Climate change is putting South Asia’s children at risk

Source: The post Climate change is putting South Asia’s children at risk has been created, based on the article “Save children from climate extremes” published in “Financial Express” on 24 May 2025. Climate change is putting South Asia’s children at risk.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Conservation, environmental pollution and degradatio

Context: South Asia is facing a severe climate crisis, with repeated extreme weather events affecting millions. These are no longer isolated occurrences but signs of a long-term emergency. The impact is particularly dangerous for children, whose health, learning, and development are increasingly under threat.

For detailed information on Planetary crisis puts children at risk: UNICEF report read this article here

Scale of the Climate Crisis in South Asia

1. Rising Frequency of Disasters: In 2023, the region experienced record-breaking heat above 50°C, followed by devastating monsoon rains. Landslides, earthquakes, droughts, and cold waves further highlighted growing climate instability. In 2024, many areas are already under heatwave warnings.
2. Regional Vulnerability: According to the Global Climate Risk Index 2020, six South Asian countries—Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan—rank among the top 25 nations worst hit by extreme weather between 1999 and 2018. India alone has faced the most disasters among over 1,000 recorded in the region since 2000.

Children’s Exposure to Climate Risks

1. High Vulnerability Levels: Unicef’s 2021 index shows all South Asian countries face high climate risks for children. Pakistan and Afghanistan are among the top 15 most climate-vulnerable economies. Challenges like poverty and poor healthcare worsen the situation.
2. Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases: Air pollution is the second leading cause of death for children under five in South Asia, with a rate of 164 deaths per 100,000—far above the global average of 108. Children breathe faster, spend more time outdoors, and are exposed to pollutants like dust and emissions. As of 2023, 46 of the 50 most polluted cities are in South Asia, including 42 in India.
3. Heat Exposure and Education Disruption: Unicef estimates that 460 million children in the region are exposed to extremely high temperatures. In 2024 alone, 128 million students were affected. Many public schools lack cooling, ventilation, and electricity, making learning difficult. Floods also cause closures, disrupting education.
4. Malnutrition and Food Insecurity: South Asia accounts for over one-third of the world’s stunted children—around 54 million. More than 25 million suffer from wasting. Climate-induced food insecurity is likely to worsen these problems.

Policy and Infrastructure Gaps

1. Lack of Child-Centric Climate Policies: Most national climate policies do not address children’s unique needs. Child-specific risks are often missing in health and adaptation plans.
2. Weak Educational Infrastructure: Many schools remain unprepared for climate stress, lacking even basic resilience. Digital options cannot fully substitute in-person learning during disruptions.

Actionable Solutions and Regional Cooperation

1. Mainstreaming Child Welfare in Climate Policy: Governments must adopt a “children in all policies” approach. Climate risks for children must be integrated into all national plans.
2. Building Climate-Resilient Schools: Green buildings, tree planting, rainwater harvesting, composting, and zero-waste systems should be scaled up to protect schools and students.
3. Mental Health and Displacement Support: Climate-linked trauma and displacement affect children’s mental health. This must be included in climate adaptation strategies.
4. Regional Action and Education Reforms: South Asia must coordinate efforts through joint resilience programs, climate-focused curricula, early warning systems, and shared funding for child relief.

Conclusion

With the World Health Day theme “healthy beginnings, hopeful futures,” it is clear that urgent, child-focused climate action in South Asia is essential. Safeguarding children today means securing the region’s future.

Question for practice:

Examine how climate change is impacting children in South Asia.