PHOTO / Len
When we think about the future of climate change, we have to realize that the future is not too far off. The truth is that we can no longer shove this problem to the side any more like humanity has done for so many years. It is in our faces and we either have to come together to fight against it or simply pray for the future of our grandchildren. Being part of Gen Z, it is quite common to hear other people my age joke around how they don’t want children. But behind every joke there is some truth. We are now realizing that bringing a baby into this current world is a bit more worrisome compared to 10 or 20 years ago. There is the housing crisis, college debt and the future of the planet.
Let’s face the facts. In 20 years, multiple natural disasters will be happening simultaneously. Rising water levels will cause part of the world to move to higher ground. Oceans will become more acidic, destroying marine life. And 200 million climate refugees will roam the world. Everything we have seen in movies will become a reality, and even worse. I would like to consider that my generation is becoming more self-aware about social issues and more involved than any other generation. Mainly because we have no other choice but to fix the mistakes and the unsolved issues we have been left with. Young adults are being severely affected in terms of mental health when it comes to climate change concerns. They also believe it is morally wrong to have children.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez went live on Instagram and talked about the future of climate change. “Basically, there’s a scientific consensus that the lives of children are going to be very difficult,” she said.
A Swedish study, published in IOPscience in 2017, found that having one fewer child per family could save approximately 58.6 metric tons of carbon each year in developed countries. However, scientist Kimberly Nicholas mentioned that it is OK to have kids. “The most urgent and important thing we need to do is cut today’s emissions fast. And what does that is going car-, flight- and meat-free. Those are the main sources of emissions for high-emitting individuals.”
Many agree that it is our lifestyle choices that will save the planet. Others believe that it is up to our government to make major changes to stop the destruction of our planet. In the end, it is up to our own philosophical ideas whether we want to bring a child into the world despite the unstable future they would grow up in. Will they suffer? Will they have the same opportunities to build the life they want?
In the end, each person will decide for herself or himself. It is impossible to try and convince people not to have kids, especially if they desire them. The only thing that unites every human being living across the world is that we share the same home. Whether some of us live in the Arctic, in a city or in a desert; whether we believe in God or are atheists, it is the time to believe in the scientific facts and realize that this is code red for humanity.
We are all equally responsible for how we contribute to helping stop climate change. If one of us believes that not having a child will help, then let’s applaud that person. If another one raises a family to not eat meat, let’s applaud that person. If an individual donates to climate-change organizations let’s applaud that person too.
We can all do our part, and do our research and then, perhaps, we will have enough power to change the course of history. Let’s start putting pressure on our government to pass more environmental protection laws, as well as start teaching our children the importance of taking care of our planet. Then, maybe, we can be the generation that saves it.
Luz Melissa Cortes Nieto is a Gen X student majoring in Communication with a minor in Journalism. She has always had a passion for writing and the environment. As a member of the Tribuno del Pueblo Editorial Board, she is the Climate Change Desk. She hopes to bring awareness about climate change and how we can all come together to mitigate environmental consequences.
