News from Population Matters.
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Squeezing out the wild things
Today is World Wildlife Day, the most important annual observance day dedicated to wild species. This year, it will be marked under the theme of ‘Recovering key species for ecosystem restoration’. The celebrations draw attention to the conservation status of some of the most critically endangered species of wild animals and plants, and drive discussions…
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The Anthropocene’s emerging threats
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. Our current geological epoch is called the Anthropocene because of how significantly our…
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Fat cats and fossil fuel companies: who’s to blame for climate change?
The richest people drive climate change. But who are “the rich” and does that mean population doesn’t matter? We examine the evidence on climate equality.
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Biodiversity at a crossroads: why population matters
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…
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UN report: Food systems “at breaking point”
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. The 2021 State of the…
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Young voices for the planet: Meet our Choice Ambassadors
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. “The lower the population, the safer the planet, and to me, the quickest solution to slowing population increase is by educating, supporting, and empowering women,” says Choice…
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The BBC on population: Re-treading a well-worn path
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…
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Director’s reflections on 2021
As 2021 draws to a close, Population Matters Director Robin Maynard reflects on an eventful year. Thank you to all of you from across the world for your interest, your campaigning, and support over the past year. Population is a global issue, one which has to be addressed globally, with policies and solutions made relevant…
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US abortion rights under threat: what’s next?
On 1 December, the US Supreme Court heard the oral argument in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the country’s most important abortion case in decades. Here’s what happened and why it matters. A very brief history The right to abortion is not legally enshrined in the US, and individual states can set their own…
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Welcome to Gilead: how population fears drive women’s rights abuses
Welcome to Gilead, Population Matters’ latest report, expands on the connections between extreme pronatalism and reproductive rights restrictions through eight case studies: Iran, China, Turkey, Russia, Hungary, Poland, Germany, and the US. The report’s author, PM Researcher and Policy Adviser Monica Scigliano, explains. Coercive pronatalism As those of us who fight for women’s rights know,…