Dear John

As a supporter of Population Matters, we know that you understand how population and consumption go hand-in-hand when it comes to our impact on Earth. Our numbers are critical, but so too is what we do - especially in the wealthiest parts of the world.

Population Matters will always campaign to end and reverse population growth as soon as possible, through empowering, positive means. We’re also proud today to launch our brand new campaign to challenge overconsumption: We Don’t Buy It.

Our campaign is looking at the big picture: an economic system which asks us to consume more and more so it can grow bigger and bigger; the choices we make as individuals; and the pressures that are put on us to buy, be those social, commercial or economic. We know too that there is an economic impetus for more consumers and labour that feeds the false population panic narrative promoted by the likes of Elon Musk.

The first focus of our campaign is the endless cycle of phone upgrades, producing and selling products we don’t really need. Apple released its new iPhone 14 for sale last Friday.

We know this campaign won’t be popular with everyone, but we are committed to doing what some environmental groups are still afraid to do: tackle the root causes of our crisis. Please join us in asking Apple to prove their commitment to the environment by postponing the release of new iPhones until at least 2025. And learn more about our wider campaign to challenge overconsumption and the forces which drive it. We are in this together.

As always, thanks for your support,

Alistair Currie
Head of Campaigns and Communications
Population Matters