The China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) released its 2019 list of the Top 10 Scientific Issues in the Development of Human Society at the First World Science and Technology Development Forum in Beijing on Oct. 16.

The forum was sponsored by the CAST, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE).

CAS member Cai Ronggen, announcing the list, said: "Facts prove sustainable development of humanity can by no means be achieved by any country or organization alone. It requires global collaboration.

"With this understanding, the CAST has organized relevant organizations to consult top scientists around the world before determining the top 10 issues requiring urgent solution in health, environment and energy." 

The top 10 scientific issues 2019 are as follows:

-Four health issues: How to Prevent and Stop New Infectious Diseases from Becoming a Massive Epidemic; What Impact Will Social Changes Have on People's Physical and Mental Health; Is It Possible to Make Accurate and Comprehensive Predictions on Future Human Diseases; Which Technologies Can Be Used in the Early Diagnosis and Prognosis Monitoring of Cancer.

-Three environmental issues: How Can Humanity Continue to Develop Without Endangering the Earth? How to Effectively Solve Cross-border Air, Water and Soil Pollution; How to Achieve Complete Purification of Wastewater and Sewage.

-Three energy issues: Whether Controlled Nuclear Fusion Can Solve the Future Energy Issues of Humanity; How to Convert and Store New Energy Efficiently; How Can Big Cities Achieve Balance and Equality in the Provision of Energy, Water and Food.

To select the ten issues, editorial board members of well-known Chinese and foreign STM journals and high-level strategic scientists were commissioned to shortlist issues around the 17 goals set in the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, based on their search results on Scopus for the popular keywords about related research as well as repeated discussions. 

Scientists across various fields from over ten countries and regions including China, the U.S., the U.K. and Canada were then invited to select issues from shortlisted ones. The final version was determined by the special committee for academic exchanges of the 9th Standing Committee of the CAST.

Cai said: "Global issues require global solutions, especially for a series of cross-border issues such as climate, air, soil and water, and ocean. Scientists in different countries should team up to find the answers."

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