Climate change and global warming are usually used interchangeably but they are not the same thing. Climate change is the significant change of weather conditions mainly due to anthropogenic factors such as greenhouse gas emissions. Οne aspect of climate change is global warming – the rise in the global average temperature near the earth’s surface.
Increasingly high temperatures can harm fertility and birth rates. According to research by UCLA environmental economist Alan Barreca, sperm production falls in hot weather and this leads to lower birth rates. The reduction in fertility occurred across all regions of the U.S., with hot states like Arizona seeing the same trends as cooler ones. Barreca said this may be because those who live in warmer climates are better adapted to the heat or avoid it by staying inside air-conditioned buildings. The effect was slightly more pronounced in northern states, where people are less prepared for heatwaves. Barreca also stated that climate change will shift more births from spring to summer months, which would be bad news for prenatal health. Women who give birth in August or September will be exposed to considerably more hot weather during their third trimester, and studies have suggested that hot weather during the third trimester of a pregnancy negatively affects fetal health, as measured by birth weight.
In human males, the testicles make sperm and, in order for this to happen, the temperature of the testicles needs to be cooler than the inside of the body, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center. In a study published a few days back, researchers found that heatwave conditions (9 to 13 degrees above the typical high temperature for 5 days) damaged male, but not female, reproduction. Heatwaves reduce male fertility and sperm competitiveness, and successive heatwaves almost sterilize males. “Also, the offspring of the dads who’d endured the heat lived shorter lives.”
Scientists haven’t yet concluded 100% to the fact that heat affects male fertility and birth levels but climate change and global warming are definitely affecting people’s decisions about having children.
Yes, it is not unsafe to say that our planet is in danger due to our irresponsible actions and that is something that people who want to have kids take into consideration. Fertility rates have fallen to just 1.58 children per British woman in the last year according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which is the lowest since records began in 1938. Last year a survey of 2,000 Americans found that 78% of Gen Z’ers (people born after the 2000s) aren’t planning, or don’t want to have kids due to climate change. The fear of the unknown and the environmental concerns don’t leave people indifferent towards bringing another human being into this world.
Who is 100% sure of how the planet will be in the next 50 years, if the economy will be stable and if the planet will be sustainable to live in?
Bringing one child -or more- in this world costs money, so this decision is always a trigger for parents. It may affect the richer countries less but still as time goes by every couple will have to face that dilemma. When the relative cost of having a child increases—either because the absolute cost of having a child increases or the cost of another activity decreases—the fertility rate will fall. Secondly, when the relative benefit of having another child decreases, then fertility will fall. Thus, the economic model of fertility suggests that climate change will affect fertility decisions by altering the relative costs and benefits of having children and investing in the well-being of each child.
Factors that affect decision to conceive.
Other factors that affect the decision of reproduction are socioeconomic status, urbanization, the overall health of women, and female education levels. When women are given access to contraceptive methods, fertility rates decline significantly. Without access to contraceptives or an understanding of fertility control measures, the fertility rate is evidence that ideal family size and the desire for more children may decline in response to adverse environmental conditions.
On the other hand, some people think that higher birth rates are necessary to sustain the economy. This logic applies more to developing countries such as India and some sub-Saharan African nations which still have high birth rates. In regions with higher poverty rates and less access to education and birth control — and without equal rights for women — birth rates tend to be higher, as Barreca states.
To sum up, according to fertility forecasts, the planet will be facing a major fertility decline in the coming decades. This statement is made by Lant Pritchett who also states that fertility rates are expected to reach what used to be a few centuries ago. “We are expecting fertility levels of the 1950s, which is a time when fertility was already declining.” Lant states. Is it because of climate change? Is it because women nowadays are better educated and can support their decision of not having children? Or because the economy can not handle the continuous rise of the population?
The one thing that seems to be scientifically true is that climate change can hurt -mainly- male fertility and negatively affect the choice to give birth.
In the end, this choice should be solely yours. Your only concern should be to make the world a better place for them and support them always. Think wisely, explore your options, trust the professionals and try to create a safe and trusting environment for your child. Planet Earth will always be there to support us, but the question that arises is if each and every one of us will try and make it a safe environment to live in.
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