Children are facing specific vulnerabilities in the ever-changing climate change landscape. Climate change has an impact on children's physical and mental development from the start.
Children are particularly vulnerable to air pollution, extreme weather events, and rising temperatures because their bodies and minds are not smaller replicas of adults, but rather different creatures.
The consequences are far-reaching, with an increase in childhood ailments blamed on environmental degradation and climate change. Notably, 40 million students face disruptions in their schooling as a result of climate-related disasters each year. The toll on mental health, particularly among adolescents, is increasing as temperatures rise and extreme weather events occur.
Despite their increased vulnerability, children are frequently ignored in climate policies, with only 2.4% of climate finance allocated to initiatives addressing their specific concerns. Urgent rebalancing is required, putting children at the forefront of climate efforts. To protect the future of our children, governments must shift towards methods that adapt critical services, alleviate losses, reduce disaster risks, offer early warnings, and invest in decarbonization.
The Children's Climate Danger Index highlights a troubling reality: 1 billion children are in danger of climate consequences, notably water scarcity. As of 2022, 739 million children face severe water scarcity, while 436 million have severe water vulnerability. This situation is not bound by boundaries or economic position; it impacts regions worldwide, including high-income countries.
As the COP28 conference approaches, there is a strong call for radical action. UNICEF supports for putting children at the center of decisions, including them in global evaluations, and making climate adaptation and financing plans child-friendly. Beyond COP28, the emphasis is on protecting lives, empowering people via education, and adhering to international commitments to cut emissions. To ensure a livable earth for the world's children, we must alter, and practical measures must follow.
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Technology is a useful servant, but a dangerous master, it was rightly said. Electronic devices have grown into an inevitable part of our daily lives.
