Footprints on earth
RAJESWARI NAMAGIRI
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Every month we bring you the environmentally important days in this new column. July 11 is World Population Day. Why is there a special day for population?
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In 1988, the Governing Council of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) designated July 11 as World Population Day. Why a special day for population?
It took millions of years for the world population to reach the first billion mark. A hundred and twenty three years later we had added another billion. After that, 33 years to the third, 14 years to the fourth, 13 years to the fifth billion. 12 years
later in 1999 we were six billion.
Population explosion throws a lot of challenges. Population Day is a vehicle for building awareness on issues pertaining to population and their role in development and the environment.
In 1798, T.R. Malthus in his “Essay on Population” predicted a terrible imbalance between growing population and the availability of food. Science and technology have helped to increase food production.
We need land not only for food but also for comforts and conveniences. We obtain fossil fuels, metals and minerals, groundwater and more and these resources allow us to drive cars, travel across the globe, provide lighting, cooling and heating for our homes, and so on. But these resources are not unlimited.
Photo: K.R. Deepak
Population explosion: How do we relate to limited resources?
Have we ever thought how each one of us relates to our earth and its resources?
Ecological footprint
The land area that each individual requires to sustain his/her lifestyle is called the ‘Ecological Footprint’. To know your Ecological Footprint. Visit http://www.myfootprint.org/
How many earths does your lifestyle require? Is one earth enough?
Act Now
We can reduce our footprints through simple acts. Cut down consumption. Pass on textbooks and story books, share toys and clothes, use paper carefully, fix leaking taps, turn off lights, walk or use a bicycle.
In essence, Population Day is not only about controlling population growth but it is also about responsible consumption.
Children’s Media Unit, Centre for Environment Education. www.kidsrgreen.org
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