Sounds good if you don't take into consideration a few simple facts .

#1 most western countries don't have population growth problems . Infact in Russia the population growth is negative . In Japan they just started offering incentives for couples to have more children . For western societies the norm is to have 1.5 children per household and it's not so bad . But in the middle east the norm is to have 5 children per home and in south Africa it's 6 . This is cause for great concern in these countries . Because you can imagine a place with the population growing 5 times the rate and yet the amount of jobs isn't growing at the same rate is trouble .

#2 The research statef doesnt take into consideration when the low polluting child from Bangladesh moves to America or the UK .

 

I'm not really sure how that changes the basic fact that "child-bearing [is] one of the most fateful environmental decisions in anyone's life."

Quote:

Recycle, shorten your commute, drive a hybrid vehicle, and buy energy-efficient light bulbs, appliances and windows -- all of that would cut out about one-fortieth of the emissions caused by bringing two children, and their children's children, into the world...

I think that's the take-away from this.

 

Ofcourse . Good point .

 

I never intend to bring a child into the world. I would love it if humans stopped breeding and started looking after the unwanted children already on the planet. I would also like it if people stopped seeing themselves as belonging to one country and actually thought about the bigger picture.

 

What a horrible world we live in when even procreating becomes a huge environmental decision! It really sucks because I want to have kids... we're planning on it soon.. and I wish I could give that dream up for the environment, but I can't. It's one of those things that I would be depriving myself of something HUGE.. and honestly, how many other people are going to do the same? So I'll be left out and that's about it. I can't accept that.

I am hoping to have 1-2 kids and adopt another.. my fiance is on the fence about adoption but I'm working on it. Unwanted baby girls in China pull my heart strings. I am hoping I can raise them to be awesome little people who are mindful in everything they do, and at least maybe they can affect other people positively as they grow.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by estacey

What a horrible world we live in when even procreating becomes a huge environmental decision! It really sucks because I want to have kids... we're planning on it soon.. and I wish I could give that dream up for the environment, but I can't. It's one of those things that I would be depriving myself of something HUGE.. and honestly, how many other people are going to do the same? So I'll be left out and that's about it. I can't accept that.

I am hoping to have 1-2 kids and adopt another.. my fiance is on the fence about adoption but I'm working on it. Unwanted baby girls in China pull my heart strings. I am hoping I can raise them to be awesome little people who are mindful in everything they do, and at least maybe they can affect other people positively as they grow.

I think having 1-2 is an option. Raising them to be self aware is important as well. We've had 2 and i've gotten the snip and we're good to go.

 

I would like to have two max. One is fine. There is a very strong biological urge to mate and have offspring so I think asking people to have none is a bit unrealistic. One child would create negative population growth (assuming everyone did this). Two would mean static growth. None would wipe out the human population which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by estacey

It really sucks because I want to have kids... we're planning on it soon.. and I wish I could give that dream up for the environment, but I can't. It's one of those things that I would be depriving myself of something HUGE.. and honestly, how many other people are going to do the same? So I'll be left out and that's about it. I can't accept that.

This is often how people phrase that - that they don't want to give something that big up "for the environment," other people aren't doing it, and they don't want to deprive themselves. We're encouraged to think about what we want for our lives. Whatever they decide, I think people should more importantly think of it as what kind of world they're bringing these hypothetical kids into. At some point - don't know if we're there yet or when we will be - it's going to be no gift to be born into an environment that is suffering severe collapse http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...l?hpid=topnews People won't give up dreams for a common good, but they may need to start giving them up for the good of a hypothetical child.

 

It's basic common sense but those statistics are a bit frightening(sp?). I don't plan on having any either.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeFromSM

#1 most western countries don't have population growth problems . Infact in Russia the population growth is negative . In Japan they just started offering incentives for couples to have more children . For western societies the norm is to have 1.5 children per household and it's not so bad . But in the middle east the norm is to have 5 children per home and in south Africa it's 6 . This is cause for great concern in these countries . Because you can imagine a place with the population growing 5 times the rate and yet the amount of jobs isn't growing at the same rate is trouble .

I had read something that said Americans produce close to half of the world's waste. Regardless of whether that's true, I know it's very high. United States continues to grow in population and should surpass 400 million this century so it is still a problem. Europeans tend to be more environmentally-friendly so it's not as big as a problem, but even just getting the United States population down to 200 million would do a lot of good.

 

But what will happen to all the hypothetical children?? Won't someone please think of the hypokids!! I can see the tears on their faces when they aren't released from the land of potentiality and made actual.

