Social issues in our world today and your part

Social issues in our world today and your part in helping us back to a better world in which to live and play. What can you do to help

What are the social issues that matter

The list will vary depending on where in the world you are and and what you perceive as important.
Having thought about this I wondered if I should concentrate on just a few or extend this out to capture many more .
As a hetro, white male of retirement age in the lucky country of Australia I need to find issues that are at arms length from me. However that does not mean I am exempt from compassion or support.
I have children and grandchildren to leave in the care of this insane world and I want it to be a better place for future generations.

I know that we can all make a difference if you just try to accept that we can create change.

Here is my top dozen to start with

So what is the list

Global warmingA problem for everyone
HealthcareIncluding the Covid Crisis
Racial integrationColour is not an issue
Income growthlifting the gap
Modern day SlaveryA massive issue
EqualityFor all
Gun ViolenceA growing problem
The plastic industryPolluting our oceans
Eliminating hungerFood for everyone
Over fishingA future problem
RefugeesA right to life
WarIn any way
A starting point

Have I got them in the correct order or do your circumstances demand change.

Global Warming a problem for the world

The battery decade

We call it global warming or Climate change because it affects everyone everywhere. The problem is that the denialists are stopping much needed urgent action and filling people with doubt.
Many countries are on top of this however the bulk remain in confusion balancing good against profit. Furthermore some outright deny the problem exists. This is against the very best scientific advise.
The fossil fuel industry are the biggest naysayers as they dig coal and use oil like an eternal source. It will end one day so change is needed now.

What is happening to change this

first of all the automotive industry is going electric. The second biggest polluter will be pollution free by 2030, a massive change for good and all started by one man.

Solar roof top units, battery support, wind generators and hydro are starting to dent the biggest industry polluters. Still a long way to go.

The development of green hydrogen for both heavy haulage, transport and manufacturing is like a steam train storming into the world. This could herald massive change over the next ten years.
How can we help change Global Warming

Healthcare and Covid-19

Having been to a first world emergency department in a public hospital I have witnessed first hand simple overcrowding, beds full, ambulance ramping and long wait times. There was not a single Covid case in my area, the mind can only imagine what would happen if there was.

My friend in India had me in tears describing her life in constant lock down and the affects to all those around them. Getting sick is a death sentence.

First of all Immunisation is well under way. In fact the WHO with support from all rich countries just paid for a billion doses of anti Covid for the poor countries. This really is recognition of the problem.
Covid has changed our thinking on health and perhaps it will make a difference in the future.

I can afford to get sick with good care available however I feel for the millions that can't.

Racial integration and the challenges

I put this higher on the list in recognition of the US BLM problems and riots
We all have a degree of racism in our baggage. This is not just a black problem but an issue that includes many countries and nationalities.
I have worked and seen first hand in Asia how racism is a problem. The Jews would probably agree as the Palestinians would.
People of colour, which is now the popular term, want to be recognised as equal to all others.

I grew up with a racist attitude, I am sorry to say. This is while I played sport with indigenious friends, I had mates from many counties of the world as we grew in a full integrated society.

Recent happenings have moved the attitudes to a far better place. Change has started.

Social issues in our world today and your part in changing the income gap

Income gap

If you are in the bottom group of income earners you are in trouble.
Old and retired are becoming an issue and we will be marginalized in the future.
Ethic issues will continue to hold people bask.

China has lifted a family group to three children. This is to ensure there will be sufficient workers to support an aging population. However that is a huge population growth.

End of work income plans like superannuation are increasing in work time input. This will provide a better living standard later in life. Singapore for instance pledge around 20% of the annual salary to superannuation. The older are retiring wealthier

Retirement ages are getting older. In Australia it has gone from 65 years male retirement to now 72 years old. This keeps the working population that supports the needy a longer time building a nest egg.

The problem is closing the gap from the haves and the have not.

Modern era slavery

Sweat factories exist in every low income societies. In China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Pakistan to name a few.
Child labour is in existence and where they are forced to work for low returns is rampant.
Sex slaves are freely traded and bonded to criminals with no avenue of escape.

