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In recent years, climate anxiety has increasingly affected people across the globe, leading many to question the decision to bring children into a world facing environmental challenges. 

This concern has sparked a significant shift in the way people perceive parenthood, raising important questions about the future and the responsibility of bringing new life into a planet dealing with climate change.

Reports reveal that the proportion of adults considering not having children due to climate-related concerns ranged from 27% in Japan to a staggering 74% in India. Similar sentiments were echoed in an earlier study, where over 40% of respondents in Australia, Brazil, India and the Philippines expressed hesitancy about having children, while the figures ranged between 30% and 40% in France, Portugal, the U.K. and the U.S.

The burden of climate anxiety and the ethics around it

Individuals struggling with climate anxiety find themselves overwhelmed by the impending threats of rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and the irreversible impact of human activities on the environment. This anxiety is not only about personal survival but also extends to concerns for the well-being and quality of life that future generations, including their own children, may experience.

The ethical dilemma surrounding parenthood in the face of a changing climate is gaining traction. Prospective parents are torn between the desire to experience the joys of raising a family and the responsibility to ensure their children inherit a sustainable and habitable planet. The uncertainty about the future exacerbates this dilemma, as individuals grapple with the moral implications of bringing new life into a world plagued by environmental challenges.

Shifting perspectives on family planning

Climate anxiety has undoubtedly influenced the decisions of many when it comes to family planning. Some individuals are opting to delay or forgo having children altogether, while others are exploring alternative paths, such as adoption or choosing to have fewer children. 

Psychotherapist Caroline Hickman explains that climate anxiety is a healthy response to the crisis. She recommends building communities of like-minded individuals, practicing emotional regulation through mindfulness and reframing anxiety into eco-care and eco-courage.