Living in a world and society as complex as it is today inevitably means that problems will arise. 

But with the robust array of problems on show, its becoming increasingly apparent that many of us just do not know where to start to make a change. 

Bringing this concept into light, I conducted a recent survey in the local areas of Hampton, Richmond and Twickenham to demonstrate what individuals between the ages of 17-65 believed were the biggest complications the world is currently facing. 

With 30 individual responses, here is what the results showed:

The number one most devastating complication for 23% of survey participants related to money, costs and poverty. 18 year old Vanessa stated “Every human was forced to go to school and stressed about grades so we can all get a job… and why? To produce money… why?” She carried on to state “The world’s problem is money, making the rich richer and the less rich struggle.” Hampton resident Jasleen Tal agreed stating “There are some struggling for one meal in a day which I think is completely unfair.” 

Tied in second place 17% of those surveyed stated they found the government or division/conflict to be the world’s current biggest issue. Callum Honeyball claimed “It’s things like that that divide us rather than bring us together, it rather upsets me.” 
With recent political changes, much of the general public had a lot of concerns regarding Donald Trump and the future in politics. 
When asked what the solution would be to the current governmental chaos Molly Hopkins suggested “ Sacking Boris. I hate that man.”

Ranking 3rd on the list was inequality. In joint 4th place were references to climate change and war. Of the 6 individuals under this category only 1 had a clear idea of what could be done to make a change for the future. 

Some of the other concerns the general public had included:

“Injustice”
“Mental health”
“KFC running out of chicken”
“Immigrants”
“Nuclear weapons”
“Discrimination and racism” 


Few who were surveyed had constructive ideas on how to solve the issues we are currently facing. Kingston college student Tracy stated “for the older generation to die because they are influencing the youngers.” It was clear that for many, determining a course of action on how to deal with problems was a problem in itself. Many were ready to point fingers at the complications  at hand, but did not know what was needed to be done to solve the issues, suggesting “i’m probably not the best for answering stuff like this” or claiming “I really don’t know, sorry”.

But what will this mean for our longterm futures? Will the answers become apparent sooner than later? 
Oria Hussaini -Esher College-