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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...

Biodiversity Climate Environment World population

China's changing child policy: what does it mean?

1 June 2021

China's panic over the consequences of a falling birth rate is typical of growing concerns across the world. Its response - moving its family size limit from one to two to three children - is typical of the Chinese government in mixing apparent liberalisation with intrusive state control. Our Head of Campaigns, Alistair Currie, looks at the policy and the drivers behind it, and asks what it can it tell us about shifting demographics and how governments respond.

Asia population Economics Family planning Women's rights World population

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.

Biodiversity Climate Environment World population

Conspiracy chaos: coronavirus, Bill Gates, the UN and population

Bill Gates
24 May 2021

Over the past year, a growing proportion of Population Matters’ website traffic has been driven by rather odd search terms. A quick Google search uncovers a frighteningly extensive network of misinformation. Population Matters' Senior Communications Officer, Olivia Nater, separates the myths from the facts.

Development Environment Family planning Women's rights World population

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.

Biodiversity Climate Environment Family planning Women's rights World population

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.

Climate Environment Families Family planning UK population Women's rights World population

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.

Climate Development Environment Family planning Women's rights World population

Child marriage in the US: where is the outrage?

Bride
29 April 2021

Girls as young as ten are legally getting married in the United States - nearly 300,000 since 2000, according to a new report by Unchained At Last. With no protective federal law in place, over 20 states allow for child marriage at 16 years, and 10 have no age limit whatsoever. Population Matters Outreach Coordinator Florence Blondel uncovers an ugly and little-known truth.

Development Family planning US population Women's rights World population

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.

Biodiversity Climate Environment World population

Choice Champions: breaking records, smashing barriers

Kate Strong
16 April 2021

Childfree athlete, motivational coach and Population Matters supporter Kate Strong is gearing up to attempt some the world’s most gruelling physical challenges. She recounts how her interest in the environment and women’s rights issues prompted her to become a spokesperson for female empowerment in every sense of the word.

Environment Women's rights World population

Why protecting child health means ending population growth

Playing children
7 April 2021

On World Health Day, paediatrics expert Peter Le Souëf explains why unsustainable population growth hurts children the most and calls for placing current and future child welfare at the centre of the need to combat overpopulation.

Development Environment Family planning World population

Scotland's not-so-sustainable population policy

Edinburgh
31 March 2021

Scotland has just published its first ever national population strategy. Population Matters Director Robin Maynard takes a look and laments the disconnect between the country's many other progressive policy positions and its conventional pro-growth approach.

Economics Environment Europe Population UK population

"Baby drought"? Let’s focus on the real COVID-19 crises

Baby
30 March 2021

Mainstream media is rife with alarming headlines about how the world may soon run out of babies. Not only does this paint declining fertility rates as a threat instead of the hugely beneficial development they represent – it also distracts from the real crises exacerbated by COVID-19, including gender inequality and poverty. Population Matters Senior Communications Officer Olivia Nater explains.

Economics Environment Europe Population Families Family planning US population Women's rights World population

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.

Climate Environment Food & water World population

The Handmaid's Reality

Women at demo
18 March 2021

Across the world, reproductive rights and women's rights are being increasingly curtailed by governments which want to boost birth rates. Head of Campaigns Alistair Currie looks at the disturbing linkages between nationalism, "family values" and panic over population loss.

Europe Population Family planning Women's rights

Women’s rights key to slowing population growth - A message to world leaders

Pakistani girl
8 March 2021

On International Women’s Day, Dr. Yasmeen Sabeeh Qazi, Senior Advocacy Advisor to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, explains why empowering women and girls is key to accelerating sustainable development in her country, Pakistan, and globally, and calls on world leaders to invest in the advancement of women's rights.

Asia population Development Families Family planning Women's rights World population

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.

Biodiversity Climate Development Environment Food & water World population

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.

Biodiversity Climate Environment Food & water World population

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.

Biodiversity Climate Development Environment Family planning Women's rights World population

New report: transform economy to save nature

London's financial centre
4 February 2021

Our economic and financial system is driving biodiversity loss and requires massive changes, according to a major new report by economist and Population Matters patron, Prof Sir Partha Dasgupta. Addressing population growth through much greater support for family planning is one of the key solutions proposed by the report.

Biodiversity Development Economics Environment Family planning World population

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