FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Every US $1 Spent on Family Planning Saves One Ton of Carbon Emissions

(Dec.3rd, Ottawa, Canada) In the opening days of the Paris climate summit (COP21), it is significant to note that new research [1] commissioned by Population Institute Canada’s (PIC’s) UK sister organization Population Matters, in partnership with the University of Lancaster, shows that investing in family planning is an even more cost-effective way to abate CO2 emissions than previously thought: at under US $2 per ton it is far cheaper than renewable energy alternatives.

Contraception is also a one-off cost needing no maintenance or replacement, with benefits multiplying in perpetuity via each never-existing person’s never-existing descendants.  Furthermore, by reducing the size of future populations, the same dollar has much wider benefits: improving food and water security; reducing soil degradation and desertification; helping prevent civil conflict and mass migration; protecting biodiversity; empowering women; improving health; stimulating economic development; and reducing unemployment, poverty and emergency aid.

In 2014, more than half of women of reproductive age in the developing world wanted to avoid pregnancy. And yet, 25% of these women (225 million) were not using effective contraceptive methods. These women, identified as having an unmet need for contraception, account for 81% of all unintended pregnancies in developing regions. A respected analysis concluded that fully meeting the global need for modern contraceptive services would cost just $9.4 billion. [2]

Dr. Madeline Weld, President, Population Institute Canada notes that: “Governments have been reluctant to consider population size and growth as relevant to energy demand. This study should make them think, not least because the potential cost savings to the tax-payer are enormous. Family planning is a highly cost-effective complement to (though not a substitute for) the conventional UN approach. Being serious about climate change suggests it would be irresponsible for the new Canadian government to ignore it, not least as a significant and integral part of Canadian aid.”

1. Feng, Yang Data Analysis of Reducing CO2 Emissions by Investing in Family Planning 2015
2. Guttmacher Institute Adding it up 2014

Contact:
Clifford Garrard
VP/Executive Director
Population Institute Canada
[email protected]
(613)-833-3668
-30-

PIC is the voice of Canadians concerned with overpopulation and its negative human and environmental impact. Founded in 1992, it campaigns to increase support for reproductive health and education and for universal, voluntary access to family planning, which the UN notes “…could bring more benefits to more people at less cost than any other single technology available to the human race.”

Fact: Continued global population growth, together with overconsumption, is incompatible with a healthy, sustainable future for humanity and our planet.
Patrons: Sir David Attenborough; Robert Bateman; Margaret Catley-Carlson; Drs. Paul & Anne Ehrlich; Robert Fowler; Dr. William Rees; Dr. David Schindler; Ronald Wright. See patron bios.
www.populationinstitutecanada.ca

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