The World Approaches 7 Billion

I routinely refer to the world's population as being 7 billion, but the UN Population Division estimates that we are still just short of that number, although we will reach it during 2011. In anticipation of this event, the National Geographic has created a series of videos exploring the "face" of seven billion, and reliving some of the important transitions that got us to this point. These resources are available on their website: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/7-billion

Even More Populations at Risk in Japan

As rescue efforts go forward in Japan, it is clear that the number of deaths from the combined earthquake and tsunami will be in the thousands, if not the tens of thousands. The New York Times reports that:

Japanese news media estimates of the death toll from the natural disasters ranged from 1,300 to 1,700, but the total could rise. Many communities were scrambling to find the missing; in the port town of Minamisanriku, nearly 10,000 people were unaccounted for, according to the public broadcaster NHK. Much of the northeast was impassable, and by late Saturday rescuers had not arrived in the worst-hit areas.

The continual swaying and rolling of the ground deepened the disorientation of a nation accustomed to disaster, but which has not experienced anything on this scale for generations.

Residents in the hardest hit northern part of the country are without food and water and, of course, the threat of disease is a serious one, even in a country that has the world's highest life expectancy. On top of that is the fear that at least one, and perhaps two, nuclear plants may experience a meltdown, which will have further horrific consequences.

The developments at two separate nuclear plants prompted the evacuation of more than 200,000 people. Japanese officials said they had also ordered up the largest mobilization of their Self-Defense Forces since World War II to assist in the relief effort.

Populations at Risk in Japan

The largest earthquake ever to hit Japan (8.9 on the Richter Scale), and one of the largest ever recorded on earth hit today, killing at least 300 people, and sending a Tsunami across the Pacific Ocean. The New York Times notes that the deaths are especially related to the fact that the town nearest to the earthquake (which was itself centered off-shore) is on relatively flat ground.

Japanese police officials said that more than 200 bodies were found in Sendai, a port city in the northeastern part of the country and the closest major city to the epicenter, and the government put the official death toll at more than 300. But with many people still missing there and elsewhere, the death toll is expected to rise.