In 1987, the world population reached the five-billion mark, a milestone so significant that it spawned an international observance: Five Billion Day. Back then, the United Nations recognised the need to address the burgeoning issues tied to our global footprint. Thus, World Population Day was established in 1989. Today, it"s not just a day—it"s a call to action. Overpopulation stretches our planet"s resources thin, urging us to confront urgent matters like family planning, an increase in waste and pollution or a lack of infrastructure. While metropolitan areas struggle with overcrowding, smaller places face the problem of decreasing population, leading to an imbalance. One such example is the Italian town of Gangi, Sicily, seen in today"s image. This village had about 16,000 residents in the 1950s, but today, it is home to a little more than 6,000. Keen on revitalisation, Gangi attracts attention by gifting abandoned houses to those committed to their restoration.
World Population Day
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
-
Kirkjufell, Iceland
-
Red Fort, Delhi
-
Tolkien Reading Day
-
How’s the air up there?
-
Ribblehead Viaduct, North Yorkshire, England
-
What waterborne wizardry is this?
-
Lake Bled, Slovenia
-
Masai giraffe mother grooming her calf in the Serengeti, Tanzania
-
See-through cephalopod
-
International Archaeology Day
-
True masters of the jungle
-
International Whale Shark Day
-
Eurasian lynx
-
Ross Errilly Friary, County Galway, Ireland
-
Dudhsagar Falls, Goa
-
Diwali
-
Ancient til trees in Fanal Forest, Madeira, Portugal
-
A kiss and a sigh
-
Peggys Point Lighthouse, Atlantic Coast, Nova Scotia, Canada
-
Martimoaapa Mire Reserve, Finland
-
Misool, Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia
-
Nature, art, and...math?
-
Trunks packed for road
-
Stripes in sight
-
Twinkle twinkle, little bugs
-
Iguazu Falls at the border of Argentina and Brazil
-
Independence Day of the Argentine Republic
-
World Water Day
-
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
-
Southern tip of a northern isle
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

