World Population Day
11 July (international)
World Population Day aims to increase awareness of family planning and how it can help save women and children‘s lives and safeguard the environment on which we all depend. The day draws attention to the links between environmental degradation and population growth rates as well as the areas where human numbers are concentrated. Ironically, it is often the poor in developing countries that are worst affected by environmental crises.
"Achieving human development while overcoming, rather than exacerbating environmental challenges – such as the degradation of land, watersheds and marine fisheries, deforestation, pollution, and climate change – is an immense but central challenge to humanity." www.unmillenniumproject.org/reports/tf_environment.htm
Individuals, business and community organisations can help raise awareness of population issues that affect the sustainability of our future on the planet through essay competitions, public talks, discussions, and other educational events.
More info: http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/un/world-population-day, http://www.greenworks.co.za/2010Calendar.pdf (then click on 11 July), and World POP Clock Projection
