Children leading the charge against the climate crisis
Most of us do our bit for the planet. But when it comes to softening the blow of the climate crisis for the next generation, we have to do more. And we have to do it fast.
It’s one of the most hopeful images of our time: children leading the charge against the climate crisis. From London to Lagos, Cape Town to Colombo, at school strikes, youth summits and on social media - children are speaking truth to power.
And it's working. Politicians are beginning to listen. Since the first UN climate summit in 1995, climate change has gone from being a fringe issue to a global priority. And in August the British public stated climate change as its second biggest concern after COVID-19. It's proof that change is possible.
Children are already being hit hard by the impact of the climate crisis
A child born today is likely to experience on average twice as many wildfires, nearly three times as many river floods, and almost seven times more heatwaves in their lifetime than their grandparents.
And it’s not just a worry for the future – it’s happening right now. As extreme weather events destroy crops and livelihoods, children are being robbed of their chance to explore a world of possibility.
Those growing up in poorer countries and disadvantaged communities are worst affected. Evidence suggests 1 billion - nearly half the world's children - live in countries at 'extremely high' risk of the impacts of climate change.
Sierra Leone is one of those countries. “Over the last five years, we've noticed more and more floods and mudslides,” says Ramatu Jalloh, Save the Children's Advocacy and Communication Director in Sierra Leone.
“We have beautiful islands that are now disappearing. How they were just ten years ago is not how they are now. I visited Plantain Island a couple of months ago and half the island is gone. A child pointed to a boat and told me, ‘that's where the land was.’ His school used to be in the middle of the community, now it’s on the edge of the water.”
“Some families used to farm on the island, but the small piece of land that's left is now too salinated for crops like potato leaves to grow. Now children might only get rice with chili in it. They’re not getting the nutrition they need.”
When adults suffer, children suffer more
The knock-on effects stop children from becoming whoever they want to be, says Jalloh. “Households are more stressed. Families may have to bring in food from the mainland, which is expensive, so they don't have the money to send their children to school. That leaves girls more vulnerable to child marriage and other forms of exploitation… When adults suffer, children suffer more.”
The good news is, we have long-term solutions - small and mighty programmes that are equipping children and their families for the future. We’re working alongside communities to grow more drought-resistant crops. We’re helping families to grow their own nutritious food, all year round. We’re supporting girls to stay in education until they say they’re ready to leave.
But we need to do more. There’s no doubt long-term change will take time, commitment, and investment. That’s why we’ve set up The Fairness Fund - to make sure people who see the bigger picture can play their part in long-term progress.
Progress is possible
By investing in The Fairness Fund, you’re supporting those small and mighty programmes. But you’re also powering the push for big, systemic change - calling on governments to do more to avert the climate crisis and to involve children, not just as a source of inspiration, but as actual decision-makers.
“The world belongs to all of us, and we need an equal voice at the table,” says Jalloh. “We need children to have a voice.”
We should all be proud of the changes we’ve made to everyday life - recycling, reusing, reducing. But if we really want to slow the impact of the climate crisis and create a fairer world, we need to think big. We need to think long-term. But most of all, we need to keep children front and centre.
Want to learn more? Invest in the Fairness Fund
