[Vision2020] UNICEF Report: 11-14-11: Children’s Vulnerabilities to Climate Change...in East Asia/Pacific

[Ted Moffett]

http://www.unicef.org/media/media_60507.html

http://www.unicef.org/media/files/Climate_Change_Regional_Report_14_Nov_final.pdf

East Asia-Pacific children highly vulnerable to climate change impacts
Region’s children say they are already feeling the effect of climate change

BANGKOK, 14 November 2011 – According to a UNICEF report, Children’s
Vulnerabilities to Climate Change and Disaster Impacts in East Asia
and the Pacific, children will be among those most affected by climate
change. Millions of children across East Asia and the Pacific already
suffer from a lack of access to clean water and proper sanitation, and
are vulnerable to food shocks and risks of disease. Climate change is
expected to worsen this situation.

The leading killers of children worldwide are highly sensitive to
climate change.

UNICEF Pacific Representative, Dr. Isiye Ndombi said “higher
temperatures have been linked to increased rates of malnutrition,
cholera, diarrhoeal disease and vector-borne diseases like dengue and
malaria, while children’s underdeveloped immune systems put them at
far greater risk of contracting these diseases and succumbing to their
complications.”

The UNICEF report released today presents an analysis of the climate
change trends and potential impacts on children in East Asia and the
Pacific, drawing on findings from five UNICEF-commissioned country
studies in Indonesia, Kiribati, Mongolia, the Philippines and Vanuatu,
as well as children’s own perspectives on climate change and other
research. This research was supported by Reed Elsevier, which works in
partnership with the global science and health communities to publish
more than 2,000 journals, including The Lancet and New Scientist.

“The findings in this report remind us of the connection between
climate change and the other challenges confronting children,” said
Anupama Rao Singh, UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia and the
Pacific. “They also remind us that children’s experiences, and the
risks they face in terms of their health, education and development,
are unique.”

While the report suggests that the impacts of climate change vary from
country to country, children in all countries were aware that changes
in their environment were already present.

In Kiribati, children told researchers that coastal erosion was
worsening. In Mongolia, children noted harsher winters and declining
water resources. In the Philippines, children spoke of heavier rainy
periods and in Vanuatu, children reported increased water
contamination from saltwater intrusion.

“Children often know more about the climate change issue than their
parents or grandparents, because issues about climate change are being
taught in school and because children are accessing environmental and
other media through electronic communication sources more regularly
than their elders are,” said Dr. Ndombi.

In a region where one in every four children is already stunted due to
poor nutrition, the report suggests that more frequent disasters such
as flooding, cyclones and droughts could have a long-term negative
impact on agricultural production leading to higher food prices and a
corresponding increase in malnutrition rates.

Agriculture, vulnerable to changes in temperature, precipitation and
water salinity, encompasses more than 50 per cent of livelihoods in
the Asia-Pacific region, and a significant portion of GDP for a
majority of countries.

Children in Indonesia, Mongolia and the Pacific reported that climate
change has affected their families’ livelihoods and in some cases it
has caused parents to take them out of school to help collect water
and fuel and supplement household income.

“Engaging children in adaptation and disaster reduction strategies
will be critical to future success. Children have unique perspectives
on their environment, which makes them a vital player in improving
community capacity to address climate change risks,” said Rao Singh.

“Children are not passive bystanders and should never be treated
simply as helpless victims. They have capacities which form the basis
for their active participation in emergency response, preparedness and
mitigation. They are effective communicators of risk and drivers of
change in their communities,” said Dr. Ndombi.

Evidence demonstrates that when children are educated, informed and
involved, they share this information with others in their communities
and are better able to prepare and protect themselves.

“The impacts of climate change on the lives and well-being of children
are real and the policies and decisions made today will set the tone
for years to come,” said Rao Singh. “Now is the time to put in place
adaptation strategies that ensure that the risks specific to children
are addressed. By doing this, we will go some way in helping to build
a climate-resilient world for children.”

About UNICEF
UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to help children survive
and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence.  The world’s
largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports
child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic
education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from
violence, exploitation, and AIDS.  UNICEF is funded entirely by the
voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and
governments. For more information about UNICEF and its work visit:
www.unicef.org

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For further information, please contact:
Madeline Eisner, UNICEF Regional Communication Advisor,
Tel + 662-356-9406,
meisner at unicef.org

Geoffrey Keele, UNICEF Regional Communication Specialist,
Tel + 662-356-9407,
gkeele at unicef.org

Donna Hoerder, UNICEF Pacific Communication Specialist,
Tel + 679 9265 518,
dhoerder at unicef.org

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Vision2020 Post: Ted Moffett