Are Kids Really to Blame for Climate Change? Or Is It the System? cover art

Are Kids Really to Blame for Climate Change? Or Is It the System?

Are Kids Really to Blame for Climate Change? Or Is It the System?

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In this episode of The Good System, I tackle a surprisingly heated question: should you feel guilty about having kids in the climate crisis? Spoiler alert — it’s not your toddler’s fault the planet’s on fire.

I unpack the real reasons emissions keep rising (hint: it’s not diapers or birthday parties), and take a hard look at how blaming personal choices — like having children — lets the system off the hook. From billionaire emissions to baked-in fossil fuel infrastructure, we follow the trail of CO₂ and ask: who’s really driving the climate bus?

Highlights include:

  • The myth of the carbon-guzzling baby
  • Why personal guilt is a distraction from systemic responsibility
  • What actually changes emissions (it’s not family size)
  • A gentle roast of lifestyle purity culture
  • Some unexpected hope — seriously

Whether you're a parent, future parent, or happily childfree, this episode reframes the conversation and invites you to stop blaming yourself — and start questioning the system.

This episode is based on this blog article: https://iandebay.com/thoughts/kids-are-not-sustainable/

Mentioned episodes

Is Overpopulation Really the Problem? Rethinking Climate Blame

City vs Country: What is more sustainable

For more information about the podcast and me: iandebay.com
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