Depressing content. Would you plan to have a baby right now?

[Qcng]

So,
Climate change disaster is coming.

My/our generation will experience the first effects of the sea levels rising, main cities getting flooded, mass homelessness / displacement of people. We might be able to hang in for a short while but such upheaval will require major infrastructure changes.

The next generation will experience further changes, economical collapse, lack of medicines, food shortages, increased sea levels, and higher frequency of extreme weather.

There's always a chance that maybe it won't be so bad, but considering that Antarctica is now melting for the first time, which was previously presumed to be untouchable, and the effects will be irreversible, sea levels are now expected to rise within 3 years.

Trump and Johnson are collaborating for British NHS privatisation which will make pharmaceuticals and health care more expensive, it's looking like Johnson will win, but this issue pales in comparison to the bigger climate disaster that no one seems to prioritise.

Ok. So. Given the situation, should my partner and I drop or forget about our plans to have a second child?

Would you consider bringing another child into this world?

I would base my decision on my and my families situation and wishes rather than basing my decision on climate change but that's just me.

Yes

No

Your existing child might be glad of a team mate facing all this doom and gloom.

I wouldn't base my decision on climate change and what could potentially happen. Although most people on MN say they do, I don't know anyone irl who thinks like this.

Yes, we've just had one. I'll keep doing all I can as far as minimising my impact on the world, I know having a baby is practically a crime for some climate change campaigners.
The world has been going mad for years, you just have to have faith that things will work out. Don't live in fear.

No - doesn’t sound like you are in a good place with your MH to deal with the stresses of pregnancy and childcare at the moment.

Or you don’t actually have this dilemma but are catastrophising in order to make political points .

Yes as you already have one. They’re going to need each other.
If I didn’t have any already I would seriously consider staying child free, not only for environmental reasons but partly.

We had one this year. My patents weren’t going to have any in the 80s because of a different but equally serious set of concerns about where the world was going. Every generation has included people who feel as you do and then biology rears its head and they crave the patter of tiny feet.

If you really want a baby you’ll try to have one no matter how illogical. It’s what people have always done.

If people stop having a baby out of despair for the future, that alone can cause massive problem for the future.

Hmm but maybe your future baby will grow up to be the eco saviour of the world, you might be denying us that! I'd go ahead and have a baby (and use re-usable nappies).

I would. I don't think you should.

It does sound bleak but I agree with PPs about trying to stay positive and making decisions based on what is best for you and your family.

We could all sit around now and beat ourselves up for bringing our existing children into this situation but that isn't healthy and doesn't achieve anything.

Hmm.
I probably wouldn't, also feel v gloomy re future.