Children, climate change and disasters
Research and advocacy on children has been relatively marginalised in debates around climate change and disasters. There is a growing body of research on the impacts of disaster events and gradual climate change on children, especially on child health. Studies have shown that children are among the worst affected in the aftermath of natural disasters. With increasing number of disasters being linked to changing climatic conditions, and the escalating frequency of droughts, floods, water scarcity, malaria and vector-borne diseases, children are likely to be adversely affected both as children and in their adult lives.
Recent research has attempted to move away from focusing on children as passive victims of climate change and disasters, instead advocating for children as active participants in efforts to reduce the adverse impacts of disaster events and climate change. This includes their participation in adapting to climate change and preventing disasters through disaster risk reduction (DRR), as well as in post disaster emergencies and rehabilitation efforts.
- Our climate, our children, our responsibility
- This report aims to draw the attention of the international community to the specific risks faced by children in developing countries due to climate variability and extremes, thus making it harder to achieve the child – related MDGs. It analyses the impacts of climate change upon children, and their role in mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Children and climate change
The ‘four pillars’ of the Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC) - protection, survival, development and participation - establish the fundamental rationale to create opportunities for children’s voices to be heard in research, advocacy and policy on climate change and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). More...
Child-led disaster risk reduction and climate change
Children are usually considered passive recipients of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) activities. However, following the successful first Child Led Disaster Risk Reduction (CLDRR) programme in Cuba, the model is being replicated and adapted in various disaster–prone and affected countries, particularly in Asia and Latin America. More...
Role of education and schools in disaster risk reduction
The importance of education in promoting and enabling Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) has already been identified by researchers and policy makers. In doing so, there is a renewed focus on disaster risk education in primary and secondary schools. Mainstreaming DRR into school curricula aims to raise awareness and provide a better understanding of disaster management for children, teachers and communities. More...
Latest Additions
- Recognising the role and rights of children as citizens and agents of change
- ( F. Seballos (ed);T. Tanner (ed) / PreventionWeb , 2010)
- Child-centred approaches to disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) recognise the role and rights of children as citizens and agents of change. It is important to understand ...
- The disproportionate effects of climate change on adolescent girls in Bangladesh and Ethiopia and their potential for agency
- ( A. Swarup (ed) / Plan International , 2011)
- Analysing how and why climate change disproportionately affects adolescent girls, this report seeks to inform decision-makers and policy analysts in countries facing the pressures of climate change ab...
- Disaster Risk Reduction: children speak out
- ( D. Walden;N. Hall;A. Spalton / Plan , 2009)
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Children and young people are particularly vulnerable to disasters - one in every three survivors of the Indian Ocean Tsunami were women or children under the age of 15. However, research has ...
