Climate change threatens the lives, health and well-being of children. They are the most vulnerable to its effects, and those who live in low-income communities are at particularly high risk of harm.
Climate change is changing children
The climate crisis is not just changing the planet – it is changing children. Children are not like little adults. Their bodies and minds are uniquely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change such as pollution, deadly diseases and extreme weather. Yet they have been either ignored or largely disregarded in the global climate change discourse and financing.
In a new UNICEF report, it is revealed that 1 in 3 children, or 739 million worldwide, are already living in areas with high or very high water scarcity, with climate change worsening the situation. The double challenge of scarce water and inadequate sanitation services further endangers these children. Titled “The Climate Changed Child” and released ahead of COP28, the report spotlights the threat to children due to water vulnerability, a consequence of climate change. It assesses global water security across three tiers: water scarcity, water vulnerability, and water stress.
Killer childhood diseases are spreading more because of environmental degradation and climate change.
The report also emphasizes how children bear the brunt of climate change impacts, including diseases, air pollution, and extreme weather events. Their health and development are uniquely vulnerable to environmental factors. For instance, children are more susceptible to air pollution. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell highlights the devastating impact on children, affecting their physical and mental health. Their world is changing rapidly, with water sources diminishing and extreme weather events becoming more frequent.
The report indicates that the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia have the highest numbers of exposed children. In these regions, limited water resources and drought risks are prevalent. Shocking statistics reveal that 436 million children face extreme water vulnerability, risking their lives and well-being, particularly in low- and middle-income countries in Africa and Asia.
Children have been ignored
Despite their unique vulnerability, children have been either ignored or largely disregarded in the response to climate change. Only 2.4 per cent of climate
finance from key multilateral climate funds support projects incorporating child-responsive activities.
Investing in safe water and sanitation services is crucial for their defence against climate change impacts. Water stress is also increasing, with an additional 35 million children expected to face high water stress by 2050. Despite their vulnerability, children have been largely overlooked in climate change discussions, with only 2.4% of climate finance addressing child-specific activities. This report underscores the urgent need for child-focused climate action.
Drought and children
A systematic review in India found that droughts negatively affect children’s nutrition and health since they result in compromised diets. Women and girls face the largest burdens from drought in education levels, nutrition, health, sanitation and safety.
UNICEF analysis of the NASA MODIS Vegetation Indices shows that 470 million children were already facing high or extremely high levels of exposure to drought in 2022. In 2022 the top five countries were India, Niger, Sudan, Burkina Faso and Jordan. There were 46 countries where more than a quarter of children had high or very high levels of drought exposure.
The percentage of the population worldwide with access to safely managed drinking water rose from 61 per cent in 2000 to 73 per cent in 2022. However, there are still 2.2 billion people without access to safely managed services (more than 1 in 4 people). Moreover, 703 million people do not have access to even basic drinking water services.
