How Did We Get to 7 Billion People So Fast?

I love the cool infographic video from NPR.  7 Billion: How Did We Get So Big So Fast? is a video that uses colored liquids to visualize the population rates of the differen continents.  High birth rates mean fast liquid pouring in, slower death rates slow down the liquid dripping out of the bottom.

The U.N. estimates that the world’s population will pass the 7 billion mark on Monday. [Oct 31st]

As NPR’s Adam Cole reports, it was just over two centuries ago that the global population was 1 billion — in 1804. But better medicine and improved agriculture resulted in higher life expectancy for children, dramatically increasing the world population.

Found on FlowingData

Comments

[that guy]

I have to use the bathroom so bad after hearing this.

[Tercume24]

pretty nice video.

[Fabian]

The video demonstration is really neat. National Geographic also did a great iPad app and feature on the 7 Billion milestone, definitely worth a look:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/7-billion

[sell laptop]

Various 7th billion baby had been born around the world at that time. I can still remember