Year at a Glance
Thank you to our fantastic network of supporters for another year of impactful work! Together, we’ve addressed critical global challenges, raised awareness about population dynamics, and advocated for sustainable solutions. This year saw significant strides in education, advocacy, and outreach!
Our Population Education program engaged with thousands of educators to help prepare the next generation of decision-makers to think critically about how population trends affect global issues. In addition, we made dozens of presentations to college and university classes across the country about the connections between population, health, environment, and sustainable development. Outreach efforts to combat misleading media stories resulted in several letters to the editor published in news outlets. And the relaunch of #Fight4HER, our joint campaign with our sister organization, Population Connection Action Fund, was a major success!
Dive deeper into our program accomplishments and celebrate our collective progress in the continued pursuit of population stabilization!
Population Education
Population Education (PopEd) provides K-12 teachers with innovative, hands-on lesson plans and professional development initiatives to teach about human population growth and its effects on the environment and human well-being. As the only national program for teachers that focuses on human population issues, PopEd fulfills an essential need within U.S. classrooms.
In addition to workshops and classroom materials, PopEd offers unique professional development opportunities, such as our Leadership Institutes, an accredited graduate course, and various networking events. These events provide a valuable space for educators to connect, share experiences, and collaborate on new ideas for integrating population education into their teaching.
Population Education
Thank you for your recent workshop. It was one of the best organized, enjoyable and relevant workshops I have attended. Howard Aprill, PopEd Workshop Participant
Leadership Institutes
PopEd Leadership Institutes offer immersive training for educators looking to deepen their expertise and take a leadership role in promoting sustainability and population education. We held our Summer Institute in Charlotte, NC, and the Fall Institute in Detroit, MI, where more than 50 teachers attended, receiving training on how to facilitate PopEd lessons and workshops. All participants were new to the PopEd Trainers Network, joining the volunteer ranks of 750+ professional educators. Through these Institutes, educators gain the confidence and resources to become advocates for change in their schools and communities.
More Details Here
Teacher Workshops
Our program presents hands-on workshops that equip teachers with the tools to effectively teach population dynamics, environmental sustainability, and the human impact on our planet. Every workshop is tailored to the participant’s grade level and subject area, ensuring that all participating teachers gain valuable skills and tools they can use in their classrooms. These engaging sessions are crafted to bring real-world issues into the classroom, fostering critical thinking among students. PopEd hosted 600+ workshops in 2024, empowering educators to address today’s most pressing global challenges.
Explore Teacher Workshops
National Science Teachers Association Convention
In March, the PopEd team hosted an exhibit booth at the National Science Teachers Association Convention (NSTA) in Denver. The convention brings together thousands of science educators to share strategies and best practices to transform science education. More than 400 attendees stopped by and explored the booth. In addition, PopEd held three workshops at the NSTA Convention, two presented by staff and one given by two of their incredible trainers!
More Details Here
Student Video Contest
Our annual World of 8 Billion student video contest sparks creativity among middle and high school students, encouraging them to address global challenges linked to population growth. Teachers worldwide use the student video contest to promote global learning and give students hands-on experience with essential 21st-century skills. Each year, the contest brings innovation into classrooms and highlights critical issues in fresh, student-led ways.
In the 2023-2024 contest, students tackled topics within three categories—Climate Migration, Invasive Species, and Global Health. This year saw impressive participation, with 4,600+ students from 58 countries submitting entries, each offering unique perspectives on today’s global challenges.
Explore All SubmissionsOnline Graduate Course
PopEd offers an online graduate course for educators teaching Environmental Science, World Geography, Human Geography, Biology/Life Science, World History, or their AP counterparts.
The self-paced course is offered in the fall and summer and awards three graduate credits through Adams State University upon completion. It features interactive lessons, classroom-ready resources, and strategies for integrating population studies into various subjects, meeting national and state standards. This course empowers teachers to help students explore the connections between human population trends, environmental challenges, and global development.
More Details Here
Population Studies for Higher Education
Integrating population trends and dynamics into higher education equips future professionals with the knowledge to create rights-based, cost-effective solutions for global challenges, mainly through voluntary family planning and girls’ education. This year, we presented to more than 50 college and university classes nationwide about the connections between population, health, environment, and sustainable development.
Population Studies for Higher Education
[The UNCG Summer Course] has helped me better understand the interrelated topics of environment and sustainability through a lens of demography and women’s empowerment. I feel that my understanding of the topics I’ve learned in my major has been dramatically enhanced, like a missing piece to a puzzle being fit in. Jason Regal, UNCG Student
UNCG Summer Course
This year, we continued our partnership with University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG), offering our World Population Problems summer course for a second year. The five-week course ran Monday through Thursday, engaging students in the complex and intricate links between demographic trends and social and climate justice. It featured impactful guest speakers, including Population Connection staff and our Global Partner organizations. With a justice-focused framework, students explored the connections between bodily autonomy, climate resilience, sustainable development, and gender equality, examining the root causes and impacts of population growth globally and locally.
