News from February

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POPULATION MATTERS SUPPORTERS' UPDATE

FEBRUARY 2020

Director's message

Prior to writing this piece I was down at Bristol’s Climate Strike at
which Greta Thunberg spoke – eloquently direct as ever, drawing a crowd
thousands strong. It’s fantastic to see young and old out on the streets
demanding urgent action on the ‘climate emergency’. But there’s a
worrying ‘climate myopia’ amongst some climate campaigners, which
dismisses, deprioritises or simply edits out all other issues and factors.

An example of this was last November’s issue of Extinction Rebellion’s
free newspaper Hourglass, which reported on the World Scientists' Warning
statement [3] signed by over 11,000 scientists from 153 countries, but
which was selective in the 'key factors' the journalist chose to highlight.
The statement said:

_“The climate crisis has arrived and is accelerating faster than many
scientists expected. It is more severe than anticipated, threatening
natural ecosystems and the fate of humanity. We suggest six critical and
interrelated steps that governments and the rest of humanity can take to
lessen the worst effects of climate change, covering 1) Energy, 2)
Short-lived pollutants, 3) Nature, 4) Food, 5) Economy, and 6)
Population.”_

Strangely, no mention of number 6 in the Hourglass article!

Joe Bish of our fellow population concern organisation the Population Media
Center [4] has done all of us seeking to raise awareness of population, and
the available, effective, rights-based solutions, a great service by
examining this worrying trend in his recent article, ‘Eugenics?
Population Control? Nope – reproductive choice and resources’ [5].
Definitely worth reading.

Fortunately, a good number of people, including no doubt many of my fellow
marchers in Bristol, whilst rightly focused on climate with the COP26 talks
taking place in the UK in July, understand and accept human population is a
key factor alongside and in harness with consumption. As borne out by the
1,800 people who’ve signed up to receive PM’s updates since Chris
Packham’s Horizon population special [6] was broadcast, with over 450
joining as new members!

- Robin Maynard, Director, Population Matters

NEWS FROM POPULATION MATTERS

Showing the Love on Valentine's Day

As part of the Climate Coalition's annual _Show the Love_ campaign, we took
to the streets with our London local group this Valentine's Day to hand out
condoms and information on how choosing contraception helps people and
planet.

Watch the short video [7]

We're hiring!

Are you passionate about the environment and want to make the world a
better place for people and nature? We're expanding our team and have FOUR
new vacancies: Fundraising Manager, Senior Campaigner, Campaigner and
Finance and Administrative Officer.

See job descriptions [8]

POPULATION

Family planning still falling behind population growth

According to a new study, the number of women with an unmet need for modern
contraception is currently around 270 million and may still be this high in
2030 due to rapid population growth and slow progress in improving access
to family planning.

Read more [9]

'Birthstrike' documentary showcases PM supporters

This 30-minute ARTE documentary about choosing to have fewer or no kids for
environmental reasons features Population Matters supporters and brilliant
small-family advocates Gregory and Katherine.

Watch now [10]

ENVIRONMENT

'Blue Acceleration': ocean plunder in the Anthropocene

A major new analysis highlights the rapidly increasing pressure on the
world’s oceans as a result of human population growth and burgeoning
demand for resources.

Read more [11]

Former UN climate chief calls for small families

We were happy to hear Christiana Figueres, former head of UNFCCC,
forcefully assert the need for women's empowerment and small families as
key solutions to the climate crisis on this episode of BBC Woman's Hour
(from 26:25 onwards).

Listen [12]

WOMEN'S RIGHTS & SEXUAL HEALTH

Which European countries spend the most on global family planning?

A new report shows that Europe spent a total of 845 million Euros on global
sexual and reproductive health and family planning in 2018 – an overall
increase of 5% compared to 2017. Most countries either increased or
maintained their funding levels, yet major shortfalls and political
barriers remain.

Read more [13]

Inside Uganda’s controversial ‘pregnancy crisis centres’, where
contraception is discouraged

This chilling article takes a look inside Uganda's so-called "pregnancy
crisis centres" funded by US anti-abortion groups to spread harmful
misinformation and force vulnerable young girls to give birth.

Read more [14]

Quote of the month

_"We must urgently transform and redistribute power, if we are to safeguard
our future and our planet. That is why all men should support women’s
rights and gender equality. And that is why I am a proud feminist."_

- António Guterres, UN Secretary-General

TAKE ACTION

Last chance to help us go global

Thanks to all who have already supported our winter appeal to help us
expand our international reach and presence over the next 3-5 years. If you
haven't donated yet, it's not too late!

Donate [15]

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© 2020 Population Matters

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