A fifth of female climate scientists who responded to Guardian survey said they had opted to have no or fewer children

Ihad the hormonal urges,” said Prof Camille Parmesan, a leading climate scientist based in France. “Oh my gosh, it was very strong. But it was: ‘Do I really want to bring a child into this world that we’re creating?’ Even 30 years ago, it was very clear the world was going to hell in a handbasket. I’m 62 now and I’m actually really glad I did not have children.”

Parmesan is not alone. An exclusive Guardian survey has found that almost a fifth of the female climate experts who responded have chosen to have no children, or fewer children, due to the environmental crises afflicting the world.

An Indian scientist who chose to be anonymous decided to adopt rather than have children of her own. “There are too many children in India who do not get a fair chance and we can offer that to someone who is already born,” she said. “We are not so special that our genes need to be transmitted: values matter more.

    • PhAzE
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      15
      ·
      7 months ago

      1/5th want no or fewer kids… so 4/5 were pushing forward like normal.

      • tsonfeir@lemm.ee
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        arrow-down
        5
        ·
        7 months ago

        I’d say they are accelerating! Gotta make up for the people choosing reality.

      • whoisearth
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        9
        arrow-down
        19
        ·
        edit-2
        7 months ago

        Ohe of the 4/5. I have 3 kids under 13. You gotta.be optimistic that they’re the generation to finally fix the mess we made.

        If everyone stops having kids then hope disappears.

        When we have exhausted all other options, we will do the right thing.

        Edit - I love that having hope and optimism for a future is downvotes lol

      • Phoenixz
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        7
        ·
        7 months ago

        Yeeaah, that is what I thought too, 25 years ago, when we still could make a difference.

        Now we’re in it and we’re only going harder. Gotta get richer sooner!