Global challenges are important as they affect multiple people and the whole planet. When asked about global problems, people often conceive climate change, health, education, clean water, poverty, and tolerance. Identifying the challenges shows people are aware of the many issues the world faces. The consequences of not solving global obstacles on a large scale are universal; thus, it is critical to examine why the world’s best minds do not solve the biggest global problems.
The biggest problems in the world are not solved by the best global minds for several reasons. First, most people in the world think experience is needed to invent solutions that tackle global difficulties. However, experience is not always needed to innovate and eliminate global troubles. Bill Gates founded the world’s largest non-profit organization which has failed to eradicate global issues on a large scale. Influential people like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs could have solved the world’s biggest setbacks if they wanted; yet, they did not. Both have experience in innovation and problem-solving. Prasoon Kumar thus argues that passion and enthusiasm are required to handle the world’s challenges without resources.
Second, many individuals believe that resources are needed to eliminate global problems. While the statement may be partially correct, it is not wholly correct. People who attend the best schools in the world become smarter in their fields and are employed by large technology and e-commerce companies. In such companies, they solve hitches that only generate corporate profits but do not tackle the most fundamental issues facing society. Many companies such as fast-food chains can feed about one percent of the world’s population each day. However, they do not solve any of the world’s darkest snags. Instead, they are only concerned about their corporate objectives of making or increasing profits. Kumar argues that it is not resources that people or companies need rather they require the ability to take risks in innovating in fields that are considered less profitable.
Third, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is not working in major companies. Kumar argues that companies cannot be altruistic when doing business. The singular focus of businesses is making profits that align with shareholders’ interests. Although major firms adhere to certain CSR standards, they do not solve many of the biggest global challenges. Kumar further argues that some corporations violate various regulations set by governments but do not lose customers because of their strong brand value. The top management of such companies often knows something is wrong but takes decisions that endanger the world’s population. For instance, a German automaker made cars that emitted emissions of poisonous gases that exceeded the legal maximum requirement. Focusing on CSR is essential since it improves society and businesses.
Fourth, poor solutions are developed for problems facing people of the lower class. Kumar gives an example of a workshop started by 25 leaders. They decided to design new ventures for the poor based on picking rags in certain cities and converting them into bags as well as other sellable products. The finished products would be sold in Paris and New York boutiques. Nevertheless, the net income earned from such simple ventures is only about $1 or $2, which is too little for people to move above the poverty line. As a result, the income inequality gap widens between the poor and the rich. Wage disparity can be reduced by increasing a person’s salary. For instance, education can increase an individual’s pay, reducing the income differences between the poor and the rich.
Fifth, the few foundations helping solve global problems are a monopoly and lack competition. Kumar offers an example of his non-profit organization, BillionBricks, which helps build houses for the homeless. BillionBricks built only 15 homes for the homeless but went viral on YouTube and social media. Most people commended Kumar’s efforts and labeled his initiative “innovation at the finest”. Still, Kumar argues that there are no benchmarks when attempting to solve global challenges since few specific organizations are working to reduce the world’s social difficulties. He calls for competition as it fuels innovation and encourages fast growth, which would solve the world’s biggest troubles. Sixth, the pressure for perfection limits the ability of the few foundations working on the end of global problems to achieve their goals. For instance, such organizations are pressured to solve every social issue while other major corporations do nothing. Instead of perfection pressure, other corporations should join the fight to end global setbacks to achieve large-scale effects.
I can form an initiative that educates people on the importance of education and provides support for poor students who need to apply for college. The resources would provide strategies on how to get scholarships and a list of tuition-free and inexpensive global schools. Education can reduce poverty and inequality in society by increasing the wages of many people. However, I think such an initiative would partially make a difference because even if students get full scholarships, they may not afford living and technology expenses.
In conclusion, global snags have universal effects; thus, it is critical to examine why the world’s best minds do not solve them. Most people often think experience is required to tackle global challenges; however, passion and enthusiasm can achieve a lot. The belief that resources are the component needed to eliminate global difficulties limits the chances of some people solving worldwide difficulties. Furthermore, the singular focus on profitability by corporations does not allow them to handle global challenges. Ultimately, innovative solutions are needed to reduce the world’s biggest problems and improve all people’s lives.