No more humans

July 22, 2009 3:27 PM

What is the name of this environmentalist group which aims to rid the world of humans?

The group's leader promises to never have children, as he views humans as being incompatible with a healthy environment. I don't think the group is particularly popular, but it did attract some news coverage a few years ago. I remember reading a critical article from the Economist, which I can't seem to find now as I've forgotten the name of the group. Thanks in advance!

posted by wigglin to Science & Nature (8 answers total)

Best answer: Is it the Voluntary Human Extinction Movement
posted by thewittyname at 3:29 PM on July 22, 2009

Response by poster: It is! Thank you
posted by wigglin at 3:35 PM on July 22, 2009

There's also Negative Population Growth.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 4:09 PM on July 22, 2009

Save the World - Kill yourself
posted by DieHipsterDie at 4:15 PM on July 22, 2009

And the Church of Euthanasia.
posted by gum at 4:28 PM on July 22, 2009

Reminds me of The Church of Euthenasia (note, some content NSFW).
posted by Imhotep is Invisible at 4:33 PM on July 22, 2009

Yup, VHEMT. I'm a quasi-supporter - very much in favor of massive population reduction (I think a billion, or a maybe half that, would be a good number to shoot for) through a voluntary curbing of the conception of children. Generally ambivalent about going all the way to zero. The way I see it, we're going to get there eventually, and I'm not sure why going against our collective will is preferable.

For reduction, the reasoning seems obvious enough - everyone gets a greater share of earth's resources, and the quality of those resources (the beauty of the planet) is preserved to a much greater degree.

Those in favor of going down to zero generally do so for some combination of deep ecology and/or antinatalism.
posted by phrontist at 7:44 PM on July 22, 2009

Could it be No Kidding?
posted by Sully at 11:15 AM on July 23, 2009