Refusing to have children in a world in crisis: analysis of ecological justifications for not becoming parents

The issue of childfreedom for ecological reasons is increasingly being discussed in the media and scientific circles. While some studies analyze how environmental concerns influence fecundity intentions, others question the legitimacy of ecological reasons for choosing to be childfree (Veaux & Roux, 2023). In France, although INED (Bouchet-Valat & Toulemon, 2025) shows a correlation between climate concerns and a decline in the number of desired children, there are still no precise figures to quantify this phenomenon. In the USA, in 2020, 14.3% of adults without children cited climate change as a “major reason” for this choice. In my qualitative corpus of 50 childfree, 90% mention the environment as a reason for not having children.This choice is based on a deep environmental awareness ranging from the degradation of ecosystems to the climate crisis and the increasing scarcity of natural resources. This decision is often motivated by intergenerational altruism: it is not so much a refusal to have children for oneself as a concern for the future generations and the preservation of life.The childfree discourse also fits into a (neo-)Malthusian logic linked to debates on overpopulation. Although this notion is scientifically controversial, it is often incorporated in a cautious and nuanced way into childfree views. Some go so far as to identify with antinatalist movements or even advocate for the voluntary extinction of humanity.Also, childfree people question consumerist lifestyles, considering that overconsumption and overproduction have a greater impact on the environment than birth rates themselves. The everyday practices of childfree people reflect a desire for ecological consistency: adopting vegetarian or vegan diets, engaging in animal causes, consuming locally (short supply chains, bulk stores), frequent use of second-hand markets, attention to natural and fossil resources, and selectice sorting of household waste.