What is an issue?
Differentiating
Categorizing
Defining Scope
CGW4U Percy
An issue can be defined as…
• At your table, develop a definition for the
term “issue”. Write it on your white board.
• Consider how an issue is similar to and
different from a problem
An issue can be defined as:
• a complex, multi-faceted problem that
requires a solution
• Having interrelated economic, socio-cultural,
political and environmental components
• involves many stakeholders with differing
points of view
• controversial
A problem versus an issue
PROBLEM
ISSUE
A problem is usually
smaller than an issue.
Although problems require
a solution – problems don’t
necessarily involve
different viewpoints or a
disagreement on how to
solve it.
An issue is a complex
problem also requiring a
solution. Issues have many
different stakeholders
involved, involves a
dispute and becomes a
matter of concern to many
people.
A problem versus an issue
PROBLEM
My dog is sick.
ISSUE
Animal abuse in the
United States.
Sophie didn’t do her
homework
Sophie can’t go to school
because she may be killed
by the Taliban.
Alabama Boy, 5, held
hostage
Gun control in the USA
Problem or Issue?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
HIV/AIDS in Africa
Oil spill near a local riverbed
Displaced people in Sudan
Global Warming
Gators escaping from a local zoo
Child soldiers in the Middle East and Africa
Blood diamonds
The kidney trade in India
Issues are CIC…
Complex
• There are no simple answers
• There are many cause and effect relationships
• There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding the issue
Interrelated
• Causes are interrelated
• Implications are widespread
Controversial
• There will be many differences in opinion on how these problems
started and how they should be solved due to the number of
passionate stakeholders.
Categorizing Issues
• In Geography, we group issues into 5 major
categories
•
•
•
•
•
Economic
Social
Cultural
Political
Environmental
• Can issues fit into multiple categories?
Economic Issues:
• Economic issues emerge
around production,
distribution, and consumption
of wealth
• Examples?
Environmental Issues
• Environmental issues that
arise when humans impact
natural systems
• Examples?
Social Issues
• Social issues arise as a result of
healthcare, education, law,
gender issues or other societal
issues
Cultural Issues
• Cultural issues address
interactions among and within
cultural groups/communities
• Examples?
Political Issues
• Political issues involve
disputes within and between
nations
• Examples?
Today’s World Issues
• In your group, create a popplet
that identifies major issues facing
humanity today
• Colour code your popplet to
differentiate between the 5 types
of issues
• Now identify the scope of the
issues.
• Local
• National
• Regional
• International
Share your popplet with Me!
leah.percy@gapps.yrdsb.ca
Connect it!
• Insert lines between the issues
that are somehow connected.
• E.g. Poverty ---------Hunger
• Make as many connections as
possible
• Examining your popplet, how do
you feel about the state of the
world?
• Anxious?
• Hopeful?
• Sad?
• Overwhelmed?
• Intrigued?
• Depressed?
• All of the above?
We cannot solve all the world’s
problems, but what if…
• Cover the term
“poverty” on your
popplet. How many
other popplets are
connected to it
directly and indirectly?
• What can this reveal
about how we address
world issues?
• There is hope!
• Change IS possible
• One step at a time.
• Lost Generation