When we hear about climate change, we often think of melting glaciers, heatwaves, and rising sea levels. But what many parents don’t realize is that climate change is not just an environmental issue — it’s a child health issue. The effects are subtle, cumulative, and, unfortunately, already happening.
☀️
1. Rising Temperatures and Heat-Related Illness
Children are more vulnerable to heat than adults. Their smaller bodies heat up faster and take longer to cool down.
In Indian cities where summer temperatures often cross 45°C, children are showing higher rates of heat exhaustion, dehydration, and fainting spells.
Prolonged heat can even affect concentration and school attendance, especially in areas without adequate cooling or shade.
What parents can do:
Keep your child hydrated throughout the day.
Limit outdoor play during peak afternoon hours.
Dress them in light, breathable cotton clothes.
🌫️
2. Poor Air Quality and Respiratory Problems
Air pollution is one of the most visible effects of climate change — and one of the most harmful.
Higher temperatures worsen smog and increase pollen counts. Add to that vehicular emissions and industrial pollution, and you get a dangerous mix that aggravates asthma, allergies, and bronchitis in children.
What parents can do:
Check daily air quality index (AQI) before outdoor play.
Use air purifiers at home in high-pollution zones.
Encourage deep-breathing exercises and indoor games on bad air days.
3. New Infectious Diseases on the Rise
Changing rainfall patterns and warmer climates allow mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects to thrive in new areas.
This has led to the spread of dengue, malaria, and chikungunya in regions that were previously unaffected.
Similarly, unseasonal rains and floods increase waterborne diseases like typhoid and hepatitis A.
What parents can do:
Prevent stagnant water near your home.
Use mosquito repellents and window screens.
Ensure safe drinking water and proper hand hygiene.
3. New Infectious Diseases on the Rise
Changing rainfall patterns and warmer climates allow mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects to thrive in new areas.
This has led to the spread of dengue, malaria, and chikungunya in regions that were previously unaffected.
Similarly, unseasonal rains and floods increase waterborne diseases like typhoid and hepatitis A.
What parents can do:
Prevent stagnant water near your home.
Use mosquito repellents and window screens.
Ensure safe drinking water and proper hand hygiene.
4. Impact on Food and Nutrition
Climate stress affects crop production — reducing the availability of nutritious foods. Droughts and erratic rains can cause fluctuations in the price and supply of fruits, vegetables, and grains.
This indirectly leads to micronutrient deficiencies and poor growth among children, especially in lower-income communities.
What parents can do:
Include diverse local foods and seasonal produce.
Watch for signs of poor appetite or fatigue.
Support community nutrition and kitchen-garden initiatives.
5. Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being
It’s not just the body — climate anxiety is real.
Children exposed to natural disasters, pollution, or frequent relocations can experience stress, fear, and insecurity. Even media coverage of disasters can cause anxiety in sensitive children.
No comments:
Post a Comment