News | Population Matters

Population Matters sends “Fake News” award to Elon Musk

12 August 2022

As we have previously reported, the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, has an increasing preoccupation with population. With his tweets and comments showing no sign of diminishing or becoming more reasonable, PM has published a new report analysing his claims, Which planet is he on? Elon Musk and the population apocalypse. To bring home the message, we have also sent a uniquely-designed Fake News award to Mr Musk, care of Tesla’s HQ.

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Exploring the links between environment and human well-being

29 July 2022

In June, Population Matters’ Researcher and Policy Adviser Monica Scigliano travelled to Finland to present a paper at the Planetary Futures of Health and Wellbeing conference. In this blog post, she reflects on highlights from the conference, her paper, and Finland as a model of sustainability and well-being.

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Earth Overshoot Day - what can we all do?

28 July 2022

Earth Overshoot Day marks the day when humanity has consumed all the renewable resources that the planet can produce over the entire year. Falling on 28 July in 2022, it tells us we are very far from living within the limits of our planet. But solutions are available.

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As progress continues to falter, how do the SDGs get back on track?

22 July 2022

The UN’s Sustainable Development Report assesses progress in meeting the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that aim to achieve peace and prosperity for people and the planet.

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THE CLIMATE CRISIS: ETHICAL POPULATION ACTION A KEY SOLUTION

19 July 2022

Project Drawdown, the world-leading study of climate change solutions, has rated family planning and education, resulting in slower population growth, as key to tackling the climate crisis. Read more here.

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The work of Na’leb’ak - local change-makers in Guatemala

14 July 2022

Catriona Spaven-Donn reports on how Empower to Plan partner Na'leb'ak is leading the way in sexual and reproductive health and education provision in their Maya Q'eqchi' communities.

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UN: 2.4bn more people but is end of growth in sight?

11 July 2022

The United Nations has today released its updated projections for global population change up to 2100. It is projecting another 2.4bn people by 2086, but the basic numbers hide a more complicated story. PM’s Monica Scigliano reports on the key data and trends, and looks at some of the implications.

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Too fast, too slow, just right? The UN's 2022 population projections

11 July 2022

Published today, the long-awaited United Nations global population projections are causing plenty of debate. PM's Alistair Currie looks behind the numbers to see what the lines on the graph mean for people, planet and our future.

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WORLD POPULATION DAY 2022: CHANGE CHAMPIONS

7 July 2022

For the second year running, to mark World Population Day on 11 July, we are giving our Change Champions awards to individuals and organisations across the globe for their progressive, effective and brave work promoting reproductive rights, defending the environment, and enlightening the public about the challenges we face and the solutions that are available. Read more about the winners here.

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Abortion, nation and population - in the US and beyond

1 July 2022

The end of the constitutional protection of the right to abortion in the US has been praised, as well as condemned, across the world. Population Matters' landmark Welcome to Gilead report detailed how a mix of nationalism, population panic and misogyny is fuelling increasing repression of reproductive freedom in some countries. We take a look here at some recent developments.

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A terrible human cost: Roe v. Wade overturned

24 June 2022

The US Supreme Court has overturned the Roe v. Wade decision which prevented states banning abortion. Twenty-six are now expected to introduce such bans, which will have terrible consequences for the lives and freedom of countless people in the US.

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Joan Kembabazi: girls' education is key

Population Matters Choice Ambassadors Joan Kembabazi

17 June 2022

At the beginning of June, girls' and women's rights activist Joan Kembabazi, who is also one of our Choice Ambassadors, attended the Stockholm 50+ environment conference. In this guest blog, she writes about the conference and her message to it.

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One school, one tree at a time: climate campaigning in Uganda

Population Matters Choice Ambassadors Nyombi Morris

8 June 2022

Voted Environmentalist of Tomorrow by CNN in 2021, Nyombi Morris is a climate change activist from Uganda. With a mission to educate and inspire young people, he’s one of our Choice Ambassadors.

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Degrowth, the steady state economy and population

4 June 2022

In a guest blog to mark Degrowth Day, Brian Czech, Executive Director of the Center for a Steady State Economy, discusses the limitations of the current economic system, the way forward, and why population matters.

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Children at risk from overconsumption by the richest

31 May 2022

A majority of wealthy countries are creating unhealthy and dangerous conditions for children across the world, according to a new report by UNICEF. Overconsumption is identified as a key driver of the destruction of children's environments.

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WELCOME TO HUMANATURE

22 May 2022

Nature is under pressure from humans as never before. PM's new, overarching biodiversity campaign, HUMANATURE, will inspire action to help protect biodiversity, slow and end population growth and ensure we all live more sustainably. Read more about the campaign's plans here.

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UN: Population growth driving drought

18 May 2022

A new UN report foresees a future in which droughts may affect over three-quarters of the world’s population, unless we take action. In 23 countries, population growth will be the primary driver.

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David Attenborough’s greatest achievement

5 May 2022

Population Matters Patron Sir David Attenborough turns an impressive 96 years old on 8 May. The beloved broadcaster has much to be proud of and it is probably no exaggeration to say that nobody has inspired as many people to care about the environment as he has. But it’s not just love for things furry, feathered and scaled that he’s helped spread – Communications Manager Olivia Nater reflects on his influence.

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"I was refused for years": accessing permanent birth control

28 April 2022

A few weeks ago, we shared an article on our Facebook page about a woman celebrating her long-awaited sterilisation. It resonated with a lot of our followers, mostly women, who have faced similar struggles when trying to access permanent contraception.