Global Issues

What is Global Issues?

Within Economics & Civics, which covers money, markets, business, government, law and citizenship: how societies are organised and run, this topic explains Global Issues. Economics and civics topics explain how money, markets, laws and government affect people, so each topic here pairs a clear definition with a model.

Check that you can explain Global Issues in your own words and give one example from everyday life. If you can do that, you have understood the core idea.

Understanding Global Issues helps you read the news critically and weigh up policies, choices and arguments about society.

Global Issues in detail

Global issues are problems that affect many countries and need international cooperation. They include climate change, poverty and inequality, conflict and refugees, pandemics, terrorism, food and water shortages, biodiversity loss, nuclear weapons and cyber crime.

They are often interlinked: climate change can reduce harvests and lead to migration and conflict. Solutions involve governments, international organisations, businesses, charities and individuals. Examples include the Paris Agreement and vaccination campaigns. Understanding the causes and consequences helps you make informed choices and take part in finding solutions.

How the interactive helps you understand Global Issues

Watch the globe in the interactive. Use any sliders or buttons it offers to change the values and see how the globe responds.

Before you change anything, predict the result. Then change one value at a time and check whether your prediction was right. This is a quick way to build a correct mental model of Global Issues.

Real-life uses and examples

• Relate Global Issues to a news story about prices, jobs, elections or government spending.
• Use Global Issues to weigh up the pros and costs of a policy or decision.
• Explain Global Issues to a classmate using a choice you make yourself, such as spending pocket money.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Giving an opinion without evidence or a clear economic or civic reason.
• Confusing a short-term effect with a long-term one.
• Learning the definition without testing it. Use the quiz and the interactive to check that you can apply the idea.