Time to end population denial - August Supporters' Update

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POPULATION MATTERS SUPPORTERS' UPDATE

AUGUST 2020

Director's message

PM supported the Global Footprint Network (GFN) in marking Earth Overshoot Day, which this year fell on August 22nd – several weeks later than previous ones due the economic slow-down enforced by Covid-19. A negative driver, rather than a positive shift towards sustainability. But what that showed is that it is possible to slow our current relentless depletion of our planet’s resources and ecosystems. GFN identified five positive ‘solution pillars’ for doing so, addressing population being one: if every other family had one fewer child than currently projected and if we delayed parenthood by just two years, then Overshoot Day would be moved back by 49 days by 2050.

Polemicist and pundit George Monbiot clearly didn’t acquaint himself with those facts before writing his recent opinion piece in The Guardian attacking any individual or organisation raising the issue of population as one of the key factors driving our global ecological crisis. The latest in a series by Monbiot making serious allegations against what he derides as ‘population obsessives’, including PM. We’ve responded (see below), rebutting his offensive insinuations. Monbiot seems unlikely to change his position – he’s never replied to our numerous, polite requests to meet and better understand each other’s perspectives. In that, he fulfils William Blake’s wonderful epigram, “The man who never alters his opinions is like standing water, and breeds reptiles of the mind.”

Hence, like GFN, we must focus on building the evidence base underpinning our concerns, ensuring our arguments are robust and stand up to reasonable challenge. The research we’re seeking to commission with the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk (CSER) at Cambridge focuses on that. CSER will examine whether it’s possible to bend down the population growth curve from the projected c. 11 billion people on Earth by 2100 to a smaller number than currently through positive, ethical solutions. We believe it is. Having solid evidence from a respected academic body will hugely strengthen our case with policy makers, and those striving to enable a greater proportion of people to enjoy better, sustainable lives within our planet’s boundaries.

Thank you to all of you who have already donated to our appeal to fund this research. If you haven’t already, then please do consider supporting this vital work.

- Robin Maynard, Director, Population Matters

NEWS FROM POPULATION MATTERS

It's time to end harmful population denial

In our latest blog post, Population Matters Director Robin Maynard debunks writer George Monbiot's claims that addressing the population issue is "blaming the poor" and "racist", and explains why population denial hurts everyone, especially the world's most vulnerable.

A short version of this response was published as a letter in The Guardian.

POPULATION

How smaller families shrink our ecological footprint

Earth Overshoot Day was on 22 August. This means that for the rest of the year, we are effectively in ecological overshoot, leading to resource depletion and destruction of nature. Population Matters Senior Communications Officer Olivia Nater explains how empowering people to choose a small family size helps us live within our planetary boundaries.

Small island, big population: Why the UK needs a Sustainable Population Policy.

With the United Kingdom already considered one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, unabated population growth poses a real threat to remaining ecosystems and human health and wellbeing. Robin takes a look at a UK politician’s new proposal to set up a governmental body tasked with monitoring national population trends and developing policy recommendations.

ENVIRONMENT

Earth Overshoot Day: Five ways we can move the date

Global Footprint Network CEO Laurel Hanscom lays out the five steps we must take to move back Earth Overshoot Day and achieve a world where all thrive within the means of our one planet.

My work as a young population activist

Stella Wright, a member of the Population Matters London Local Group, is one of an increasing number of young people around the world concerned about the impact of global population growth. Here, she explains what motivated her to become an environmental activist.

WOMEN'S RIGHTS & SEXUAL HEALTH

Investing in contraception would save billions of dollars

A new report by the Guttmacher Institute estimates that fulfilling the unmet need for modern contraception in developing countries would save $16 billion a year in maternal healthcare by reducing the number of unintended pregnancies.

International Childfree Day: Childfree stories

To mark this year’s International Childfree Day, we selected some of our favourite testimonials from Population Matters supporters who have made the choice to live their lives without having children.

Quote of the month

"In 1974, I led the Indian delegation to the World Population Conference in Bucharest, where my statement that 'development is the best contraceptive' became widely known and oft quoted. I must admit that 20 years later I am inclined to reverse this, and my position now is that 'contraception is the best development'."

- Karan Singh, Indian politician

TAKE ACTION

Help us map a better future

We are delighted many of you have already contributed to our summer appeal! With your help and generous match-funding, every gift we receive will help commission landmark research that will identify realistic, positive policy measures to set us on a path to a sustainable population future.

Donate