Our New Year began very positively with Population Matters name-checked in BBC2’s Horizon documentary, ‘7.7 Billion People and Counting' presented by Chris Packham. In conversation with Sir David Attenborough, Chris made a point of noting that both he and Sir David are patrons of PM, because it’s the only organisation making the connection between human population growth and the accelerating environmental crisis; of which climate change is the current, most obvious manifestation. He went on to highlight the same key, positive solutions we do: universal access to education, safe family planning, and enabling choice for the 232 million women (UN 2019) currently unable to access those basic rights. Do watch via the link below if you’ve not already seen it. Talking of choices, just a few days later our trustee and sustainable transport campaigner, Anna Hughes, was one of the main protagonists in a Woman’s Hour discussion, ‘Would you stop having kids to save the planet?’. Whilst Anna has made the strong, personal choice not to have children, she didn’t lecture anyone to do the same, but respectfully introduced listeners to the real benefits for both our planet and future generations from choosing smaller families. You can listen to the programme by clicking below. Two inspiring examples to kick-off the New Year, showing that PM and the population issue are gaining greater profile and more considered discussion. In turn, attracting the interest and engagement of more like-minded individuals and organisations globally, who share our vision for a future in which our species co-exists in harmony with nature and prospers on a healthy planet, to the benefit of all. Of course that includes all of you, especially the several hundred new supporters who’ve just joined PM. Thank you and welcome! - Robin Maynard, Director, Population Matters |
