Global warming blamed for ‘less sex’ and ‘low birth rates’
“It is well documented that global warming poses one of the greatest threats to humanity due to rising sea levels, floods and droughts” begins the analysis posted by the UK’s Independent. Of course, the new warning about global warming and climate change is on our sex lives and could be a contributor to a falling birth rate, especially across Europe.
A report from the National Bureau of Economic Research says the hotter temperatures reduce “coital frequency” claiming that research reveals that nine months after a particularly hot day the birth rate tails off significantly, coming in 0.7 per cent lower than it would following a cooler day. This indicates that rising temperatures either reduce fertility, decrease appetite for intercourse or, quite possibly, both, the article states.
“Extreme heat leads to a sizeable fall in births,” the researchers said. “Temperature extremes could affect coital frequency. It could affect hormone levels and sex drives. Alternatively, high temperatures may adversely affect reproductive health or semen quality on the male side, or ovulation on the female side.”
“The decline in birth rates is a very serious issue for countries, like the United States and the UK, which have below-replacement birth rates,” said report author Alan Barreca to The Independent. Barreca is the associate professor at Tulane University in New Orleans who carried out the research with academics from the University of Central Florida and UC Santa Barbara.
“This will put a lot of strain on social insurance programmes, like social security, because it will create large imbalances in the make-up of the population.”
earth fireball destruction photo/ Bela Geletneky aka photoshopper24 via pixabay.com