Read the Course Syllabus
Guest Presentations
Explaining the complex connections between population growth, health, development, and the environment is central to our mission, and our speakers make these topics accessible to diverse audiences. Book a guest speaker for your class, organization, or event to engage in discussions on human population dynamics as part of the global human rights and sustainable development agenda.
Book a Guest Speaker
Media Coverage
A critical part of our mission is informing the public about population dynamics, reproductive health, and environmental sustainability. The portrayal of population issues in the media continues to be challenging, with frequent inaccuracies that can mislead public understanding.
Our team consistently monitors news coverage and swiftly responds to articles with op-eds, letters to the editor (LTEs), and press releases. By doing so, we ensure that population issues are accurately represented in broader conversations about global challenges, offering clarity and keeping population stabilization a central part of the dialogue on sustainable solutions.
Media Guide
Our only hope is to slow, and ultimately cease, the astronomical growth of the human population, to allow the earth to heal and support a smaller, stable population. I was thankful to find your organization as a conduit to contribute toward a better tomorrow, even though it is one that I will never see. Donna J. Warlick, Population Connection Member
Media Appearances
Over the past year, we amplified key demographic insights and population trends by rapidly responding to headlines with op-eds and letters to the editor (LTEs). Our media outreach efforts have shaped meaningful conversations about global challenges, ensuring that population issues are understood in their broader context and remain a central part of the dialogue on sustainable solutions.
Check out our responses to articles in the Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Economist, and The Washington Post!
Read our Responses Here
Quarterly Magazine
Population Connection magazine is our quarterly publication, distributed to our networks of 40,000 supporters, every member of Congress, and about 3,000 public and university libraries.
Our 2024 issues covered diverse topics critical to population and development issues. The March issue explored low fertility rates and pro-natalist policies in East Asia and Europe. The June edition focused on Tanzania’s population growth and its effects on sustainability and development. The September issue marked the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), revisiting global commitments to sexual and reproductive health. The December issue highlighted community health workers in Indonesia and their efforts to improve access to voluntary family planning services. Each issue provides timely insights into population dynamics worldwide.
Read the 2024 Issues
UN Summit for the Future
In September, the Communications team participated in the United Nations Summit of the Future, distributing a flier on behalf of Population Connection, Population Matters, and Population Media Center. As a result of our two oral statements and three rounds of comments on drafts of the document leading up to the Summit, the final Pact for the Future includes:
Commitment 20: Strengthen cooperation among States in their response to demographic trends and realities, such as rapid population growth, declining birth rates, and ageing populations, as well as in addressing the interlinkages between population issues and development across all regions, taking into account the needs and interests of present and future generations, including children and youth, and the substantial contributions of older persons to sustainable development efforts.
More Details HereUN’s 57th Session of the Commission on Population and Development
In response to the UN’s World Population Prospects 2024, we released a press release, blog post, and Op-Ed published on Earth.org, all of which were featured on the UN’s homepage for the 2024 report! Scroll down to “Partner organizations and media outreach” and find Population Connection resources listed at the third bullet point.
We hosted a virtual side event to the UN’s 57th Session of the Commission on Population and Development with Population Matters and Population Media Center! During the panel discussion, speakers highlighted how addressing the critical connections between population and sustainable development can help increase international reproductive health and rights funding.
Recording Available HereField & Advocacy
Population Connection Action Fund
Our sister organization, Population Connection Action Fund, raises awareness and drives policy change for global population stabilization and reproductive rights. Through grassroots advocacy and federal policy initiatives, they fight to ensure universal access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare, including a full range of contraceptives and safe abortion options. The Action Fund mobilizes supporters to push for progressive reproductive health policies that promote sustainable development and individual rights worldwide.
Population Connection Action Fund
I could probably count on my hand how many people actually knew what the Global Gag Rule was before I talked to them. I think the educational aspect of the need for Population Connection to be here and educate the folks here in Phoenix is very high. Matt Lopez, #Fight4HER Organizer
#Fight4HER Summits
The #Fight4HER campaign hosted summits in key districts nationwide rallying 200+ advocates and community leaders in defense of reproductive freedom. Summits were held in critical battleground districts:
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Tucson, Arizona
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Columbus, OH
- the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania
- Manchester, New Hampshire
Each summit featured inspiring keynote presentations on the harmful impacts of restrictive policies like the Global Gag Rule, interactive workshops on advocacy and storytelling, and energizing calls to action. Local officials reinforced the importance of reproductive rights, uniting activists in impactful sessions designed to build skills and mobilize support for change. These events empowered attendees to champion reproductive healthcare access and sustain momentum in the fight for reproductive justice.
Learn About Our Policy Priorities
World Contraception Day
We marked World Contraception Day with an event hosted by our sister organization and our joint #Fight4HER campaign. The virtual presentation brought together activists, organizers, and community leaders to explore the challenges and progress in securing reproductive health care and family planning options worldwide. The event provided valuable insights into the advocacy landscape for reproductive rights, with stories and experiences shared by those working on the front lines.
