A United Nations report has revealed that by 2050, more than 2 billion children worldwide will face frequent heat waves regardless of whether the world achieves a lower level of global warming or not. The report, titled ‘The coldest year of the rest of their lives’, says that even a ‘low greenhouse gas emissions scenario’ of 1.7 degrees of warming over the next three decades is unlikely to prevent longer, hotter and more frequent heatwaves for children. anywhere. The past seven years have been the hottest on record.
The report highlights that around 500 million children are currently exposed to a high frequency of heatwaves, and more than 600 million more are exposed to additional heat measures, including extreme heat. “Mercury levels are rising, and so are the effects on children,” UNICEF chief Catherine Russell said. “Already 1 in 3 children live in countries facing extremely high temperatures and almost 1 in 4 children are exposed to high frequency of heat and it will only get worse.”
Heat waves affect adults and children differently, as children are more susceptible to their impact. Children are unable to regulate their body temperature like adults and are therefore more prone to chronic respiratory diseases, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. It says infants and young children face a greater risk of heat-related mortality. The minimum measure is for all governments to immediately limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the report further suggests.
While Europe is expected to face a dramatic increase in the severity of heat waves, children in Asia and Africa will be exposed to extremely high temperatures, according to the report. India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Sudan are among the countries likely to face the worst consequences in both categories, it says. The report also highlights the visible impact of heat waves on crops and the environment in general, which is another challenge, and suggests measures such as climate finance, increased funding, climate change education, strengthened food systems to sustain children’s future livelihoods.
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