I'm a new reader going through the archives, so I don't expect this comment to get much attention since you wrote the post 5 months ago, but I just want to make sure someone points out that if you have a deep desire to create a family and care for a child and can't square that with the climate consequences of having a baby, there is also adoption. While the adoption system in the U.S. is certainly fraught with its own set of issues, it feels like it should be mentioned!
For sure Sarah, adoption comes up a lot in this conversation - it's an ongoing one and an important point. This piece was meant to specifically address Birthstrike's name change, and not the entire issue broadly, but point taken!
This is SO poignant. Another aspect of this difficult choice - unless you are part of a full-service intentional activist community - almost inevitably/genetically having a kid takes LOTS of our time and attention away from climate activism, especially in the younger years and even more so with covid parenting/schooling challenges.
Absolutely Tom. When I interviewed formerly known as BirthStrike's founder Blythe Pepino, she said that if she were to be breastfeeding, she wouldn't be able to risk getting arrested for climate activism in the same way that she can now (can't really bring a baby in the cell now can you?) Makes a similar point to yours.
I'm a new reader going through the archives, so I don't expect this comment to get much attention since you wrote the post 5 months ago, but I just want to make sure someone points out that if you have a deep desire to create a family and care for a child and can't square that with the climate consequences of having a baby, there is also adoption. While the adoption system in the U.S. is certainly fraught with its own set of issues, it feels like it should be mentioned!
For sure Sarah, adoption comes up a lot in this conversation - it's an ongoing one and an important point. This piece was meant to specifically address Birthstrike's name change, and not the entire issue broadly, but point taken!
This is SO poignant. Another aspect of this difficult choice - unless you are part of a full-service intentional activist community - almost inevitably/genetically having a kid takes LOTS of our time and attention away from climate activism, especially in the younger years and even more so with covid parenting/schooling challenges.
Absolutely Tom. When I interviewed formerly known as BirthStrike's founder Blythe Pepino, she said that if she were to be breastfeeding, she wouldn't be able to risk getting arrested for climate activism in the same way that she can now (can't really bring a baby in the cell now can you?) Makes a similar point to yours.