven
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Chronic fatigue syndrome is diagnosed in women considerably more often than men, and the biological or social reasons behind this imbalance remain only partly understood. A clearer answer could improve diagnosis and treatment for both sexes.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
chronic
fatigue
syndrome
women
men
yet
fully
explain
affects
frequently
whether
philosophy-ethics
health-biology
haven
resolved
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Persistent dizziness and balance problems can severely affect quality of life, yet treatment for many chronic cases remains limited and inconsistent. A more reliable, targeted treatment approach remains undeveloped.
health-biology
global-unspecified
cases
chronic
haven
found
effective
way
treat
vertigo
treatment
remains
whether
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
resolved
determine
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
The vast majority of autoimmune disease diagnoses occur in women, and the biological reasons behind this imbalance remain only partially understood. A clearer answer could open new treatment approaches for both sexes.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
autoimmune
women
haven
solved
diseases
disproportionately
affect
men
vast
majority
health-biology
whether
philosophy-ethics
resolved
yet
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Complex bidding requirements often favor large, established companies with dedicated legal teams, shutting out smaller or newer businesses that might offer better value. Simplifying this without opening the door to corruption remains a difficult balance.
society-governance
global-unspecified
businesses
public
procurement
processes
remain
slow
complicated
enough
small
compete
whether
philosophy-ethics
haven
determine
mathematics-logic