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UN: Population growth driving drought

Cracked earth
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.

Africa population Biodiversity Climate Environment Family planning Food & water

David Attenborough’s greatest achievement

Sir David Attenborough with Meerkat
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.

Biodiversity Environment Women's rights World population

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

Woman with shawl
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.

Families Family planning Women's rights

The elephant in the womb: unintended pregnancies

22 April 2022

This year’s UN State of the World Population (SWP) report focuses on the worrying issue of unintended pregnancies. Still approximately half of all pregnancies today are unplanned and the number of affected women is increasing. Tackling this crisis is key to achieving a better future and should be an utmost priority. 

Climate Development Environment Family planning Women's rights World population

Four key ways in which human and environmental health are linked

7 April 2022

The way we are treating the planet is not just bad for the environment – we are actively undermining our own health and well-being too. This year’s World Health Day draws attention to this crucial fact with the theme ‘Our Planet, Our Health’. Communications Manager Olivia Nater looks at four critical planetary health issues.

Biodiversity Climate Environment Food & water World population

Tackling population growth in Nigeria: Interview with Chidera Benoit

PEA team
4 April 2022

Nigeria has the largest population in Africa and is one of the fastest growing countries in the world, expected to become the third most populous by mid-century. This rapid growth, driven by a high fertility rate, is placing unprecedented strain on the natural environment as well as on already fragile social services and infrastructure. We spoke to Chidera Benoit, head of the Population Explosion Awareness Initiative (PEAI), a non-profit organisation dedicated to slowing population growth in Nigeria through empowering solutions for a healthier environment and better quality of life.

Africa population Development Environment Family planning Women's rights

Conservation through education and family planning: Reporting from Colombia

1 April 2022

Between July 2021 and February 2022, Empower to Plan supported Women for Conservation in the provision of environmental education workshops and family planning clinics in biodiversity hotspots of Colombia. Our Empower to Plan Project Coordinator, Catriona Spaven-Donn, visited Women for Conservation over International Women’s Day in March. In this field report, she reflects on how the group is empowering women to protect endangered species and their habitats as well as become decision and change-makers in their own lives.

Biodiversity Environment Families Family planning Women's rights

One river, many tributaries: Talking population in Kenya

Population Conversation symposium
30 March 2022

This month, Population Matters Director Robin Maynard attended the Population Conversation Symposium in Kilifi, Kenya. This key event, organised by local public health consultancy WellSense and supported by PM, brought together diverse stakeholders to discuss the wide-ranging impacts of rapid population growth and to identify the actions needed to mainstream the crucial 'population conversation'.

Africa population Development Environment Family planning Women's rights World population

Reflections on motherhood

27 March 2022

On UK Mothers’ Day, Population Matters Communications Officer Florence Blondel reflects on being a new mother, harmful social expectations and pressures, her childhood in Uganda, and the power of choice.

Africa population Development Environment Families Family planning Women's rights World population

Between the bedrock and a hard place: the future of groundwater

Water pump
22 March 2022

Today is World Water Day, a global observance day to raise awareness of water-related issues and inspire action to preserve this most precious of resources. This year’s theme is ‘Groundwater, making the invisible visible’. Communications Manager Olivia Nater explores the facts around groundwater use and what it means for global water security.
 

Climate Development Environment Food & water World population

One-in-three countries not making progress on women’s rights

18 March 2022

A new report has found that while most countries are making some progress towards gender equality, this is happening much too slowly to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. In addition, a third of countries analysed have made no progress since 2015, or have moved in the wrong direction.

Development Women's rights

"Bleakest warning yet": UN climate report

Flooded road sign
10 March 2022

A major UN climate report was published last week, painting the direst picture yet of the impacts of climate breakdown. It also stresses that to avoid mounting loss of life, biodiversity and infrastructure, the world needs to undertake ambitious, accelerated action to adapt to climate change, while at the same time making rapid, deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate Environment

Empower women, save the planet

8 March 2022

Today is International Women’s Day with the theme “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”. The event aims to showcase how critical advancing women’s rights is to solving our environmental crises – something we do every day at Population Matters! Communications Manager Olivia Nater summarises the evidence.

Biodiversity Climate Development Environment Women's rights World population

Squeezing out the wild things

Tiger
3 March 2022

Today is World Wildlife Day, the most important annual observance day dedicated to wild species. The event draws attention to the conservation status of some of the most critically endangered species, and drives discussions towards finding and implementing solutions to conserve them. Senior Campaigner Andrew Howard looks at how human population growth is impacting three iconic mammals.

 

Biodiversity Climate Environment World population

The Anthropocene's emerging threats

25 February 2022

Humanity’s impact on our planet has profound and far-reaching consequences, some of which are less obvious than others. A new UN report shines a light on emerging environmental threats, including noise pollution, wildfires and shifts in the timing of key seasonal events.

Biodiversity Climate Environment World population

Fat cats and fossil fuel companies: Who's to blame for climate change?

Cruise ship
18 February 2022

The wealthiest people drive climate change and the poorest suffer most from it. In fact, the inequality and injustice is greater than many people think. But it's not the whole story. We look at the numbers and try to identify what's really going on.

Climate Development Economics World population

Biodiversity at a crossroads: why population matters

9 February 2022

2022 is a big year for the natural world: a new international agreement will be agreed to combat global biodiversity loss. The post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework is intended to ensure that by 2050, humans are living in harmony with nature. The UN has also called for greater funding for nature conservation. Population Matters Senior Campaigner Andrew Howard examines recent developments, and how human population growth is being dealt with.

Biodiversity Environment Women's rights World population

UN report: Food systems “at breaking point”

Crop irrigation
4 February 2022

A new report by the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) warns that our modern agricultural systems are stretched to breaking point, spelling worsening environmental impacts and an increasing threat to food and water security. This is particularly alarming as continued population growth will lead to even higher food demand.

Climate Development Environment Food & water World population

How China's food demand will shape our future

27 January 2022

At close to 1.5 billion people, China is the world’s most populous nation, as well as a major and growing economy, with important environmental implications. A new study shows that without sustainable policy interventions, China’s rapidly increasing food demand, especially for animal products, will lead to significant climate emissions and habitat loss.

Climate Environment Food & water World population

Young voices for the planet: Meet our Choice Ambassadors

Morris
21 January 2022

Meet our Choice Ambassadors! Dedicated to fighting for the planet, these inspiring young people champion empowering solutions to our environmental crises. Outreach Coordinator Florence Blondel introduces the team.

Climate Environment Women's rights World population

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