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

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