Impact of Climate Change on the Mental Health of Children.

By Simpson Anita

Over the years, one may have heard of the term, “Climate Change” and thought of it as a faraway concept or as something that affects only developed countries. But climate change is no longer a distant threat; its impacts are affecting us now, and no group is more vulnerable than the young. (Sheffield & Landrigan, 2011)

 

Climate change is an encompassing term that describes the long-term changes in the Earth’s climate patterns, including temperature, wind patterns, and ocean currents.

Climate change is largely caused by harmful human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and unsustainable agricultural practices. These activities lead to an increase in the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

 

Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, trap heat from the sun and warm up the Earth’s surface.

 

The average global temperature has increased by about 1.1°C since the pre-industrial era, and each of the last four decades has been warmer than any previous decade since 1850.

 

As temperatures rise, extreme weather events become more frequent, which includes a variety of effects, such as melting ice caps, rising sea levels, extreme weather events, droughts, floods, wildfires, and loss of biodiversity.

 

As all these take place, the well-being of the youngest members of our society is at stake.

 

Mental Health

 

Climate change is not just about rising temperatures and extreme weather events; it's also taking a toll on the mental well-being of our children. A factor which should never be ignored. (Ahdoot et al. 2015)

 

As temperatures around the world rise and natural disasters increase in frequency and magnitude, children are affected in ways many cannot fathom until it is too late.

 

Children who have first-hand experience of extreme weather events, like storms, hurricanes, floods, or wildfires, may end up causing severe mental distress for children.

 

Additionally, witnessing the destruction of their homes and communities can leave lasting emotional scars for children which will carry on to their adult years. (Pacheco, 2020).

 

Witnessing deaths or loosing loved ones to natural disasters can also affect children.

 

Eventually, these children may end up suffering from mental problems like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD).

 

Being victims of climate change could also make children develop feelings of uncertainty about the future, leading to something called “eco-anxiety” in children.

 

Eco-anxiety leaves these children constantly worrying about the impact of climate change on their lives, such as food shortages, water scarcity, or the loss of agriculture. The fear of an unpredictable future can lead to heightened stress levels and affect their overall mental health (Currie & Deschênes, 2016).

 

 

Health and mental disorders

 

The physical health impacts of climate change, such as increased heatwaves and air pollution, can also contribute to emotional distress in children. Respiratory problems caused by worsening air quality can lead to anxiety about health, especially for children who already have pre-existing conditions like asthma (Bartlett, 2008).

 

A sense of not finding solutions to their predicaments could lead to situations like depression and may even lead children to abuse drugs and alcohol to deal with the mental health situations they go through.

 

 

Solutions

 

Recognizing the mental health challenges posed by climate change is the first step in finding solutions. It is crucial to create supportive environments for children, including access to mental health resources and education about climate change and its impacts. Schools, communities, and families play a vital role in fostering resilience and providing coping mechanisms for children facing the emotional burden of a changing climate (Ahdoot et al., 2015).

 

In conclusion, the mental health of our children is intricately connected to the changing climate. By understanding these impacts and taking proactive steps to address them, we can help build a more resilient generation capable of facing the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

 



References

Sheffield, P. E., & Landrigan, P. J. (2011). Global climate change and children’s health: threats and strategies for prevention. Environmental health perspectives, 119(3), 291-298.

 

Ahdoot, S., Pacheco, S. E., Council on Environmental Health, Paulson, J. A., Ahdoot, S., Baum, C. R., ... & Trasande, L. (2015). Global climate change and children’s health. Pediatrics, 136(5), e1468-e1484.

 

Shea, K. M., & Committee on Environmental Health. (2007). Global climate change and children's health. Pediatrics, 120(5), e1359-e1367.