Published 16 September 2009, doi:10.1136/bmj.b3750
Cite this as: BMJ 2009;339:b3750

Feature

Climate Change

Population: the forgotten priority

Rebecca Coombes, journalist

1 BMJ, London WC1H 9JR

rcoombes@bmjgroup.com

Reducing our consumption of the earth’s resources is made more difficult by a burgeoning population, so why is reproductive health struggling for funds? Rebecca Coombes reports

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Talking about contraception puts Apio Christine Peace, a Ugandan health worker, in a pessimistic mood. Peace, who is currently working for Care International in a refugee camp in the war ravaged north of her country, would like more Ugandan women to be given the means to control their fertility, not least because Uganda has one of the world’s fastest growing populations, projected to triple by 2050 to about 103 million citizens.1 She highlights her concern about Uganda’s ability to sustain such a rapid growth in population by pointing out the gradual loss of the country’s natural forests. Poor agricultural practices and overpopulation are causing the erosion.

"Part of the forest reserve was recently given over to a soft drinks plant. I just think the government isn’t committed to the environment. There is poor provision of family planning services, and so the population is on the increase. Women do want control . . . [Full text of this article]


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Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Breaking this taboo is long overdue
Paul Aron
bmj.com, 29 Sep 2009 [Full text]
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