Black Friday, UK population growth and COP28 - November Supporters' Update

November 2023 Update

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NOVEMBER 2023

Dear John,

It's that time of year again, where a barrage of advertising encourages people to buy things they don't need during the Black Friday sales. We found some shocking statistics and brought our message to the airwaves and print media.

The UK's Office for National Statistics released their latest population figures last week, and they showed that the size of the population in England and Wales has increased again. We released a statement and encourage those based in the UK to contact their MP to call for an official independent advisory group to provide guidance to the government.

We also report on the progress of our latest Empower to Plan partner in South Sudan and mark the start of COP28 in Dubai.

- The PM team

POPULATION MATTERS NEWS

Choosing childfree for the sake of the planet

"While it’s a tragedy that so many are afraid to have children due to climate breakdown, that doesn’t have to be a decision drawn from fear, but a positive, proactive choice to help solve the climate crisis."

Read our letter in The Guardian.

The terrifying statistics that plague Black Friday

Overconsumption is at the heart of so many of the problems this planet faces, and Black Friday encourages yet more waste. We look at some of the statistics behind this, such as the fact that up to 80% of Black Friday purchases are thrown away.

"Phone-mo" during Black Friday is real

Staggeringly, more than one in three UK adults planned to buy a new mobile phone during the Black Friday sales. To shine a light on the waste that happens at this time of year, Population Matters guested on a number of local radio shows, podcasts and featured in a number of newspaper articles including this one in Euronews.green.

Putting the family in traditional family values

There has been a flurry of pronatal activity in the UK in recent months. Those involved seem keen to restore “traditional family values” to the UK and, ultimately, raise the fertility rate. Digital and Communications Manager, Ben Stallworthy, looks at the events, reports, polls, documentaries and individuals involved.

POPULATION & ENVIRONMENT

Population in the UK - grow, grow, grow

On 23rd November, the UK’s Office for National Statistics issued updated figures for the population of England and Wales, and for long-term migration. They showed that in mid-2022, there were 60.2 million people in England and Wales, an increase of around 578,000 since mid-year 2021.

The mystery of demographic momentum

Ever wondered why populations often continue to grow even when a country’s birth rate falls? Meet demographic momentum, a little-discussed phenomenon that’s essential to understand if we’re going to get to grips with population growth.

COP28: in the era of 'global boiling'

Last July, in a year marked by heatwaves and wildfires, the UN Chief declared the ‘era of global boiling has arrived’. COP28, an important UN Climate Conference, is currently taking place in Dubai, where world leaders will come together to discuss the urgent action needed. However, when it comes to carbon emissions, we all have more responsibility to bear than we might think.

WOMEN'S RIGHTS & SEXUAL HEALTH

Advancing education and equality in South Sudan

As we find ourselves at the midpoint of our partnership with the National Women Empowerment and Rehabilitation Organization (NWERO), we are delighted to share their remarkable strides forward amid the persistent challenges they confront in South Sudan.

A vasectomy: "The best decision of my life"

World Vasectomy Day is an annual celebration of the men who choose a vasectomy to help share the burden of contraception and responsible family planning. We gathered testimonies from men across the world about their personal experiences of getting “the snip”.

TAKE ACTION

Join our Global Small Family!

What sort of family we have is a deeply personal choice that everyone has the right to make freely. When we make it, we also have the opportunity to help protect our precious planet.

Sadly, millions of people still don't have the freedom to choose.

Join the growing family of people around the world who believe that Choice Matters and who have committed to planning for a small family size and empowering others to have the same freedom of choice. Sign and share our Choice Manifesto today!

Click here to sign

Quote of the month

“Overconsumption is wrecking present and future living conditions and the planet itself. Don't buy stuff you don't need.”

- Greta Thunberg, environmental activist

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