News from February

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POPULATION MATTERS SUPPORTERS' UPDATE

FEBRUARY 2021

Director's message

WISDOM AMIDST WHITE-OUTS

The snow that paralysed Texas earlier this month, cutting power to over 5
million people, has been described as caused by a 'freak snowstorm' –
extreme cold weather events are a counter-intuitive aspect of 'global
warming', seemingly giving credence to climate deniers.

Yet the meteorological data shows classic climate change disruption of
weather systems at work. Nothing 'freakish', but as predicted by the
science: warming in the Arctic distorting the previously stable 'polar
vortex' that retains cold air around the North Pole, dumping it instead
symbolically on America's largest oil-producing state. The UK experienced
similar in 2018, helpfully coinciding with PM’s Conference _More Feet,
More Heat?_, at which our patron, Professor Peter Wadhams, illustrated the
origins of the 'Beast from the East' with a slide depicting the same
distorted polar vortex extending its fingers far down into Europe.

Our panel discussion held just a few days before the Texas White-Out, with
Sofia Pineda Ochoa's hard-truth film _Endgame 2050_ as its springboard,
highlighted that human trait for denial, for grasping at less inconvenient
explanations to events. Our patron Paul Ehrlich described our current 6th
Mass Extinction as "a catastrophic situation basically unrecognised." As
for climate change, the science and data are unequivocal. Facts that he and
fellow biologists routinely rehearse: 60% of all mammals alive on our
planet are (mostly factory-farmed) livestock; we humans make up 36%; with
just 4% left to the remnant, fragmented populations of wild animals.

Paul's conclusion, reached after a lifetime of seeking to alert humanity to
the accelerating ecological crisis, is that our species should more
accurately be classified as '_Homo moronicus_', rather than _sapiens_. But
the fact he made that remark with a wry chuckle, and remains a passionate
and energetic campaigner in his 80s, demonstrates optimism, not pessimism.
And, of course, he and all his fellow panellists are living proof that
_Homo sapiens_ is not yet extinct – as do you, dear reader, along with
your fellow supporters of PM!

- Robin Maynard, Director, Population Matters

NEWS FROM POPULATION MATTERS

Our Endgame 2050 panel discussion

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. If you missed it, you can watch the recording
at the link below.

Read more [3]

POPULATION

Dasgupta Review calls for tackling population

Our economic and financial system is driving biodiversity loss and requires
massive changes, according to a major new UK-government report, authored 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.

Read more [4]

Kate Humble on being called selfish for not wanting 'to bring kids into
this world'

We were pleased to see UK TV presenter Kate Humble raise awareness of human
population pressure and speak out against unfair criticism of the childfree
choice.

Read more [5]

ENVIRONMENT

To save biodiversity, we must transform our food systems

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.

Read more [6]

Emissions Gap: The wealthy must slash consumption

The new UN Emissions Gap Report provides a sobering reality check: With our
current population size, the world’s wealthiest 10% (that includes anyone
earning more than US$38,000 per year) need to cut their annual carbon
emissions by more than 90% to limit average global temperature rise to
1.5°C.

Read more [7]

WOMEN'S RIGHTS & SEXUAL HEALTH

Venezuelan women lose access to contraception, and control of their
lives

This chilling _New York Times_ feature reveals the terrible suffering
endured by the millions of Venezuelan women who are being forced to have
more children than they want and are able to support because they cannot
access reproductive healthcare.

Read more [8]

Why is girls’ education important for climate action?

This article provides a good summary of why empowering girls and women
through access to education and family planning is key to fighting climate
change and building a better future.

Read more [9]

Quote of the month

_"As I see it, humanity needs to reduce its impact on the Earth urgently
and there are three ways to achieve this: we can stop consuming so many
resources, we can change our technology and we can reduce the growth of our
population."_

- Sir David Attenborough, Population Matters Patron

TAKE ACTION

Emergency assistance still required in Kenya. Can you help?

In light of the ongoing health crisis, we are continuing to support Ghettoh
Clean Youth Group in Kibra, Kenya, with its emergency coronavirus response.
Can you help them acquire more sanitation supplies and contraception?

Donate now [10]

135-137 Station Road, London E4 6AG, UK
Registered company no 3019081, Charity 1114109
© 2021 Population Matters

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