Dear John,

Today is World Water Day! 

The first UN conference on water in over 40 years starts today. We are attending, sharing and highlighting the scientific evidence that curbing population growth matters.

We're among some 6,000 other NGOs attending the conference in New York to learn more, seek and develop new relationships, and of course promote the value of including population solutions such as family planning and gender equality in water policy. All the evidence shows that population should be addressed so we'll be making our case.

This World Water Day is all about accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis. Water is a basic human necessity. Its availability affects us all and a population of 8 billion and counting and our collective, global resource use is adding to demand. Further, the United Nations (UN) has calculated that water shortages as a result of climate change could displace hundreds of millions of people by 2030 - that's just seven years away.

The UN 2023 Water Conference's website states that: "Water is a dealmaker for the Sustainable Development Goals, and for the health and prosperity of people and planet. But our progress on water related goals and targets remains alarmingly off track, jeopardizing the entire sustainable development agenda."

We couldn't agree more, and hope addressing population growth as one solution at this important conference will get us back on track to secure a better future for people and planet. 

Thank you, as ever, for your support,

Izi Clery
Head of Fundraising and Engagement

P.S. You can also take a look at global resource use as part of our interactive Population Explorer or download and share some of our campaign graphics (including one about water).