Newborn baby
(UNICEF/UN0318847/NICEF)
We have kept scientists informed of worsening climate disasters for years. While some of us have taken notice and actively supported the climate revolution, there is a certain section of the climate-affected population that these warnings have not even been able to touch yet. Even if these warnings reached these people by chance, there is no guarantee that they would finish developing their ears, brains, and language-processing faculties to understand them. We're talking about children, of course.
Analyzing data from 163 global health studies, a new study assessed the impact future weather events could have on the health of younger generations going forward. Perhaps the most surprising revelation is the fact that extreme temperatures can increase the risk of premature birth by a whopping 60%. This translates into potential lifelong complications for millions of children around the world.
Extreme temperatures also had other impacts, distinguishable by which end of the spectrum negatively affected children. For example, extreme cold made children more vulnerable to respiratory diseases, while drought and heavy rain stunted their growth. Air pollution had a smaller effect compared to temperature, but most pollutants had some effect on children.
Low-income countries are typically more vulnerable to such weather-related problems due to the ongoing challenge they face in accessing healthcare, infrastructure and stable food supplies. However, given that most of this research was based in high-income countries, their children were not spared either.
These effects were highly dependent on geography, with the researchers showing that while extreme temperatures led to an increase in premature births in parts of Australia, similar conditions would have led to higher death rates in South Africa.
Furthermore, the authors warn that the financial costs of such problems could be a major issue in the coming years. They explained that a single forest fire could lead to costs of up to Rs 12,000 crore due to asthma in the future. Lifetime treatment for a single case of asthma in children is expected to cost up to Rs 19 lakh in the coming years.
The study's authors urge policymakers to implement climate adaptation and mitigation policies to protect children's health. They underscore the positive impact such actions can have on achieving multiple UN sustainable development goals, including ensuring good health and well-being for all.
The results of this research were published in Holistic ecology It can be accessed here.
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