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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    Can Planet Earth Handle Seven Billion People?

    As the human population reaches seven billion people, there are reasons for optimism as well as predictions of doom and gloom....

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    By Warren Olney • Oct 31, 2011 • 51m Listen

    As the human population reaches seven billion people, there are reasons for optimism as well as predictions of doom and gloom. Also, Palestine becomes member of UNESCO, and a White House order to speed federal response to drug shortages.

    Banner image: Egyptians crowd a popular market in Cairo on October 31, 2011.Photo by Mahmud Hans/AFP/Getty Images

    In this episode

    3 stories
    1. 0:00

      Palestine Becomes Member of UNESCO

      The UN's Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a global development agency for promoting literacy, science, clean water and education. Today, UNESCO gave the Palestinian West Bank full membership , causing the US to cut off all funding . That's 22 percent of UNESCO's entire budget.

      Read the story
      8 min
    2. 7:49

      Can Planet Earth Handle Seven Billion People?

      Although the US Census Bureau says it'll happen sometime in March, the United Nations says the world's population will reach seven billion sometime today, creating new challenges for generations to come.

      Read the story
      38 min
    3. 45:30

      President Obama Addresses Drug Shortages with Executive Order

      A shortage of cancer drugs, anesthetics and other medications has been blamed for patient deaths in the past year, with more shortages predicted for this year. Today, President Obama ordered the FDA to take actions covered by pending legislation.

      Read the story
      6 min
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • KCRW placeholder

      Christian Bordal

      Managing Producer, Greater LA

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Anna Scott

      Former KCRW Housing and Homelessness Reporter

    • KCRW placeholder

      Karen Radziner

      Managing Producer, To the Point & Which Way LA?

      NewsNationalPolitics

    In this episode

    3 stories
    1. 0:008 min

      Palestine Becomes Member of UNESCO

    2. 7:4938 min

      Can Planet Earth Handle Seven Billion People?

    3. 45:306 min

      President Obama Addresses Drug Shortages with Executive Order

    Back to To the Point