El climate change It is an environmental phenomenon that affects all living beings on the planet, however, Children are the most vulnerable population groupThese effects are especially critical in regions where socioeconomic conditions are more precarious. children will not only suffer from the direct effects of climate change, such as high temperatures, heat waves, droughts e floods, but will also be impacted by factors such as water and air quality, which impacts their health and development.
An UNICEF It indicates that by 2030, a reduction in agricultural production of between 10% and 25%, which will result in almost 95,000 additional deaths of children under 5 years of age due to malnutritionThis alarming projection highlights the urgent need to address the problem of climate change from a perspective that prioritizes children's health and proper nutrition. To better understand this issue, you can consult the upcoming challenges we will face in the next years.
It is estimated that at the current rate of consumption, we will need 1.6 planets to meet our demands. This unsustainable consumption model is incompatible with the Earth's capacity. With population growth, pressure on natural resources will increase, affecting not only Africa, but all corners of the world. This increased pressure on resources can lead to extreme situations, as seen in droughts in Kenya and the impact on children's health in various regions, making evident the health crisis in children due to climate change.
According to Maite Pacheco, director of UNICEF Spanish Committee on Awareness and Childhood Policies, climate change could erase the gains made in child survival worldwide, also affecting children in Spain. In this sense, it is crucial to consider how climate change is impacting the health and well-being of children, especially with regard to the differences between climate change and global warming, and the relationship with the growth of vulnerability.
Projections indicate that for the 2050, the average temperature in Spain could increase up to 5 degrees centigradeThis dramatic rise could result in neurological problems in premature babies and an increase in hospitalizations for gastrointestinal causes in children under 14 years. Lack of attention to these issues could lead to an increase in the impact of climate change on children's health and, therefore, to a bigger crisis, similar to what they face cities affected by global warming.
In addition to direct health problems, climate change contributes to increase in allergies and respiratory diseases, effects that are aggravated by urban pollution. This puts healthcare systems under increasing pressure, which could lead to a collapse in medical services. In fact, the stress generated by this situation can also affect children's emotional well-being, and the mental health of the youngest is threatened by these changes. In this sense, the health of pregnant women is also affected, which affects their children and aggravates the Environmental crisis in the family environment.
The reports of UNICEF and other organizations demonstrate that climate change disproportionately affects children in situations of extreme poverty, who are least responsible for the climate crisis but most affected. In many parts of the world, nearly 850 million children (that is to say, 1 each 3) live in areas vulnerable to multiple climate impacts, putting their future at risk. Children facing these challenges are those most affected by the forced displacement due to extreme conditions, reflecting a resource crisis increasingly evident.
La General Comment No. 26 of the Committee on the Rights of the Child The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Children, published on August 28, emphasizes that children have the right to a clean and healthy environment and proposes urgent measures to protect the most vulnerable. This is especially relevant in a context where climate change can wreak havoc on public health infrastructure, which also relates to food security in various regions, as mentioned in Somalia.
The effects of climate change include a negative impact on children's health, increasing vulnerability to diseases such as anger, malaria y dengueIn light of this, it is estimated that the 88% The largest share of these diseases will be borne by children under five. The data reveal an urgent need to address child health and environmental education in a world increasingly affected by desertification crisis.
It is essential to understand that climate change is not only an environmental problem, but it is a children's rights crisisEnvironmental degradation has a direct impact on children's nutrition, health, and education. droughts y floods Not only do they cause forced displacement, but they also destroy health and education infrastructure, affecting children's ability to thrive. This is reflected in crisis areas, where adaptation of fauna faces challenges.
The most vulnerable groups, including children from indigenous communities, those living on the streets or displaced, face even greater challengesThe situation of these communities must be a priority on global agendas if we wish to mitigate the impact of climate change on children's health and promote policies that address these problems.
Rising temperatures and poor air quality are also linked to mental health problems in children. Uncertainty about the future and the stress associated with extreme weather events create a significant emotional charge for the new generations, which could affect their psychological and emotional development, something that has already been observed in various communities, and which requires immediate attention in the adaptation and mitigation of the effects.
The pediatricians and public health experts warn that climate change is a crisis that requires immediate action. It is crucial to develop programs that include children and families in the discussion about the environment and solutions. mitigate negative effects of climate change. The inclusion of children in the search for solutions is essential, and the knowledge about Vanuatu's vulnerability is an example to consider.
Some of the essential measures that must be implemented include:
- Transform agriculture and implement sustainable practices to ensure adequate nutrition for children.
- Increase access to clean water and ensure healthy air.
- Promote environmental education, enabling children to understand and act on environmental issues.
- Promote policies that promote climate justice and respect for children's rights, prioritizing the most vulnerable groups.
It is essential to develop inclusive policies and ensure that children have a voice in decision-making, recognizing their right to a healthy and sustainable future. The current situation requires us all to act in solidarity with the future of our children and address related issues such as: Plutocene and its effects.
Increasing climate stress and environmental adversities require both local communities and global governments to act swiftly to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on children. To achieve this, it is crucial that the opinions and needs of children in designing solutions that respond to these challenges.
