Global Problems Smart Solutions

The book "Global Problems Smart Solutions" is a compilation of essays on how to solve twelve global crises. The book was compiled by the Copenhagen Consensus Center and was released in 2013. The book has essays from experts on different topics such as climate change, trade, education, and more. Each essay discusses the crisis and how to solve it. The book also has "Alternative Perspectives" which are essays that critiqued the essays and offered their own solutions. The book also has a panel of economists who rank the proposals based on their cost-benefit ratio.

Every four years since 2004, the Copenhagen Consensus Center has organized and hosted a high profile thought experiment about how a hypothetical extra $75 billion of development assistance money might best be spent to solve twelve of the major crises facing the world today. Collated in this specially commissioned book, a group of more than 50 experts make their cases for investment, discussing how to combat problems ranging from armed conflicts, corruption and trade barriers, to natural disasters, hunger, education and climate change. For each case, 'Alternative Perspectives' are also included to provide a critique and make other suggestions for investment. In addition, a panel of senior economists, including four Nobel Laureates, rank the attractiveness of each policy proposal in terms of its anticipated cost-benefit ratio. This thought-provoking book opens up debate, encouraging readers to come up with their own rankings and decide which solutions are smarter than others. Review: Praise for the Copenhagen Consensus 2004-2013: 'I have served on four Copenhagen Consensus committees of experts since 2004. All involved hard choices among attractive alternatives to meet crucial objectives for development and health. And the reason I keep serving? I learn so much.' Thomas C. Schelling, Distinguished University Professor Emeritus of Economics, University of Maryland, and Nobel Laureate in Economics Praise for the Copenhagen Consensus 2004-2013: 'The Copenhagen Consensus brings together an impressive roster of minds, and while not everyone agrees with the composition and ordering of Lomborg's priorities lists - climate change tends to rank lower than many stakeholders would like, for example - as a point of departure for discussion, the exercise of priority-setting is a sound one.' Tom Zeller, Jr, The Huffington Post Praise for the Copenhagen Consensus 2004-2013: '[The] Copenhagen Consensus is an outstanding, visionary idea and deserves global coverage.' The Economist Praise for the Copenhagen Consensus 2004-2013: 'The selection of zinc supplements by the Copenhagen Consensus as the top global remedy for hunger and malnutrition was one of the main drivers for our $3 million initiative 'Zinc Saves Kids' with UNICEF. We are now expanding this effort to help the 450,000 kids at risk of dying every year, working with the United Nations Foundation, the Gates Foundation and others.' Stephen R. Wilkinson, Executive Director, International Zinc Association Praise for the Copenhagen Consensus 2004-2013: 'One of the greatest leadership skills discussed in the Global Leadership Forum in Washington DC (October 2012) was the Copenhagen Consensus simulation. This activity was very important because it gave us the opportunity to work together on a key leadership skill: building consensus around difficult issues.' Naglaa Hassab, Humphrey Fellow, MBA student in Economic Development, Finance and Banking, Egypt