#Throwback to 2011

I thought it would be important to take a look back 3 years to 2011, when the population hit 7 billion - on the 31st of October to be exact. There is no doubt that we were informed about this historic milestone even months before the event happened with National Geographic even dedicating a year long special series to the topic. On the day we turned into 7 billion, it was prominent all over the media:

"Today, you are one of 7 billion people on Earth"  USA TODAY (2011)

"World's 'seven billionth baby' is born" Guardian (2011)

Theres also the article 'A letter to baby 7 billion: 'dear kid, welcome to our mess' (Guardian, 2011) which makes for quite a quick funny read!

The 7 billion milestone didn't even make it onto the list of what people clicked on the most on the BBC news website in 2011!  Nor did it make the list of top ten news stories in 2011 the Gaurdian or the Washington Times   Source: (BBC 2011)

But did this milestone kick us into action and make us think seriously about the future? Indeed, much of the literature that was published in 2011 focuses on the past. Lam (2011) looks at demographic change over the previous 50 years when populations change grew rapidly and remains optimistic about the future. In addition, Bloom (2011) also looks at past demographic trends and concludes on the note that demographic change can create opportunities. Again, a positive reflection in the population increase.

But will looking at the past change the future? The UNFPA (2011) published a report called 'People and Possibilities in a World of 7 Billion'  looking at how people in different countries are facing diverse demographic changes, for instance the effect of an increased in the number of young people . It stresses the need to move away from asking questions such as ' how many people can the world hold' and concentrate on the now. The report finishes on a very significant quote: 'The future depends on the choices we make now' recognising the importance of action.'

Clearly there is no other way to make predictions about future estimates other than looking at past trends, but it is important to use these past trends to implement policy and make a difference. So did the 2011 milestone make ensure change?

I feel that the headlines and literature at the time seems to lack the shock factor. There's nothing that truly made us sit up in our seats and realise wow we have a lot of people on Earth and we need to implement ways that ensures that in the future we can accommodate this many people and more. Much of the literature is even optimistic! It's sad to say that i think the importance of the milestone has now been lost, and at the time there was a lot of talking and analysing, but not a lot of doing!