Climate change is an alarming problem faced by the global community today. The negative effects of climate change on human health are increasingly visible.

Among the most vulnerable group are children, who are more prone to health risks associated with climate change.

Rising temperatures impact children’s health

The rising temperatures due to climate change can have severe consequences on children’s health. Higher temperatures and longer duration of heat waves pose a direct threat to children.

Heat waves cause heat exhaustion and heatstroke, leading to dehydration which can damage organ functioning. Children are at a higher risk as their bodies have a harder time adapting to sudden temperature changes. They also lose fluids more quickly than adults, making them more likely to experience dehydration.

Children’s respiratory health is at risk

Climate change affects air quality, which poses a risk for children’s respiratory health. The increase in air pollution caused by climate change has led to an increase in respiratory diseases.

Children who have not yet fully developed their respiratory systems are at a greater risk of developing respiratory diseases like asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Air pollutants like nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter can irritate the airways and cause inflammation.

Vector-borne diseases

Vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever are on the rise due to climate change. Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns have resulted in the expansion of geographical zones suitable for disease-carrying mosquitoes.

Children are more likely to be affected by these diseases than adults. Malaria alone accounts for hundreds of thousands of deaths in countries with high malaria rates, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa.

Drought and food insecurity

Climate change has negative impacts on food security and water resources. Droughts are becoming more frequent which means that families struggle to find clean water and food.

Children who do not have access to clean water and healthy food are more likely to experience malnutrition, which can cause irreversible damage to their mental and physical development.

Natural disasters

The frequency and intensity of natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, and wildfires are increasing due to climate change. Natural disasters always have a significant impact on children’s health and well-being.

Children’s homes, schools, and communities may be destroyed, leaving them without basic necessities like clean water, food, and shelter. They also face the emotional toll of displacement, loss, and trauma.

Higher temperatures caused by climate change can also result in heat-related stress. Heat stress can cause irritability, sleep disturbances, and decreases in cognitive performance in children. This can impact their ability to learn, grow and develop.

Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can also cause organ damage.

Increased risk of water-borne diseases

Climate change affects water quality and increases the risk of water-borne diseases.

Waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea are common among children in low-income countries that do not have access to clean water and sanitation facilities. Higher temperatures also cause an increase in natural toxins in water sources.

Effects on mental health

The negative effects of climate change on children’s mental health are often overlooked but are a significant concern.

Exposure to natural disasters, food insecurity, and displacement can cause anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among children. With a greater awareness of climate change, children are also increasingly worried about their future and their families. Constant exposure to negative news can lead to eco-anxiety, which can cause depression and other mental health disorders.

Conclusion

Climate change directly impacts children’s health. It poses a major challenge to child health globally and has the potential to reverse many of the gains that have been made to improve child survival.

Improving access to health services, clean water, sanitation, and nutrition can help reduce children’s susceptibility to the negative effects of climate change. Swift global action and strong leadership is required to address the urgent issue of climate change and promote child health and well-being.