Climate change is causing significant psychological stress and trauma in children, according to a recent report by advocacy organisation Section27. The report highlights the particular vulnerability of children to the extreme weather conditions associated with climate change, such as floods, heat waves, cold fronts, and droughts.
Children’s biological susceptibility to these events stems from their unique developmental needs, including nutritional and hydration requirements essential for growth, narrower respiratory pathways that pollutants can easily obstruct, and less developed thermoregulatory functions, making them more vulnerable to temperature changes.
Climatic events leave children with limited access to healthcare and education
The impact of climate change on children extends beyond physical health. Disruptions to everyday life, such as displacement from flooding and the destruction of homes, roads, health facilities, and schools, can leave children with limited access to healthcare and education. The stress experienced during these events can be detrimental to their development.
The report notes that part of the anxiety children feel is due to their reliance on adults and the government, whom they perceive as failing to combat climate change effectively. At the report’s launch, Celeste Madondo from the Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute emphasised that climate change is not just an education or health issue but also encompasses gender, social, economic, security, and legal dimensions.
She said that climate change is fundamentally a human rights issue, profoundly impacting global health. According to the report, climate change strains healthcare systems by increasing deaths and illnesses and deteriorating health facilities, thus limiting access to health services. Madondo said climate change exacerbates health issues worldwide, particularly in regions like Africa where resources are limited.
Vulnerable populations most affected
Vulnerable populations, including children, women, youth, and low-income groups, are most affected by climate-related consequences. The report also indicates that heat exposure can affect health workers’ productivity, diminishing the quality of care and causing poor staff attitudes.
Section27’s Gillian Pillay recommended constructing schools with climate-resilient materials, implementing remote learning systems to ensure continued education during extreme weather events, and allocating adequate funding for preparation and response. The report also suggests retrofitting healthcare facilities and developing personalised early-warning systems for disasters, such as mobile applications to alert pregnant women to high temperatures and advise on protective measures.