To illustrate an article about CO2 Emissions and “fighting climate change” the Guardian UK produced an infographic showing how much CO2 can be saved through a range of different actions. In this graphic having one fewer child was figured as significantly more impactful than switching to an electric car, buying green energy or going vegan. What does it mean to figure having children in this way? In this talk we report on two interlinked Sociological studies that explore relationships between reproduction, population and climate crisis. The first is a study of people’s experiences of pregnancy and parenting a newborn during the bushfires of 2019-2020 and COVID-19. The second study focuses on how people who have not yet had children are grappling with decision making about their reproductive futures. We argue that reproduction and climate crisis are coming together for both groups, often with reference to ideas of overpopulation. Sociological research helps us to understand how these are debates are shaped by wider social processes relating to economics, sex/gender and kinship.

Celia Roberts and Mary Lou Rasmussen are Professors in the School of Sociology, ANU, with expertise in sex, gender and sexuality. With Louisa Allen and Rebecca Williamson, they are authors of the 2023 book, Reproduction, Kin and Climate Crisis: Making bushfire babies (Bristol University Press). They are currently collaborating on a project on young people’s thoughts about having children in climate crisis, and planning new work on estrogen, gender and health.