A Second in Our World: How It Changes Everything Around Us

A second is such a fleeting moment that we rarely consider its significance and the amount of activity that takes place in that short span. Here are some astonishing examples of what happens in just one second

A second is such a fleeting moment that we rarely consider its significance and the amount of activity that takes place in that short span. Here are some astonishing examples of what happens in just one second:

People are born and die

Every second, around 4.5 people are born and about 2 people die. These figures come from the worldbirthsanddeaths service, which models statistics on births and deaths. While some countries experience declining birth rates, particularly in developed nations, global statistics show that humanity is still growing due to developing regions.

Billionaires get richer

World billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates make hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars every second. For instance, Jeff Bezos earns about $3,605 per second, and Bill Gates earns approximately $4,630 per second. These figures highlight the incredible growth of their wealth and the continuous increase in their fortunes.

Tons of food are wasted

Approximately 41 tons of food are discarded every second worldwide. This is especially alarming given the global hunger problem, as this amount could provide a daily ration for more than 27,000 people. People in higher-income countries consume more food compared to poorer regions, where food scarcity is a more pressing issue.

Water consumption on the planet

About 7.8 million cubic meters of water are extracted from natural sources every second. The average person uses around 500 cubic meters of water per year, and despite uneven distribution of consumption, the overall volume of water use is impressive.

Millions of chemical reactions in our bodies

While you read these lines, millions of chemical reactions are occurring in your body. These reactions, known as metabolism, sustain the body's functions and keep it operating normally.

Popular videos and content

Every second, around 43,000 videos are viewed on YouTube. Many of these include children's content, but the overall volume of views and the speed of information dissemination are staggering.

Aircraft in the sky

On average, around 35 airplanes take off every second. Considering that about 50,000 aircraft operate daily, this results in significant fuel consumption and emissions into the atmosphere.

Plastic in the ocean

Approximately 1.5 tons of plastic enter the ocean every second. This fact underscores the global issue of ocean pollution and the need for improved waste disposal and recycling systems.

Insect activity

Insects like bees, flies, and mosquitoes flap their wings hundreds of times each second. For example, bees make between 200 and 440 wing beats per second, while mosquitoes beat their wings between 500 and 1,000 times, which explains their distinctive buzz.

These facts highlight that even within a single second, a lot happens in our world. Realizing this can help us better appreciate the time and resources we have.