World population is growing exponentially:
1980: 4,4 billion
1990: 5,3 billion
2000: 6,1 billion
2010: 6,9 billion
Today, on the 27th of June 2014, the world population is 7,2 billion. According to estimates/calculations made by the UN, the world population will continue growing as follows:
2020: 7,6 billion
2030: 8,3 billion
2040: 8,8 billion
2050: 9,3 billion
Currently, the top 20 largest countries by population (Worldometers. Quoted 27.6.2014) are:
1. China – 1,3 billion
2. India – 1,2 billion
3. U.S.A. – 322 million
4. Indonesia – 252 million
5. Brazil – 202 million
6. Pakistan – 185 million
7. Nigeria – 178 million
8. Bangladesh – 158 million
9. Russia – 142 million
10. Japan – 127 million
11. Mexico – 123 million
12. Philippines – 100 million
13. Ethiopia – 96 million
14. Vietnam – 92 million
15. Egypt – 83 million
16. Germany – 82 million
17. Iran – 78 million
18. Turkey – 75 million
19. Democratic Republic of the Congo – 69 million
20. Thailand – 67 million
Other hard facts:
– Currently, an estimated amount of 168 million children are forced to work. A child is anyone under the age of 18. Child labor is unacceptable.
– According to estimations of the U.N., two-thirds of total world population will live in water scarcity in 2025. In only 11 years from now. 2/3 of total world population in 2025 means that around 5,3 billion people will live in water scarcity.
To check your personal water footprint, visit the following page and calculator:
http://www.waterfootprint.org/?page=files/YourWaterFootprint
According to the UN Environmental Program, by 2025, agriculture is expected to increase its water requirements by 1,3 times, industry by 1,5 times, and domestic consumption by 1,8 times. (UNEP. Freshwater use by sector at the beginning of the 2000s. Quoted 27.5.2014).
Learn how to decrease water consumption at home:
http://www.savewater.com.au/how-to-save-water/in-the-home
To borrow Dalai Lama:
THE PARADOX OF OUR TIMES
“We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers
Wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints
We spend more, but we have less.
We have bigger houses, but smaller families
More conveniences, but less time.
We have more degrees, but less sense
More knowledge, but less judgement
More experts, but more problems
More medicines, but less wellness.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often
We have learnt how to make a living, but not a life.
We have added years to life, but not life to years.
We’ve been all the way to the moon and back
But have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbour.
We have conquered outer space, but not inner space.
We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted our soul.
We’ve split the atom, but not our prejudice.
We’ve higher incomes, but lower morals.
We’ve become long on quantity but short on quality.
These are the times of tall men, and short character;
Steep profits, and shallow relationships.
These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare,
More leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.
These are the days of two incomes, but more divorces;
Of fancier houses, but broken homes.
It is a time when there is much in the show window, and nothing in the stockroom.
A time when technology can bring this letter to you,
And a time when you can choose,
Either to make a difference …. or just hit, delete”.
Anne-Maria Yritys 