Climate change is a global issue that directly affects everyone; however, some are more affected than others. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that climate-sensitive health risks, such as illnesses caused by air pollution or contaminated water, are disproportionately felt by the most disadvantaged groups, including women, children, ethnic minorities, poor communities, migrants or displaced persons, older populations, and those with underlying health conditions.

While children are recognized as a group especially vulnerable to climate change, their needs are often disregarded, particularly children from least developed countries (LDCs) across Africa, Asia-Pacific, and the Caribbean. Only 2,4 per cent of climate finance from key multilateral climate funds support projects incorporating child-responsive activities. UNICEF emphasizes that the climate crisis is not only altering the planet but also affecting the children. The organization stresses the dangerous effects of climate change on children’s development, from conception into adulthood.

Unmet Basic Human Needs

UNICEF’s Children’s Climate Risk Index (CCRI) in 2021 revealed that nearly all children are already exposed to one major climate and environmental hazard, shock or stress, and nearly 1 billion children live in countries at extremely high risk. Children are severely endangered by the effects of climate change. They face more diseases due to higher temperatures, which allow deadly pathogens to spread in freshwater and increase mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever. Additionally, increased rainfall intensity results in failed crops and higher food prices, depriving children of a diverse and nutritious diet necessary for development. Following climate disasters, children are often malnourished, dehydrated, and left without a stable living space. Basic human necessities are not being met.

Education and Eco-Anxiety

Many children are forced to give up their pursuits in education due to climate change. Climate disasters damage schools, and the necessity to fetch water multiple times a day often results in lower student attendance or dropping out. Droughts and unbearable heatwaves also prevent students from focusing on their education. Witnessing climate disasters and their devastating consequences first-hand or through social media can cause young people to suffer from climate anxiety. Climate anxiety, or eco-anxiety, is a person’s fear or worry about the future due to the effects of climate change.

Gender Inequality

Climate change is not gender-neutral; thus, gender inequality persists throughout it. Young girls face a variety of issues, such as the lack of water and sanitation, which can affect girls’ reproductive health. Furthermore, reports show that gender-based violence and child marriage increase following climate disasters. In Bangladesh, the number of marriages of girls ages 11 to 14 increased by 50 per cent in years with heatwaves lasting longer than 30 days. This may be viewed as a coping strategy to reduce economic vulnerability and food insecurity among families. In many low- and lower-middle income countries, women work in agriculture to secure income for their families, especially after extreme weather. This often results in young girls being pressured to leave school to help their mothers manage the increased burden.

Although everyone is affected by climate change, not everyone is equally affected. Certain groups, such as children, are more vulnerable to environmental changes. Emphasizing how climate change affects humans is crucial to grasping the severity of the climate crisis. Ensuring the safety and well-being of the most marginalized and vulnerable groups should be a priority in the fight against climate change. Even if climate change does not directly affect you, we still have a responsibility to care for those whose lives are affected.

By lithuanian eco-mmunity activators Team