July 2023 Update

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JULY 2023

Dear Friends,

This will be my last ‘Director’s introduction,’ which I’m sad about
as it is (or rather was) one of my writing responsibilities that I most
looked forward to and enjoyed thinking about. As one of the rare occasions
when I’m able to speak to you, PM’s members and supporters, people who
get what PM is about and trying to do - speaking directly and without
sugaring the pill!

Just as our two other contributors this month, our President, Jonathon
Porritt, and our Patron, Professor John Guillebaud, do in their pieces.
Both are much longer-standing champions of the population issue than me –
who along with our former Chair, Roger Martin, inspired and encouraged me
to first become involved with Population Matters, then known as The
Optimum Population Trust.

I relish the righteous, reasoned rage in Jonathon’s blog calling out the
_‘population denial’_ and blanking of World Population Day by _“every
single environmental and development organisation here in the UK – and by
the Green Party.”_ A Green Movement and Green Party, which he has
contributed so much to over more than four decades. The razor edge to his
piece is in genuinely recognising their many good works, whilst holding
_“the deepest contempt for that continuing silence”_ on the population
factor.

A factor which if addressed through the available, affordable, and wanted
solutions of safe, modern family planning allied with quality education
would bring the greatest benefit to millions of girls and women globally,
as well as easing the stresses on our planet. Simple medical interventions
and personal choices that John Guillebaud has been championing his entire
professional career with extraordinary persistence and patience:

_“It gives me/us zero pleasure to be proved right, in our warnings over
so many decades…_

_The primary, quicker-acting, objective remains to keep fossil fuels in the
ground. This is quite simply not happening, with the required urgency or
at the necessary scale. Yet, proper resourcing of world contraception-care
services (increasing them to at least 2% from the current derisory 1% of
international aid) is an important ADDITIONAL climatic intervention, needed
now (though slower-acting because of the phenomenon of population
momentum). Indeed, it is the most cost-effective one there is.”_

Others’ words are more appropriate than mine for this update. But I was
pleased to be able to send out a note to you all earlier, setting out my
reasons for stepping down after seven years in the job. So, I want to end
by thanking all of you as PM’s supporters, especially those who responded
with some really generous, heartwarming words of thanks and encouragement
for whatever comes next. And especially encouraging to hear that a good
number of you have been and remain active well beyond my mere 65 years!

ROBIN MAYNARD

Dear John,

July's update contains lots of stories from our World Population Day
activities, with a well-attended online event, a brand-new report detailing
positive and successful population policies and the announcement of a new
group of Change Champions. We also hear from PM President and a patron, we
find out more about community fundraising and there's even a podcast
recommendation. 

This month we also say goodbye to our Director, Robin Maynard. After seven
years at the helm he will be moving on to pastures new, but we thank him
for everything he's given to the organisation and highly recommend reading
his final article, _A positive nuisance_. 

- The PM team

POPULATION MATTERS NEWS

A positive nuisance

This recent interview with our departing Director Robin Maynard gives a
real insight into his motivations and deeply held passion for the natural
world. As we prepare for a new chapter at PM, his words will help us focus
on what’s important, what’s at stake and what we can do.

Read more [3]

World Population Day 2023

It is is always our busiest day of the year, and the 11 July 2023 was no
different. Read our round up of all the activity on and around the day,
plus you can rewatch our online event, _Is education the magic
bullet? _We hope you enjoy the contributions from four fantastic
speakers.

Read more [4]

Awards for more change makers

We gave out awards for the third year running to a new group of
inspirational change makers. Learn more about the different categories and
meet our 2023  Change Champions, including our patron, Sir David
Attenborough!

Read more [5]

What is Community Fundraising?

There are many ways you can fundraise to support the work of Population
Matters, and not all of them involve running, cycling or enduring lengthy
hikes. Fundraising Officer, Anthony Howarth, takes us through some of the
options which may serve as inspiration.

Read more [6]

POPULATION & ENVIRONMENT

Power to the people

Often, people assume “population policy” to mean “population
control”, such as China’s one-child policy. The reality is different,
with many policies that gave people choice and improved their lives. Our
new report looks at a good news story that is rarely told. 

Read more [7]

Our President speaks out

PM President Jonathon Porritt's new blog piece is titled, _Overpopulation
and the end times: the silence continues. _In it, he voices his profound
frustration at environmental organisations that refuse to even acknowledge
the issue of population. 

Read more [8]

More nonsense from Elon Musk

Just when you think Elon Musk couldn't sink any lower, he suggests that
"the childless have little stake in the future" and should lose the right
to vote. It is yet more divisive and incendiary talk from Musk that will
only serve to further threaten women's rights.

Read more [9]

A podcast recommendation

Nature Solutionaries is a podcast about conservationists who do amazing
things for nature and bring inspiration into our lives. Interviewees have
included PM Patron Paul R. Ehrlich and Change Champion 2023 award winner
Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka.   

 Listen here [10]

WOMEN'S RIGHTS & SEXUAL HEALTH

Doctor & PM patron gives his expert view

Decades as a medical professional & environmental activist make Population
Matters’ patron John Guillebaud well placed to talk about population and
the need for voluntary family planning. We spoke to John about how we can
improve millions of lives.

Read more [11]

Dangerous rhetoric from Russian politician

Russian health minister slams pursuing a career before childbirth as
"improper practice" for women. Another example in Russia of the government
turning to more coercive measures in an attempt to reverse its “biggest
challenge” (declining population).

Read more [12]

TAKE ACTION

BRING POPULATION INTO THE SUMMIT OF THE FUTURE

 

In 2015, the United Nations established the Sustainable Development Goals,
a set of 17 targets intended to achieve decent lives for all on a healthy
planet by 2030. While significant gains have been made, progress is far too
slow and most of the targets look set to be missed.

Please contact your government to press them for greater commitment to the
SDGs, and to recognise the importance of tackling population.

 

Take action [13]

Quote of the month

_“The fact that we can solve so many of our pressing challenges by
inclusion, respect and kindness to women and girls is a glorious message to
share with children, educators and families.”_

- Cindy Forde, Author and Change Champion 2023 award winner

Manage your communication preferences here [14].

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© 2023 Population Matters

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