1. Malnutrition 
My first question when I watched this video was, how is climate change connected to malnutrition in children? At first, the connection wasn’t obvious. But then it became clear that climate change isn’t just about rising temperatures or extreme weather. It is more than that. Extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, lead to crop failures, reducing the availability of nutritious food This leads to malnutrition, wasting and death. This scarcity disproportionately affects children, who require consistent nutrient intake for proper growth.

So, my next question was, is the situation getting better or worse? According to the World Food Programme (WFP) by 2050, the risk of hunger and malnutrition could increase by 20% if global efforts to mitigate climate change are not intensified.

Let me illustrate this with a few statistics.

In regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, over half a billion children reside in areas prone to climate-related extreme weather events. These conditions challenge food production and distribution, leading to heightened rates of malnutrition among children.

As of recent estimates, 148 million children under five years old are stunted due to chronic malnutrition, and 45 million suffer from wasting, a severe form of malnutrition. Countries like Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have declared national disasters due to widespread crop failures and livestock deaths.

From 2021 to 2022, Madagascar faced its worst drought in 40 years, leading to severe food insecurity. By late June 2021, the WFP reported that 75% of children had abandoned school to forage for food, with many resorting to eating mud and locusts. Climate change also contributes to the spread of diseases such as diarrhea and malaria, which impair nutrient absorption and increase nutritional needs, worsening malnutrition.

2. Lack of shelter 
Climate change profoundly impacts shelter security in low/income countries, primarily through increased flooding, rising temperatures, and climate induced famines. They have cascading effects on children’s education, vulnerability to exploitation, and overall well-being.

For example, from 2008 to 2015, close to 175 million people in developing countries were displaced by floods, storms, and other extreme weather events. The displacement resulting from such events often leads to overcrowded and under resourced evacuation sites.

Rising Temperatures and Habitability: Escalating temperatures render certain areas unlivable, compelling communities to abandon their homes. Prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall worsen water and scarcity, forcing many to migrate and strain livelihoods. A recent example of this is the Wayuu people in Colombia’s La Guajira region as they face severe water shortages and food insecurity due to prolonged droughts, leading to displacement and loss of traditional livelihoods.

Climate/Induced Famines and Migration: Climate extremes, such as storms and flooding, can wipe out crops, while rising temperatures allow pests to expand into new regions, leading to widespread crop failures and food insecurity. In low/income countries, more than one/third of crop and livestock loss is due to drought. These conditions force families to migrate in search of sustenance, often resulting in the loss of shelter and stability.

3. Displacement 
This is when families are forced to move due to various reasons and is particularly severe in low-income countries. It disrupts children’s education, as schools are destroyed or repurposed as shelters, and families prioritize immediate survival over schooling. The loss of educational opportunities hampers children’s development.

In the aftermath of climate/induced disasters, children may become separated from their parents or caregivers, amplifying risks of exploitation, child trafficking, and abuse. Displacement also disrupts access to healthcare, exposing children to malnutrition, disease, and inadequate immunization.

Overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions in temporary shelters increase the spread of diseases, affecting children’s health. The trauma of displacement and loss of home can lead to long/term psychological issues for children, impacting their mental health and well/being. Families losing their homes and livelihoods face economic instability, leading to cycles of poverty that are difficult to break.

4. The spread of diseases
Climate change significantly increased the spread of diseases among children in low-income countries. These illnesses disproportionately affect vulnerable children. Rising temperatures help mosquitoes and ticks increase, leading to malaria and dengue fever. In Malawi, for instance, malaria accounted for 8% of under-five mortality in 2017, a figure influenced by climate-induced change.

Waterborne Illnesses:

Climate change intensifies extreme weather events, leading to flooding and contamination of water sources. This increases the prevalence of diarrheal diseases, a leading cause of mortality among children under five.

Air Pollution and Respiratory Issues:

Urbanization and climate change contribute to worsening air quality, exacerbating respiratory conditions among children. A study highlighted that millions of adolescents in Africa suffer from undiagnosed asthma, with environmental factors such as air pollution playing a significant role.

Mental Health Impacts:

As mentioned before, stress associated with climate-induced displacement and disasters can lead to mental health issues in children, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. These psychological effects are compounded by the disruption of social structures and loss of routine, further impacting children’s overall well-being.

5. Gender inequality
Climate change exacerbates gender inequalities in low-income countries, disproportionately affecting children, particularly girls. Environmental changes such as prolonged droughts and water scarcity intensify traditional gender roles, compelling girls to undertake labor-intensive tasks like water collection. This responsibility often leads to educational disruptions and exposes them to various risks, perpetuating a cycle of inequality.

Increased Burden of Water Collection

As climate change leads to more frequent and severe droughts, water sources become scarce, leading to longer journeys to obtain water. In many developing countries, women and girls are primarily responsible for water collection, often walking an average of 6 kilometers daily while carrying heavy loads. This arduous task consumes significant time and energy, limiting opportunities for education and personal development.

Educational Disruptions

The time-intensive nature of water collection directly impacts girls’ education. Extended periods spent fetching water reduce school attendance and hinder academic performance. Studies have shown that reducing water collection times can lead to increased school attendance among girls. For instance, in Tanzania, decreasing the time required to fetch water from 30 to 15 minutes resulted in a 12% increase in girls’ school attendance.

Health and Safety Risks

Long journeys to distant water sources expose girls to various health and safety hazards, including physical injuries from carrying heavy loads and an increased risk of sexual harassment or assault. The physical strain and potential dangers associated with water collection can have long-term adverse effects on their well-being.

Perpetuation of Gender Inequality

The demands of water collection reinforce traditional gender roles, limiting girls’ opportunities for education and personal growth. This dynamic perpetuates cycles of poverty and gender inequality, as girls are deprived of the education necessary to improve their socio-economic status. 

To truly understand the depth of this issue, watch this video.