Climate Change

By the time a baby born today grows up, the world will be warmer than it is now. The impact of climate change will be uneven. A baby born to the poorest families in the south will be hit hardest by the diseases and extreme weather that will become more common.

Copenhagen deal a 'death warrant' for many of the world's poorest children

The climate change conference in Copenhagen has drawn to a close with no resolution for children. Children are already bearing the brunt of the effects of climate change, through increases in malnutrition, disease and the number of natural disasters. It is essential that agreements about the future of our planet include commitments that focus on the lives of the next generation.

“By agreeing a sub-standard deal world leaders have effectively signed a death warrant for many of the world’s poorest children," said Lydia Baker, Save the Children's Policy Adviser.

Up to 250,000 children from poor communities could die before the next major meeting in Mexico at the end of next year.

They are most vulnerable to the impacts of disasters, disease and malnutrition which are all exacerbated by climate change. Their survival should have been the first priority for world leaders at Copenhagen.

"Save the Children is appalled by how the negotiation process has been run. Some of the most vulnerable countries whose very survival depends on a post-Kyoto agreement have been kept in the dark, bullied by more powerful countries and had their access restricted during the conference," said Baker.

Mr. Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, speaking at the conference's opening ceremony.

Read our climate change blogs to find out more about what happened at the conference.

What is climate change?

‘Climate change’ refers to the changes in the world's climate that are caused principally by the emission of greenhouse gases as a result of human activity. Since the Industrial Revolution humans have burned fossil fuels, releasing greenhouse emissions, such as carbon dioxide and methane, which build up in the atmosphere, and trap heat. As their concentration increases, so do the levels of heat.

The resulting rise in temperature of the earth's atmosphere in turn affects weather patterns. Global warming is making some places drier and some wetter, and increasing the likelihood and intensity of extreme weather events like droughts, floods and cyclones.

What is the link between climate change and children’s survival?

Every year, nearly 9 million children die before their fifth birthday and 98% of them are born in the poorest countries of the world. These children are dying from diseases like diarrhoea, malnutrition and malaria — diseases that could be prevented and treated.

Climate change will make these diseases and conditions more common. For example, it will accelerate the spread of malaria in various parts of the world. Dirty water and unsafe sanitation is a major secondary cause of child mortality. Climate change affects people’s access to clean water and therefore increases the risk of waterborne disease among children.

Climate change disrupts seasonal patterns, which can have a negative impact on crop yields. It's also creating more extreme weather patterns. Over the past two decades the number of natural disasters has doubled. More floods, cyclones and droughts means more children’s lives are at risk.

And their severity is predicted to increase with climate change. Read our new report, Feeling the Heat, to find out more.

Climate Change photo gallery

Bangladesh will be one of the countries to suffer most from climate change. The impact of climate change is already making it a struggle for many children and their families to survive. Asma, ten, burns her fingers daily working in a factory in the city of Dhaka making bangles. Flooding forced her family to move from a low-lying island on the Ganges to the slums of Dhaka.

Cyclone Aila hit Bangladesh in May 2009 with devastating consequences. Thousands of people were displaced in Khulna district, south-west Bangladesh, after the cyclone triggered tidal surges and floods. Mizan, two, and his mother, Hasim, now live in a makeshift hut and survive on one meal of rice and vegetables a day.

There are now severe clean water shortages as the polluted floodwater has contaminated existing water supplies. Villagers now have to travel long distances to collect drinking water.

Irani, eight, studies at Protyashita Edas School in Khulna district, which was built and run with the support of Save the Children.

Irani, three, with his mother in their new home, built by Save the Children. Their house was destroyed by Cyclone Sidr in 2007.

Climate change and the East African drought

Droughts are becoming more common due to climate change; weather patterns are also becoming increasingly erratic. Kenya has experienced a drought for four consecutive years, from 2005 to 2009. Food shortages caused by persistent drought, coupled with a lack of adequate medical facilities, are threatening the lives of young children in the country.

Find out more about the crisis and our response.

Preventing future disasters

As part of our climate change work, we’re working to reduce the impact or even prevent disasters through our Disaster Risk Reduction work in 30 countries around the world. These activities can be policies, strategies or activities carried out by villages, aid agencies or governments to reduce a community’s vulnerability to a disaster. For example, in Myanmar (Burma), we’re helping to reinforce schools to ensure that children and their families will have a safe place to shelter in the event of another cyclone.

The aim is to ensure that children are involved in identifying risks, know what to do when a disaster strikes, and share this information with their friends and wider community.

A high number of children are drowning in the Mekong Delta's frequent floods. We’re working with local schools to give swimming lessons to young students in danger. Find out more.