Based on the most urgent and fundamental needs for sustainable development of human society and the major global challenges faced by human society, renowned journals such as Research, Science Bulletin, and The Lancet Planetary Health invited renowned scientists from dozens of countries, including the United States, China, and the United Kingdom to propose and select top 10 scientific issues concerning human society development for 2020. The results are: 1) what is the influencing mechanism of ecological environment changes caused by human behavior on infectious disease pandemic? 2) what mechanism can suppress a super contagious and highly harmful virus such as SARS-CoV-2? 3) how can new technologies be more effectively applied to protection of the hygiene and health of human kind? 4) how can we make quick and early diagnosis and screening of severe diseases? 5) which scientific and technological means can be used to guarantee healthier and safer food? 6) how to make human society more resilient to insecurity factors? 7) how can we increase crop yields and coverage of improved variety to promote food security? 8) what are the response mechanisms to cope with the rapid decline of total natural resources? 9) which technologies and materials can store and convert clean energy more efficiently? and 10) which new technologies can greatly improve efficient use of solar energy resources? This article introduces the background, significance, and main conotation of these issues.

sustainable development  /  ten scientific issues  /  healthcare  /  safety  /  resources