Climate Change and Early Childhood Development
The Case for Children
Despite being the least responsible for climate change, young children will be the ones facing the greatest impacts of climate change. Children’s health outcomes linked to climate and environmental hazards begin in-utero. Maternal exposure to climate and environmental stressors such as air pollution and heat, has an impact on the unborn child, increasing the odds of preterm and stillbirth. For example, the Zika virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, has little impact on adults but can cause serious birth defects to the fetus.
Relative to their body mass, children breathe, eat and drink more than adults. However, their bodies, brains and immune systems are not fully developed. Low levels of environmental exposure that may be tolerable for adults can have detrimental effects on children. Infants and young children are more susceptible to heat illness than adults because they may have less effective thermoregulation, higher metabolic rates and can more rapidly become dehydrated. Children are more susceptible to a wide range of infections and diseases.
Young children are prone to crawling and hand-to-mouth behavior, usually without handwashing. This can lead to them accidentally ingesting and being in contact with environmental pollutants present in soil, air and water. With regards to air pollution, young children also tend to be active and are closer to the ground, where air and dust particles are more concentrated.
Most brain development happens before the age of 5, and toxic chemicals like lead and mercury can directly affect brain growth and IQ. From a less direct perspective, climate induced shocks, conflicts and migration can lead to increased adversity and toxic stress. Neurological impact can result in lifelong problems that can have repercussions on economic success and social equity. Research has also shown that the increased uncertainties and economic hardships caused by climate change leads to adults being more violent and abusive with children.
Young children are extremely vulnerable during a climate related disaster; they lack the strength and endurance to survive rough conditions. Infants and young toddlers are not physically able to escape a disaster or a dangerous situation and are completely reliant on their caregivers.
Climate change will also impact access to children’s access to key essential services in health, education, water and sanitation, nutrition and protection. For example, during the 2024 heatwave, schools in India, Bangladesh and the Philippines were closed for several weeks, forcing children to stay indoors, depriving them not only of learning opportunities but also of essential playtime.
The physical, emotional, and mental health effects experienced by young children due to climate and environmental threats are likely to have long-lasting impacts, hindering their ability to reach their full potential throughout their lives.
Most Vulnerable to Valuable
Policies and programs on Early Childhood Development (ECD) provide a cost-effective, comprehensive, immediate, and enduring path to achieving Climate Resilience and Sustainable Development. ECD policies and programs are our most valuable tools:
• To build climate resilience and adaptive capacities of young children and families.
• To boost the implementation and attainment of all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while enhancing climate mitigation.
What is Climate Change?
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Since the 1800s, human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation and agriculture have been the primary drivers of climate change, releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases function like a blanket around the Earth, trapping the sun’s heat and warming the planet. The decade from 2010-2019 was the warmest on record, and 2023 was the hottest year on record, only to be surpassed by 2024.
Rising temperatures have a cascading effect on other Earth systems, leading to a range of serious consequences, including intense droughts, water scarcity, severe wildfires, rising sea levels, flooding, melting polar ice, catastrophic storms, and declining biodiversity. Despite these alarming effects, human-generated greenhouse gas emissions — the primary cause of climate change — show no signs of decreasing.
Climate Change in the Asia-Pacific Region
Compared to other regions, our area is one of the most affected by multiple climate shocks and stressors. These include high exposure to heatwaves, coastal flooding, water scarcity, tropical cyclones, air, soil, and water pollution, as well as climate-related diseases. When these hazards occur simultaneously, they can have a compounding effect, amplifying damage and risks. For example, cyclones can bring heavy rainfall and strong winds, leading to floods that damage infrastructure and property. These floods can, in turn, trigger landslides due to soil erosion, causing further destruction and loss of life.
According to the Global Climate Risk Index, six of the top 10 countries most affected by climate change from 2000 to 2019 are located in Asia: Myanmar, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Thailand, and Nepal. Additionally, the UNDP reports that Asia-Pacific countries have experienced, on average, six natural disasters per year over the past three decades—about twice as many as developing countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, and nearly three times as many as those in sub-Saharan Africa..
In Asia-Pacific, fossil fuels still account for 85% of all energy consumption. At the other end of the spectrum are small island states in the Pacific, which contribute only 0.01% to global emissions but must grapple with the immediate threat of sea level rise.
Climate hazards also lead to internal displacement and migration. In 2022, 70% of the total 32.6 million internal displacements worldwide was based in the Asia-Pacific.
In conclusion, while the Asia-Pacific as a region is a significant contributor to climate change, it also bears much of its impact. This underscores the need for increased investment in mitigation, preparedness, and resilience, as well as making the most of available climate finance.
