What does a billion look like? Picture a square inch; then imagine a huge square made up of a billion square inches. Clue: the big square would measure about half a mile on each side. Now stack six identical huge squares on top, and you’ve got 7 billion square inches. If each tiny square represents a person, that’s how many people now live on planet Earth.
The 7 billion total was reached some time on October 31, 2011, according to the United Nations Population Fund, or UNPFA. Other organizations in the business of estimating global population say the total was reached months before or won’t be reached until 2012. Although sources also differ on when the world’s population reached 6 billion, 1999 is a likely year. We probably reached 5 billion only 12 years before that, in 1987. Whatever the exact timing, there is no denying that the world’s population has been growing at an astounding rate. For example, the total was 3 billion just 51 years ago. So, from 1960 to 2011, the population has more than doubled.
The growing population puts more stress on the environment and threatens more people with famine and other miseries. To help relieve these issues, the UNPFA created a campaign called 7 Billion Actions. This initiative aims to raise awareness related to key population issues such as reproductive health, poverty, the empowerment of women, youth, environmental sustainability, aging, and urbanization. UNPFA is encouraging people to take actions regarding these challenges. The campaign will count and showcase actions that focus on relieving the stresses created by our growing numbers.
Image credit: © Fresh Paint/Fotolia
Related Links
- World Population Prospects, the 2010 Revision
This Web site offers an extensive list of frequently asked questions about global population and their answers; includes links to other data and documentation.
(Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs; accessed November 30, 2011) - Special Series: 7 Billion
Besides providing a good summary detailing aspects of world population growth, this site includes a photo gallery with informative captions from countries worldwide.
(Source: National Geographic, January 2011) - 7 Billion Actions
Read more about United Nation Population Fund’s efforts to document actions that highlight the connections among the world’s people.
(Source: Wikipedia; accessed November 30, 2011) - Indian Baby Picked as World’s “Seven Billionth” Person
This article highlights discrimination against girl babies in India.
(Source: BBC News, October 31, 2011) - Special Series: 7 Billion Party
Watch this whimsical video that points, ironically, to just how small 7 billion is.
(Source: National Geographic, January 2011)
thats alot of people cooooooooooooooooooool
Actually the world can BARELY hold 7 billion people.
16aec351ebHey would you mind sharing which blog plrtofam you’re using? I’m planning to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a tough time selecting between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique. P.S Sorry for getting off-topic but I had to ask! 185
“This world will never be what I expected and if I don’t belong…” By: Three Days Peace.
who would have guessed it
Dang, i wonder how many babies were born since the population went passed the 7 billion mark?
it is amazing how this world can hold 7billion people
we would be at 10 billion if it wasent for hitler
such a downer… but true
wow
yeah
That will never stop! Having babies???? No way will it stop
7 BILLION! THATS A LOT! PEOPLE SHOULD REALY STOP HAVING SO MUCH BABIES OR AT LEAST JUST STOP PERIOD.
I never knew there was this many people.
thats funny diamond lol lmfao rofl
omg
o m frigga frigga g
to be honest i find that amount ridiculous -.- there are too many people in the world
well you are one of those people. If you are willing to say there are to many people,than you should realize that you must be willing to face the consiquences yourself.
Don’t make jokes about the holocost. It was a serious time for many people.
7 billion omg thats… 7,000,000,000?! if you think about it thats not much
wwwwwwooooooooooooowwwww
that is alot of people
*reproduce…
repurduce
repurduce
repurduce
yeah!!!!!!!!!
That is A LOT of people! I wonder what some people are going to do
Wow I didn`t think ther was that much people
That is a lot of people
7 billion people Woowwwwww Thats Alot Of People
I think the worlds population is very large. It’s expanding every few years. And that’s bad it’s putting stress on the environment. But at the same time i can’t believe that the world is big enough to hold 7 MILLION PEOPLE !
7 billion people wowwwww thats alot of people
What does a billion look like? Picture a square inch; then imagine a huge square made up of a billion square inches. Clue: the big square would measure about half a mile on each side. Now stack six identical huge squares on top, and you’ve got 7 billion square inches. If each tiny square represents a person, that’s how many people now live on planet Earth.
This Article informs me that now this world is becoming smaller and smaller the more and longer the human race is on this planet. 7 billion people is more then just an average of people , this is remarkable i could never think this many people could live on the planet earth.
the planet’s not getting smaller…
this article was a good article
Well whatever the UNPFA is trying too do its not working because the population has sky rocket again and everything there trying too do as in raise awareness for the poverty and so on people are just really not listening.
I say have all the kids you want just dont ask me to babysit…LOL
… %$#@^*
wow that’s why there a sayin is a very small world
7,000,000,000 wow i never knew
hahahahaha!!!
holy crap, thats too many people bro >.< but people should stop having so many people cause look how china is getting . or people from china should move to other places like africa or something.
mean
The 7 billion total was reached some time on October 31, 2011 . Other organizations in the business of estimating global population say the total was reached months before or won’t be reached until 2012.
wow 7,000,000,000 people that alot
its waaayyy to crowded :O
its horriable for the enviroment
in more years to come earth will be too small for people to live in
7 billion people that’s a good amount ?!
no where near dude!
mating season everyday!!! XD
important
this looks like a job for!… someone else
Lotz of pplz on this world woot. we hav no food anymo
i like trains
As the population grows the world shrinks.
Woot 7 billion people!
I must say that I feel that the grow in population is due to the increase of teen pregnancy and that it could be stopped. We are lowering our resources and soon enough the world will not be able to hold all of these people nor supply enough jobs.
i have a huge idea of how to save lots of earth resources: make a magnet power motor. you can hook it up to a generator, and walla! you get electricity. the magnet motor is powered by only magnets so it can work forever without using any resource
i made one of those it powers my D.S.
Great…. More zombies.
thats alot of people to hold earth 😮
earth is crowded 🙂
Yeah, THis is without the illegal immigrants. Add a bill
am i the only one that thinks thats a low amount of people. I thought that was the amount of people in the u.s. alone
alot of people and growing but not enough jobs which is bad
wow.! thats soo cool
coll
cool
hi
this was kool to read
i hate myself
i hate myself
i h8 myself 2. 🙂
o no we are over populating 🙂