How will climate change affect future generations?
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges the world faces currently, as global warming is causing extreme weather events to occur more often than ever before. Wildfires, floods and hurricanes are becoming the norm, with these natural disasters continuing to devastate countries all over the planet. Additionally, the increased air-pollution levels worldwide are causing a rise in lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.
Those who will suffer the most are the children. Not only are they having to endure the current effects of global warming, they are set to inherit a world that is environmentally declining. Although children have contributed the least to the climate crisis, they will pay the highest price.
What are the effects?
- The fallout of global warming affects everybody, but particularly those in less developed countries.
- Increasing numbers of natural disasters will not only cause fatalities, but trigger economic crises, leaving many without the funds required to survive.
- The climate crisis magnifies inequality, poverty, displacement and may increase the likelihood of conflict, especially in countries with existing divisions.
- Extreme temperatures leave many families living in poverty with less food, less clean water, lower incomes and worsening health.
- Droughts and flooding can destroy crops and cut access to clean water, leaving children at risk of starvation.
- Extreme events can destroy homes, schools and other infrastructure critical to children’s well-being.
- Rising sea levels are already putting the lives of those on smaller islands at risk, and this will only worsen.
- Children’s immune systems are still developing, leaving them far more vulnerable to disease and pollution related illnesses.
The truth is, the ramifications of global warming are already being felt around the world today, especially by those in a third world, or developing country. With the negative effects of climate change on our planet expected to increase, the lives of future generations are at risk unless we don’t act now.
What are the stats?
As leading charities focused on the welfare of children, Unicef and Save the Children have highlighted the frightening figures that face future generations:
- 90% of diseases resulting from the climate crisis are likely to affect children under the age of five.
- Every year, environmental factors take the lives of 1.7 million children under five.
- The education of around 38 million children is disrupted each year by incidents linked to global warming.
- By 2050, a further 24 million children are projected to be undernourished as a result of climate change.
- By 2040, it is estimated that one in four children will be living in areas with extreme water shortages.
- Almost 160 million children are exposed to severe and prolonged droughts.
- By 2050, there could be 143 million more migrants due to the climate crisis.
What is the solution?
It is the responsibility of every human on the planet to help make this world a better place for future generations. In our own lives, we can make more effort to act sustainably and reduce our carbon footprint. Although the impact of one person may seem insignificant, if just a tenth of the world’s population halved their carbon emissions, the positive effects would be remarkable.
Outside of our own bubbles, it is vital that we put pressure on corporations to be more environmentally conscious. The Carbon Majors Report](https://cdn.cdp.net/cdp-production/cms/reports/documents/000/002/327/original/Carbon-Majors-Report-2017.pdf) suggests that just 100 companies have been the source of over 70% of all greenhouse emissions since 1988. The same also must be done for our governments, as the world leaders ultimately have a huge say on the efforts that are made to fight climate change globally. By signing petitions and joining peaceful protests, we can attempt to influence the decisions of the people in power.
Additionally, we can all donate to the large number of charities dedicated to fighting global warming and saving our planet for the future generations to come.
To support charities that help combat climate change, as well as any other causes that matter to you, download the Toucan app today. Use Toucan to create a portfolio of up to three charities and split a monthly donation between them. Choose from over 20,000 charities and see who, how and where they help. Support charities long term or switch every month and track all the good you’re doing via the impact statement section.
