26th September is world contraception day
Sustainable Population Australia Inc.
Patrons: Hon. Bob Carr, Dr Paul Collins, Prof Tim Flannery, Em Prof Ian Lowe, Dr Mary E White
Youth Ambassador: Ms Bindi Irwin
With tomorrow being World Contraception Day, Australians should reflect on the worldwide advantage to be gained by the rollout of contraception in developing nations, says environment NGO Sustainable Population Australia (SPA).
National President of SPA, Dr James Ward, is calling on government to increase funding for contraception in Australia’s aid budget. Currently it stands at $3.9 billion this year, down from over $5 billion under Labor.
‘There is a huge unmet need for contraception in developing nations, with 85 million unintended pregnancies a year occurring while the planet struggles with a burgeoning population of more than 7.5 billion. SPA believes in making sure every child is a wanted child.
‘There are 225 million women worldwide who want, but cannot gain, access to contraception. We owe it to them and to ourselves to provide such access.
The environmental benefit that would come from reducing the number of unwanted births is compelling. According to Dr Ward, ‘it’s actually one of the cheapest ways to alleviate climate change – simply reducing the number of future emitters of greenhouse gases.
‘In 2009 the London School of Economics released a report showing that between 2010 and 2050 each $7 spent on basic family planning could reduce more than a ton of emissions; to achieve those same savings wind power would cost $24/ton, solar $51/ton, and carbon capture and storage $57-83/ton.
‘Clearly there is more bang for your buck with family planning when it comes to preventing the creation of greenhouse gases.
‘But there is an added economic benefit of having fewer children. Australian researcher, Dr Jane O’Sullivan, has demonstrated that fertility reduction to three or fewer children per family has resulted in significant increases in GDP in countries where this has been achieved.
‘Put simply, smaller families result in less financial deprivation.
‘The environment and the economy are winners when couples can control their own fertility’ says Dr Ward.
Further comment: James Ward president@population.org.au