A 26-year-old young man decided to sterilize. The reason is: "Trees are felled for us. Waste is discarded and minerals are being explo...
A 26-year-old young man decided to sterilize. The reason is: "Trees are felled for us. Waste is discarded and minerals are being exploited for human beings. The fewer people there are, the less impact will be.".
Climate change becomes a consideration in the decision to have children of young people
Although socio-economic factors are still the main cause of declining birth rates in many countries. But there is growing evidence that climate change is also a factor that makes young couples ... afraid to give birth.
It seems to be a trend as it is evidenced by specific numbers. A 2019 Business Insider poll found that nearly 38% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 thought that couples should consider climate change in their decision to have children.
Meanwhile, a detailed survey of 901 adults, aged 27 to 60, of Yale - NUS University in Singapore recently. They have asserted: they consider climate change factors in childbirth options.
The story of Bickner and Mackellen
According to British Guardian newspaper, Brandalyn Bickner and Gwynn Mackellen women are part of the movement of the young generation. These are the people who are linking climate change and its impacts with personal breeding options.
They are concerned about the climate and the future with countless questions: how many children have to bear the consequences of growing up in the work of people today? Or should we have children?
From a young age, Bickner had faith that she would become the mother of 13 children. However, her faith gradually faded as she grew up. At the age of 23, Bickner joined the Peace Corps in Malawi and found many reasons to adjust his plans for having children.
Living in his home country of Malawi for 4 years, Bickner witnessed the effects of climate change on his country, which mainly relies on agriculture. As a result, she feels guilty about living too much "carbon footprint" in the US. "Carbon footprint" is the amount of CO2 emissions each person produces that can be harmful to the environment.
Bickner wants to make a personal contribution to climate change efforts. Now at 28, Bickner realizes that having a child will be the indirect option to leave her with the most carbon footprints.
Similarly, Gwynn Mackellen (American) decided to go bankrupt with the environment at the age of 26. "I work in the waste industry. Trees are felled for us. Waste is discarded and minerals are being removed." exploiting for people. If there are few people, such impacts will be less "- Mackellen said.
But is it due to birth?
Assistant Professor Matthew Schneider, project leader on the relationship between climate change and childbirth at Yale University - NUS. They believe that young people are well aware of the impact of climate change and they have to make difficult decisions about whether or not to give birth, more or less children.
Mr. Schneider asserts that the number of people in this situation around the world will increase over time. The cause is a growing awareness among young people about environmental issues and climate change.
However, is the fertility rate an accurate measure for us to consider? There are convincing studies that show that even the harsh population reduction measures are applied. Nor does it help in slowing global population growth or mitigating the effects of climate change.
Betsy Hartmann, a professor of development research at University of Hampshire, Massachusetts (USA), provides an "reverse" example to prove the point. That's when they say countries in sub-Saharan Africa have high birth rates, but their carbon emissions per capita are among the lowest in the world.
Therefore, according to Professor Betsy Hartmann, instead of considering population increase as a cause of climate change in a baseless way. We need to deal with the real perpetrators of climate change. These are fossil fuel companies and the political and military interest groups behind them.
Ms. Phoenix
