What is World Population Day?
Every year, World Population Day is observed on July 11th and is meant to bring awareness to the issue of global population growth. The first World Population Day was held in 1987, inspired by people’s interest in world population reaching 5 billion. This year’s theme, “Investing in Young People,” was chosen to acknowledge, and call for support of, the world’s largest-ever generation of youth.
Why is World Population Day Important?
World Population Day is a chance to spread the word on issues surrounding human population growth. As more people join us on the planet, we’ll need more food to feed them, more available fresh water for them to drink, more energy to transport them, more infrastructures to educate them and keep them healthy – the list goes on and on. Most of today’s pressing issues can be linked to our ever increasing human numbers from climate change, to poverty, to security. Raising awareness of population growth as a central factor to these issues is key to reducing the impact we have on the planet and ensuring the health and well-being of generations to come.
How Can I Observe World Population Day?
- Send the link for the World Population “dot” video to five friends.
- Take the World Population Knowledge Quiz and test your smarts on population’s connection to health and the environment.
- Tweet the Census Bureau’s population clock to show real-time population increase.
- Watch the winning videos from the World of 7 Billion student contest.
- Post the Human Population J-Curve graphic to your facebook page and shock your friends.
- Explore the Quick Trip to 7 Billion poster to better understand how we surpassed 7 billion people and what to expect in the years to come.
- Use the hashtag #WPD2014 to show your support of raising public awareness of global population growth.
- If working with youth this summer, lead them in the global simulation, Food for Thought, to raise awareness about world population issues.
