Another consequences of climate change has been highlighted, specifically that global warming might lower our sex drive, and lead to a decrease in birth rates worldwide.
- Researchers analyzed data for over 80 years of weather reports and birth rates
- They found that for days with temperatures higher than 80oF, birth rates declined in the next 8-10 months
- Higher temperatures affects the frequency of sex, and quality of sperm or ovulation
- This will be an issue in countries with below replacement birth rates
Researchers from three different universities have underlined one possible consequence of our planet’s most severe concern. According to their paper, the heightened temperatures that arrive with global warming will influence our sex drive and hormone levels. Even more, it could also negatively impact the quality of semen in men, and ovulation for women.
A hotter climate actually turns out to cool things down in that particular aspect of our lives.
The team of researchers reviewed data from 1931 to 2010, comparing birth rates with spikes in temperatures. They found a correlation between hotter weather and a decline in the number of children being born. In fact, more days above 80oFahrenheit resulted in significant decrease in conception rates 8-10 months later.
And, reportedly, those rates are never made up for in the colder months.
Higher temperatures can result to lower levels of testosterone and lower quality of semen, as well as upset menstruation and ovulation. This means that the higher the temperatures go, there are fewer chances of having, sex and even lower of actually conceiving. Thus, the researchers have drawn the conclusion that global warming will result in “reduced coital frequency” as well as birth rates.
This may be a cause for concern, even though there have been reports that a smaller population would be good news. Studies have it that our global population will reach disastrous numbers if reproductive trends continue. Perhaps global warming might be a solution to at least that problem. Earth’s natural response to its issues.
However, there are countless factors that should be taken into consideration. Certain nations that already have low conception rates might be negatively impacted. The attention was drawn to the United Kingdom and the United States, were numbers are dropping. Both nations have below replacement birth rates.
They are increasingly aging countries, which might be gravely affected by global warming’s effects. In fact, fertility rates declining could be worrying due to the imbalance it might result in between its younger an older population.
According to Alan Barreca, from the Tulane University, social insurance programs, such as Social Security might be taking the brunt of it.
The higher temperatures will result in less sex, fewer chances of conception, and declining birth rates. So, light a few candles, put on some music, and turn on the air conditioning if you’re planning on having a child.
Image source: thedailybeast.com
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