World Population Day is an annual event observed on July 11 every year. It was established by the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989, inspired by the public interest in Five Billion Day on July 11, 1987, the approximate date on which the world’s population reached five billion people.
The day aims to increase people’s awareness about various population issues such as the importance of family planning, gender equality, poverty, maternal health, and human rights. It seeks to draw attention to the challenges and opportunities of population growth and its implications for sustainable development.
Best books for World Population Day
As for books, there are not many non-fiction books written specifically about World Population Day itself. Instead, there are several excellent works that address the broader issues of world population growth, its effects, and related concerns. Here are a few:
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- “The Population Bomb” by Paul R. Ehrlich. This controversial book from the late 1960s predicted disaster for humanity due to overpopulation and the strain that such population growth would potentially place on resources. While some of Ehrlich’s predictions were off, his book did ignite a global conversation about population growth that is still relevant today.
- “Countdown: Our Last, Best Hope for a Future on Earth?” by Alan Weisman. This book is a compelling exploration of the impact of human population growth on the planet and considers what might happen if humanity doesn’t curb its growth.
- “Empty Planet: The Shock of Global Population Decline” by Darrell Bricker and John Ibbitson. Contrary to many predictions of overpopulation, the authors argue that the world is actually on the brink of a population decline, with dramatic implications for societies and economies.
- “One Billion Hungry: Can We Feed the World?” by Gordon Conway. This book addresses one of the significant challenges posed by population growth – food security. Conway, a respected expert in this field, explores the many issues and potential solutions to the problem of world hunger in the face of expanding populations.
- “The Coming Population Crash: and Our Planet’s Surprising Future” by Fred Pearce. Pearce also explores demographic trends to predict a declining global population and explores the potential environmental and societal impacts of such a shift.
- “How Many People Can the Earth Support?” by Joel E. Cohen. This is a comprehensive study on the carrying capacity of our planet, considering different variables and scenarios, making it a foundational text for anyone interested in population studies.
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Overall, these books provide different perspectives and predictions about population trends and their impacts. It’s always good to read critically and consider a variety of sources when learning about complex issues like population growth and decline. Remember to check out the conversation with 1,001 Voices on Climate Change author Devi Lockwood.