Right now, climate change is causing extreme weather events to increase in frequency and ferocity. And children will bear the greatest impact. The climate crisis is a child rights crisis. It threatens the health, survival, and future potential of all children.
When floods hit, health clinics and water facilities can be destroyed and stagnant water breeds disease. Drought can cause crop failures and lead to malnutrition, forcing people from their homes.
Toxic air pollution affects children’s lung and brain development. As climate change makes crises more common and intense, it becomes harder to recover from them.
UNICEF programs are working to build a safer, cleaner world for all children, supporting communities to prepare and recover from climate shocks while adapting to their changing environment.
When a disaster strikes, teams respond rapidly to PROTECT children with the care and supplies that could save their lives.
UNICEF responses PREPARE communities by building resilience which helps limit the effects of climate induced disasters.
And finally, UNICEF helps PRIORITISE children and young people - ensuring the resources they need to survive are available now, and in the future.
As our world changes, we must invest in communities and brace for the severe effects of climate change - to ensure children have the best possible chance of a healthy, happy future.