By Tundun Aihie
There is an African proverb that says “The earth is not given to us by our parents. It is lent to us by our children.” Thus, one of the greatest gifts the older generation can give back is a healthy planet for the coming generation. Children are the most vulnerable to the impact of climate change and even though they bear no responsibility in the damage that has led to threats caused by the effects of it; they have been plagued by the impact to the planet. From destruction of infrastructure caused by natural disaster linked to climate-related issues to vulnerability to diseases such as malaria and dengue fever that are on the rise due to climate change, children are faced with the consequences of actions that infringe on their right to survival and development in a healthy habitat.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the climate crisis is a child rights crisis and the impact of it is felt in many ways from rights to life, survival and development to right to education and attainable standard of health.
It is thus our collective responsibility to take action on how and ways to provide a clean, safe and sustainable planet for our children. UNICEF has provided guidelines on what to do to ensure that children have access to environment fit for their existence. One of the guidelines is to empower the children. This involves recognising them as stakeholders and agents of change. Children’s participation and engagement in policies revolving around climate change and implementation should gain significant traction.
Children should be given opportunity to express their views, concerns and opinions on climate-related discourse. They should be allowed to participate in activism relating to global warming and environment-related issues. They must be integrated in the process for creating solutions to climate change challenges and help promote environmentally sustainable lifestyles.
Another guideline given by UNICEF is to protect children from the impact of climate-related risks. Stakeholders should look towards promoting climate-resilient water and sanitation services. An example is the use of renewable energy to power such amenities as water pumps and also as source of power in educational and health facilities. The use of renewable energy not only help to reduce the emission of Green House Gases, it also creates energy security which ultimately has economic benefits. Children, on their part, can be sensitised on the need to learn to conserve and save energy. They should be taught to turn off the light when they leave the room and the TV when no one is watching. Also, they need to know that water can be conserved when they do not let it run while they are brushing their teeth.
There is an increasing urgency to decarbonise our environment if we want to avoid the worst impact of climate change. Air pollution and emission are closely linked to climate change.
Protecting the children from the effects of air pollution and climate change require that air pollution exposure to children be reduced. Children should be taught about major drivers of air pollution and they are non-renewable energy such as fossil fuel and non-sustainable agricultural practices such as the use of chemicals and overproduction which eventually leads to food waste. Children should be guided in imbibing the green culture by learning about ways to reduce air pollution and emission and practicing what they learn. Using the public transport where possible is a good place to start. Burning of fossil fuel in our cars lead to the emission of harmful gases. Recycling is another way of cultivating the green culture habit. Shopping bags and plastic containers can be re-used to limit their production and disposal as they are usually non-biodegradable and can contribute to land pollution. Planting trees is also another way to improve the air quality in our environment and this should be taught to children as well.
Making environmental policies that are sensitive to children’s needs would help protect the planet which is their home. UNICEF advocates integrating environmental education in their school curriculum as this is an effective way to ensure that they understand the environment and why it is pertinent that they live in an eco-friendly and sustainable planet. They should be taught to make research on natural processes and observe the impact of human activities on the environment and form opinion on the resulting complex processes. Spending time in nature would help them learn how to care for their environment. Children should be exposed to learning resources and guided by their teachers.
Everyone deserves the right to a healthy planet especially the children. It is thus onus on us all to recognise our obligation to widen the access to a sustainable, clean, safe and healthy planet for our children and the generation yet unborn.
Tundun Aihie is a senior petrophysicist and cleaner earth advocate.
