This year was the year that planet earth gained its 7 billionth resident. But what does this mean? Well the landmark highlighted that we have brought yet another person in a world with limited and poorly-distributed resources where millions of children die every day of epidemics such as Malaria and HIV. So it is understandable that reaching 7 billion is less of a celebration for many and more of a solemn warning.
6. We are the 99%
We kicked off 2011 with widespread student protests and riots in the UK against tuition fees rising from £3,500 to £9000 however it wasn’t until later in the year that the anti-capitalist movement gained some legs. It began with Occupy Wall Street but soon people were camping out in cities across the globe, tired of the greed of bankers and major corporations. For many the Occupy movement represents failed potential as its mission was never clear and the movement seems to have descended into chaos. However the overarching message came through loud and clear; the people have a voice and they will be heard.
On 22nd of July Norwegian Anders Breivik went on a rampage in Oslo which killed 69 people, mostly teenagers. This wasn’t only important insofar that it was a terrible tragedy and a pointless waste of life but that it challenged the public’s perception of terrorism. After bombings in London and New York people seemed to have forgotten the terror the IRA wreaked and their default terrorist was a Muslim. Before the full story was broken and when all we knew was that a terrorist had killed and injured multiple people in Norway news sites were flooded with Islamaphobic comments. However when we got to see this terrorist he was a right-wing, blonde-haired, blue-eyed Norwegian, hammering home the message that there is no such thing as the ‘typical’ terrorist.
4. The Japan earthquake
In March one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded hit Japan and left a trail of destruction in its wake. Around 15,000 are thought to have been killed in the earthquake and tsunami with thousands more injured or missing. Nuclear power stations were damaged, homes washed away and lives lost, making it one of the saddest events of 2011.
3. I predict a riot
It is unlikely anyone could have predicted what would happen when police shot dead an allegedly unarmed gangster in Tottenham. The riots in Tottenham became the riots in London and the riots in London became the riots in the UK. Then riots became mindless looting. But why? This is one of the most interesting questions of 2011 and everything from race to capitalism to the welfare state to pure opportunism to the austerity measures has been blamed. It is probable that not even most of the rioters and looters know the real reason.The one good thing that did come from the whole episode is that the decent majority of young people came together for the clean-up.
2. Death of the dictator: Osama Bin Laden, Colonel Gaddaffi & Kim Jong-Il
Osama Bin Laden (though not strictly a dictator) was the militant Al-Qaeda leader most famous for his part in the September 11th 2001 terrorist attacks on New York. He hadn’t been as present in the public consciousness in recent years after going into hiding and being presumed already dead by many. So when it was reported in May that he had finally been captured the world breathed a sigh of relief.
The death of Colonel Gaddaffi was a turning point; all the protests and uprisings had achieved what many had thought impossible and completely taken out the Libyan dictator. The Free Libya Army personally saw to it that the dictator met a bloody end and the disturbing images were broadcast all over the world. This proved not only to be a crucial victory for the Libyan rebels but a victory for other Middle Eastern civilians tired of their oppressive governments.
The death of Kim Jong-Il is the most bizarre and perhaps the one with the least ramifications. For one he died and wasn’t killed or overthrown. The people were then forced into a disturbing outpouring of national grief for the cameras. Kim Jong-Il was replaced by his son, who will carry on or perhaps even make worse his father’s regime.
1. The Arab spring
From Libya to Egypt Middle Easterners have risen up against oppressive governments in 2011. The people have taken matters into their own hands with acts of civil resistance and demands for true democracy. Social media was central to organising the uprisings and protests making it a very modern revolution. Sceptics argue that the dictatorships will be replaced with something just as militant but others are more optimistic. Either way 2011 was the year that the voice of the people was heard. What will happen next is anyone’s guess...
....sometimes its 
Didn't know that.
