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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.

Africa population Climate Development Women's rights

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. 

Biodiversity Development Environment Family planning Women's rights World population

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

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

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

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

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

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

The BBC on population: Re-treading a well-worn path

crowd
18 January 2022

Human population dynamics, impacts and challenges are rarely raised or discussed in any depth on mainstream media. So the fact that the BBC gave over one of its flagship Radio 4 ‘Rethink’ series to population should be welcomed by anyone interested in better understanding this crucial, but overlooked, issue. Unfortunately, the programme had some major shortcomings. PM Director Robin Maynard and Researcher Monica Scigliano explain.

Development Economics Environment Families Women's rights World population

Director's reflections on 2021

Mountains at night
21 December 2021

As 2021 draws to a close, Population Matters Director Robin Maynard reflects on an eventful year.

Development Environment Family planning Women's rights World population

COP26: Why population matters

5 November 2021

A crucial UN climate conference (COP26) is taking place in Glasgow. One factor unlikely to be on the agenda is human population growth. Whilst the relationship between population and climate change is complex, investing in empowering population solutions is undeniably positive and key to averting disaster. PM Digital and Communications Manager Olivia Nater reviews the evidence.

Africa population Climate Development Women's rights World population

From flood protection to family planning: Komb Green Solutions

26 October 2021

In July, we launched our crowdfunding campaign with the Kenyan environmental group Komb Green Solutions. After disastrous floods earlier this year, the park they had created for children and youth was almost washed away. Their efforts to empower women, girls and crime-involved youth were in jeopardy but thanks to generous Population Matters members and supporters, we were able to lend a hand. Empower To Plan Coordinator Catriona Spaven-Donn provides an update on their achievements.

Africa population Development Environment Family planning

Unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions and death: The impact of the UK aid cuts

22 October 2021

In November 2020, the UK Government announced a reduction in its foreign development aid from 0.7% of gross national income to 0.5%. Global family planning was one of the areas worst-affected by the cuts – a new report reveals their true cost to women and girls.

Development Family planning Women's rights World population

A Booming Success: Population Matters’ 2021 Conference

15 October 2021

On 8th October, Population Matters hosted Boom or Bust, our first-ever hybrid in-person and online conference. Addressing the intersection of population and economics, with a focus on how societies can flourish with a smaller, more sustainable population, a truly global cast of speakers – beaming in from Taiwan, Spain, Ghana, France, the US, UK, and Kenya – brought a wide variety of fascinating perspectives and areas of expertise. Population Matters' Robin Maynard and Monica Scigliano report.

Climate Development Economics Women's rights World population

Gender equality: Have we made progress?

Sierra Leone woman with baby
11 October 2021

A new UN report measures the progress made towards gender equality across all 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Due to lack of investment and major setbacks precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the overall picture is bleak, with many indicators worsening instead of improving.

Development Women's rights

The Sahel: Empowering women key to averting disaster

27 August 2021

The Sahel region of Africa is on a dangerous trajectory of rapid population growth and catastrophic climate warming. Empowering women in this area is key to saving and improving countless lives. We spoke to Alisha Graves, Population Matters Expert Advisor and Founder and Executive Director of OASIS, which delivers crucial work to advance education and choice for women and girls in the Sahel.

Africa population Climate Development Environment Family planning Food & water Women's rights

Heading towards collapse: two major warnings

Burnt forest
6 August 2021

Updates to two landmark environmental studies were published in recent weeks: one examines the accuracy of the Club of Rome’s predictions in their bestselling 1972 book ‘Limits to Growth’, the other is a reiteration of the 2019 ‘Scientists’ Warning of a Climate Emergency’. Needless to say, neither update offers good news – we must act fast to avert disaster.

Biodiversity Climate Development Environment World population

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