Is climate change a reason not to have kids?
Aug 03, 2025•10 min
Listen to this episode in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
Episode description
Some young people are hesitant to start a family because they are worried about the impact it will have on the environment.
But some experts argue, there are good reasons to still consider having children.
One of them is Dean Spears.
He's an economist and demographer at the University of Texas - Austin, and co-author of the new book, "After the Spike: Population, Progress, and the Case for People."
Spears argues that depopulation could create a whole range of new problems while still not addressing the driving forces of climate change.
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy
But some experts argue, there are good reasons to still consider having children.
One of them is Dean Spears.
He's an economist and demographer at the University of Texas - Austin, and co-author of the new book, "After the Spike: Population, Progress, and the Case for People."
Spears argues that depopulation could create a whole range of new problems while still not addressing the driving forces of climate change.
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android