I think there finally is an issue where we the childfree don't get as worked up

[RB TexLa]

as those who chose to raise children. Climate change. I think we should be implementing policy changes to combat it. But when I read or hear people talking about what is going to happen to people in 2050 and such, I think "damn, that sucks, hate it for them." Maybe those who chose to raise children have more of a passion about it.

[WinkyDink]

1. I don't envy future generations. They'll have a tough row to hoe.

[TerdlowSmedley]

2. Yeah, I'm one of those breeders who, back in '95 and '97, when I

was giving birth to my kids, thought the world looked like a pretty good place to raise kids. Holy shit, if the world had been in the shape it's in now THEN, I might be in the childless boat with you. Scary stuff, and getting scarier. I do worry about it a lot.

[InvisibleTouch]

3. No kids here, but...

...environmental protection is my #1 issue. To me, the two factors are not related. My concern is for all the other species on the planet. Whether or not "my genes" are among them in the future, is irrelevant.

Likewise I don't understand why people go through all kinds of medical gyrations to conceive a baby if they're having trouble, when there are so many kids who need homes. Why does it have to be "their own genes"? Sure, I understand there's an evolutionary incentive to protect and promote one's own genetic material (that's what kin selection is, commonly called "altruism" in our society) - but I'd think we were beyond that by now. A life is a life.

[Zookeeper]

4. I wouldn't speak for the childfree....

but speaking as a parent, yes, I am really worried about what life will be like for my kids in 2050. I think they may have to settle for a lot less than we have as far as the environment, social stability and safety, and quality of life. BushCo's legacy will live on for decades.

[NotGivingUp]

5. i'm childfree and i get very worked up about climate change...

i would think more parents would be more worked up, but it seems to be lacking in many.

[rhiannon55]

6. I have sweet, beautiful grandchildren

and I lose sleep sometimes worrying about their futures.

[Lex]

7. Is there a deal on flamebait by the dozen today?

nt

[MedleyMisty]

8. I'll be 69 in 2050

I'm not having kids, but my husband and I will be old and frail when things really start getting bad.

Meaning if it gets bad enough to cause a lot of deaths and so on, we'll probably be among the first to go. Joy.

[Vox Acerbus]

9. Climate change is one reason I am so staunchly childfree...

I wouldn't want to raise a child in this world, as it's going to hell in a handbasket climate-wise. I have always felt pity on children, for what they'll inherit debt-wise, climate-wise and humanity-wise as we continue to spin this rock further into oblivion. Contrary to what most parents have said to me, I think that having children is a far more selfish act than not having them.

[RB TexLa]

13. Lot more philosophical reason than mine.

[shadowknows69]

10. They should have

Part of the reason I chose not to have kids is because I knew our mother earth wasn't going to be a real friendly place in the not too distant future.

[TlalocW]

11. Childfree too, but I'd like my nieces and nephews to not have to wear

Sunblock 350.

TlalocW

[Vox Acerbus]

12. I do agree...

I feel very sorry for my nieces and nephews.

[treestar]

26. Exactly. There is no reason that only parents would be concerned

Actually my father keeps saying he is glad he is old and doesn't have to worry about it. This ticks me off. Shouldn't he care about his grandchildren having to deal with it? That's self centered, and he's certainly not child free.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

14. At the very least it gives us childfree folks an ironclad response

To all those busybodies who scold us for not complying with our duty to breed. After all, SOME of us need to forego adding more consumers to an exploding world population that is straining our natural resources and causing catastrophic climate change!

We can throw that back when we get the standard how can you be so selfish/who will take care of you when you're old/what if EVERYONE felt the way you do?

[TlalocW]

21. What? You don't have pat answers for those questions?

Q: How can you be so selfish?
A: How is it selfish? (That usually stumps them)

Q: Who will take care of you when you're old?
A: Judging from how intelligent your kids are, nursemaid to the elderly is just about as high as they can aspire.

Q: What if everyone felt the way you do?
A: Then humankind would eventually die out, and there would be no one around to ask that question so who cares?

TlalocW

[mrreowwr_kittty]

22. LOL! Those are good, thanks, n/t

[donco6]

15. I guess I think of it a little differently.

I don't have kids, and I probably don't fret about it as much as those who do, but I believe that humanity does have a purpose here (not based on God or religion), and it would sure suck if we destroyed ourselves before we had the chance to fulfill it.

[Terri S]

16. huh?

Everyone I know who cares passionately about climate change, cares whether they have children or not. I don't even understand the premise, actually. Do you have to have your own children in Iraq to care if innocent children are dying there??

[HockeyMom]

17. It was a long, hard decision I had to make,

whether to bring children in this world, and trust me, I did think about it nearly 30 years ago. The world 30 years ago was not what it is today, either. I certainly cannot fault any young person today who choses not to bring children into it.

Hopefully, those of us who did have children have successfully taught the children we did have, and THEY will be able to effect the changes we so desperately need. Oh, in so many ways.

[LSK]

18. no kids here, yet I worry a lot about it

I guess being the liberal that I am, I dont view the world and policies as whats in it for me, but whats best for all of society and the planet.

[ismnotwasm]

19. Oh my

:popcorn:

[katsy]

20. yada yada yada

I'm not planning an abortion so why get worked up about abortion rights... "damn, that sucks, hate it for them."

I'm not gay so why get worked up about civil rights... "damn, that sucks, hate it for them."

I'm not in Darfur so why get worked up about human rights... "damn, that sucks, hate it for them."

I'm not going to live forever why get worked up about the direction this country is going... "damn, that sucks, hate it for them."

great. nice message. half the country that doesn't bother to vote and be involved must agree with you.

[RB TexLa]

24. I do vote and am involved, so they couldn't agree with me

:shrug:

[katsy]

25. Great for you.

Since you do vote and they don't vote, does that mean they have children? Silly premise, isn't it?

Caring about this planet's future has nothing to do with whether one has children or not. Being connected to one's environment and the earth has nothing to do with having children or not.

[RB TexLa]

27. I was speaking about the level of passion about it

[Radical Activist]

23. I'm child free and have devoted a large amount of time to this issue.

In fact, most of the people I know working on this issue for non-profit environmental groups don't have children either. Generalizations almost never turn out to be true and almost always end up being offensive.