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Climate Change

Population Matters

4 replies

onlychildhamster · 06/09/2021 16:38

My local fair had a Population Matters booth and I talked to the volunteer manning the booth. He said their policy was that they thought people should have small families or one less child. I broadly agree with this i.e. planning to have an only child.

I am confused about one thing though. I thought that having 2 children would be fine from an environmental perspective as you are just replacing you and your partner. But having read about in greater detail, it seems like scientists are saying population reduction is the way to beat climate change, www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-11-05/scientists-call-for-population-control-in-mass-climate-alarm so doesn't that mean that we should be aiming for 0 children or 1 child and the max 2 children is for exceptional circumstances. My DH also said that even though replacement rate is officially 2.05 for the UK (higher in developing countries due to higher child mortality), the fact that we live so long in the UK means 2 children is 'adding to the population'. What do you all think of this?

Disclaimer: I don't advocate for any coercive measures to control population nor is this a snipe at anyone who has 3 or more children (we can't return children, this is just a discussion about FUTURE children).

OP posts:
SandraOhh · 06/11/2021 03:05

I don't understand how anyone can read what's happening currently and is predicted to happen with the climate, and yet still knowingly bring children into the world.

Laserbird16 · 06/11/2021 03:20

I can't really see we hat you are asking. Yeah reducing the population would be great from many perspectives. Environmental reasons of course (though consumption reduction is more important and systematic change in subsidies, etc) and if done in ways that enhanced women's reproductive rights etc win win.

Some will wail who will look after the elderly and what about the economy...with a massive push on public health, migration and focus on equitable distribution of wealth, it'd be fine just socially it would require exceptional alturism and tolerance which seems in short supply.

Some are keen to lay into women for not doing their duty but I don't see those same people renting their garments over the wasted potential of the people who are here right now.

As for contributing to population growth by a person having 2 children...well what's the big deal? The actual TFR of many developed countries is way below 2.05 so if a person has 0,1, 2, 3, 4 etc children overall the replacement generations are smaller. Plus those older generations have to die some time but a long and hopefully healthy life is something to be lauded.

However, many people in the world will or are currently experiencing the worst climate change can bring, more death, disease, famine so this will decrease the population...and increase misery.

ecoanxiety · 11/01/2022 05:38

@SandraOhh

I don't understand how anyone can read what's happening currently and is predicted to happen with the climate, and yet still knowingly bring children into the world.
I did, I don't know how I did but it seems my biological desire to reproduce temporarily buried my fear of climate change.

of course now I have children I wish I hadn't in a way. But also our families footprint is smaller than my single siblings footprint. so 🤷 I don't know what to think.

MylilFoley · 28/01/2022 21:44

Congrats to my Heroine!! So glad she will pass her genes onto the next generation education is key to fighting climate change and she has inspired countless people to change their habits.

Love you Greta xoxoxo

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