Recording Available Here
Canvassing Efforts
The Action Fund’s outreach program in key communities successfully connected with thousands of individuals. Canvassing teams knocked on 125,000+ doors and engaged more than 30,000 people in conversations on reproductive rights and sustainable development. They gathered 5,000 petition signatures to advocate for the permanent repeal of the Global Gag Rule, a restrictive anti-abortion policy. These grassroots effort fostered vital connections and raised awareness about these pressing issues in each targeted area.
Contact CongressMember Engagement
Virtual Events Program
Since 2020, we’ve hosted virtual events to keep our supporters informed on the impact of rapid population growth. This year, we held 19 events with demography experts, Global Partners, and population-focused organizations, spotlighting the importance of integrating population dynamics into sustainable development. These sessions covered diverse topics—demographic trends, reproductive rights, conservation, and more—engaging more than 900 participants in meaningful discussions and raising awareness on critical issues.
2024 Virtual Event Archive
“We are not the people who will sit back and do nothing. We have to do something. You have to make an effort in this world, and it’s a way to feel a little bit better about the future, too,” says Middy. They want to encourage everyone to volunteer their time, advising: “The key is never [to] minimize your contribution no matter how small it appears.” Paula Grande and Middy Streeter, Population Connection Volunteers
Page Turners Book Club
Now in its fourth year, our Page Turners book club explored a range of thought-provoking titles that discuss critical issues in population, environmental justice, and reproductive health. During our quarterly meetings, we engaged with 230+ supporters, offering participants a chance to delve into complex themes related to sustainability and demographic trends.
This year’s reading list provided diverse perspectives on these themes, featuring As Long as the Grass Grows by Dina Gilio-Whitaker, Without Children by Peggy O’Donnell Heffington, A Life on Our Planet by David Attenborough, and Intertwined: Women, Nature, and Climate Justice by Rebecca Kormos. Each meeting deepened our understanding of critical issues and created meaningful connections among supporters committed to population stabilization.
More Details Here
Summer Photo Contest
The response to our third annual Summer Photo Contest was incredible! Participants once again transported us through their stunning artwork. We received more than 100 submissions from our talented supporters, who captured everything from breathtaking landscapes to captivating animals. The enchanting moments continue to inspire us and remind us of the beauty and diversity of our world. Thank you to all who participated and shared your talents with us!
Explore 2024 Submissions
“Green Spaces of Our Lives” Campaign
This year, we launched the “Green Spaces of Our Lives” photo series, inviting our supporters to share snapshots from their favorite natural settings. Spearheaded by our Board Chair, Bryce Hach, this online project showcases how our supporters connect with nature and what drives them to advocate for sustainability. With submissions from members nationwide, the project offers a beautiful, collective portrait of inspiration. Supporters can view the gallery and submit their photos on our website!
“Green Spaces of Our Lives” Photos
Global Partner Presentations
Our Global Partners program amplifies the efforts of community-based organizations that provide reproductive health care, promote girls’ education, conserve biodiversity, and foster sustainable development. These grassroots organizations are instrumental in advancing equity and sustainability in their regions.
This year, we celebrated their achievements through our Global Partners Series, featuring partners working in Madagascar, Guatemala, Colombia, Uganda, and Kenya who shared insights into their impactful, locally-driven initiatives. Attendees engaged in dynamic Q&A sessions, learning how our collaborations enhance their vital work. Their stories inspire our shared vision for a more equitable future.
Learn More About Our Global Partners
Earth Day
Nearly 200 supporters joined us for Virtual Earth Day events! First, we hosted an event with President and CEO John Seager, who discussed the importance of removing barriers to family planning worldwide. John’s presentation energized attendees and emphasized that population pressures exacerbate environmental challenges, from resource depletion to biodiversity loss and climate crises.
Then, we were thrilled to hear from Dr. Céline Delacroix, Director of the FP/Earth project with the Population Institute. Dr. Delacroix joined us to share key findings in her recent report, co-authored with Dr. Nkechi S. Owoo, that explores stakeholder perspectives on the links between reproductive rights, population dynamics, and environmental sustainability.
Watch the RecordingsInternational Day for Biological Diversity
We hosted a lively virtual Biodiversity Trivia event in partnership with the Center for Biological Diversity. Participants put their knowledge of population dynamics, reproductive health, and endangered species to the test. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow environmental advocates and share our mutual passion for biodiversity and sustainability.
We value collaborations with like-minded organizations, especially those that address the vital connections between population and environmental conservation. Think you’d be a trivia champ? Take the quiz and test your knowledge!
Test Your Knowledge
Thank you for all you do to help make this work possible! We couldn’t do it without your support, and we’re deeply grateful for your dedication to our mission. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about our programs, this year’s accomplishments, or ways to continue supporting our efforts Together, we’re building a more sustainable future!