AS WE commemorate the day of the dearly departed, the world also recognizes another milestone for humanity, with the birth of the 7 billionth baby.
Baby Danica May Camacho, born in the Philippines on Monday, is the United Nations’ chosen symbolic seven billionth baby.
Humankind didn’t hit the 1 billionth threshold until the 19th century. Today, the human population has grown since, by exponential leaps. The world’s population now stands at seven billion. Reaching 7 billion is as much a milestone in human history, as it is a worldwide cause for deep concern.
Even with enough food for everyone, a billion of the world’s citizens still go hungry. New babies may just as well be added to the number of hungry mouths to be fed.
In the UN World Population Fund’s (UNFPA) list of the world’s most populous countries, the Philippines ranks 12th.
The Philippines’ population has grown over two percent each year, since 2000.
A mere 50 years ago, the country’s population stood at 27.1 million. Today, Filipinos are approaching 95 million — a 250 percent jump over the past five decades.
Moreover, with at least three babies born every minute, one-third of the country’s population is poor, with the number of the marginalized growing faster than the population.
Although every life is a signal for celebration, taking care of the next generation remains daunting challenge. Stabilizing the numbers so they don’t outstrip economic growth poses an even more challenging task.
Environmental stress, biodiversity loss, climate change and pressure on natural resources signal that the world is already overpopulated. But human numbers are still exploding. How many more limits should we exceed before real actions are taken?
The world is expected to grow another 2.4 billion to reach almost 10 billion in 2050. That’s the same as adding nearly two more Chinas or eight more USAs to this already crowded planet.
Without urgent efforts to stabilize and reduce world population, nature might finally provide alternative solutions to the problem with famine, disease and war.
As one of Asian’s fastest growing nations in term of population, the Philippines is granted more pressure in addressing population growth.
Gifted with a rich natural environment, the need for any draconian measures to stabilize population in the country has not yet reached its deadline, at least not yet.
With the promotion of artificial birth (anathema to the Church) still put on hold, a hard look on the country’s population control policies is the only likely option right now. The government needs to vigorously implement its population policy, which are responsible parenthood and the advocacy for natural family planning.
There are a number of worthwhile methods people can and should employ to reduce fertility rates and thus population growth. Some have proven track records, while others, are eminently sensible.
Responding to the needs of the young people by providing them with life skills, including proper information about their sexuality, will allow them to better plan their lives and contribute to nation-building are also tasks at hand.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Midweek nov 2-4, 2011 Sec A pg. 6)
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