The Green Chronicles series takes a deep dive into critical environmental issues affecting our planet. In this installment, we focus on the alarming nexus between climate change and its profound impact on human health, particularly the health of children in India. With the backdrop of startling statistics and compelling reports, we uncover the pressing need for immediate action to mitigate the detrimental effects of climate change on health.
Children at Risk: A Sobering Reality
UNICEF’s 2021 report, ‘The Climate Crisis Is a Child Rights Crisis: Introducing the Children’s Climate Risk Index’ (CCRI), unveiled a stark truth – India ranks 26th out of 163 countries on this child-focused global climate risk index. What does this mean? It signifies that children in India are among the most vulnerable to the far-reaching consequences of climate change, posing a serious threat to their health, education, and overall well-being.
Rising Temperatures and Extreme Weather Events
One of the most alarming consequences of climate change is the rise in global temperatures. In India, the average temperature has increased by approximately 0.7°C between 1901 and 2018, primarily due to the warming induced by greenhouse gases. This increase might seem minor, but its implications are vast. In 2019, India ranked as the 7th most affected country due to extreme weather events linked to climate change, resulting in significant casualties (2,267 lives lost) and staggering economic losses (66,182 million US$ PPP).
Moreover, climate change has unleashed a wave of extreme hydrological and meteorological disasters, including floods, droughts, and cyclones, leaving 17 out of 20 people in India vulnerable to these “hydromet” disasters.
Air Pollution: A Silent Killer
The air we breathe is no longer as pure as it once was. UNICEF reports that approximately 90% of the world’s children breathe toxic air daily. In countries like India, air pollution is associated with some of the leading causes of child mortality, including pneumonia. Shockingly, Asia, particularly India, and Africa record the highest age-standardized rates of death attributed to PM2.5 (fine particulate matter).
According to the State of Global Air report for 2020, India is home to 21 of the world’s 30 most polluted cities. This grim reality puts millions of people, especially children, at risk of respiratory and other related illnesses. A study published in The Lancet in 2018 estimated that air pollution in India claimed the lives of 1.24 million people in 2017, accounting for 12.5% of total deaths.
Future Projections: A Looming Crisis
The World Health Organization (WHO) paints a dire picture of the future. It predicts an additional 250,000 climate-related deaths globally per year between 2030 and 2050, if current trends persist. These fatalities are expected to result from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea, and heat stress. Among those most vulnerable are women, children, and individuals with disabilities.
The Water Stress Dilemma
Water, the essence of life, is under threat. By 2040, UNICEF projects that nearly 600 million children worldwide will inhabit areas of extreme water stress. In India, nearly 25% of children currently experience high or extremely high water vulnerability, amplifying the health risks posed by inadequate access to clean and safe drinking water.
Conclusion: Urgent Action Required
The Green Chronicles sheds light on the inextricable link between climate change and health, emphasizing the dire situation faced by children in India and globally. Climate change-induced extreme weather events, air pollution, and water stress are taking a heavy toll on human lives, particularly those of the most vulnerable populations.
As the clock ticks, it becomes evident that swift and meaningful action is needed to combat climate change and safeguard the health and well-being of our children. Governments, organizations, and individuals must unite to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance air quality, and ensure access to clean water. Only through concerted efforts can we protect our planet and the generations that inherit it from the ravages of climate change. To learn more about these critical issues and explore potential solutions, please visit UNICEF’s dedicated page on climate change. The time to act is now.
Reference: https://www.unicef.org/india/what-we-do/climate-change