Global Problems and Impact of a Single Business

Running head: GLOBAL PROBLEMS AND IMPACT OF A SINGLE BUSINESS
Global Problems and Impact of a Single Business
Student’s Name:
University:
Author’s note:

1
GLOBAL PROBLEMS AND IMPACT OF A SINGLE BUSINESS
Global problems are regarded as the issues of prime significance in today’s world.
With the increased population, limited amount of natural resources and rise of technological
and infrastructural impact on the environment, the planet is facing some major threats as per
its existence. These issues call for a great deal of attention from individuals and institutions
alike. Challenges like global warming, climate change, depletion of natural resources, war
and refugee problems are tormenting the world (Un.org). And these issues need to be
addressed by the governments and international bodies.
However, global issues are not to be confused with international affairs. International
affairs are described as the interconnectedness of nations in terms of their politics, economy
and law. Global issues, on the other hand, are also an outcome of the interconnections of
nations, although they pose bigger challenges to the nations as they may lead the world to a
global catastrophe. These issues impact the environment and the global community in a
critically negative way, and they affect the environment, political crisis, economic crisis and
social issues of the nations. (Hite and Seitz 2016)
To counter these challenges, it is understood that universal effort and cooperation is
required. The governments cannot combat alone as much more support and responsible
actions are required from the general people. This is where business organizations and
institutions can play a major role. Over the last twenty years, international organizations and
institutions have become more interrelated and interconnected due to the fast progress of
technology and communication media (Hite and Seitz 2016). Moreover, they involve a huge
number of human and natural resource in their regular functions. Besides, these business
organizations are a crucial factor in the economic movement of the world. Hence, it is

2
GLOBAL PROBLEMS AND IMPACT OF A SINGLE BUSINESS
observed that these organizations can take up significant responsibilities in order to address
global problems.
Cooperation and interdependence are recognized as the most important aspect of
battling global problems. However, it is often debated whether one single organization can
contribute to counteract a global challenge. Although it is not enough to remove the problem
for a single business, it can nevertheless make a mark. For example, Feed It Forward, a
Canada-based not-for-profit business has been in action since 2014 to ensure food security
and curb food waste. There are several other organization, such as IKEA or Patagonia, or
even Mahindra and Mahindra group from India that are contributing positively and
effectively to reducing the global problems.
In this paper, the activities of the not-for-profit organization Feed It Forward will be
critically discussed. The aim of this paper is to answer question “Can one business make a
difference to a global problem?” In reply to that, the paper contends that an organization,
though not capable of defeating the challenge on its own, can make a mark and initiate
change. In this given context, Feed It Forward’s movement to ensure food safety and battling
world hunger could be proven as an exemplary initiative. In order to establish this contention,
the paper will first discuss the nature and impact of global problems and UN’s declaration
regarding global issues, followed by an in-depth analysis of Feed It Forward’s programs and
initiatives. In conclusion, the discussion will try to establish Feed It Forward’s mission as a
significant step to solve a global problem, i.e. food safety and its effort to meet the
Sustainable Development Goal II- Zero Hunger.
United Nations has described global issues as “problems that transcends national
boundaries and cannot be resolved by any one country acting alone”. UN recognizes an array
of challenges as global issues and prescribes frameworks to counteract them. Peacekeeping

3
GLOBAL PROBLEMS AND IMPACT OF A SINGLE BUSINESS
and conflict resolution have been identified as the chief global issues in the present day
world. However, there are several other significant issues that UN and its allied specialist
agencies are working on. Climate change, decolonization, democracy, ending poverty, child
safety, food and water safety, gender equality, human rights, ending poverty, health,
migration, aids, ageing, population, refugee, international law and justice and atomic energy-
these are the frontier fields where UN has been invested its major amount attention and
resources. (Un.org)
United Nations have even launched its initiative to ensure sustainability through the
resolution by outlining 17 goals to achieve by the year 2030. Known as the Sustainable
Development Goals or SDGs, these goals are a direct outcome of UN’s initiative Millennium
Development Goals. Influenced by MDGs, UN has launched the program called SDG2030 to
develop a world system with sustainability at its central focus. It is an initiative create a more
sustainable future for all the people in this world (Nilsson, Griggs and Visbeck 2016). It
addresses issues like poverty, hunger, inequality, climate change and environmental
degradation, clean energy, peace, justice and prosperity. In this sense, SDGs can be
considered as the answers to the global challenges. The goals are listed as following (United
Nations Sustainable Development 2015)
1. No Poverty
2. Zero Hunger
3. Good Health and Well-being
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth