Condoms Key to Combating Global Warming?

(AP)  Giving contraceptives to people in developing countries could help fight climate change by slowing population growth, experts said Friday.

More than 200 million women worldwide want contraceptives, but don't have access to them, according to an editorial published in the British medical journal, Lancet. That results in 76 million unintended pregnancies every year.

If those women had access to free condoms or other birth control methods, that could slow rates of population growth, possibly easing the pressure on the environment, the editors say.

"There is now an emerging debate and interest about the links between population dynamics, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and climate change," the commentary says.

In countries with access to condoms and other contraceptives, average family sizes tend to fall significantly within a generation. Until recently, many U.S.-funded health programs did not pay for or encourage condom use in poor countries, even to fight diseases such as AIDS.

The world's population is projected to jump to 9 billion by 2050, with more than 90 percent of that growth coming from developing countries.

It's not the first time lifestyle issues have been tied to the battle against global warming. Climate change experts have previously recommended that people cut their meat intake to slow global warming by reducing the numbers of animals using the world's resources.

The Lancet editorial cited a British report which says family planning is five times cheaper than usual technologies used to fight climate change. According to the report, each $7 spent on basic family planning would slash global carbon dioxide emissions by more than 1 ton.

Experts believe that while normal population growth is unlikely to significantly increase global warming that overpopulation in developing countries could lead to increased demand for food and shelter, which could jeopardize the environment as it struggles with global warming.

[ianlou]

Condoms Key to Combating Global Warming.

Now there they go agin, those Godless Liberals.
Abstinence is the Key to Combating Global Warming!
Until you git married, Then its your job to beget as many as you can.

[tunaatlast]

I agree, any form of population in the world would work. Also, a lot more wars is natires way of slowing population growth.

[rf35]

Humanity may be the first species to breed itself into extinction. Any measures to reduce childbirth are welcome and should be embraced. There are other ways to reduce/stablize the population, but none of them would be pretty. If people can't learn to exercise some reproductive responsibility, mandatory measures may have to be considered...there will be chaos.

[barbaram99]

The churches won't allow birth control. I say that needs to be done. Birth control is needed. We may have to go to a child or the most 2 children per family. There are reasons to do so. Some should not breed at all. When ye look at the reasons for having less children it makes sesne. Children should replac us. We don't need big families today. Yep people that is what a condom looks like. I am a woman. I a childless.

[goobicus]

We're in denial. It is already too late to stop global warming. Anybody having children at this point is simply IRRESPONSIBLE.

[HGOODGUY]

Yeah
We should all stop having children AFTER I HAVE MINE!!

[mejordelahistoria]

let's do what jesus said, "abstinence" ........(hehehehe) all you have to do is find out where most churches are and you will find the most and best ho's

[retiredgustav]

Don't forget the d*i*c*k*e*n Deacons.

[formrusmcsgt]

That results in 76 million unintended pregnancies every year.
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What else needs be said?

[John_Merritt]

This should be an interesting experiment. We can't even get people here to use condoms, what makes you think others countries are? By the time we could do a decent study we would need 10 years of data and we still wouldn't have an answer. How about just reducing methane from cow dung, you have a better chance at reducing the warming effects. It might cut down on STD's, but to use it as a global warming affirmative action is a stretch.

[wyodutch]

Why are we sending mosquito nets, food and AIDS vaccines? That seems like it will do nothing but increase their populations.

[RCC_Soldaten]

One of the stupidest stories I've read yet. Margaret Sanger would be proud - especially if the black population is the most affected. Read the history of this moronic woman.