Final answer:
Science and technology are focused on addressing challenges like climate change, aging populations, HIV/AIDS, atomic energy safety, big data for sustainable development, child protection, gender inequality, and ongoing health emergencies like pandemics.
Step-by-step explanation:
Major Global Challenges in Science and Technology
Science and technology are at the forefront of tackling numerous global challenges. Climate change remains one of the most pressing issues, with efforts focused on finding sustainable energy solutions, enhancing food security, and mitigating the impacts of severe weather patterns. Addressing the aging population is another challenge, ensuring that health, education, and protection systems adapt to the needs of a growing demographic over 60 years old. Similarly, disease outbreaks such as HIV/AIDS continue to require attention to reduce infection and mortality rates. The advancement and implications of atomic energy also bear monitoring, especially in maintaining the safe and peaceful operation of nuclear reactors around the world.
The realm of big data offers tools for promoting sustainable development by ensuring fair and inclusive use of new technologies and analyses. Moreover, the rights and opportunities of children are paramount, with a pressing need to protect their health, education, and safety worldwide. Efforts to curb gender inequality and gender-based violence, amplify women's education, and enhance their leadership in various sectors are also critically important. Medical science has made great strides in combating diseases, but new challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic illustrate the ongoing need for innovation and global collaboration in health emergencies.