For some people, the thought of bringing a new human into a world that is already suffering from the impacts of climate change is a scary thought.
So much so, recycling consultant Gwynn MacKellen has decided to take measures into her own hands and get an irreversible sterilization procedure to ensure she never has kids.
MacKellen, a recycling consultant from San Francisco, appeared on the show This Morning to talk about how she decided to get sterilized at age 31 in an effort to save the planet. Mackellen said she believes it’s “selfish” to have children and she wants other people to follow in her carbon-free footsteps.
The Daily Mail reported that when talking about her decision to be sterilized, Mackellen said: “I would feel bad bringing another person in the world. All the other choices that you can make [to help the environment] are very small in comparison. Once you have that person they have impact, and they could have offspring.”
This Morning hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield took a tough stance with the recycling consultant and asked her if she thought the two of them were “selfish” for having children.
Mackellen replied: “I don’t want to judge somebody else.” She also added, however, that she wanted more people to see the environmental benefits of not having any children or having fewer children. She said: “It’s something that’s just not talked about, even though it’s the most effective thing we can do to reduce our environmental impact.”
Viewers, however, called her “crazy” and one of them even said that she was using environmental issues as an “excuse” and that she is just “not motherly”.
Meanwhile, readers online also shared their opinion on MacKellen’s belief:
One commenter noted: “So what it’s her choice. More responsible this way then leaving pregnancy to chance.”
There were those who brought up birth rate statistics as well, as one commenter pointed out: “People need to look at the birth rate statistics around the world as this woman is not rare. 30% and rising of Japanese women are deciding to not get married or have kids and the rest of the women in the free world are following.”
Others believed that it was a solid decision, as one commenter noted: “If people don’t want kids, they should be proactive in preventing pregnancy. Why make fun of her? Less unloved or resented kids being brought into the world is a positive.”
Still another agreed, saying, “She had her tubes tied, nothing newsworthy about that, and quite honestly if you don’t want kids, a good idea. Think of how many unwanted kids are out there because people don’t practice safe sex or measures fail. The world IS overpopulated.”
One person saw both sides of the argument, commenting: “I agree with some others on here that she should keep it to herself. However, she has a good point — especially with some seven billion people on this planet and the impact that the growing population has on this planet.”
Watch it here: ThisMorning/Youtube
Sources: AWM, The Daily Mail
Thank you. I think the world is a better place now. Marine Bob