March 2023 Update
Unsubscribe [1]
View in your browser [2]
MARCH 2023
Dear John,
This week we released a new 28-page report, _iCon: Apple, consumption, &
the future of the planet_ [3]. It exposes the environmental & social cost
of 600,000 iPhones a day and challenges tech giant Apple over their
upgrade culture and environmental blinkers.
Another highlight this month was attending the UN Water Conference, to
raise the population conversation with those discussing global water
issues. Below you can read the article we prepared in advance
to consider if it's even possible to meet our water needs with a growing
global population, and we'll be publishing a post-event debrief on the
website soon.
We also report on an interesting study from Australia linking low infant
mortality to lower population growth. We are pleased to have engaged some
of the authors of that study to undertake separate research looking at the
wellbeing of children in the future should different population projections
come to fruition, so look out for that coming soon.
Thank you for continuing to support Population Matters.
- The PM team
NEWS FROM POPULATION MATTERS
The real cost of an iPhone (multiplied by 600,000 a day)
Consuming more than our planet can provide drives the crisis we are in
today. There are thought to be 16 billion smartphones on our planet –
double the number of people. Our newly published report exposes how making,
selling, using and discarding them harms our environment and how companies
like Apple persuade us to buy more of them when the ones we have work
perfectly well.
Read more [4]
Can we meet our water needs?
In advance of the conference last week, we laid the groundwork by releasing
a fully-referenced briefing about the role of population in achieving
ambitious global goals in relation to water and sanitation. We also delved
into the matter further in this blog, looking at the part population plays
in addressing key water issues.
Read more [5]
Our Annual Report 2021-22
Population Matters is opening up the global population conversation.
We’re raising awareness of the key issues, promoting available solutions
and, crucially, enabling diverse voices to be heard – facilitating those
with real legitimacy to shape a new narrative. Check out the new annual
report to see what we've been up to.
Read more [6]
POPULATION & ENVIRONMENT
Report reiterates human responsibility for global heating
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has released _Climate Change
2023: Synthesis Report_. The report reiterates human responsibility for our
current crises and warns that more extreme weather events are inevitable if
the current trend continues. It also highlights the critical actions that
need to be taken to reach our environmental targets.
Read more [7]
"It's now or never" - Chris Packham
PM Patron Chris Packham has written a piece for the New Scientist on the
importance of achieving a sustainable population. In the article he makes
the point that getting to grips with population growth through a mixture of
women's rights, education and raising people out of poverty is the key to
tackling our environmental crises.
Read more [8]
WOMEN'S RIGHTS & SEXUAL HEALTH
Lower infant mortality will lower population growth
A recent comprehensive study has shown a direct link between keeping babies
alive and reductions in global population. The group of Australian
academics concluded that improved access to contraception and family
planning are what’s required.
Read more [9]
Check out our grassroots partners around the world
With our Empower to Plan programme, we have partnered with many grassroots
organisations around the world to empower women. Many women, in both high
and low-income countries, lack the contraception, knowledge and freedom to
take control of their fertility.
Read more [10]
Championing our female supporters
On the 8 March, we celebrated International Women’s Day by asking the
question; _What does International Women’s Day mean to you? _and here are
some of the replies we received. Thank you to everyone who responded!
Read more [11]
TAKE ACTION
SPRING INTO ACTION
Calling all supporters! Keep an eagle eye on your inbox next week for an
exciting email detailing our 2023 Population Matters Spring Action Month.
Between Earth Day on the 22 April and the International Day of Biological
Diversity on the 22 May we want our supporters to get involved with our
campaigns, to think about our impact on the planet and the biodiversity in
our gardens, and get outdoors to raise funds. As a sneak peek, head over to
our Spring Action page [12] and let us know your plans!
Quote of the month
"In the blunt words of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, "our increasing numbers drive
degradation". So surely we must consider that achieving a sustainable human
population is essential for our survival."
- Chris Packham, Naturalist and Broadcaster, It's Now or Never [8] in the
New Scientist
Manage your communication preferences here [13].
The Chandlery, 50 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7QY, UK
Registered company 3019081, charity 1114109
© 2023 Population Matters
[Facebook] [14] [Twitter] [15] [Web] [16] [Instagram] [17]
Links:
------
[1] /[link removed]
[2] /[link removed]
[3] [link removed]
[4] [link removed]
[5] [link removed]
[6] [link removed]
[7] [link removed]
[8] [link removed]
[9] [link removed]
[10] [link removed]
[11] [link removed]
[12] [link removed]
[13] [link removed]
[14] [link removed]
[15] [link removed]
[16] [link removed]
[17] [link removed]
