Having children in a climate-conscious world

Jade Sasser’s latest book explores the racial dimensions of climate anxiety and its impact on reproductive decisions.

Victoria St. Martin reports for Inside Climate News.


In short:

  • Jade Sasser’s new book, “Climate Anxiety and the Kid Question,” investigates how climate anxiety influences reproductive choices, especially among women of color.
  • Survey results indicate that women of color are more likely to have fewer children due to climate concerns compared to other groups.
  • The book emphasizes the need to include marginalized communities in climate anxiety research to understand their unique experiences.

Key quote:

“Climate anxiety is a normal, natural response to climate change. Let’s fight and solve climate change, and then you won’t have the thing to be anxious about.”

— Jade Sasser, environmental scientist

Why this matters:

Understanding how climate anxiety affects mental health and reproductive decisions, especially in marginalized communities is important for crafting inclusive climate policies that consider the diverse experiences of all communities. Read more: Feeling anxious about climate change? Experts say you're not alone.

Oil pump jacks drilling for oil in a field

Carbon captured

How the fossil fuel industry turned the plan to solve climate change into a plan to save itself.

A single boat traveling the river Seine with the Eiffel Tower behind

‘Kind of miracle solution’: How Paris is harnessing the Seine to replace air-con

City plans to triple system of underground pipes that distribute chilled river water, reducing need for individual cooling units.

An indigenous woman with a colorful necklace smiling at someone to her right

Indigenous cultural practices are a climate solution, report finds

Indigenous lands are crucial for climate mitigation and resilience. Research shows their health is a direct result of Indigenous stewardship.
Portable balcony solar panel

The ‘guerrilla solar’ era has arrived, and here’s what to know

Plug-in solar provides the opportunity for more people to invest in the clean energy transition, experts say.
Solar farm sited in a green field adjacent to a country road

Solar has a PR problem. Could ‘Got Milk?’ help?

With federal incentives gone and local resistance rising, some industry players want a checkoff-style fund to promote renewable energy.
TransAlta head office building in Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Credit: Jeff Whyte Photography/BigStock Photo ID: 449639657

The tab to keep a Pacific Northwest coal plant on standby keeps rising. Who will pay?

Electric utilities across the Pacific Northwest are fuming that their customers might be saddled with the costs of a coal-burning power plant that isn’t producing any power.The messy dispute stems from the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to sustain the American coal industry.
A pump jack against a sunset

EU countries are bailing out fossil fuels instead of funding the green transition, Greenpeace warns

Spain leads EU energy crisis spending, but Greenpeace says blanket fuel subsidies are propping up fossil fuels at the planet's expense.
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.