Our entire planet is under threat from climate change and a rapidly growing population—and sub-Saharan Africa, the area of Africa south of the Sahara, is facing the consequences of these twin challenges today.

A recent study determined the risk of local populations being displaced by river floods would increase by 50% with each degree of global warming … IF population were to remain unchanged. Frighteningly, some scientists predict that temperatures could rise up to four degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by the year 2100.

This means that in sub-Saharan Africa, population growth—not climate change--will be the main driver of increased displacement due to river floods. In 2020, floods, locusts, and unprecedented heat waves all challenged and displaced more than one million people in East Africa alone. Current population projections forecast Africa’s population growing from over 1.3 billion people today to close to 2.6 billion people in 2050. This confluence of events will have catastrophic effects—making many parts of the African continent uninhabitable.

That’s why we’re doing everything we can to empower women and girls through access to family planning and education. Slowing population growth and adapting to a changing climate is vitally important for the people living in this already vulnerable region.

That’s why I hope you’ll make a gift towards Population Connection’s Climate Matching Gift Challenge today to raise awareness about the connections between rapid population growth and climate change.

Thanks to the generosity of our anonymous matching gift sponsor, who is as concerned about the future of our planet as YOU are, your gift of $25.00 will be DOUBLED, now through August 15th.

Thank you for standing with us today and every day. Together, we can work for a more sustainable future for the entire planet.

Warm regards,

John Seager
President and CEO