Do we need to have more babies? By the end of this year, eight billion people will live on the planet. But some people say we are now running out of children.
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Over 65s top under 5s for first time ever
Do we need to have more babies? By the end of this year, eight billion people will live on the planet. But some people say we are now running out of children.
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<h2 class=" eplus-wrapper">What's happening?</h2>
The Earth is more crowded than ever before. By 15 November 2022, there will likely be eight billion people living on the planet.
The people living on Earth are putting stress on the planet. Humans burn fossil fuelsFuels made from decomposing plants and animals, including coal, natural gas and oil. These fuels release carbon dioxide, causing global warming. for energy and are causing climate changeLong-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change.. The plastic we throw away has been found at the bottom of the sea.
Now, some top thinkers are worried - but not for the reason you might think. Today, for the first time in history, there are more people over the age of 65 in the world than under the age of five.
This is because in many countries, people are not having as many babies as in the past. This is true in many rich countries, such as SingaporeA country in South East Asia, with a population of just under six million..
Some people have chosen to wait until they are older to start having children. Some people think having children costs too much money.
And others are choosing not to have any children to save the planet. In 2019, pop singer Miley CyrusCyrus had slated that she will not have children until a solution for climate change has been found. said she would not have any children yet because the Earth is "angry".
This could be a problem in the future. Soon, some countries might not have enough young people to work and look after older people.
<h2 class=" eplus-wrapper">Find out more </h2>
Do we need to have more babies?
Yes! No! We need more people to be born to look after the people who are getting old. There are not enough people being born, not too many!
No! There are far too many people on Earth. We are hurting the planet we live on. Fewer people would put less stress on the Earth.
Fossil fuels - Fuels made from decomposing plants and animals, including coal, natural gas and oil. These fuels release carbon dioxide, causing global warming.
Climate change - Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change.
Singapore - A country in South East Asia, with a population of just under six million.
Miley Cyrus - Cyrus had slated that she will not have children until a solution for climate change has been found.
Over 65s top under 5s for first time ever
Bye bye baby: In Singapore, most women have fewer than two babies. Glossary
Fossil fuels - Fuels made from decomposing plants and animals, including coal, natural gas and oil. These fuels release carbon dioxide, causing global warming.
Climate change - Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change.
Singapore - A country in South East Asia, with a population of just under six million.
Miley Cyrus - Cyrus had slated that she will not have children until a solution for climate change has been found.