The seven-billionth human being was born in the Philippines – it’s a girl! Teeny weeny Danica May Camecho, weighing in at 5.5lb, was named one of United Nations symbolic seventh-billion birth. She arrived at Manila’s Jose Fabella Memorial hospital just two minutes before midnight.
With so many births and deaths happening every second around the globe, it is hard to catch the seven billionth occupant but the United Nations chose 31 October 2011 to mark the historic day.
Baby # 7000,000,000
Danica, who was born one month premature, was presented a chocolate birthday cake with ‘7B Philippines’ iced on it. Danica, which means morning star, is the second baby to dad Florante Camacho and mum Camille Galura who live on a tiny salary.
Camille said ecstatically: "She looks so lovely. I can't believe she is the world's seven billionth."
No worries, the future of this baby is secure. Even though dad Florante is a struggling driver, Danica has gifts that include a scholarship grant and a package that will allow her parents to set up a store.
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Baby # 6000,000,000
Well, number six billionth is a baby no more. Also there for the monumental moment—the birthing of the seven billionth human -- was 12-year-old Lorrize Mae Guevarra. She was named the six billionth baby back in 1999.
Population boom
Many non-profit organizations, along with The United Nations were publicizing the day to create an awareness about the boom of the world population, which will inadvertently affect access to resources like food and clean water.
Demographics expert Dudley Poston, in a Reuters interview, explained that the world population growth is slowing slightly: “… while it took 12 years to reach Monday’s seven billion mark from six billion, it will take 14 years to reach eight billion — the first time in history a billion milestone has taken longer to reach than the one before — and then 18 years to reach nine billion.”
Dr. Eric Tayag of the Philippines’ Department of Health had raised some things to ponder over after the birth of Danica. He cautioned, “seven billion is a number we should think about deeply. We should really focus on the question of whether there will be food, clean water, shelter, education and a decent life for every child. If the answer is 'no,' it would be better for people to look at easing this world population explosion."
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Just an FYI on the figures, the UN has estimated that world population will hit 8 billion by 2025 and 10 billion by 2083.
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