Protecting nature protects human lives - March Supporters' Update

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POPULATION MATTERS SUPPORTERS' UPDATE

MARCH 2020

Director's message

With world-leading conservationists David Attenborough, Jane Goodall and Chris Packham (and the late, great Professors Aubrey Manning and Norman Myers) honouring us as Patrons, PM surely merits being at the heart of discussions and debate around biodiversity, conservation and wildlife issues?

That’s certainly been my view and ambition since starting as Director just over three years ago, given my campaigning career began working on wildlife issues at Friends of the Earth. Surprisingly, that’s not been a universally accepted ‘no-brainer’. So it was very good to receive confirmation at the end of February of PM’s membership of IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Famous for its ‘Red List’ of threatened species, IUCN describes itself as ‘the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,300 member organisations and some 16,000 experts’. IUCN membership enhances our status as an organisation with something relevant to contribute on biodiversity issues, provides opportunities to build partnerships and boosts our efforts via our ‘Anthropocene’ campaign to get population included in the ongoing discussions around the Convention on Biological Diversity.

- Robin Maynard, Director, Population Matters

NEWS FROM POPULATION MATTERS

COVID-19: stay safe and look out for each other

We've set up a coronavirus page on on our website, featuring a statement from Robin, our Director; a video message from our Patron Dr Jane Goodall; information on how the pandemic affects sexual and reproductive health as well as gender issues; and a list of simple actions everyone can take to help humanity through this crisis.

A seat at the conservation table

Following a lengthy application process, we're very pleased to have been granted membership of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the largest conservation network and convenor of the World Conservation Congress. As IUCN members, we will have key opportunities to push for positive, choice-based population solutions to be included in global conservation agendas.

Learn more about IUCN

POPULATION

Population growth and destruction of nature fuel deadly diseases

In this blog post, PM Communications Officer Olivia Nater investigates how relentless deforestation, habitat encroachment, wildlife trade, consumption of animals, and increasing urban population density are facilitating the emergence and spread of diseases like COVID-19.

Preference for small families rubs off on others

As highly social creatures, much of what we say and do is influenced by the people close to us. A new study examines this effect on family size and consumption behaviour and concludes that smaller families and sustainable lifestyles could be achieved by encouraging the evolution of 'less is more' mindsets across society.

ENVIRONMENT

Seeing past and beyond ‘population versus consumption’

This article in Independent Australia outlines why it is counterproductive to create a false opposition between population and consumption. We clearly need to tackle both and all environmentalists should rally behind the empowering solutions that allow people to make more sustainable choices and live better lives.

Virus which causes COVID-19 threatens great ape conservation

This interview by the UN Environment Programme explains why human diseases like COVID-19 could have devastating effects on our closest living relatives. All seven great ape species are already classified as Critically Endangered or Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

WOMEN'S RIGHTS & SEXUAL HEALTH

World still largely hostile to girls

Despite some progress over the past 25 years, girls under age 18 around the world continue to face unacceptable discrimination and violence driven by deeply entrenched gender inequality, according to a new UN report.

Condom shortage looms after coronavirus lockdown

The world's biggest producer of condoms has been forced to temporarily close its factories due to COVID-19, creating fears of a global shortage. Production is expected to restart soon, but at reduced capacity.

Quote of the month

"As supply chains are strained by the COVID-19 response, we must do all we can to ensure the continued provision of family planning commodities. Reports of global condom shortages are alarming. When crisis strikes, the availability/accessibility of contraceptives is crucial."

- Dr Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director

TAKE ACTION

Help clear up misconceptions

People concerned about human population growth often get misunderstood, which can be extremely frustrating. If this happens to you, we advise calmly presenting the scientific evidence that population is a problem and that its best solutions advance human rights and make the world a better place for everyone. We also recommend sharing our 'What We Want' page which tackles the most frequent misinterpretations of population concern:

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