Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says it is 'legitimate' for people to not want children because of climate change

The freshman lawmaker has discussed the question she often hears from her younger constituents

Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez argues that it is a “legitimate question” to ask whether it’s moral for people to have children with the looming threat of climate change continues to exacerbate global conflicts.

The freshman New York lawmaker used Instagram to connect with her 2.5 million followers over the weekend to discuss the question she often hears from her younger constituents.

“There’s scientific consensus that the lives of children are going to be very difficult,” Ms Ocasio-Cortez said during an Instagram livestream. “And it does lead young people to have a legitimate question: Is it OK to still have children?”

Ms Ocasio-Cortez, a co-sponsor of the progressive Green New Deal resolution, said the clock is ticking when it comes to reversing the effects of global warming within the estimated 12-year deadline the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reported last fall.

"We had time when I was born, but — ticktock — nothing got done,” the 29-year-old lawmaker added. “As the youngest member of Congress, I wish we didn’t have 12 years. It’s our lungs that are going to get choked with wildfire smoke.”

She added, “climate delayers are the new climate deniers.”

Ms Ocasio-Cortez has made it evident that climate change is a key initiative for her.

Since she assumed her congressional duties, Ms Ocasio-Cortez has called for a climate change-focused House select committee and introduced the Green New Deal resolution in the lower chamber. The Green New Deal aims at getting the United States closer to 100 per cent renewable energy usage by 2030.