‘I am starting to panic about my child’s future’: climate scientists wary of starting families

A fifth of female climate scientists who responded to Guardian survey said they had opted to have no or fewer children

I had the hormonal urges," said Prof Camille Parmesan, a leading climate scientist based in France. Oh my gosh, it was very strong. But it was: Do I really want to bring a child into this world that we're creating?' Even 30 years ago, it was very clear the world was going to hell in a handbasket. I'm 62 now and I'm actually really glad I did not have children."

Parmesan is not alone. An exclusive Guardian survey has found that almost a fifth of the female climate experts who responded have chosen to have no children, or fewer children, due to the environmental crises afflicting the world.