Happy birthday, 7 billionth person!

posted on: Monday, October 31, 2011 by: renaebauer

by Sister Sally Ann Brickner
Justice and Peace Coordinator

On October 31, 2011, the world marks the birth of its 7 billionth person, according to the United Nations. Though the exact time and location of the birth will remain unknown, the event should cause much reflection. What is the child likely to experience during his or her life?

As the figure to the left shows, the world's population growth is the highest in developing countries. Population in both China and India exceeds 1 billion, and their rapidly growing economies continue to expand the number of consumers.

But consider the disparities in global consumption. About 12 percent of the world's population lives in North America and Western Europe. But this 12% consumes approximately 60 percent of global resources. At the same time, more than one billion people lack reasonable access to safe drinking water. Also, the World Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that over a billion people live in chronic hunger. Furthermore, the rising price of food throughout the world will probably increase the number of those who suffer chronic hunger.

Because the seven billionth person was most likely born in the developing world, it is more likely to suffer from chronic hunger and lack access to potable water. Most likely, s/he will have less access to education and employment opportunities.

We in the more developed world have great responsibility for global inequalities. We promote consumption (locally and globally) as the engine for economic growth. But we have only ONE planet, which cannot sustain the lifestyles that we have come to expect and to enjoy.

The Worldwatch Institute offers a sobering message about human consumption:

Problems in Paradise
"If the levels of consumption that...the most affluent people enjoy today were replicated across even half of the roughly 9 billion people projected to be on the planet in 2050, the impact on our water supply, air quality, forests, climate, biological diversity, and human health would be severe."

If we desire every person on the planet to live a life of dignity (as they have a right to do), we who live in affluent societies need to live more sustainably. We need to consume less so that the seventh billion child - as well as all those yet to be born - can have his or her basic needs met.