Yes it is 2021 and the problem exists as strong as ever.

Fortunately many are starting to recognise the problem. Major retailers are penazised for buying from sweat factories where award incomes are but a dream.
Welfare groups are naming and shaming in an effort to establish a reasonable return for the poorer workers.
Sex slaves are being identified and released where possible. However the replacement trade is still rampant.

Social issues in our world today and your part in bringing about equality

EQUALITY FOR ALL

This is a bit more utopian than all the others however many will find it important. As we live in first world countries we are largely exempt from this however half the worlds population need a better standard of living. Countries ravaged by war, drought, flooding, dictators, religion all impacting their lives.
Certainly The Gates foundation is trying to help and other similar ventures but it is hardly enough.
Over a billion Covid injections were recently sponsored by the wealthier countries following a G20 directive.
We can see a change coming with a starting point of recognition.

Gun Violence, an increasing event against the innocent

In Australia we outlawed all high powered automatic rifles after a terrible event in Tasmania.
Most problems are now with motor cycle gangs and the general criminal population.

Not so in the good old US where gun ownership remains a right of passage. Every week, so it seems, a new mass killing in schools and populated precincts.
Is it just copy cat activity or is it easy access to guns.

In the Middle East arms sales by leading countries continues unabated. They buy the guns to shoot people and it works very well.

The UK has unarmed coppers which is a bold and successful move. Therefore others can take note.
You have a gun with intent, the solution is simple however it is a long way off.

The use of non recyclable plastics

Again I fought this issue for sometime because it affected my way of life. However the problem is bigger that any of us can imagine. Much of the plastic ends up in the oceans where it only deteriorates to small pellets. The pellets are consumed by fish where their bellies become full and they starve to death. This is on a massive basis.
Fortunately many are recognising this issue and will not use non recyclable plastic. Are you one of them?
This is one area that we can all contribute to success every day. Take action and support this.

Social issues in our world today and your part in fishing

Over Fishing the worlds supplies

a holiday scene

This has become a major problem as massive fleets of high process ships roam the open waters taking what ever ends up in the nets. With only a small percentage (5%) of our oceans deemed protected waters this gives them carte blanche at whatever they choose.
Species are being wiped out because of unsustained fishing.
Yes we have been fishing the waters since time began however a growing population demand a greater supply of product.
Control of this must be in the hands of world leaders applying quotas and limits to what can be taken.
Fish farming is becoming fashionable and an ideal process to control supply and even quality.
We all want to eat more fish however over fishing will bring shortages later on that can't be reversed.


What can you do?

First of all buy local catch. This supports a regulated industry.
In Australia we have a long sea coast however still import nearly 80% of our table seafood. Furthermore we export nearly 80% of our rock lobster catch to China and Asia.

The refugee problem

Everyone deserves a safe and healthy life. Therefore should we just take immigrants when they want or need to move countries.
This is an exercise that needs considerable constrain as we have all witnessed the problems that have developed in France, UK and parts of Europe.
In Australia we relaxed the borders and the boat people came in droves with many dying at sea trying desperately for a new life.
Unfortunately it is not remotely possible to sustain massive immigration.
Should the answer be to fix the problems that cause the need to up and migrate families.
I don't think starved down trodden should be available.

My conclusion to social issues and seeking your support

I am not a rampant Lefty in fact quite the opposite however I have become concerned at issues that will affect the future of our children and grandchildren.
Covid-19 was a wake up call for everyone.
We experienced first hand a global epidemic that killed millions and hurt many more.
We also saw that science could prevail and come up with a cure within months and not years.
That however is not quite true. Gene editing has been explored for many years and formed the basis of a cure. Continued science was the answer to a future problem.

We can all be aware of our part in this. Certainly in electricity consumption, automobiles, plastic, food purchasing and healthcare we can make a personal difference.
Making politician aware of the issues and open enough to confront them is another area of support.

Understanding the issues is important and reading and learning can only help promote success.

I hope I have moved you in some small way.

Social issues in our world today and your part by Peter Hanley

Peter Hanley About


Peter Hanley

I have been in business for many years and the internet to find ways to grow your business faster

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