Climate change threatens our health and human rights
Climate change threatens the health, safety, and survival of people around the world, but its impacts are not distributed equally. Children, women, low-income communities, Indigenous peoples, and countries in the Global South, who are the least responsible for climate change, face the greatest risks from climate change and ecological breakdown.
Children's Rights
Climate change threatens the health, safety, and future of children around the world. Around one billion children already live in areas at high risk from climate-related hazards. This includes flooding, droughts, and heat domes that threaten drinking water and crop viability, leading to increased rates of malnutrition and starvation. Climate change is also expected to increase outbreaks of diseases like malaria, dengue, cholera, and Lymes disease.
Extreme weather events destroy homes, schools, and other essential infrastructure, which interrupts education and forces families to relocate. Displacement makes consistent schooling more difficult or impossible. Climate disasters also increase the risks of violence, exploitation, child labor, and trafficking.
Children are especially vulnerable to air pollution and extreme heat, both of which can harm physical health, mental health, and brain development.
As temperatures continue to rise, an increasing number of children will live in an at-risk area. We have a responsibility to leave future generations a world that is safe, habitable, and capable of supporting healthy and flourishing lives.
Women's Rights
Climate change and ecological breakdown will affect women and girls disproportionately.
Extreme weather events caused or worsened by climate change are projected to displace more women than men. This will result in reduced access to reproductive healthcare and increased risks of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Scarcity of food, water, and fuel will force girls and women to travel farther from home, exposing them to increased rates of sexual violence, trafficking, and child marriage, especially in high risk regions.
The Global South
The climate and ecological crisis exposes and deepens existing inequalities between the Global North and the Global South and, within countries, will worsen wealth inequity.
Many of the countries most vulnerable to climate change have contributed the least to global warming, yet they face increasing climate-related disasters that threaten their livelihoods and force migration.
Wealthier people and corporations can more easily relocate to habitable areas while the poor are forced to adapt, stay in dangerous situations, or be displaced as climate migrants. The wealthy will also have access to air conditioning and other amenities that much of the global population will not have access to.
Countries in the Global North have pledged financial support to help vulnerable nations adapt to climate change and transition to renewable energy, but they’ve failed to follow through on their commitments.
Health
Climate change harms both physical and mental health.
Extreme weather events, forced migration from climate-related disasters, crop failures, water shortages, and fear of the future are causing and exacerbating physical and mental health issues. As climate change worsens, stress, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health conditions are projected to become more widespread.
Air pollution from burning coal, oil, and natural gas contributes to asthma, cardiovascular disease, respiratory illness, and can lead to premature death. Rising temperatures are also threatening the health and survival of people around the globe, including young, otherwise healthy people.
Many climate scientists and activists also experience chronic stress as a result of accelerating global warming while much of the public, businesses, and politicians continue with business as usual.
Climate Anxiety and Grief
Researchers have recognized climate anxiety and climate grief as normal psychological responses to climate change. As climate change and ecological breakdown intensify, these responses are expected to become more prevalent.
Healthcare professionals suggest that taking action, advocating for stronger climate policies, making sustainable changes in our own lives, and connecting with others who are experiencing climate anxiety and grief can help foster a greater sense of purpose, connection, and well-being.
More Reading
Greenfaith, Climate Grief Circles
Cornell University, Climate Change & Eco-anxiety
