World Population Day is being observed today. The day, which seeks to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues, was established by the then-Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989.

This year’s World Population Day calls for global attention to the unfinished business of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development. The day is meant to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues.

Until the early 1800s, the population of the earth remained below 1 billion people. But by the early 20th century, the world population increased dramatically from fewer than 2 billion people in 1920 to nearly 4.5 billion in 1980 and today, the global population stands at 7.58 billion – and counting.  By 2025, demographers estimate Earth will be home to 8 billion people.

The greatest threat that growing population causes is quick depletion of natural resources and the threat that it poses to sustainability. However, apart from this threat, World Population Day should also be looked at as an opportunity to celebrate the spirit of brotherhood.