 

Another reason I'm proud to be child-free.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sevenseas

But what will happen to all the hypothetical children?? Won't someone please think of the hypokids!! I can see the tears on their faces when they aren't released from the land of potentiality and made actual.

You, I like.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irizary

This is often how people phrase that - that they don't want to give something that big up "for the environment," other people aren't doing it, and they don't want to deprive themselves. We're encouraged to think about what we want for our lives. Whatever they decide, I think people should more importantly think of it as what kind of world they're bringing these hypothetical kids into. At some point - don't know if we're there yet or when we will be - it's going to be no gift to be born into an environment that is suffering severe collapse http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...l?hpid=topnews People won't give up dreams for a common good, but they may need to start giving them up for the good of a hypothetical child.

I agree. It's drummed into us from a very young age that "normal" people grow up, get married and have kids and many people fall onto that path without thinking about it much. But I think people who are aware of environmental issues need to take some responsibility for the planet and for the children, adults and other animals that already exist on it.

I don't know why it's so important that the child you love and care for must have lived in your uterus and shares your genes.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by WorzelGummidge

I don't know why it's so important that the child you love and care for must have lived in your uterus and shares your genes.

Nicely said. I will adopt myself when the time comes. I think it's rather sick when people tell others, "you two will have great looking babies."

 

I am so glad to see the mainstream media finally discussing this. My BF and I were just talking about this the other day--when it comes to climate change, the powers that be tell us, "buy a Prius" or "use fewer plastic bags." As if this is going to somehow void all of the havoc we have wrecked--including just the unintentional damage of everyday life.

The issue is too many human beings, period. Even the most "green", canvas-bag toting, Prius-driving person contributes to the cycle of devastation. I'm guilty and so are you. The true answer to the environmental crisis is to curtail our reproduction.

Of course, this is a very un-PC position to take. It's even more taboo than talking about the connection between meat consumption and climate change. But it's the truth, and if we believe the Earth should continue, it's an issue we have to address seriously.

 

I've had this topic on the brain for a couple weeks now, just because.

Strange to see a thread about it...

I want kids. I always have. Every cell and hormone in my body sings a siren song to me to have children. I started babysitting when I was 12 years old, and I held two live-in nanny positions. Caring for children has always brought me incredibly joy.

But... I've never been of the mind that "But, I WANNA" is a good enough reason to do something, especially when logically, I know it's a bad idea to breed more humans for this planet. No passing the buck, no saying it's a problem of OTHER people/countries - no no no. I have a uterus and I take responsibility for how I use it.

I don't know. It's still something that is up in the air. It's just... Consuming my thoughts these days.

 

I never really hear people talking about the issue much from the potential child's perspective, like I said above... It doesn't seem to me that it's just about the impact on the planet...but what do those who are bringing more children onto the planet at this moment, or want to, think about the child's future on a planet that is suffering greatly through our actions? Are they not sure that environmental issues might possibly affect us greatly, even in the western world, individually? Is that the issue?

 

Can't say I've read the whole article or thread so I could be wrong but to me the article title is all backwards. It sounds like the more kids you have the less pollution.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paradox

Can't say I've read the whole article or thread so I could be wrong but to me the article title is all backwards. It sounds like the more kids you have the less pollution.

Yeah, I think it was their attempt to have a clever use of phrasing and it doesn't quite work

 

I totally agree with this. This is why this is my last child. If I feel the need [in the far future] to have another child I will adopt a child.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sevenseas

But what will happen to all the hypothetical children?? Won't someone please think of the hypokids!! I can see the tears on their faces when they aren't released from the land of potentiality and made actual.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WorzelGummidge

I don't know why it's so important that the child you love and care for must have lived in your uterus and shares your genes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irizary

I never really hear people talking about the issue much from the potential child's perspective, like I said above... It doesn't seem to me that it's just about the impact on the planet...but what do those who are bringing more children onto the planet at this moment, or want to, think about the child's future on a planet that is suffering greatly through our actions?

Exactly.

I don't understand why people that claim that they "love" children wouldn't adopt instead of making their own.

 

Like the Duggars. Ew do you seriously have to have 19 kids?

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by IrieMama

Like the Duggars. Ew do you seriously have to have 19 kids?

People who are part of the Quiverfull movement sure think so.

 

I think instead of procreating, more people should apply the "be fruitful and multiply" message by grabbing a couple of oranges and a few honeydew melons and saying "4 x 9 = 36".