Approximately 300 million children worldwide have been significantly affected by extreme weather events in 2024, according to Save the Children. As the COP29 summit approaches, the urgency increases for world leaders to integrate child rights into climate policies. Recent extreme events such as droughts and floods have caused widespread displacement and education disruption for millions of children, prompting a clarion call for immediate action and justice.
A recent report by Save the Children reveals that nearly one in eight children worldwide has been heavily affected by extreme weather events this year. From January to the end of October, approximately 300 million children, representing 12.5% of the global child population, experienced significant disruptions due to climate disasters. These included severe storms, droughts, and flooding across various regions, leaving many children displaced or dependent on humanitarian aid and resulting in widespread school closures. As the COP29 climate summit approaches, it has become evident that the consequences of climate change disproportionately affect children, particularly those in low and middle-income countries. Extreme weather events such as Tropical Storm Trami in the Philippines affected millions of children, while droughts in Southern Africa have intensified humanitarian needs. Save the Children calls for urgent actions to address the specific vulnerabilities of children in climate discussions, emphasizing the need for their involvement in decision-making processes both locally and globally. Estimates indicate that climate change has driven extreme weather incidents to increase significantly over the last fifty years, profoundly affecting children’s lives worldwide. Furthermore, testimonies from affected youth illustrate the detrimental impact on their education and well-being, with many worrying about the long-term effects of climate disasters on their futures. As leaders gather for COP29 in Baku, Save the Children underscores the importance of prioritizing child rights and mitigative strategies that holistically consider their challenges within climate response contexts.
The impact of climate change has become increasingly evident, manifesting in more frequent and extreme weather incidents globally. The ramifications of these events are particularly severe for children, who often face displacement, loss of educational opportunities, and a heightened risk of poverty and malnutrition. Save the Children, as a leading child rights organization, aims to spotlight these issues at critical climate summits, advocating for the integration of children’s needs and voices in climate strategies. The UN’s worst drought in a century, exacerbated by climate change, along with flooding and extreme temperatures, has caused significant suffering among children in vulnerable regions, raising urgent calls for action from world leaders.
The findings from Save the Children’s recent analysis highlight the urgent need to acknowledge and address the significant impacts of climate change on children globally. As world leaders prepare for COP29, it is imperative that they prioritize children’s rights in climate discussions and implement actionable strategies to mitigate the risks that these extreme weather events pose to their health and education. The call for climate justice is paramount, ensuring that children’s voices are heard in shaping policies that directly affect their lives and futures.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
