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Bill Ryerson: We can bring birth rates down fast

11 June 2021

Is it really easier and quicker to reduce fertility rates than greenhous gas emissions, and what role does entertainment media play in achieving a sustainable population? Our Outreach Coordinator Florence Blondel interviews Bill Ryerson, Founder and President of the Population Media Center and Population Matters Expert Advisor.

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Why we must seize this chance for change

4 June 2021

If we’ve learnt anything from the devastating impact of COVID-19, it’s that life will never be quite the same again, which, according to conservationists Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin, opens up a whole world of opportunity – if we’re brave enough to stand up for change. Here, they share their thoughts on what needs to be done, right here, right now...

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The sixth mass extinction and the future of humanity

White rhino
27 May 2021

Everyone is aware of the climate crisis but not many people know there is another, equally serious environmental crisis: the sixth mass extinction. Renowned ecologist and conservationist Dr Gerardo Ceballos explains this alarmingly rapid erosion of biodiversity and why the survival of our own species depends on whether we manage to halt it.

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Will environment groups break their silence on population?

Orangutans
21 May 2021

High-profile Population Matters supporters including Chris Packham, Gordon Buchanan and Prof William Ripple are among those who have signed a letter to major environmental groups calling on them to take action on population.

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Three-in-ten young people want a small family for environmental reasons

Small family
14 May 2021

In the run up to International Day of Families on 15 May, a new opinion poll by Population Matters has found that almost three-in-ten people between 18 and 24 years old say concerns about the environment have made them want to have fewer or no children. Almost a third say concerns about the environmental effects of having children make them want to have fewer or none. Despite the clear benefits of smaller families, both parents of only children and childfree women reported that they feel negatively judged for their choices.

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PM supporters take action on UK aid cuts

5 May 2021

Last week, the UK Government announced it will be cutting its funding for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) by a staggering 85%. Combined with the planned reduction in spending on girls’ education, this will deliver a devastating blow to the world’s most vulnerable women and girls. It also contradicts the Prime Minister’s claim that addressing climate change is the UK’s “foremost international priority”. Population Matters has written to key representatives and launched an e-action campaign, urging a reversal of this terrible move.

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Jonathon Porritt: Still hot on the campaign trail

Jonathon and Stella
22 April 2021

To celebrate Earth Day in Population Matters’ 30th anniversary year, activist Stella Wright from our London group asks our President and veteran campaigner, Jonathon Porritt, some searching questions about the population issue and the future.

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Troubled Waters: Population growth and climate change

22 March 2021

The theme of this year’s UN World Water Day is ‘valuing water’. The impact of the climate crisis and population growth alongside lack of progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 6: ‘Water and sanitation for all’ shows we have a long way to go to learn the true value of the world’s most invaluable resource, writes Population Matters Campaigner Katrina Dixon.

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World Wildlife Day: 5 ways you can help forest species

Orangutan mother and baby
3 March 2021

World Wildlife Day, falling on March 3rd every year, is a UN initiative that aims to celebrate wild species and raise awareness of their plight. This year’s theme, ‘Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet’, showcases humanity’s dependence on healthy forest ecosystems. Our Senior Communications Officer, Olivia Nater, examines the critical state of global forests and lists five actions we can take to help protect them and their inhabitants.

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To save biodiversity, we must transform our food systems

Dairy cows
15 February 2021

A major new analysis highlights how current food production and consumption patterns are driving biodiversity loss, and proposes three key actions to turn the tide and create a healthier future: a shift towards more plant-based diets, setting aside more land as protected areas, and adopting more sustainable farming methods.

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Endgame 2050: Panel discussion with leading experts

Endgame 2050 poster
5 February 2021

On 4 February 2021, Population Matters held a live-screening of the population segment of the important new documentary Endgame 2050, followed by a panel discussion with the film-maker Sofia Pineda Ochoa, reproductive health expert Alisha Graves, and our esteemed Patrons Professor Paul Ehrlich and Leilani Münter.

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Study: Population growth cancelling out climate change progress

20 January 2021

A new study finds that more than three-quarters of the gains made from increased energy efficiency and reduced carbon dioxide emissions from energy production are offset by global population growth. The study calls for an end to the "conspicuous silence" on the role of population in our enironmental crisis.

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Humanity headed towards ‘ghastly future’: Urgent warning from top scientists

14 January 2021

An important new study warns that the world is failing to grasp the gravity of our environmental crises, and that without urgent action on the underlying causes, population and consumption growth, we face catastrophic mass extinction, climate disruption, and human suffering.

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UN Summit: Are Climate Ambitions Falling Short?

7 December 2020

With the virtual UN Climate Ambition Summit 2020 being held on the 12th of December, we ask why the rapid growth of the human population is still being left off the international agenda.

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"The best decision of my life": The men who chose a vasectomy

17 November 2020

World Vasectomy Day is an annual celebration of the men who choose a vasectomy to help share the burden of contraception and responsible family planning. We gathered testimonies from men across the world about their personal experiences of getting "the snip". 

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Population must play a role in the climate conversation

14 November 2020

How does population growth affect climate change? For this week's London Climate Action Week, PM Board Member and Director of Flight Free UK, Anna Hughes, reflects on her decision not to have children to reduce her carbon footprint.

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Biden’s victory: What does it mean for women’s rights and the environment?

Biden 2020 flag
10 November 2020

Sexual and reproductive health and rights and the environment saw several significant setbacks under the Trump administration. Now that Joe Biden and running mate Kamala Harris have won the US presidential election, what is likely to change? Senior Communications Officer Olivia Nater takes a look at key international policy issues.

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UK report: Next generation will inherit worse environment

Starling
6 November 2020

A new report shows the UK Government is way off course to meet its goal of improving the state of the environment for the next generation, with many areas continuing to deteriorate, including biodiversity, water pollution, and soil depletion.

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Can we shrink our energy footprint?

Power station
10 October 2020

A new study suggests we can reduce global energy consumption by 75% and still lead comfortable lives. To achieve that, the authors say we need "radical action on all fronts", including addressing vast disparities in consumption across the world. Can we do it?

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Attenborough film: Saving our planet requires ending population growth

David Attenborough on Easter Island
7 October 2020

David Attenborough's 'A Life On Our Planet' highlights the rampant destruction of nature caused by human population growth and unsustainable consumption, as well as the positive and urgently needed actions we must take to save our one and only planet. Population Matters Director Robin Maynard reviews the film.

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