It is a well know fact that global warming poses one of the greatest threats to humanity as it leads to rising sea levels, floods and droughts.

Now the latest problem that could be added to this list is a low sex drive that would hit the human birth rate in the long run.

Research suggests that, as temperatures increase, people may feel less inclined to have sex or as the report from the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) puts it, “coital frequency” could diminish

According to a research study, published on the NBER website— By the end of the century, when weather reaches 80 degrees Fahrenheit(26.67 degree celsius), the birth rate takes a big hit.

Although the study relates to the US, the consequences are likely to be even more pronounced in the developing world including India.

The study also reveals that the birth rate falls significantly nine months after a particularly hot day.

“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.”

Another consequence cited in the study is that rising temperatures will push more births to the summer months. The study also says, “air conditioning could be used to substantially offset the fertility costs of climate change.”

The conclusion was reached by researchers from a trio of universities in United States, who studied 80 years of fertility and temperature data trends of the country.

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