Source: This post on UNICEF SOWC-2024 Report has been created based on the article “Planetary crisis puts children at risk: UNICEF report” published in PIB on 7th November 2024.
Why in news?
The UNICEF report reveals that nearly one billion children, which is half the world’s child population, are living in countries that face high risks from climate and environmental hazards. The report predicts that three global forces: demographic shifts, climate crises, and frontier technologies will have a profound impact on children’s lives by 2050.
Highlights of the report
Climate crisis
1. The report highlights the intensification of climate destabilization, biodiversity loss, and pollution across the globe.
2. These environmental hazards uniquely impact children, as their developing bodies, including their brains, lungs, and immune systems, are especially vulnerable.
i) Air pollution harms children’s respiratory health, with effects that can last a lifetime.
ii) Rising temperatures increase mosquito populations, spreading diseases such as malaria, dengue, and Zika.
iii) Floods contaminate water supplies, leading to waterborne diseases that are a leading cause of death for children under five.
iv) Extreme weather events reduce food production, increasing the risk of food insecurity.
v) Climate-related disasters also negatively impact children’s mental health, causing feelings of helplessness, trauma, and anxiety.
Educational and Displacement Challenges
1. Since 2022, an estimated 400 million students around the world have experienced school closures due to extreme weather events.
2. This disruption violates children’s rights, stifles learning, and hinders economic growth.
3. Additionally, climate and environmental hazards have displaced millions of children from their homes, exposing them to increased vulnerabilities.
Demographic Shifts and Regional Impacts
1. The global child population is projected to stabilize at around 2.3 billion by the 2050s. However, this stabilization masks significant regional changes.
2. South Asia, eastern and southern Africa, and western and Central Africa will have the largest child populations.
3. These regions already struggle to meet children’s basic needs and face significant risks from climate change. They also lack adequate digital infrastructure to support their growing populations.
Frontier Technologies and Opportunities
1. The report outlines the potential for frontier technologies to improve children’s lives significantly. Advances in artificial intelligence, neurotechnology, renewable energy, and vaccines could enhance child welfare in the future.
2. Digitalization also offers opportunities to empower children, but it comes with risks, such as increased exposure to online sexual exploitation and abuse.
3. The report notes a stark digital divide, with over 95% of people in high-income countries connected to the internet, compared to just 26% in low-income countries.
4. This lack of access exacerbates inequalities, particularly in regions with rapidly growing child populations.
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