This World Population Day, 11 July 2019, Population Matters went global by running successful events on three continents. Thanks to our supporters and allies, we brought our energising, positive messages to audiences in Lagos, London, and New York, developing new relationships, raising awareness of the need for action, and pushing population up the international agenda.

In an interview for British Vogue, Prince Harry told our Patron Dr Jane Goodall that he and Meghan Markle will limit their family size to two children because of concern for the environment. This caused a welcome surge in media enquiries for Population Matters - you can see some of the resulting stories on our media coverage page. Click below for an article on the "environmental ethics of having kids" in the Evening Standard which quotes our Head of Campaigns Alistair.

A new study in The Lancet analysing the gap between future fruit and vegetable supply and recommended consumption levels found that even under the most optimistic development scenario, there won’t be enough to go around by mid-century.

This year's Earth Overshoot Day fell on 29 July - the earliest it has ever been. Earth Overshoot Day marks the day on which humanity has used up nature's resource budget for the entire year. In other words, due to increasing population and consumption, we are now using resources 1.75 times faster than they can regenerate, with devastating consequences.

A new study reveals that rapid human population growth is the biggest driver of environmental degradation in African countries, highlighting the urgent need for greater investment in family planning as a pathway to achieving biodiversity and sustainable development targets.

According to the latest update of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, not a single species has improved in conservation status. More species than ever before are now threatened with extinction, primarily due to habitat destruction and overexploitation, both of which are fuelled by human population growth.

Buzzfeed recently published an excellent, thoughtful opinion piece by a former Mormon about her choice to have a small family for the greater benefit of the planet we live on, despite the social pressures she encountered. Another encouraging sign that population concern is becoming more mainstream!

In 1994, world leaders came together at the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo and adopted a visionary Programme of Action to empower women. Unfortunately, progress on advancing women's health and rights has been woefully inadequate. Here's a good summary of undelivered promises, 25 years later.