Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumThe Guardian: More people not having children due to climate breakdown fears, finds research
More people not having children due to climate breakdown fears, finds researchAnalysis finds concerns about environment key factor in having fewer or no children but reasons differ around world
Damien Gayle
@damiengayle
Thu 9 Nov 2023 20.00 CET
It was just over a decade ago that Emma Smart and her husband, Andy, first decided they would not have children. Back then, her friends and family did not understand.
When you tell people you didnt want to have children, that was a big social no-no, she recalled. And then when they asked you why, and you said for environmental reasons, that was completely unheard of.
Like, I remember, my brother-in-law laughed when I said that.
But what had seemed an eccentric decision a decade ago is, with growing awareness of the parlous state of our biosphere, becoming an increasingly common sentiment. New research has found many people are now basing their decisions not to have children on their fears of climate breakdown.
Damien Gayle
@damiengayle
Thu 9 Nov 2023 20.00 CET
It was just over a decade ago that Emma Smart and her husband, Andy, first decided they would not have children. Back then, her friends and family did not understand.
When you tell people you didnt want to have children, that was a big social no-no, she recalled. And then when they asked you why, and you said for environmental reasons, that was completely unheard of.
Like, I remember, my brother-in-law laughed when I said that.
But what had seemed an eccentric decision a decade ago is, with growing awareness of the parlous state of our biosphere, becoming an increasingly common sentiment. New research has found many people are now basing their decisions not to have children on their fears of climate breakdown.
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
5 replies, 519 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (8)
ReplyReply to this post
5 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The Guardian: More people not having children due to climate breakdown fears, finds research (Original Post)
OKIsItJustMe
Nov 2023
OP
eppur_se_muova
(37,388 posts)1. Unfortunately, this is happening among the well-informed.
The ignorant -- and deniers -- will continue to breed like rats, just as in the intro to Idiocracy.
OKIsItJustMe
(20,733 posts)2. Wikipedia: The Marching Morons
Long before Idiocracy, was The Marching Morons
Project Gutenberg: The Marching Morons by C. M. Kornbluth
eppur_se_muova
(37,388 posts)3. I actually read that years ago, can't remember it now.
Nice to be reminded of Project Gutenberg! I did some transcription work for them, years ago.
OKIsItJustMe
(20,733 posts)4. I'm rereading it right now
The plot is slightly more complicated.
There are still a minority of intelligent people, but it's all they can do to just keep the morons alive.
Valdosta
(331 posts)5. "Eugenically" selecting for ...
... not giving a shit about the environment.