A Hallowe'en treat!

This Hallowe'en will see a unique event. The Earth's global population will reach 7 Billion!  It is estimated that it will reach the major landmark on 1:49 pm Monday. Research shows that that on average 150 people a minute are born. This rate is expected to increase. It is expected that the global population will reach 8 Billion in 2027 and 9 Billion by 2046.

The global population in 1804 reached 1 Billion. It would be over 150 years until the numbers began to grow significantly.

What has led to this rising population?

• Better living standards.
• Higher life expectancy 
• People are more fertile.
• Popularity of the need for a larger family.

Countries with greatest population?

China has a massive 19.3% of the global population with India following at 17%. The USA has 4.48%. The United Kingdom has 0.89% The lowest ranking is Vatican City with 0.00001%(800 people). Ireland has 0.066%(nearly 4.6 million). The continent with the largest population is Asia with 60%(4 billion) with Africa the second most populated(1 billion). Europe makes up 11% with the Americas totalling  14%(South America has 9% and Northern America 5%). Oceania  is the least populated with 0.5%

What does this all mean for the Environment?

The only victim of this story is the environment. How? Every new person who is born needs, food, water, and energy. The world has the capacity to  feed all these people for a short term. But the population is not stressing the planet it is our energy demand. We need to become more sustainable with our energy. With the global population growing and energy sources depleting how will earth be able to cope? Will it result in more war?

With human population growing animal life decreases. A study last year found that 52  species of mammals, birds and amphibians moved one category closer to extinction. For example the global tiger population has dropped by 95% to 3,200.

So, if we can live more sustainably and more environmentally friendly we should welcome the 7 billionth newcomer on Monday!