Congratulations to royal family members Harry and Meghan for publicly embracing the idea smaller families, and opening up about the the ecological and social impact of family planning.
Shortly after, we wrote to Meghan and Harry as well. Is it time to abandon the idea that the number of children a person has, and the conditions in which she/he has them, is “nobody’s business?” We think it is.
THE FACTS ARE CLEAR:
- The most effective way to address many of the impacts on our environment and other species, like climate change, is by choosing smaller families. In fact, it’s 20 times more effective than changing diet or forms of transportation.
- By 2100 world population could vary by billions of people, depending on whether the average woman in the world today has one child more or one child fewer in her lifetime.
- Child-first family planning provides a clear human rights-based solution and path forward. It’s sustainable and equitable, and reflected in the worldwide trend towards smaller families that can invest more in each child and ensure a safer future.
Kudos to Meghan and Harry. Now we need to begin to factor in equity, and cooperatively plan to give all kids a fair start in life.
Take Action: Urge the United Nations to follow suit and embrace a better family planning model.