Since I’ve been aware of world population, we hovered in the 6 billion range. However, the predictions have been made that we would reach 7 billion this year and sure enough, it’s official. There are over 7 billion people on the face of the earth now! What does that mean? What impact does it have on all of us? What a great topic to discuss with our students! As we become increasingly more global in our communications, it is essential that our students have a sense of diversity and the uniqueness of the human race. On a worldwide level 19% of the 7 billion are Chinese, 17% are Indian and only 4% are Americans. Do you think our students have any awareness of our smallness in the world? This “tuesdays” is design to start a discussion on world population and to share some amazing tools that are FREE and wonderful.
A creative website
National Geographic is hosting a year-long series on 7 Billion. Through their magnificent magazine, website and now FREE app for the iPad, they are asking the deep questions, comparing languages, nationalities, religion, livelehoods, literarcy and much more. I highly recommend that you watch the 3 min. video on the 7Billion website with your students. It’s engaging, thought provoking and filled with “ah-ha” moments. For instance did you know that if all 7 Billion of us stood shoulder-to-shoulder, we would only fill the city of Los Angeles! That’s unreal. So, it’s not a problem of space that we are taking up, it’s balance. There are just too many people on earth who don’t even have proper drinking water. National Geographic has taken on an exemplary crusade to help us all become more aware of the needs posed by our 7 Billion milestone. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the site for great graphical representations of what 7 Billion people really means. Great job, National Geographic!
An image to share
This screen shot is an image of the iPad app that National Geographic is making available FREE for a limited time. I downloaded it tonight. It’s beautiful, interactive and amazing. Don’t miss out.
A proverb
“Although children are only 24 percent of the population, they’re 100 percent of our future and we cannot afford to provide any child with a substandard education.” Ed Markey
An encouragement
On October 31st, the world population reached 7 billion. Obviously, there are many challenges that come with such a vast number, but I would like to encourage you to look just a little deeper on the National Geographic site because they are taking a most interesting proactive move to help with awareness and opportunities to make a positive difference. 7 Billion Actions is the sister site to 7 Billion where people are being connected in word, song, stories and tweets. Try to watch the original anthem that was recorded all over the world. It’s beautiful and inspiring. Share it with the students and have them make their own recording. What fun would that be! Even if you can’t orchestrate a song, everyone has a story. The site includes stories from all over the world and is encouraging us to “Add A Voice to It” also. Want a global project for the students? This could be just the global movement that could make a difference.
How do you do that?
How do you grasp a concept as large as 7 Billion? It’s the old adage: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Try to take one bite out of this huge concept. First, give the students the link to investigate at home and to discuss with their families. Next, poll them to see what they think the pressing issues are. Group them according to their responses and have them brainstorm solutions, possibilities and ideas. Next, introduce them to the 7 Billion Actions website and challenge them to share a story, submit a film, remix the anthem or even to join the conversation on Twitter. We all have a responsibility to make a world of 7 billion people a better place. Who knows? One of your students may have the answer!
As always, I am
Ubiquitously yours,
K
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